PUMA Deviate Pure Review: Speed Without a Plate — And Still Fast

Three sessions, three completely different demands — and the same result every time: the PUMA Deviate Pure surprises. Florian Gast, Head Coach at runningsociety, put PUMA's new shoe through its paces in the real world: an easy run, HYROX hybrid training with sleds and lunges, and intervals on the track. Here's his honest verdict.

Florian Gast beim Praxistest des PUMA Deviate Pure Nitro — runningsociety Head Coach

WHAT'S INSIDE THE SHOE?

The PUMA Deviate Pure Nitro is PUMA's answer to a specific question: How much shoe do you actually need to train fast — without carbon, without a plate, but with a real foam upgrade?

The answer: 38 mm of NITRO foam at the heel, 30 mm at the forefoot, 8 mm drop — at just 213–220 g. The same NITRO foam found in the existing Deviate. The difference: no plate. No carbon. No added stiffness.

Foam	NITRO
Stack	38 mm / 30 mm
Drop	8 mm
Weight	~213–220 g (EU 42)
Plate	None
Price	150 €
Outsole	PUMAGRIP

SESSION 1: EASY RUN

The first run was a relaxed easy run — the classic test where a shoe either works or gets in the way. The Deviate Pure does neither in a negative sense: it feels natural from the very first minute. The upper fits snugly without any pressure points, and the foam provides enough feedback to keep you grounded.

No break-in needed. No “you have to get used to it first.” Ready straight out of the box.

SESSION 2: HYBRID TRAINING WITH HYROX ELEMENTS

The second test was deliberately uncomfortable: a hybrid session with fast intervals, sled pushes, lunges, and various HYROX stations.

No issues. What stands out: the shoe handles direction changes and lateral movements significantly better than stiffer race shoes. No plate pressure point under the forefoot, no forced toe-off mechanics. The foot stays in its own biomechanics — even under the sled.

That the entire Deviate lineup ranks among the best HYROX shoes on the market is hardly a secret in the community anymore. The Pure continues that legacy: suitable for all stations, delivering real propulsion between stations — and handling sled pushes too.

Especially in hybrid training, where you go from sprinting to the sled and back to running in one session, you don't want a shoe that forces you into a specific movement pattern. The Pure gives you that freedom.
— Florian Gast

SESSION 3: TRACK INTERVALS (400 M & 800 M)

This was the most interesting test. 400m and 800m repeats on the track — classic interval training in a zone where plate-based training shoes normally dominate.

The surprising result: the propulsion feels remarkably similar to the Deviate Nitro Elite — the fastest shoe in the Deviate family. Not identical, but closer than you'd expect from a plateless shoe. The NITRO foam returns enough energy to support real speed work on short intervals.

Honestly, I double-checked twice on the track to make sure I was actually wearing the Pure. The propulsion is remarkably good for a shoe without a plate.
— Florian Gast

At the same time, the Pure is noticeably lighter and less stiff than the Elite — which makes a clear positive difference in longer interval sessions.

LESS IMPACT ON TENDONS AND LIGAMENTS

One point that’s especially relevant for ambitious athletes: the Deviate Pure subjectively creates less impact on tendons and ligaments than stiffer, plate-based shoes. This is likely due to the softer, more natural roll-through — the foam absorbs more, the plate forces less.

For someone running high training volumes while also doing HYROX sessions, this isn’t a minor detail. Less tendon stress means: more training days, faster recovery, a more consistent season.

WHO IS THE DEVIATE PURE RIGHT FOR?

The Pure isn’t for everyone. It fits particularly well for:

Ambitious runners looking for a high-quality training shoe they can also use for speed sessions — without wearing out their race shoe
HYROX athletes and hybrid trainers who switch between strength stations and running intervals in a single session and need flexibility in their shoe
Athletes with sensitive tendons or ligaments who want to keep plate-based shoes out of their training routine
Runners targeting 5K to half marathon — as an option for smaller races or fast training runs

VERDICT: THE PURE COMPLETES THE DEVIATE FAMILY

If you already run and love a Deviate Nitro or Deviate Nitro Elite, you’ll experience the Pure as exactly what it is: a welcome, logical addition — with a wow factor in the first sessions.

The propulsion surprises. The weight surprises. And the fact that all of this happens without a plate surprises most of all. At the same time, the shoe remains comfortable — not a harsh speed shoe, but one you’re still happy to be in after 90 minutes.

The Deviate family is more complete than ever — and the beauty is: all three models share the same sporting DNA. The Deviate Nitro 3 adds a plate for runners who want stability and speed in daily training without going full race shoe. The Elite takes it further: NITRO Elite Foam, full plate, race-ready. And the Pure? It makes that same feeling accessible without a plate — lighter, freer, and surprisingly fast.