PUMA Deviate Nitro 2 Shoe Review
Published: February 24, 2023
PUMA Is on the Prowl Once Again With the Deviate Nitro 2
Likes
- NITRO ELITE foam is very bouncy and responsive
- Upper delivers a comfortable, locked-and-loaded fit
- Snug fit
- Responsive
Dislikes
- Feels heavier on foot than comparable models
What's New
Building off the successes of its predecessor, the PUMA Deviate Nitro is back rocking updates everywhere, and version two of this highly cushioned uptempo trainer is ready to inject catlike speed and agility into your training runs.
The shoe's new blended NITRO and NITRO ELITE foam midsole with newly retooled PWRplate is the talk of the town, and the Deviate Nitro 2 promises softer landings with exceptional energy return and efficiency. Combine this with a highly grippy, confidence-inspiring PUMAGRIP ATR outsole, and runners will have all that they need to hunt down personal bests.
The upper only delights further, as added padding in the heel and collar helps bring new levels of comfort to the Deviate Nitro, and irritations are now a thing of the past. Furthermore, with PWRTAPE accenting the mesh upper design, the Deviate Nitro 2 offers runners reliable support and increased durability.
The Bottom Line
When the first version of the Deviate Nitro was released, it performed surprisingly well, helping bolster PUMA's impressive new lineup of high-performing road runners. Though a solid overall shoe, the original Deviate Nitro left room for improvement, and PUMA was more than responsive to runners' thoughts on the original.
The shoe's already impressive midsole has only improved in version two thanks to the fresh full-length layer of NITRO ELITE foam. This super energetic compound provides even softer landings, and the Deviate Nitro 2 offers better protection over long distances. The new PWRplate delivers snappy toe-offs with improved efficiency, all while being more forgiving underfoot.
Just as important, the redesigned upper with additional padding around the collar and heel has drastically improved the shoe's fit and feel. Version one was criticized for causing rubbing and irritation, and PUMA heeded the call for more comfort in version two. The Nitro 2's breathable mesh upper will not only keep you secure but will also keep you irritation-free regardless of how long the run is.
Finally, you cannot be a fast cat without having incredible grip, and the Deviate Nitro 2's PUMAGRIP outsole is nothing short of fantastic, helping runners confidently charge forward without hesitation. Lookout running world, these high-performing predators are on the hunt, and no run is safe from the Deviate Nitro 2.
Our In-Depth Look
Upper
Jon: "The upper was very comfortable from the start, and I especially appreciated the padding in the tongue and heel collar. The extra padding made for long-lasting comfort that felt good no matter the distance or intensity.
There has been a ton of rain on California's Central Coast of late, so I had the opportunity to log some rainy miles in these shoes, and the upper performed well. The engineered mesh did not feel heavy in the rain and did not keep me from hitting my goal pace during faster efforts."
Risa: "The upper may be my favorite part of this shoe. It had a secure lockdown with a soft upper that did not cause any irritation. I frequently find shoes fit a bit roomier than I like, as I have narrower feet, but the PUMA Deviate Nitro 2 was just right."
Midsole
Jon: "The star of this shoe is the midsole. The addition of the NITRO ELITE foam in the midsole has catapulted the Deviate Nitro 2 into the top tier of uptempo trainers. The combination of NITRO and NITRO ELITE foam resulted in a very bouncy and very responsive ride well-suited for faster efforts.
The first run I did in these shoes was a 10-miler at an easy pace, and I did not experience the midsole's full potential. It was not until my next run, a speed workout, that I truly felt the power and speed of the Deviate Nitro 2. When it came time to transition from the warm-up to the first interval (1000m at 6:10 to 6:20), it did not take long to get up to speed. I could really feel the foam and carbon plate working together, delivering an efficient and energetic snap with each stride.
The Deviate Nitro 2 was also surprisingly stable despite its higher stack. The only slight issue I had was that the shoe felt a bit heavier than its competition, but I do not feel like it affected the ride."
