Puma has entered the fast-growing plateless super trainer category with the Deviate Pure Nitro, which goes on sale on 4 June through the brand's own channels and selected retailers at £150. The shoe is the first in the Deviate line to pair an elevated Nitrofoam midsole with no carbon plate, a deliberate move that positions it squarely against the Adidas Adizero Evo SL and Asics Superblast 3, the two shoes that have come to define the segment.
The headline change is what has been removed. Stripping out the carbon fibre plate brings the Deviate Pure Nitro down to 220 grams in a men's UK 8.5, some 30 grams lighter than its plated stablemate, the Deviate Nitro 4. The geometry is built for speed without being aggressive, with a 38mm heel stack, a 30mm forefoot and an 8mm drop that should suit a broad range of tempo work, progression runs and uptempo daily mileage.
Crucially, the midsole is now 100 per cent PEBA rather than the firmer nitrogen-infused EVA blends Puma has leaned on in the past. That places the shoe firmly within the current wave of bouncy, supercritical-foam trainers, and early testers have described the ride as lively and energetic rather than mushy. The outsole uses Puma's well-regarded PUMAGRIP rubber, which has built a strong reputation for wet-weather traction and durability across the brand's recent range.
The appeal of the plateless super trainer is straightforward. By removing the plate, brands can offer much of the foam and geometry of a race-day shoe in a more stable, more forgiving and considerably cheaper package, suitable for everyday training rather than reserved for race day. The Deviate Pure Nitro joins a crowded field that now includes the Adidas Evo SL, the Saucony Endorphin Azura, the Asics Megablast and the Skechers Aero Razor, all chasing the same versatile runner.
At £150, Puma undercuts much of the competition while promising a premium foam, and first impressions point to a capable all-round daily trainer with genuine pep. Whether it can dislodge the established favourites will depend on long-term durability and how the ride holds up at faster paces, but on paper the Deviate Pure Nitro is one of the more interesting trainer launches of the early summer.