Saucony Endorphin Pro Plus vs Puma Deviate Nitro Elite SP: Which Racer to Pick

Introduction

These two shoes get compared constantly, and for good reason. The Saucony Endorphin Pro Plus and the Puma Deviate Nitro Elite SP are both lightweight carbon-plated racers built for race day, yet they feel surprisingly different on the foot. One is firmer and propulsive, the other softer and more forgiving. Here is how the two stack up so you can decide which one matches your running.

First Look: Two Racers, Two Personalities

For a size 10.5, the Puma Deviate Nitro Elite SP comes in at around 7 ounces, while the Saucony Endorphin Pro Plus lands at about 7.5 ounces, so Puma wins the weight battle. That said, neither shoe feels flimsy. Both are substantial racers with plenty of rubber underfoot, and the weight difference is small enough that it will not decide the contest on its own.

The Saucony also carries an impressive pedigree: one of America’s premier female marathoners qualified for the Olympics in the original Endorphin Pro and won an Olympic bronze medal in a Puma Deviate Elite SP, so both shoes have elite credentials behind them.

Cushioning and Ride Feel

The real differentiator is the durometer of the cushioning. The Puma uses a nitrogen-infused supercritical foam, the same family of material now common across modern racing shoes. The result is a soft, bouncy, comfortable ride that some runners can even get away with as a daily trainer or tempo shoe, because the legs do not feel beat up afterward.

The Saucony runs on its PWBAxel-powered midsole with PWBAxel Pebax foam: slightly firmer, very bouncy, with excellent energy return. You really feel the carbon plate here. It delivers a snappy toe-off and is a big part of the Speedroll sensation that shapes the way you roll through your stride. In the Puma, the plate is present and will pop if you push it, but it is less noticeable while running. It is more of a stabilizing element than a propulsive one.

Race Day Choice

For an all-out race, the Saucony is the pick for most runners. The firmer feel with the bounce and the Speedroll shape makes it one of the rare cases where a firmer shoe beats a softer one. It is one of the favorite racing shoes in this category, thanks to the propulsive toe-off and the planted, fast sensation.

The Puma suits a different runner: someone who prefers a softer feel, wants a shoe that can pull double duty on tempo days, and likes the neon rainbow colorway that is hard to find anywhere else. It may not match the propulsive capability of the Endorphin Pro Plus, but it is a genuinely pleasant shoe to run in.

Price and Availability

The Puma Deviate Nitro Elite SP costs $200. It was difficult to find for a while after the Olympic bronze made it popular, combined with general supply chain issues, but it is now widely available again, including on the Puma website. The Saucony Endorphin Pro Plus is priced at $250.

If you want the Saucony experience for less, the original Endorphin Pro and the Endorphin Pro 2 are frequently available at discounted prices, which is worth checking before paying full price for the Plus.

Conclusion

You cannot go wrong with either shoe, and the elite results in both prove it. If you want the fastest race-day feeling, go Saucony Endorphin Pro Plus. If you want a softer ride, a lower price, and a shoe that doubles as a tempo trainer, the Puma Deviate Nitro Elite SP is the smarter pick.