PUMA

Deviate Nitro Elite 2

Deviate Nitro Elite 2
Racing · Neutral · Road
Excellent (95/100)

Shoe details

Weight
7.5 oz
Release
2023 Q1
MSRP
$200
Stack Height
36mm heel - 30mm toe
Drop Height
6mm

Ratings & Reviews

Excellent (95/100)

Better than about 92% of shoes

Based on product-line history, external ratings, and runner reviews.
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This score rates better than 92% of shoes.

Our ratings use detailed reviews from knowledgeable runners, ratings for shoes in the same product line, and reliable product information from trusted retailers.

Rating breakdown

Better Shoes score out of 100. Shading shows the expected rating range.
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Rankings combine runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, direct comparisons to other shoes, related product-line performance, and trusted external ratings.

The darker band shows the central score range. The lighter band shows a wider range of reasonable outcomes. More reviews for this shoe usually narrow both bands.

Overall

Excellent (95/100)

Overall ranking

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Estimate

Excellent (95/100)

Rank

Ranks above 92% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the score range we think is most likely.

Value

Exceptional (99/100)

Value ranking

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Estimate

Exceptional (99/100)

Rank

Ranks above >99% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the score range we think is most likely.

Durability

Exceptional (99/100)

Durability ranking

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Estimate

Exceptional (99/100)

Rank

Ranks above 99% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the score range we think is most likely.

Appearance

Exceptional (99/100)

Appearance ranking

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Estimate

Exceptional (99/100)

Rank

Ranks above 99% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the score range we think is most likely.

Comfort

Above average (87/100)

Comfort ranking

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Estimate

Above average (87/100)

Rank

Ranks above 82% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the score range we think is most likely.

Cushioning

Good (77/100)

Cushioning ranking

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Estimate

Good (77/100)

Rank

Ranks above 57% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the score range we think is most likely.

100%

3/3

Prefer this shoe over another.

Reviewers said this shoe was better than another shoe they ran in.

All Running Shoes

Better than 92% of 2,532 running shoes ranked.

Excellent (95/100)

Supershoes

Better than 72% of 89 supershoes ranked.

72%

PUMA

Better than 96% of 55 PUMA shoes ranked.

96%

Compared to other shoes

See how this shoe compares to others like it.

Current shoe
Best durability / Best appearance / Best value
Lightest / Newest
Best overall / Best comfort / Best cushioning
Shoe properties
Type
Supershoe
Supershoe
Supershoe
Pronation
Neutral
Neutral
Neutral
Weight
7.5 oz M
6.3 oz M Lightest
Stack
36/30mm
40/32mm
Drop
6mm
8mm
7mm
Release
2023 Q1
2025 Newest
2024 Q2
MSRP
$200
$230
$200
Best price
$149.99
Ratings
Overall
Excellent (92%)
Above average (69%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best overall
Comfort
Very good (82%)
Above average (64%)
Exceptional (99%) Best comfort
Cushioning
Average (57%)
Below average (33%)
Exceptional (99%) Best cushioning
Durability
Exceptional (99%) Best durability
Very good (87%)
Exceptional (99%)
Appearance
Exceptional (99%) Best appearance
Very good (82%)
Excellent (96%)
Value
Exceptional (>99%) Best value
Excellent (95%)
Very good (85%)
Specific shoe

Search for the exact model to add to this comparison.

Where to buy

No offers available

Better alternatives

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Reader Ratings

12 reader ratings

Review a shoe

Showing 1–5 of 5 written reviews

good overall shoe

Anonymous runner · Oct 30, 2024

5/5

Overall

lightweight, comfortable, and great rubber outsole

Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
4/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5

Carbon plated and looks awesome

Anonymous runner · Nov 25, 2023

4/5

Overall

The fireglow puma shoe looks great. There is enough cushioning and its nice and stabile.

Comfort
4/5
Cushioning
3/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5

Best shoe I have run

pkterminal · Oct 5, 2023

5/5

Overall

This is my first "supershoe" which I bought two weeks before my halfmarathon race. This is also my first Puma shoe. Untill now I was running mostly in Adidas shoes.  After first use of this shoe I was overwhelmed: light, comfortable, fast. The speed session was faster and I felt less fatique. The easier runs were faster by 20s per mile with the same effort. After 3 testings I decided to run my halfmarathon. I was running easily 7:15 a mile (15sec faster than planned) and during my race I was able to PR my 10k and even 5k for this year.

Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5

Best super shoe for value - but also for performance?

Fab Maro · Aug 4, 2023

5/5

Overall

The quick answer is - no, at least not if you are looking for a shoe that does the job for you.

While being the most affordable super shoe on the market at the moment, there are certain elements which prevent it from being among the top tier of racing shoes but this does not necessarily make them a bad shoe at all. The upper of the v2 has significantly improved compared to the v1 version of 2021 and now feels less cheap and more breathable.

Also, the heel collar has become more rigid and may provide the stability that some runners were missing in the v1. However, I particularly enjoyed the soft heel counter of the v1 as there was almost no added pressure on the Achilles tendon and as someone who has had issues with Achilles tendonitis and heel irritations in the past, this shoe offered a pleasant alternative to the likes of the Nike Vaporfly with a very enforced heel. 

Undoubtedly, the Deviate Nitro Elite 2 have the best outsole and grip on the entire market. I usually find myself picking the Deviate Nitro Elite 2s for threshold or tempo sessions when it is wet outside or I expect slick conditions on my run/race and have even taken them for a urban trail run with a few unpaved sections with dirt or grit. In either of those scenarios, I never had the feeling that I was slipping and sliding and could even take the sharpest turns without fearing that I might fall. 

But here is where you will have to differentiate between the Pumas and, say, the Nike Vaporfly. You just don't feel the same sense of propulsion in the Deviate Nitro 2s and they resemble more the underfoot feeling of a traditional racing flat with extra cushioning or the first edition of the Saucony Endorphin Speed. Contrary to Molly Seidel's motto, you don't get this "full send" sensation, unless you really put in the effort. The the shoes really move along and the stride, at least in my experience as a neutral runner, feels really smooth and enjoyable. 

At the end of the day, does this make them a bad super shoes? Not at all and if you are a light, neutral runner who does not want the shoe to interfere with your natural stride and gait cycle, they are certainly an option to consider and given the price tag, a true steal. You will definitely stand out at the start line, especially if you are toeing in one of those new two color options Puma now offers (there is a black and white and a blue and red version - those of you who ran in the Nike Victories will definitely remember why this just slabs). Moreover, the added versatility of the use cases and knowing that the shoes are neither cheating you nor hindering your performance may appeal to old school runners who have previously evaded super shoes because of those reasons. 

This big cat is certainly not a one you wanna mess with! 

Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
4/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
4/5
Value
5/5

Love the lightweight Pumas

Kari-Ann Wanat · Jul 14, 2023

4/5

Overall

I’ve always run in lightweight shoes so I wasn’t hesitant about trying the Pumas. They provide the right amount of cushioning for my needs. 

Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5