The Puma Deviate Nitro Pure is a $240 training shoe that strips the carbon PWRPLATE out of the Deviate Nitro 4, leaving the same nitro-infused foam in a softer, more flexible ride. At around 220g it suits runners who want a fast-feeling everyday shoe for easy runs, track sessions and tempo work without a plate doing the work for them.
| Price (AUS) | $240 |
| Weight | Approx. 220g (men's size 9) |
| Stack Height | 38mm heel / 30mm forefoot |
| Drop | 8mm |
| Midsole | Nitro-infused foam (no PWRPLATE) |
| Best For | Easy runs, track sessions, tempo training |
| Category | Plate-free tempo trainer |
| Run Havoc Verdict | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
Puma has spent the last couple of years building a genuine reputation in performance running with the Deviate Nitro line, and the new Deviate Nitro Pure takes a different approach to the category. Instead of chasing more stack or another carbon plate, Puma has gone the other way: take the platform that made the Deviate Nitro 4 fast, pull the plate out, and see what's left.
What's left is a genuinely fun training shoe. In this review we break down who the Deviate Nitro Pure is for, how it differs from the plated Deviate Nitro 4, how it rides, and where it sits against the competition at a similar price point. We've had it in-store and out on the road here at Run Havoc in Wollongong, and here's what you need to know before you buy.
Who Is the Puma Deviate Nitro Pure For?
The Deviate Nitro Pure is built for runners who want a fast, engaging training shoe used for everyday miles as well as some tempo and threshold sessions. It's not a race shoe and it's not a pure recovery shoe either. It sits in the training gap between the two.
It's a strong fit if you're the kind of runner who wants a shoe that feels a little harder to run in than a max-cushion trainer, on purpose. Without a plate underfoot, you're using more of your own muscles through the foot, calves and Achilles, which is exactly the appeal for runners looking to train in a shoe that doesn't do all the work for them and then race in something that does.
We've also seen a lot of runners using this style of shoe the way they'd use a Pegasus: a no-frills option you can wear for track reps, easy running or general training, where the goal is to make the effort feel a little harder so the benefit of a plated race shoe stands out more clearly on race day.
What's the Difference Between the Deviate Nitro Pure and the Deviate Nitro 4?
The Deviate Nitro Pure shares the same nitro-infused foam and a very similar upper to the plated Deviate Nitro 4, but the carbon composite PWRPLATE has been removed entirely.
That's the whole story of this shoe, and it's worth unpacking because the change affects everything about how it rides. The Deviate Nitro 4 uses its plate to add stiffness and propulsive snap, particularly through the forefoot. Pull that plate out and you get a shoe with a lot more flex and a much more natural underfoot feel.
You still get a responsive ride from the foam itself, it just doesn't have that stiff, springy sensation the plated version delivers. If you're after a firmer, more propulsive ride, the Deviate Nitro 4 is the better choice. If you want a softer ride with no plate, the Pure is the one for you.
How Does the Puma Deviate Nitro Pure Feel Underfoot?
Stack height sits at 38mm in the heel and 30mm in the forefoot for an 8mm drop, which is a fairly average setup for a shoe in this category in 2026. It's not the most stacked-up option on the market, and that's part of the point.
Without the plate, the ride is soft and light, with a natural flex through the forefoot you don't get in the Deviate Nitro 4. In our fitting room testing at Run Havoc, a men's US9 Deviate Nitro Pure weighed approximately 220g, which is genuinely light for a shoe with this much foam underfoot.
For track reps or an easy run where you want the effort to feel that little bit more honest, this works well. You'll use more of your own foot and calf muscles than you would in a plated shoe, which is a different kind of training stimulus. It's not going to help you hit your fastest paces, and that's by design. Instead it gives your body a natural, less assisted feel that some runners genuinely prefer for a chunk of their training week.
Is the Upper Comfortable on the Puma Deviate Nitro Pure?
Puma uppers have historically run narrow, and it's genuinely one of the bigger improvements across the Deviate Nitro range in the last year or so. The Deviate Nitro Pure carries that improvement across, with a broad, anatomical fit that's a big step up from earlier versions of the shoe.
Lockdown through the midfoot is secure without pinching, and there's enough room through the toe box to let your foot spread naturally on longer efforts. It's comfortable enough that you could reasonably wear it around all day, not just for a session.
If you've previously found Puma running shoes too tight through the forefoot, the Deviate Nitro Pure is worth trying again. Come into Run Havoc in Wollongong and we'll put you on the treadmill before you decide.