Risa: "I would say the Deviate Nitro 2 has a soft and responsive underfoot experience. It is not so soft that I would call it plush, but it is not firm either; I think it sits nicely in between. The midsole offers a nice pop that I can even feel at slower paces. Though, I will likely reserve this shoe for uptempo workouts moving forward to get the most out of the midsole."
Outsole
Jon: "After performing extremely well in rainy weather on both the track and the road, I am happy to report that the outsole inspires a lot of confidence. I never felt the need to slow down around corners or overcompensate for the wet conditions. Also, after running approximately 55 miles in the shoes, I see no signs of wear on the outsole."
Risa: "I had no issues with traction as I took the Deviate Nitro 2 on asphalt, road, and packed dirt. I also had no difficulty in wet conditions after experiencing some rainy weather."
Comparable Shoes
Jon: "The closest comparisons that come to mind after testing the Deviate Nitro 2s are the Endorphin Speed and ASICS Novablasts.
The Nitro picks up the pace just as well as the Endorphin Speed but feels a little heavier on foot. The Deviate Nitro 2 is also faster than the Novablast, but the Novablast offers a bit more long-distance versatility in my opinion. What works best for other runners will ultimately come down to their personal preference, and I will not be surprised when I see the Deviate Nitro 2 on top of a lot of best-of lists."
Risa: "I would put the Deviate Nitro 2 in the same category as shoes like the ASICS Novablast, HOKA Mach 5, and maybe even the Endorphin Speed 3, all of which could be used for daily training, uptempo runs, and even races. I am a long-time lover of the Endorphin Speed, and would probably favor it as a race-day option given its slightly more protective midsole, but I really appreciated the Deviate Nitro's energetic midsole and will keep it in my rotation for shorter, faster workouts."
PUMA Men's Deviate Nitro
The PUMA Deviate Nitro is an uptempo running shoe that delivers a fast and smooth ride on speed days with enough comfort to take on daily training runs as well.
PUMA Women's Deviate Nitro
The PUMA Deviate Nitro is an uptempo running shoe that delivers a fast and smooth ride on speed days with enough comfort to take on daily training runs as well.
Individual Thoughts
JonOverall Score: 8.5/10
Overall, the PUMA Deviate Nitro 2 delivered a fantastic testing experience, and I look forward to running many more miles in the pair I have. The midsole delivered an exciting ride during speed workouts and had an incredibly energetic rebound. Furthermore, the upper was very comfortable and fit great right from the start.
However, I will likely only reach for them on speed days as they did not stand out when used on easy or recovery runs. Understandably, they are built to be uptempo shoes, but I love when a shoe can provide a solid level of versatility, like the ASICS Novablast. I should also note that the Deviate Nitro felt fine when I took them on a 10-mile long run, but they started to feel a bit heavy past the 8-mile mark, so I do not imagine using them on many double-digit efforts in the future. Even though the Deviate Nitro 2s are not the most versatile shoes, runners who prioritize speed will love these fast cats.
RisaOverall Score: 8/10
There is definitely some excitement in the warehouse now that new PUMAs are hitting the shelves. Honestly, the Deviate Nitro 2 has made quite the impression, and I have enjoyed running in this trainer on everything from jogs to fartleks, as well as longer runs. That said, I might seek out a more cushioned shoe for efforts 10 miles or longer.
The Deviate Nitro 2 is soft yet responsive, delivering an experience somewhere between a lightweight trainer and a daily trainer. It has a snug fit that felt perfect on my narrower feet, but it may not be the best for those with wider feet. I thought the aesthetic was fine, though there are better-looking daily trainers, in my opinion. Still, I believe a lot of people will enjoy the white/neon/black colorway. Runners looking for a fast shoe that can handle all their daily training or speed workouts can't go wrong with the PUMA Deviate Nitro 2.
