PUMA Deviate Pure Nitro Review

For our four shoe testers, there was solid agreement on the Deviate Pure's performance. In short, while it handled a wide range of paces smoothly, it feels appropriately more at home for standard daily training than for high-performance speedwork.

Lia feels that its energy comes more from being streamlined and really lightweight, not from super bouncy foam. It's well-named for being simple, feeling natural, and giving the right amount and balance of cushioning.

Cameron's quite pleased that it handled some 400m reps at 5-minute pace when called for, while also feeling totally fine recovering at 9-minute pace. However, for pure speed, which you might expect with a Deviate name, it falls short, and we'll dock it some points there. But as a daily trainer, performance is top-notch.

James agrees that it's a fun, energetic shoe to casually cruise around in and pick up the pace a little here and there. It also felt plenty grippy and inherently stable, so he felt confident running around corners and along off-camber road shoulders.

Michael echoed the critique that, for an ENERGETIC daily trainer, the Pure clearly prefers standard mileage over true speed workouts. Yes, the foam is bouncy, but the geometry (heel bevel and rocker) is flat. That's fine for normal paces, but it didn't feel assistive for speed. The overall positive takeaway is that these characteristics make it user-friendly and easy to trust.

In terms of comfort, we again had broad and favorable consensus. Underfoot, this might not be our top pick for LONG runs, but the upper and cushioning worked very well for essentially anything else. 

Of particular note, Lia typically gravitates to higher stacks of plush cushioning, as well as to shapes that are more beveled and rockered. That said, the Pure's comfort worked surprisingly better than expected, with its medium firmness and lightweight build.

Cameron notes that the padded upper is far more comfortable than the stripped-back uppers of some of its category competitors. As for underfoot, it's balanced, grounded, and cushioned.

James singled out that the tongue is a little too long on step-in, but that faded from notice quickly. He also felt that the topmost eyelet caused some pressure, but he felt very secure and didn't need to use the top eyelet. There's ample collar cushioning, but still a slim profile, plus good breathability.

Michael came the closest to having a "no notes" assessment. He felt a nice soft hug that summed up as "overall, fantastic."

Wow, even for fit, our consensus continues! The Deviate Pure is reasonably accommodating for different foot types, but it's unquestionably on the slimmer side of things. That said, everybody said "true to size" and some variation of "disappears on foot."

Lia has somewhat wider feet and experienced one instance of a minor hot spot along the outer edge of the big toe and the first metatarsal head. That was toward the end of a longer run and, importantly, it wouldn't stop her from reaching for the Pure again. She also noted the somewhat thinner tongue, but with strategic padding that prevents lace bite. For her, the Pure is secure and comfy, with a distraction-free lockdown. 

Cameron found it true to length, width, and volume. It laced up and locked down like a dream, with no blisters. The Pure feels more accommodating than historical PUMA fits, but might be a little narrow for wider feet.

James agrees that it could be a little snug for wider feet, but he didn't have any hot spots. Overall, it fits like a glove that disappears on foot.

To no one's surprise, Michael raved about the fit, which felt intentionally tailored to his narrow feet and preferences. The tongue wraps like a sleeve for his midfoot, which also creates ideal heel lockdown. Again, the toe box feels a bit snug, especially over the big toe. But all in all, PUMA's uppers are dialed in right now. If you’ve had issues with the fits of PUMA shoes in the past, now's the perfect time to slip on a new pair.

"The Rebel v5 has a very light upper material, and the overall fit and sizing options are the most accommodating for wider feet. However, the Pure has a much more comfortable tongue for preventing lacebite. The foam in the Rebel v5 feels much softer underfoot than the Pure, and the Rebel has more of a heel bevel to assist with a quicker turnover. For lighter performance trainers, the Rebel is a preferred option for those who prefer a more cushioned underfoot feel." -Lia

"For my personal preferences, the Rebel is a little softer than I like as my daily shoe. The key thing these shoes have in common is pace versatility. Both can cruise on easier days, and both can pick up the pace. While the Deviate Pure is lighter, the geometry on the Rebel is a bit more speed-oriented. For my preferences, I’d go for the Pure. That being said, I can see a strong case being made for either shoe." -Cameron

"I see the Pure and the Rebel as the best two shoes in our Energetic Daily category. If you want an ENERGETIC daily trainer, emphasis on the energetic, then I think the Rebel remains my recommendation thanks to its more aggressive geometries. However, if you want an energetic DAILY trainer, emphasis on durability and grinding out regular mileage (while remaining fun and peppy), then I think the Pure gets the edge. They’re both top-tier options that will come down to preferences and priorities." -Michael

"For me, it’s a draw between these two. The foams have a similar feel underfoot, though the Evo SL feels a bit bouncier. The lateral edge of the heel geometry in the Evo SL is carved out for a faster transition, and the upper material is lighter. But, the Pure has a more comfortable fit, as the tongue is more protective against lacebite, and its flatter geometery allows for more “natural” foot movement. In those senses, it really comes down to personal preference." -Lia

"The Evo SL is an incredible shoe that has been loved by so many people. Personally, the fit/feel never fully clicked for me. I find that the Deviate Pure is more stable, lighter, and more comfortable for my experience. That being said, the midsole magic of the Evo SL will win on speed day. For the faster trainer, I’d pick Evo SL. For the lighter, more well-rounded, do-everything shoe, I’d pick the Deviate Pure. It’s the whole package." -Cameron

"The Evo SL foam is like no other. However, the comfort and stability of the Deviate Pure makes this a worthwhile contender. I would recommend the Evo SL to runners who are running on flat surfaces, whether it’s a paved park or similar, and for runners who have no issues with ankle stability or a narrow net base. While, if you're having any variability in the surface of your runs, I would recommend the stability and comfort of the Deviate Pure, because you still get excellent responsiveness and energy return in the Pure without the lack of stability." -James

"For my preferences, the Pure is a better executed daily trainer than the Velocity. The Pure feels both more comfortable and faster, and my gripes about the awkward fit of the Velocity have disappeared in the Pure." -Michael