Deviate Nitro 4 vs Endorphin Speed 4

Puma cut the Deviate Nitro 4's RRP to £150, £10 under version 3, and made it a friendlier shoe while it was at it. Reviewers agree it's the best-fitting Deviate so far: the upper has more give, and the midsole feels softer on easy runs yet still picks up when you push. Think of it as a carbon-plated daily training shoe and tempo shoe rather than a marathon racer. It sits lower than most super trainers, and on paper its 7mm drop is lower than the old model's too. What it lacks is a bit of excitement. One UK review panel liked it but felt rivals such as the Adizero EVO SL are springier, and lab testing found the heel much less lively than the forefoot. We rate it a very good all-rounder, a step behind the best in its class.

The Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 is the do-everything plated trainer, and one of the most complete running shoes in its class. At 233g with an 8mm drop it sits in the sweet spot between a cushioned daily trainer and a stripped-back race shoe, so one pair covers your tempo days, your long runs and the odd parkrun. The plate gives you a gentle nudge through toe-off without the aggressive, all-or-nothing feel of a full carbon racer, which is exactly why so many runners keep coming back to it. We rate it as the shoe to reach for when you want speed without committing to a dedicated marathon shoe. It is not the cheapest tempo option at RRP, and the plusher Endorphin Speed 5 has since taken over the line, but the Speed 4 remains a brilliant buy when it drops in price. If you want the plate but not the price, this is the one to watch.