Deviate Nitro 4 vs Spectur 2

The Puma Deviate Nitro 4 is a carbon-plated do-it-all running shoe, and that is the point of it. Puma pitches this as one pair for almost everything: easy miles, tempo work, long runs and the occasional race. At 245g it is heavier than a pure marathon shoe, but that weight buys you a plush, durable ride you can rack up training miles in without babying it. The carbon plate sits under a tall 33.6mm heel and a 7mm drop, so you get a smooth, propulsive roll rather than the aggressive snap of a race-day shoe. In our view this is the sweet spot for one runner who wants a single versatile trainer instead of a rotation. It rewards a controlled tempo more than a flat-out sprint. If you want the widest use per pound at £150, few carbon shoes are as adaptable. The Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 is the obvious rival, and it is lighter, but the Deviate feels the more robust daily companion.

The Salomon Spectur 2 is the brand's road running shoe for runners who spend most of their week on tarmac but want that unmistakable Salomon security underfoot. It is a cushioned, do-most-things trainer rather than a stripped-back racer. At 250g it is on the heavier side for a shoe Salomon files under tempo, so treat it as a versatile daily training shoe that can lift to a steady effort rather than a featherweight speed tool. What you get for that weight is a planted, confident ride and a grippy outsole that shrugs off wet British pavements and the odd gravel path. The 8mm drop keeps you connected to the road. At £170 RRP it sits at the premium end, and there is no carbon plate here, so you are paying for build and grip rather than propulsion. We rate it as a reassuring everyday miles shoe for road runners who value durability and stability over snap. If you want a lighter Salomon road option, the Aero Glide 4 is the softer, bouncier stablemate.