SCORE: 9/10

   Shoe Type: Racing shoe

   Weight:  7oz/198g

   Heel Drop: 6mm

   Carbon Plate: Full-length

   Pace: Fast

   Fitting: True-to-size

   Cushioning:  A balance of firmness and plushness

   Use: Racing, fartlek training, daily training, 5k and marathon efforts

Take Away

 Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 2 features a full carbon plate, early rockered forefoot, and additional midsole super foam. Hence, it is an aggressive short marathon racer designed more for racing than daily training.

Pros

• Bouncy especially in the heel area
• Rockered forefoot for seamless transition
• Faster than the previous version
• Roomy toe box
• Lightweight
• Stable
• Enhance comfort and substantial support
• Durable
• Cheaper

Cons

• Added weight; thus, heavier than v1
• Not as responsive as running shoes in its catory like Nike Vaporfly Next% 3, Endorphine Pro 3, 
• (Still, Puma is a cheaper than these shes)

   Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 2 Upper Design and Feeling 

The upper is concocted with a slightly thick mono-mesh material, and oe box area has been reinforced with Puma's PWRTAPE to give it structure. The toe box design is similar to the one of Puma Fat R Nitro and Puma Deviate Nitro 2, and it does well to prevent the mesh from rubbing the toes. The toe box is also a touch wide, allowing the toe to splay out naturally. Therefore, the upper fits well, and most runners will love the fitting. Besides, there is no profound tapering in the forefoot. Thus, the toes are not overly pulled upwards.

 There is an improvement in the tongue. Puma reduced the tongue's length a little bit and then designed a double loop on both sides of the shoe to prevent the tongue from wiggling around. Hence, the Deviate Nitro Elite 2 has a tongue that is held in one place when running. Puma also gave the tongue generous padding, unlike in the previous version. There is a chunk of padding towards the eyelet to prevent the top of the foot from the lacing pressure.

The heel counter is similar to the one in the Puma Liberate Nitro 2. It is thin but does well to hold down the heel when running. Puma also added plenty of padding around the ankle and heel collar to enhance comfort and foot-hold. The padding around this area grips the foot to eliminate any possible heel slippage. Therefore, the fitting is marvelous.  

The asymmetric lacing system is well crafted. It is easy to dial in to get the right lockdown. The laces are flexible and long enough to make a standard bow or a runner's knot. 

Overall, Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 2 has excellent fitting. It is comfortable with no hot spots. The lockdown is impressive, with no heel slip. Besides, I hardly find a reason to tighten the laces to get the correct lockdown. The thin mesh padding is also amazingly breathable. The upper security is incredible since it is neither too narrow nor broad but just enough room.

I advise wearing Deviate Nitro Elite 2 with socks because the thin mono mesh can be scratchy on the skin. Wearing socks can also make the grippy heel collar less irritating. I experienced this the first time I tried it on without socks.

    Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 2 Midsole Design and Performance 

The midsole of Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 2 comprises the Nitrogen infused PEBA and a full-length PWRPLATE fiber plate. Therefore, this midsole is firmer than the previous version, which has a split carbon fiber. Still, it is not overly firm but moderate since fellow runners have expressed experiencing a bit of squishiness and responsiveness. I can confirm that the Deviate Nitro Elite 2 has more rebound and bounce than its predecessor.  

It is easy to reach top speed with Deviate Nitro Elite 2. I attribute this to the full-length plate. Additionally, it is more bouncy in the heel section. At the same time, the forefoot offers an early toe-off, which I attribute to the forked carbon plate from the midfoot to the forefoot and early rocker in the forefoot that creates a rolling sensation and propulsive toe-off. I think the additional foam has resulted in more bounce. 

The Deviate Nitro Elite 2 feels race ready like Asics Meta Speed Sky Plus. It is still nimble despite the additional weight. The shoe weighs 7.5 ounces for men’s size 9, up from 6.7 ounces. The 6mm heel drop also feels higher than this measurement. I attribute this to the chunky heel area with heel bevel and extra lateral flaring. However, this heel design is functional since transitioning becomes rapid and seamless from the midfoot to the forefoot. Heel to toe transition is similar to Hoka Gaviota 3.          

   Ride

Deviate Nitro Elite 2 has a sappy and aggressive ride. It is excellent for racing and feels fantastic at marathon and half marathon pace. The 5k efforts are incredible with this shoe. It is highly engaging and compliant. It is bouncy but doesn't compress like the Saucony Endorphin 3. 

Still, adding more padding in the heel has made Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 2 more versatile for everyday training. It is not cushioned enough for easy runs. 

  Outsole Design and Traction

The outsole features the famous PumaGrip outsole rubber. This rubber has been tested, and I rank it as one of the top outsole rubber. Their rubber is well spread across the midfoot to forefoot and just enough at the further end of the heel to protect the midsole from abrasion and enhance the shoe's durability. You can't go wrong with traction when you have the PumaGrip outsole rubber. The lugs are good at biting the ground and can withstand any condition. 

Stability

The outsole rubber and the flaring midsole design combine to provide the proper stability. Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 2 is exceptionally stable at sharp bends.

While Deviate Nitro Elite 2 is a neutral shoe, mild lateral and medial midfoot and forefoot sidewalls offer subtle support. It is a noticeable medially biased because of the heel bevel. The foot is somehow pushed inwards to create a stable guided forefoot strike. Hence there is a combination of a slightly medially biased heel and a less stable midfoot zone with a stable forefoot. 

Who should wear Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 2? 

Someone looking for a responsive, bouncy, and somewhat firm super shoe for a race day will find Deviate Nitro Elite 2 amazing. It is not for those into highly squishy running shoes. 

Verdict

Puma made subtle changes to this shoe. It added more midsole foam, shortened the gusseted tongue, and deployed a full-length carbon plate. The result is amplified speed and repulsiveness in the Deviate Nitro Elite 2. It is also amazingly stable, bouncy, and responsive, with a somewhat soft underfoot ride. Therefore, Deviate Nitro Elite 2 is not a regular daily trainer but more of a racing shoe.

Reviewed by Bruce Cavette

Bruce Cavette is an ardent runner and a shoe lover.  He likes to stretch his training into miles, so he does nothing short of a 5k.