It's not always essential to look your best while training, but Puma's Deviate Pure Nitro make that an option. Excellent cushioning and breathability, great versatility, and more than a little thought given to comfort means it'll do its job while looking as attractive as it does.
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Design
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Comfort
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Performance
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Value
Short-notice travel with only carry-on luggage (max 7 kg) made the new Puma Deviate Pure Nitro, Puma’s latest, the no-brainer shoe of choice. In addition to its weight, it also had the glowing approval of a hard-to-please teenage daughter with serious fashion sense (clearly very important). That meant we’d have to keep these gems hidden in case there were any unauthorised outings. But, more to the point…
Puma’s Deviate Pure Nitro are light and nimble training shoes with clean lines and a fresh white colour. The feel as you step in matches the design. They are remarkably soft and cushioned, and are the perfect lightweight everyday trainer. Puma offers up a plateless running shoe ideal for short- to mid-distance running, for a mixture of comfort and versatility.
The Design
These trainers feature simple yet elegant styling, predominantly white with black and bright red features on the heel. As usual, the fit is true to size. However, these are possibly a better fit for narrow and medium-width feet. It has a gusseted padded tongue with great ventilation. The top of the shoe is light mesh that remained perfectly breathable in Natal humidity. The overall feel of the shoe is light and airy, and it is a whole 30 grams lighter than its sister shoe, the Deviate Nitro 4. We are told that this shoe features evolved NitroFoam, possibly adding to the cushioned feel.
Run feel
The Deviate Pure Nitro feels light yet stable, supporting a soft landing and a reasonable rebound. It is a neutral shoe with plenty of cushioning and an energetic feel. The flat, stretchy laces secure the foot nicely, and we didn’t even use the top eyelet. The NitroFoam combined with the brand’s PumaGrip covering most of the forefoot and the medial and lateral side of the heel ensured a great grip. We put this to the test on a 10% wet downhill, and the shoe held the surface without issues.
Stats
Price: R3,200
Weight: 220 grams
Stack Height: 38mm/30mm
Drop: 8mm
Sizing: True to size
Puma Deviate Pure Nitro verdict
Puma Deviate Pure Nitro is a very fitting name for this running shoe. True to Puma’s usual style, it is well-constructed, light, comfy, and works at variable paces and surfaces. It is a great option as a daily trainer for anything from a tempo to interval runs and offers an alternative to the plated shoe for many runners. For the price, you’ll get plenty of great miles, enjoyment, and, of course, appreciative glances at your stylish training shoes.
