When I first heard that we would be testing out a new Puma running shoe I got giddy as I can’t remember the last time Puma made a new running shoe! Not only does the shoe look fast, it has Puma’s new INNOPLATE which is their carbon plate to compete against the likes of Nike, Brooks, Adidas, and so on.
First off, lets go over the good! I absolutely love the new upper on these. It is extremely light, form fitting, and breathable. I would dare to compare it to a nice pair of gloves, it’s that good. I also welcomed the outsole of these as running in Oregon we come across all types of weather (mostly wet) and the Pumagrip performed as desired. Rain, ice, and a tiny bit of snow didn’t slow these down. As you can see from the pics, these also got a little mud on them from slight off-road terrain and while it wasn’t a treacherous mountain, they prevented me from sliding around in the mud. The Deviate Nitro midsole is Puma’s new NITRO FOAM (hence the name) which is fairly light and doesn’t feel sluggish. The carbon plate also seemed to work in tandem with the midsole for responsive turnover while running. Also, they just look fast! The bright color, design, etc. It all just looks quick!
Now, for the not so good. My main gripe with the Deviate Nitro is the heel. Even with these laced up tighter than I normally would, I found myself consistently having heel slip. I would not recommend these without some higher or thicker socks to keep your foot more secure and to prevent any blistering. I think the farthest run I made in these was around 8 miles which to be honest, seemed to be about my breaking point before it became too much. Other than that, no real other complaints. Unfortunately, the heel issue is a deal breaker for me. Hopefully they can get this refined and these would become a huge contender for a great daily trainer.
All in all, I’m extremely excited to have Puma back in the running game and hope that they refine the heel cup because I REALLY want to love these. The Puma Deviate Nitro releases on March 4, 2021 for $160.
Company:
Products & Price:
- Puma Deviate Nitro | Releasing on March 4, 2021 for $160
Specs (from website):
- Midsole Drop: 8mm
- Weight: 7.6oz (unisex, men’s size 9)
- NITRO Foam: PUMA’s NITRO Foam technology offers the perfect balance between light weight and responsiveness
- INNOPLATE: PUMA’s carbon fiber propulsion plate acts as a lever to propel you forward
- PUMAGRIP: PUMA’s durable rubber compound that provides all-surface traction
- Breathable engineered mesh upper
- NITRO FOAM midsole
- PUMAGRIP RUBBER outsole for all-surface traction
- Carbon fiber INNOPLATE for energy transfer
- Lightweight, breathable tongue
- Lace closure for a snug fit
- TPU heel piece for stability
- Reflective branding and spoiler for high visibility
- PUMA Formstrip on lateral side
More about Puma:
Run faster, run further, run stronger in the high performance Deviate Nitro – built for those who love to clock up the marathon miles.
Speed and performance are woven into every detail. A breathable mesh upper combines with the NITRO FOAM midsole to deliver an ultra lightweight but well-cushioned shoe. The carbon fibre INNOPLATE acts as a lever to propel you forward with each toe-off, ensuring maximum energy efficiency over distance. Reflective branding and spoiler ensure high visibility in all conditions, and the PUMAGRIP outsole means you don’t have to worry about slipping when you put your foot down.
Thank you to Puma for providing us with test shoes. Please read our transparency page for info on how we do our reviews.
