Puma Deviate Nitro 4 carbon plate road running shoe

Photo shows one example colourway

Deviate Nitro 4

Name: Puma Deviate Nitro 4
Brand: Puma
SKU: puma-deviate-nitro-4

Tracked dailyCarbon Plated👁 50 people tracking this

Best price todayLowest tracked · 90d

£80.42£150.00−46%

Gender: check retailerColour: Bleu

at Direct RunningDEAL · 28% under 30d avg

90D Low£79.05

30D Avg£111.48

RRP£150.00

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Where to buy

Today's tracked prices

Live UK prices for the Puma Deviate Nitro 4 across all retailers we track
Rank	Retailer	Colour	Price	vs RRP	Updated	Link
01	Direct RunningDEAL	Bleu	£80.42£150.00	−46%	1d ago	View deal →

01Direct RunningDEAL1d ago
£80.42£150.00−46%
Bleu
View deal →

Prices and sizes can change, so always check the latest availability at the retailer. Some links earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.

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Price history

Expert review

Our verdict

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.

Key features

Two-layer midsoleA softer layer on top of a firmer base, so easy miles feel kinder than in v3 while the shoe still responds when you speed up
Carbon composite plateGives you a quick, rolling toe-off at tempo pace, at the cost of a stiff forefoot with very little bend
Roomier engineered mesh upperHas more stretch than v3, which helps if earlier Deviates felt tight across your forefoot
PumaGrip outsoleHolds on well on wet and icy roads, and showed very little wear in lab testing
Gusseted tongueKeeps the tongue from sliding and works with the lacing to lock your midfoot down

Who it suits

Who should buy it

Runners who want one plated shoe for easy days and tempo sessions
Previous Deviate owners who found the fit too tight
Year-round UK running, thanks to grip that copes with wet and icy roads
Marathon trainees who prefer a lower, firmer ride to a tall bouncy one

Who should not buy it

You want the springiest super trainer, because rivals bounce more
You land hard on your heels, where the shoe feels least lively
You need a genuinely wide toe box
You like a flexible shoe, as the plate makes it very stiff
You want deep cushioning for ultra distances

Best uses

tempo
long runs
easy runs
intervals
marathon training

At a glance

Ratings

8.5Greatout of 10

Lightness7.5

Cushioning6.5

Flexibility3.0

Responsive7.5

Stability7.5

Grip9.0

Pros

Best-fitting Deviate yet, with more room than v3
Excellent grip on wet and icy roads
Handles easy runs and tempo work in one shoe
Lower RRP than version 3
Breathable upper that dries quickly

Cons

Heel feels flat next to the lively forefoot
Very stiff, so not for runners who like a flexible shoe
Upper scored poorly in lab durability tests
Less springy than rivals like the EVO SL
Toe box still narrow for wide feet

Good to know

Extra information

Fit & sizing

Stick with your normal size. Every tester did, and one who falls between sizes went for the smaller option without any toe problems. The bigger change is width. Earlier Deviates had a reputation for running narrow, and Puma has loosened the mesh this time, so there's visibly more give across the forefoot. If the Deviate Nitro 3 pinched, this one should be easier on you. It still isn't a wide shoe, though. Lab measurements put the toe box on the narrow side, so if you need a properly roomy forefoot, try a pair on first. Lockdown is good. The gusseted tongue and lacing hold your midfoot in place, and nobody reported hot spots or rubbing.

Performance breakdown

Ride & feel

Firm, but not harsh. Fordy Runs puts it between the Adizero Boston 13, which is firmer, and Saucony's Endorphin Speed, which is softer, and that's a handy way to picture it. At tempo and progression pace the plate gives you an energetic toe-off, and reviewers found it quicker there than v3. Easy runs are comfortable without the shoe nagging you to speed up. The back half is where it's weaker: landings through the heel can feel flat, and one tester thought the roll from heel to toe was a touch slow.

Cushioning

There's enough foam for long, relaxed runs, but this isn't a max-cushion shoe and doesn't pretend to be. Reviewers say the softer top layer gives more on impact than v3, while a firmer base underneath keeps things controlled. Expect the forefoot to feel bouncier than the heel. It'll handle the long runs in a marathon block. For ultras, or if your legs want more protection late in a run, a taller super trainer makes more sense.

Stability

It's a neutral shoe with no stability aids, yet reviewers found it steady for a plated trainer. The firmer base layer helps, as does a platform that isn't especially tall, and one UK reviewer called it very stable at every pace. The slightly narrow base makes it feel nimble rather than planted, so if you overpronate and need real support, look elsewhere.

Upper & comfort

The mesh is the most improved part of the shoe. It breathes well and dries quickly after rain, and the extra stretch takes away the pinch some runners felt in earlier versions. Heel padding is modest but enough for long efforts. Durability is harder to call. Lab testing gave the toe box and heel lining poor wear scores, while Canadian Running's tester got through snow, rain and treadmill sessions without any wear issues. If you tend to wear through uppers at the toe, keep an eye on it.

Honest reviews by runners

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Common questions

FAQ

Does the Puma Deviate Nitro 4 run true to size?

Yes, for most runners. If an earlier Deviate felt tight, this version has more stretch in the upper, though it still isn't a wide-fit shoe.

Can I race a marathon in the Deviate Nitro 4?

You can, but it's really a training shoe. Puma's Deviate Nitro Elite 4 is the race-day model and is much lighter. Use the Nitro 4 for the long runs and marathon-pace sessions before race day.

Is the Deviate Nitro 4 good for beginners?

It can work, but it isn't the obvious first shoe. The stiff plate and firm ride suit runners who do some faster sessions. If most of your running is easy, a softer daily trainer will feel kinder and usually costs less.

Deviate Nitro 4 or Saucony Endorphin Speed 5?

The Saucony is the softer of the two, while the Puma is firmer and more stable, and its outsole has drawn praise for grip in wet and icy conditions. RRPs are close, £155 for the Saucony and £150 for the Puma. Pick the Speed 5 if you want a softer ride at pace, the Deviate if you value control and all-weather traction.

Is it worth upgrading from the Deviate Nitro 3?

Reviewers think so. The fit is roomier, easy runs feel softer, tempo work feels quicker and the RRP is lower. If v3 fitted you perfectly and you liked its higher drop, you gain less.

How durable is the Deviate Nitro 4?

The outsole is the strong point and barely wore in lab testing. The upper is the worry, with low lab scores at the toe box and heel lining, although at least one long-term tester had no problems. Expect the sole to last and keep an eye on the mesh.

The numbers