Running Shoe Reviews
Nike Vomero Plus
PUMA Deviate Nitro 4 Review
Published: February 25, 2026
Specifications & Fit
Shoe Specs
| Weight | Men's: 8.5 oz (size 9) | Women's: 7.3 oz (size 8) |
| Stack Height | 35 mm (Heel), 27 mm (Forefoot) | 8 mm Heel-Toe Offset |
| Terrain | Road |
| Stability | Neutral |
| Sizing | True to Size |
Our In-Depth Look
The PUMA Deviate Nitro 4 is for you if...
You want a shoe best suited for interval workouts ranging from mile to half-marathon pace.
You prefer a stiffer, firmer shoe that mimics race-day propulsion.
You're looking for a race-day option but may not be ready for all-out super shoe speed.
What is the PUMA Deviate Nitro 4 made for?
The PUMA Deviate was built for speed. This shoe was added to the PUMA line to bridge the gap between daily trainers and racing shoes. It's packed with two different foams and a carbon-composite plate, intended for speed training, long runs, and entry-level racing.
Over the years, we’ve seen the Deviate line dial in its speedy properties, adding a layer of their NITROFOAM™ ELITE immediately underfoot, and a standard layer of reliable NITROFOAM™ beneath the plate. Known for excellent durability and traction come rain or shine, the sturdy PUMAGRIP outsole underfoot maximizes performance.
PUMA shoes have been known to run a bit narrow in the past, but we’re seeing a more accommodating fit with more recent shoes like the MagMax 2 and PUMA Deviate Nitro Elite 4. By following this trend, the Deviate 4 should offer an accessible fit for more runners than before.
Not to be confused with the PUMA Deviate Nitro Elite 4, the standard Deviate 4 serves as a worthy training companion to its super-racing sibling. Borrowing race-day concepts and materials, the Deviate 4 prepares runners for peak performance, letting you turn the lighter, more aggressive Deviate Elite loose on the big day.
Overall, we enjoyed this shoe quite a bit on faster days, appreciating the fit and propulsion from the plate. It’s a bit firmer than previous iterations, and the plate is stiffer as well. This shoe absolutely delivers as a performance trainer, though we may not be reaching for it on easier days.
Comfort
This feels like the most premium upper on a Deviate shoe to date. The upper was breathable, light, and excellent for a performance shoe. The tongue is fairly thin but has enough padding to prevent lace irritation. There are welcome areas of added comfort in this shoe, most notably around the padded heel collar.
In terms of the underfoot comfort, we were happiest at faster paces. The foam is on the firmer side, which reduced the variety of paces at which this shoe felt comfortable. Each of us agreed that this shoe is fine-tuned for faster days, but isn't as comfortable at relaxed paces. With a stiff plate and firmer cushion, this shoe feels best when ripping through speed workouts.
Performance
As an uptempo speed shoe, we have a lot of praise to give this shoe. The energetic foam paired with a stiff plate provides a quick, snappy ride. The foam is dialed in, adding an extra bounce to our steps and making faster running feel easier. If you aren’t ready to make the full-price commitment to something like the Deviate Elite or other super shoes, this serves as a great entry-level racing option.
Compared to previous versions of the standard Deviate, this model came in as the firmest but also fastest of the bunch. It’s snappy, quick, and feels better the faster you go. The PUMAGRIP outsole felt secure and grippy, giving us confidence on the road, even during one icy road run.
For runners who are ready to move fast and don’t mind a firmer ride, this is an excellent super trainer. If you want a shoe that can handle easy days and do a bit of everything, this may not be the most versatile option.
Fit
The fit on these shoes feels secure, comfortable, and ready for speed. While PUMA shoes can run on the narrow side, we were very pleased with the fit of the Deviate Nitro 4. With a successfully updated upper for increased fit and fuction, we would even describe this as the best-fitting Deviate to date.
This shoe fits true to size, with a secure and streamlined fit around the foot. PUMA added more overall volume in this version, which will accommodate a variety of foot shapes and sizes. The midfoot feels secure, and the forefoot is nice and spacious without feeling sloppy or overly roomy. To top it off, the tongue held our feet in place without feeling suffocated or overly minimal.
Individual Thoughts
JonathanOverall Score: 8.5/10
There are three reasons to like the Puma Deviate Nitro 4: it’s the lightest, fastest, and best-fitting version of the four Deviate models. Versions 1 and 2 had a more comfort-oriented feel, but they had no issues picking up the pace. Version 3 became more streamlined and lost some comfort at slower paces as a trade-off for better performance at faster speeds. Version 4 takes the speed aspect of version 3 to a higher level and has an improved upper. Get this shoe if speed is your focus. Look elsewhere if you want more versatility from your performance trainer.
LindaOverall Score: 10/10
As a runner who sticks to stability shoes, I was curious to try my first plated shoe. As a “slower” runner, I didn’t know if they’d be for me. Wow! I’ve missed out on a lot of fun. I loved the shoe from start to finish and in a variety of distances. The midsole felt light, springy, responsive, and yet still had enough support (even though it’s a neutral shoe). My knees and legs felt great. As an added benefit, I did a test run on an icy day and can say that the PUMAGRIP outsole works. These will be a great treat to wear on faster runs or better yet as my race shoes.
BeckyOverall Score: 8.5/10
The Puma Deviate Nitro 4 is an upgrade compared to v3 and competes well with other plated performance trainers. The added layer of more responsive foam, the superior traction with PUMAGRIP, and the streamlined fit make this an excellent value play at $170. It would work well for runners looking for a less aggressive workout day shoe, or even for slower runners (like myself) wanting a race day shoe who are looking for something more stable and price conscious. My only complaint is that I personally like softer shoes, so I can’t wear these as often as I’d like because they feel best for me at faster paces.
