Puma Deviate Nitro 2 Review — Simple, Balanced, & Brilliant

If there is any brand that gives runners a lot of options, it’s Puma. Whether you’re a casual runner, wanting to step it up a notch, a Comrades veteran, or just looking for something to rack up the kilometres with, the German brand has a silo and model for just about any type of runner.

The Deviate Nito become a go-to in recent years, and the Puma Deviate Nitro 2 is here to up the ante from its predecessor, with a few minor tweaks to make it an accessible yet effective shoe for just about any type of runner.

To achieve the improved response, Puma has included a full-length layer of premium Nitro Elite foam at the midsole of the Deviate Nitro 2. This souped-up layer of performance foam sets the bar for supreme cushioning and peak propulsion with every stride, and it’s notable with the added spring and lesser impact with every step.

What’s more, a reworked Puma PwrPlate — with an innovative platform design— acts as a lever for maximum energy transfer at that toe-off moment, while the breathable mesh upper offers extra padding and grip around the ankle to prevent heel slip.

Improved traction rounds out this tech-packed running shoe that thrives at any distance. With this shoe, you’ll get a stack height of 30mm at the forefoot and 38mm at the heel. The heel-to-toe drop of 8mm will also go a long way to improve stability for most runners, particularly those who run frequently and longer distances.

If you struggle with lower legs issues (such as in the calves, Achilles, foot, or ankle), then a higher drop shoe like the Deviate Nitro 2 may be the perfect fit for you and help you avoid picking up too many injuries or having to shorten your runs due to painful niggles.

At 214 grams they’re lightweight and you get a comfortable snug, stretchy fit from the breathable mesh upper. Additionally, there is a subtle coating on the mesh upper which also protects it from the elements — crucial for those dribbles of moisture and rain that your runners will undoubtedly come into contact with.

Underfoot, the Deviate Nitro 2 is very responsive and it’s hard not to indulge in the more springy propulsion that follows every stride, which essentially makes those 5-10kms runs a whole lot more comfy and a whole lot easier, helping you enjoy them more and inevitably push further.

Puma’s Deviate Nitro 2 is an incredibly well-rounded running shoe that prioritises cushioning and comfort. It may not have the greatest snapback out there, but this isn’t for the ultra-marathon tacklers, but rather the weekly runners who want to ease their joints, up their milage, and remain comfortable while doing so.

The Puma Deviate Nitro 2 is now available at a recommended price of R3,599.