PUMA Deviate Pure NITRO Men's Running Shoes
Lightweight. Flexible. Responsive. A plated-shoe alternative for everyday road running.
The PUMA Deviate Pure NITRO Men's is a neutral road-running shoe designed for runners who want a lightweight, responsive training shoe without the stiffness of a carbon plate.
Unlike the PUMA Deviate NITRO 4, the Deviate Pure NITRO deliberately removes the plate. Instead, it uses NITROFOAM cushioning, an 8mm drop and a flexible construction to provide smooth propulsion while allowing the foot to move more naturally through the gait cycle.
At approximately 220g in a men's UK 8, it is considerably lighter than a conventional high-cushion daily trainer. This gives the Deviate Pure NITRO a versatile character: it can handle everyday mileage but also feels comfortable when the pace increases.
At a Glance
| Specification | PUMA Deviate Pure NITRO Men's |
|---|
| Category | Neutral lightweight daily road-running shoe |
| Best Use | Daily running, steady runs, tempo and faster training |
| Cushioning | Medium |
| Midsole | NITROFOAM |
| Plate | None |
| Drop | 8mm |
| Stack Height | 38mm heel / 30mm forefoot |
| Weight | Approx. 220g men's UK 8 |
| Upper | Engineered mesh |
| Outsole | PUMAGRIP performance rubber |
| Terrain | Road |
| Support | Neutral |
| Recommended Runner | Frequent runner |
| Average Mileage | PUMA lists approximately 800km |
What Is the PUMA Deviate Pure NITRO?
The Deviate Pure NITRO is essentially a lighter, more flexible alternative to a carbon-plated performance trainer.
The name can cause some confusion because the Deviate NITRO family is associated with PWRPLATE technology. The Pure version is deliberately different: there is no plate.
Instead, the shoe is designed around the natural responsiveness of NITROFOAM and a flexible road-running platform.
This makes it particularly useful for runners who like the feeling of a fast shoe but do not necessarily want the stiffness and mechanical assistance of a carbon plate.
NITROFOAM Cushioning
The core technology is PUMA's NITROFOAM nitrogen-infused foam.
NITROFOAM is designed to provide a combination of lightweight cushioning and energy return. In the Deviate Pure NITRO, the foam is allowed to work without a carbon plate sitting between the runner and the road.
This gives the shoe a more natural response compared with a stiff plated trainer.
What Does NITROFOAM Feel Like?
- Light underfoot
- Responsive without being overly aggressive
- Cushioned enough for regular road mileage
- More flexible than a plated performance shoe
- Energetic when increasing the pace
No Carbon Plate Why Does That Matter?
The biggest difference between the Deviate Pure NITRO and the Deviate NITRO 4 is the absence of a performance plate.
A carbon plate increases longitudinal stiffness and changes the way the shoe transitions through the forefoot. The Deviate Pure NITRO takes a different approach.
It allows the shoe to flex more naturally as the foot moves through the gait cycle.
This makes it particularly appealing to runners who:
- Do not enjoy the stiffness of carbon-plated shoes
- Want a lightweight daily trainer
- Want to increase pace without using a super shoe
- Prefer a more natural forefoot transition
- Want one shoe for regular and faster running
Flexible Ride
PUMA specifically positions the Deviate Pure NITRO around a flexible ride with smooth propulsion.
This is an important distinction from the Deviate NITRO 4.
The Pure version does not rely on a plate to create propulsion. Instead, the runner gets the responsiveness of NITROFOAM combined with a platform that can flex naturally.
The result is a shoe that feels more like a lightweight running trainer than a traditional carbon-plated performance shoe.
8mm Heel-to-Toe Drop
The Deviate Pure NITRO uses an 8mm heel-to-toe drop, with a listed stack height of approximately 38mm at the heel and 30mm at the forefoot.
This gives the shoe substantial foam underfoot without requiring a very aggressive geometry.
The 8mm drop also sits in a versatile middle ground and can work well for a broad range of runners and running styles.
How Does the Deviate Pure NITRO Ride?
| Ride Characteristic | What to Expect |
|---|
| Cushioning | Medium; enough for regular road mileage |
| Responsiveness | High for a daily trainer |
| Flexibility | High compared with plated performance shoes |
| Stability | Neutral |
| Ground Feel | More natural and connected than a stiff plated shoe |
| Speed Range | Easy through faster training |
| Weight | Lightweight |
Everyday Running
The Deviate Pure NITRO is designed specifically for everyday road running.
Its 220g weight and responsive foam make it particularly attractive for runners who don't want to carry the weight of a heavily cushioned daily trainer.
It is also versatile enough to handle changes in pace during a normal training run.
Easy Runs
The shoe can comfortably handle easy running, although it does not provide the deep, soft sensation of a maximum-cushion trainer.
It makes more sense for runners who prefer a lighter and more responsive easy-day shoe rather than runners looking for maximum impact protection.
Steady Running
Steady-state running is an excellent application for the Deviate Pure NITRO.
The lightweight construction allows the runner to settle into a faster aerobic pace without requiring a carbon-plated shoe.
Tempo Runs
The Deviate Pure NITRO is well suited to tempo running.
When the pace increases, the responsiveness of NITROFOAM becomes more apparent, while the absence of a plate allows the shoe to retain a more natural flex pattern.
This makes it an attractive option for runners who want a lightweight trainer for threshold and tempo work but don't enjoy the rigid sensation of plated footwear.
Intervals
The low weight makes the Deviate Pure NITRO capable of handling interval training.
It does not provide the propulsion of a carbon-plated shoe, but the lighter construction means the shoe does not feel cumbersome during faster repetitions.
For runners developing speed rather than chasing maximum race-day efficiency, this can be a useful training platform.
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