The timing of Puma’s Deviate Nitro 4 at Stuff HQ couldn’t have been better. Our Deviate 3s had just started showing their age. Puma reckons its latest carbon-plated trainers “blend everyday comfort with real speed in a lighter, more refined package”. Naturally, we had to find out whether the evolution is more than incremental, so we put them through a few tests.
Specs
The shoe features a dual-foam setup. Puma’s updated Nitrofoam midsole uses a dual-layer, nitrogen-infused material with a softer PEBA-based top layer for bounce. It has a firmer PEBA/EVA blend underneath for added stability. This, combined with the carbon Pwrplate (another term begging for a ™), adds stability and propulsion, giving the Deviate 4 the ability to be multifunctional for easier everyday runs or speedy sessions.
The upper mesh helps make the shoe breathable, especially with the heat we’re experiencing in Gauteng. We all loved the fact that 20% is made from recycled materials. The material is more pliant, and the gusseted tongue and lace-up system remains consistently good.
Fit for purpose
The broader platform contributes to stability and is perfect for wider feet. The stack height is 38mm in the heel (1mm less than the Deviate 3) and 30mm in the forefoot. However, this slight height reduction has not been at the expense of comfort or cushioning.
The shoe is pitched as a comfort shoe, which its dual foam layer and wider platform deliver. However, it is surprisingly sleek with no bulkiness. At 250g (for the UK8 size), it’s 14g lighter than the Deviate 3 model. It’s a noticeable reduction that makes it feel less bulky despite the 38mm heel stack.
The Deviate Nitro 4 offers an impressive balance between comfort and speed. The added cushioning and wider platform improve stability without dulling responsiveness, while the lighter weight keeps it feeling agile.
Puma Deviate Nitro 4 verdict
Puma’s newest is an everyday performance trainer that handles easy runs and faster sessions, it’s one of the more versatile plated options currently in SA that we have seen in the last 12 months.
The shoe is available in two colours: Apple Spritz/Lux Lime and Baltic Sea Blue. The Apple Spritz/Lux Lime is the shade we tested. The colourway combines layered yellow tones with bold black detailing. If you’re looking to be noticed, you will succeed.
With a launch price of R4,000, it enters a competitive field of plated trainers, so runners looking purely for race-day explosiveness may still opt for a dedicated super shoe like the Deviate Nitro Elite 4. However, as a versatile daily performance trainer, the Deviate 4 is a good choice
Puma’s Deviate Nitro 4 will be on sale locally from 26 February 2026, and will be available to purchase on Puma.com, Puma retail stores, Totalsports, Sportsman’s Warehouse, and Takealot.
