Chasing a New Dimension of Speed and Efficiency! The Potential of PUMA's 'DEVIATE NITRO ELITE 4'

At this year's Hakone Ekiden, 31 athletes opted for PUMA shoes. With its wearer count growing for the fifth consecutive year, PUMA is also capturing the attention and growing in popularity among everyday runners.

The latest addition to PUMA's core 'DEVIATE NITRO' running series is the 'DEVIATE NITRO ELITE 4.' While carrying over the fit and feel of its predecessor, this new model boasts improved smoothness, responsiveness, and stability during runs. So, what new technologies are packed inside?

PUMA relaunched its running category in 2021 and has been committed to strengthening it ever since. Their vision: "to make every runner faster." They focus on product development that allows not just top athletes and elite runners, but also recreational runners, to experience true speed through PUMA.

The wearer count at the Hakone Ekiden has become a yearly news highlight. PUMA has steadily increased its share, with 7 athletes (2023), 20 (2024), 25 (2025), and 31 (2026).

Upgraded Hardness in the Midsole Foam

You can experience PUMA's latest innovations in speed with the new 'DEVIATE NITRO ELITE 4' model.

"This model is built around the concept of 'breakaway speed.' It's a racing shoe featuring a carbon plate and incorporating PUMA's top-tier technology. A key highlight is the NITROFOAM ELITE used in the midsole. It's based on a material called Alphatech TPU and delivers an incredible 93% energy return.

We use this extremely responsive NITROFOAM ELITE throughout the full length of the midsole. The foam in the DEVIATE NITRO ELITE 4 is slightly firmer than in the previous model. This results in less sink-in and a quicker response," explains Yuya Ando, who is in charge of Running Product Planning at PUMA Japan, Inc.

The stack height is 40mm at the heel and 32mm at the forefoot (same as the previous version). It weighs in at approximately 170g (for a single 27.0cm shoe), making it a successful 24g lighter than its predecessor.

Carbon Plate Geometry Gets an Upgrade

The 'DEVIATE NITRO ELITE 4' embeds a carbon-fiber PWRPLATE within its high-energy-return midsole foam. The geometry of this PWRPLATE has been updated from the previous model, which is said to improve energy transfer efficiency and boost stability.

"To start, the bending stiffness in the midfoot is higher than in the previous version. We've also added a ribbed structure that evenly distributes stress as your foot moves from the outside to the inside. Thanks to these updates, energy transfer is more efficient, giving the shoe even more propulsive power than its predecessor. You can expect a stable feeling and a sense of speed from the starting line to the finish."

Thanks to the combination of the firmer NITROFOAM ELITE and the stiffer PWRPLATE, the 'DEVIATE NITRO ELITE 4' delivers enhanced responsiveness, making it particularly well-suited for cadence-focused runners (those with a high turnover rate).

"PUMA offers another top-tier racing model, the FAST-R NITRO ELITE 3. That shoe features a softer foam that provides a powerful rebound from deep compression, making it a better fit for stride-focused runners (those with a longer stride). We encourage runners to choose the best model for their personal running style and race distance."

The upper is made from ULTRAWEAVE, an ultra-lightweight and highly breathable material that still provides a secure lockdown. The outsole uses the renowned PUMAGRIP for its proven durability and traction. PUMA's signature technologies are woven into every aspect of the shoe.

New 'DEVIATE NITRO' Model Also Arrives

The 'DEVIATE NITRO,' known as 'the carbon-plated maximalist shoe for everyone,' has also been updated, introducing the 'DEVIATE NITRO 4'.

"The DEVIATE NITRO 4, based on the concept of 'honed speed,' is a shoe that supports runners training hard to win races and break records. It's designed for those aiming to boost their speed during daily runs and training sessions. The midsole features NITRO FOAM, boasting an 85% energy return, which is placed both above and below the plate to sandwich it.

The carbon-fiber POWERPLATE has an updated shape. While the previous model featured a forked design, this new version adopts a spoon shape with a ribbed structure. Furthermore, the plate is softer and more flexible than its predecessor. As a result, it provides propulsion without any quirks, making it an even more user-friendly speed model than previous versions."

While the previous model had a 10mm drop (the height difference between the heel and forefoot), the new version brings it down to 8mm. The weight is now around 250g (for a single shoe, size 27.0 cm), successfully shedding about 15g. The result is a shoe crafted for a nimble, easy-to-control ride.

Although positioned as a training model, it's certainly capable of handling race day. With its high stability and a rebound that isn't overly aggressive, it’s an easy recommendation for runners looking to try their first pair of carbon-plated shoes.

The 'DEVIATE NITRO ELITE 4' and 'DEVIATE NITRO 4' are poised to become favorites among the many runners chasing speed. It looks like Puma's impressive stride forward is far from over.