Puma Nitro Running Lineup 2021: Five Shoes for Every Run

Introduction

Over 2021, Puma moved from lifestyle-brand obscurity to genuine running relevance, and the Nitro lineup is the reason. The range covers nearly every base a runner could need: daily training, long-run cushioning, tempo work and race day. Priced aggressively against more established brands, the shoes impressed throughout the year, and even Puma’s top-tier race shoe has helped athletes reach podium places. Here is how the five core models stack up.

Daily Miles: Puma Velocity Nitro

The Velocity Nitro is built for everyday running, pairing a predominantly Nitro midsole with a small wedge of EVA foam in the rear. A TPU piece adds an unusual stability element that makes the shoe feel notably stable underfoot. Puma positions it as a direct competitor to Nike’s Pegasus, and in testing it came in around 45 grams lighter than the Nike shoe in the same size, which makes it a worthy rival at its retail price.

One practical note: the Velocity Nitro runs a touch long, so bear that in mind when choosing a size. Expect Puma to refine the upper and the ride in future versions.

Long Runs: Puma Magnify Nitro

If marathon training means longer, slower efforts, the Magnify Nitro is designed exactly for that. This shoe says plush: comfortable cushioning to ease aching joints, with just enough guidance to keep the transition smooth. The extra Nitro foam underfoot provides the impact protection you want when the miles stack up.

It costs only slightly more than the Velocity Nitro but fills a more specific role. Runners preparing for a half or full marathon, or taking on more grueling events, would put the softer upper and taller Nitro stack to great use.

Tempo and Racing: Puma Liberate Nitro

For faster days, the Liberate Nitro brings a flexible upper and a genuinely light build at 224 grams, or 7.9 ounces. It is a very capable shoe for both training and racing, with the 5k and 10k as its natural home, though it held up fine over a half marathon with no complaints about insufficient cushioning.

The value here is remarkable. Puma keeps producing strong shoes at low prices, and this one has been seen as low as around 42 pounds in the UK. After about 50 miles, the outsole grip looked barely worn, which says a lot about its durability for a higher-tempo shoe.

Tempo Trainer: Puma Deviate Nitro

Moving up in both price and weight, the Deviate Nitro adds a more substantial, less flexible upper with extra tongue padding, plus a very rigid plate and compressive foam in the midsole. As a tempo or speed trainer it is hard to go far wrong, if the fit works for you.

The catch: the upper material combined with that rigid plate caused inconsistent heel rubbing for some runners, and a few had to modify the shoe to stop it. It is the one real misstep in the 2021 lineup. At a UK price between 140 and 150 pounds, it is also considerably heavier than the Elite version below, which costs only about 20 pounds more, so it is hard to see many runners choosing this over its flagship sibling.

The Standout: Puma Deviate Nitro Elite

The Deviate Nitro Elite is the crown of the lineup. Its Nitro-infused PWRBACK midsole material is a clear step up from the rest of the Nitro shoes, and it is also the cheapest of the bunch, coming in around 20 pounds above the standard Deviate in the UK.

In testing it handled a 10-mile effort on tired legs effortlessly, mixing easy miles with fast stretches down to roughly 5k race pace, and leaving the legs feeling fresh afterwards. It sits right up there alongside the Vaporfly Next% 2 and the Adios Pro 2, with light performance on par with the Next% and outstanding traction.

The elephant in the room is availability. The shoe is extremely hard to find, with demand far outstripping supply, even as Puma produces endless colourways of the Liberate and Velocity. Runners who do get a pair tend to love them, with some choosing them over more established super shoes for their half marathon races. If you can find a pair, it is arguably the best value carbon racer on the market.

Buying Advice

For most runners, the sensible path is straightforward: Velocity Nitro for daily miles, Magnify Nitro for long-run cushioning, and Liberate Nitro for faster sessions, all at accessible prices. The Deviate Nitro is worth considering as a tempo trainer if the heel fit suits you, but the Deviate Nitro Elite is the shoe worth hunting for, provided you can actually find one in stock.

Conclusion

Puma’s 2021 Nitro lineup is one of the strongest first full years in running this brand has delivered. Nearly every shoe has clear strengths, prices undercut the competition, and the Deviate Nitro Elite ranks among the best super shoes available. The main frustration is that the best shoe is also the hardest to buy. If supply improves, Puma should have no trouble turning running-market curiosity into loyal customers.