How Does the Puma Deviate Nitro Pure Compare to the Competition?
At $240 the Deviate Nitro Pure sits in a competitive corner of the market. A few shoes worth considering if you're shopping in this space:
Nike Pegasus 42 - At $220, the Pegasus is the closest comparison in spirit. Both are no-frills daily trainers you can wear without overthinking it. The Pegasus 42 has more foam underfoot and a slightly plusher ride, while the Deviate Nitro Pure feels lighter and more natural through the forefoot.
ASICS Novablast 5 - Similar price bracket, with a bouncier, more cushioned ride than the Deviate Nitro Pure. The Novablast leans further toward a fun daily trainer, while the Pure leans toward a training tool that makes you work a little harder.
Puma Deviate Nitro 4 - The plated version of this exact platform. If you want the propulsive snap of a carbon composite plate for tempo and race-day efforts, the Deviate Nitro 4 is the shoe to step up to.
We stock all of these at Run Havoc in Wollongong, so if you want to try them side by side before committing, come in and we'll put you on the treadmill.
What Are the Downsides of the Puma Deviate Nitro Pure?
The obvious downside is also the whole point of the shoe: it's not going to help you run your fastest paces. Without a plate, you won't get the propulsive snap that a shoe like the Deviate Nitro 4 offers, so if you're after a fast training shoe for tempo work specifically, the Pure will feel like it's working against you a little.
Stack height is also fairly average for the category at 38mm heel and 30mm forefoot, so if you're chasing maximum cushioning for long, easy kilometres, there are plusher options in this price range worth considering as well.
Final Thoughts on the Puma Deviate Nitro Pure
The Puma Deviate Nitro Pure is a genuinely fun, well-priced training shoe at $240. Stripping the carbon plate out of the Deviate Nitro 4 platform hasn't left you with a lesser shoe, it's left you with a different one, built for runners who want to train hard in something honest before racing in something that does more of the work.
It's not trying to be your fastest shoe, and it's not trying to be your softest recovery shoe either. As a light, natural-feeling training option for easy runs, track sessions and tempo work, the Deviate Nitro Pure earns a genuine spot in the rotation.
Shop the Men's Puma Deviate Nitro Pure at Run Havoc, or come into our Wollongong store and try it on the treadmill alongside other tempo and daily trainer options in the same category.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Puma Deviate Nitro Pure worth buying in Australia?
Yes, if you want a lightweight, no-frills training shoe that still uses genuine performance foam. At $240 the Deviate Nitro Pure gives you the same nitro-infused foam platform as the Deviate Nitro 4 without the carbon plate, making it a versatile option for easy runs, track sessions and tempo work. Shop the Men's Puma Deviate Nitro Pure at Run Havoc.
What is the difference between the Puma Deviate Nitro Pure and Deviate Nitro 4?
The main difference is the carbon composite PWRPLATE. The Deviate Nitro 4 has one, the Deviate Nitro Pure does not. Removing the plate makes the Pure lighter, softer and more flexible underfoot, at the cost of the propulsive snap the plated version offers.
Does the Puma Deviate Nitro Pure have a carbon plate?
No. The Deviate Nitro Pure uses the same nitro-infused foam as the Deviate Nitro 4 but without the carbon composite PWRPLATE, giving it a softer, more natural ride with more flex through the forefoot.
What is the Puma Deviate Nitro Pure good for?
It's a strong option for easy runs, track reps and tempo sessions where you want a lighter, more responsive shoe than a standard daily trainer, without going all the way to a plated race shoe. Runners who train hard and race in a super shoe often use it to feel the benefit of the plate more clearly on race day.
How much does the Puma Deviate Nitro Pure weigh?
In our fitting room testing at Run Havoc, a men's US9 Deviate Nitro Pure weighed approximately 220g, making it one of the lighter plate-free training shoes in this price bracket.
Where can I buy the Puma Deviate Nitro Pure in Wollongong?
Run Havoc on Crown Street, Wollongong stocks the Puma Deviate Nitro Pure in men's sizing. You can try it on our in-store treadmill alongside other tempo and daily trainer options, or shop online at runhavoc.com.au.
Watch the Full Video
Got questions? Drop them in the comments on our YouTube review or come in and chat to the team.
Riley Kilham
Riley is the General Manager at Run Havoc and brings hands-on experience from years of triathlon, running events, and coaching. He writes about training, performance, and finding the right gear, combining real-world insight with a passion for helping others get the most out of their movement.
