Puma's latest release leans into one of the defining trends of 2026: the plateless super trainer. The Deviate Pure Nitro takes the recognisable Deviate silhouette, removes the carbon plate that defines its sibling the Deviate Nitro 4, and asks a simple question — how much of a super shoe's magic comes from the foam rather than the plate. At a recommended price of around £150 and a men's weight of roughly 220 grams, it lands squarely in the fast-growing category of shoes that aim to offer racing-adjacent performance at an everyday-trainer price.
The numbers are appealing. At about 30 grams lighter than the plated Deviate Nitro 4, the Pure Nitro pairs a 38mm heel and 30mm forefoot stack with Puma's energetic NITRO foam and a PUMAGRIP outsole that runs the full length of the forefoot for durability and traction. The absence of a plate is deliberate rather than a cost-cutting compromise: the goal is a smooth, accommodating ride that flexes with the foot and suits a range of paces, from easy mileage to up-tempo efforts, without the firm, directive feel that a stiff plate can impose on slower runs.
On the road, testers have generally praised the shoe's versatility and value. The foam is soft without being unstable, the upper is well above what the price would suggest, and the broad outsole gives the shoe a longevity that pure racers cannot match. Several reviewers single it out as a genuine rival to adidas's plateless Evo SL, noting that the Puma feels a touch softer and more settled at all paces while the adidas remains the bouncier, more overtly responsive option. For runners who want one shoe to cover most of their week, that balance is the Pure Nitro's strongest argument.
The verdict is not unanimous. A minority of testers have found the ride less lively than the specification promises, reporting that the resilience they expected from a NITRO-based midsole was not always there at faster speeds. As with most Puma road shoes, fit is on the narrow side, with a snug, tapered midfoot and a close toe box that runners with wider feet will want to try before buying. These are caveats rather than condemnations, but they are a reminder that a plateless build asks the foam to do all the work, and not every stride will agree with the result.
Placed in the wider 2026 landscape, the Deviate Pure Nitro is a clear statement of where the market is heading. Brands are increasingly offering super-trainer rides that ditch aggressive carbon plates while keeping the supercritical foams, producing shoes that are durable enough for daily training yet light and lively enough for the occasional quick session. The Pure Nitro will not replace a dedicated racer on event day, but as a do-everything trainer that borrows the best of super-shoe technology without the harshness, it is one of the more compelling value propositions of the summer.