Road Racing

Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 4

Name: Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 4
Brand: Puma
Price: 250.00 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 9.0 (13 reviews)

A lighter, firmer evolution that rewards aggressive cadence and faster paces, the Elite 4 excels from 5K through marathon but suits confident runners; some testers flag its narrow profile, though the responsive ATPU foam and carbon plate deliver consistent pop across race distances.

"one of the lightest Puma racers ever" — EDDBUD

Physical blueprint

Where this shoe sits

Weight 170 g

Heel stack 38.0 mm

Drop 8.0 mm

Cushioning High

Best for

Tempo & SpeedMarathon RacingLong Runs

Suits Forefoot, Heel, Midfoot strikers

Pronation Neutral

Surface Road

Lifespan 100+ (holds up well, could keep going past 100) mi

Specifications

Weight (M9)

170g (6.0 oz)

Stack (Heel)

38.0 mm

Stack (Forefoot)

30.0 mm

Drop

8.0 mm

Midsole

NITROFOAM Elite (nitrogen-infused PEBA)

Plate

Carbon (Carbon fiber PWRPLATE)

Outsole

PUMAGRIP rubber

Upper

ULTRAWEAVE + PWRTAPE

Lacing

Traditional

Fit Profile

Length

True To Size

Forefoot Width

Standard

Midfoot Width

Average

Heel Width

Average

Lockdown

Good

Toe Box

Average

Sizing

True To Size

Ride Characteristics

Cushioning

High

Feel

Soft Plush

Energy Return

High

Stability

Neutral

Durability

Expected Miles

100+ (holds up well, could keep going past 100)

Outsole

Above Average

Expert reviews · 5 reviewers · grouped per channel

Believe in the Run Youtube ↑

Thomas's top race-day pick of the year — light, fun, familiar-feeling, and the ATPU foam plus carbon plate hold up well over 100 miles.

Best for: Race day across a wide pace range, from warm-up to marathon pace

100 miles tested · source

+1 earlier review from Believe in the Run

Believe in the Run calls this their favorite Puma race day shoe ever — a legitimate marathon contender with softer, bouncier Nitro Elite foam, a light and breathable upper, and a strong plate pop that finally puts Puma in the competitive tier of super shoes.

Best for: Marathon racing from sub-3 through 4-hour pace; a familiar, non-intimidating race day shoe for runners coming off the DV8 daily trainer.

10 miles tested · source

Doctors of Running Youtube ↑

Matt's current favorite and preferred race shoe of the five — best price in the group at $250, and the best match for heel-/midfoot-striking runners who want to go fast.

source

+1 earlier review from Doctors of Running

Andrea's #3 shoe of 2026 so far and one of her favorite racing shoes tested this year — the first comfortable Deviate Nitro Elite for her foot shape, with a firm-but-snappy ride that reminds her of the New Balance SC Elite v3.

source

EDDBUD Youtube ↑

A lighter, firmer, more controlling racer than the V3 that rewards aggressive cadence runners; exciting at half-marathon pace and above but probably not midpack-friendly.

Best for: Faster, cadence-oriented runners chasing half-marathon and shorter race times; fans of the Vaporfly 4 feel.

source

+1 earlier review from EDDBUD

An aggressive, responsive racer that suits lighter, higher-cadence runners for shorter race distances up to the half marathon.

Best for: Shorter distances up to half marathon at faster paces for lighter runners with a faster cadence

source

FORDY RUNS Youtube ↑

Fordy's pick as fastest marathon shoe; lighter build with ATPU foam suits confident, fast runners.

Best for: Confident, faster marathon runners chasing their fastest time

source

+2 earlier reviews from FORDY RUNS

After racing a rainy winter 10K in it, Fordy reverses his earlier stance and now views the Elite 4 as a fast, stable, forgiving racer he is seriously considering for the London Marathon.

Best for: 5K through half marathon racing, and potentially marathon for runners who want stability with speed.

source

A notably lighter refinement of the v3 with a firmer, Fast-R3-adjacent ride that slots in as his pick for half marathon racing.

Best for: Half marathon racing for runners wanting a lighter, slightly less aggressive alternative to the Fast-R Nitro Elite 3

source

The Run Testers Youtube ↑

Tom's top marathon race pick if he were racing now — more accessible than the Fast-R 3 at his paces.

source

+3 earlier reviews from The Run Testers

A notable upgrade on the Elite 3 thanks to significant weight loss and a punchier midsole, making it a fast, versatile, and approachable carbon racer that rivals more aggressive super shoes for a wide range of runners.

Best for: Marathon and half-marathon racing for runners who want a versatile, approachable carbon racer that also doubles for fast training.

37 miles tested · source

A versatile, approachable carbon racer that is lighter, softer and more natural-feeling than the Fast-R 3, well suited to longer races and fast training.

Best for: Half marathon to marathon racing, plus fast training, for runners wanting a versatile carbon shoe with more protection and a natural feel

37 miles tested · source

A tweaked, more performance-focused evolution of the Elite line that remains accessible; one of Tom's top carbon-plate race picks.

Best for: 10k to marathon racing for runners wanting a carbon-plated shoe that's still comfortable and accessible.

9 miles tested · source

Where it sits among similar shoes

Compared to other road racing in the same lane.

Weight · lower = lighter Men's size 9

Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 4

170g

Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 3

170g

Adidas Adizero Takumi Sen 11

184g

Nike Vaporfly 4

167g

Heel stack · higher = more cushioning mm

Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 4

38.0mm

Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 3

39.0mm

Adidas Adizero Takumi Sen 11

32.0mm

Nike Vaporfly 4

36.0mm

Drop · higher = more heel-leaning mm

Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 4

8.0mm

Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 3

8.0mm

Adidas Adizero Takumi Sen 11

7.0mm

Nike Vaporfly 4

6.0mm

Continue reading

Foam guide

How PEBA / Pebax foam works

Read the explainer

Similar shoes

Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 3

170g · 8.0mm drop

Adidas Adizero Takumi Sen 11

184g · 7.0mm drop

Nike Vaporfly 4

167g · 6.0mm drop

Altra Vanish Carbon 2

215g · 0.0mm drop

Methodology. Specs come from manufacturer data and authoritative third-party catalogs. Reviewer verdicts are summarized from named, linked sources — never copied verbatim. We weight clinical and lab-tested sources more heavily than community commentary, but the specific weights stay internal. Never sponsored, never paid placement.

Last updated 2026-05-05