Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 4 vs Deviate Nitro 4

Deviate Nitro Elite 4 or Deviate Nitro 4? Here’s how they compare on feel, fit, brand specs and price, from the fitting team at The Run House.

The short answer

Want a light, bouncy racer with toe room? Get the Deviate Nitro Elite 4.

Want carbon-plated speed for everyday training? Get the Deviate Nitro 4.

Get the Deviate Nitro Elite 4 if

  • You want more bounce and energy back
  • You need a roomier fit
  • You want the lighter shoe, by about 2.7 oz

Get the Deviate Nitro 4 if

  • You have slimmer feet and like a snug fit
  • You need a wide width
  • You’d rather spend $80 less

On the run

Deviate Nitro Elite 4: PUMA’s light, bouncy marathon racer. Lively and bouncy, with Nitro Elite foam, a carbon plate and smooth, aggressive geometry. The narrow heel limits stability.

Deviate Nitro 4: Carbon-plated, everyday speed. A PEBA top layer over a stiff carbon plate makes it smooth and quick from tempo runs to long runs. It’s firmer at slow paces than at speed.

Specs side by side

Deviate Nitro Elite 4 Deviate Nitro 4
Price $250 $170
Stack height (heel / forefoot) 40 / 32mm* 38 / 30mm
Drop 8mm* 8mm
Weight, men’s 6.1 oz* 8.8 oz
Weight, women’s Not available 7.3 oz*
Support Neutral Neutral
Plate Carbon plate Carbon plate
Widths Standard Standard, Wide
Built for Race day, Tempo & workouts, Long runs Tempo & workouts, Long runs, Race day
Expected life 200–300 miles 300–400 miles

Stack, drop and weight come from each brand’s own website. Numbers marked * aren’t published by the brand and come from other published specs. Weights are for the size each brand quotes. Expected life is our estimate.

Fit

Deviate Nitro Elite 4. True to size with a marathon-friendly toebox and a surprisingly padded tongue and heel.

Deviate Nitro 4. True to size with a secure heel. It’s roomier than earlier Deviates, though the toebox still measures on the narrow side. Wide available.

Try them on

Come try on both at The Run House in Walpole, Needham or Falmouth. Gait analysis is always free.

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