
Who can forget Molly Seidel's Olympic marathon celebration at  finish line with her Puma shoes over her shoulder? Deviate Nitro Elite is the first super-shoe from Puma. It is the super shoe counterpart of [Deviate Nitro](https://shoegeeks.in/review/puma-deviatenitro-005001000/) which we have reviewed earlier. 

It is a full package with Carbon Fiber plate and Puma’s PEBAX-based Nitro Elite foam. As with other super shoes, it is primarily meant for racing longer distances. It is however versatile enough to be used for distances from 5K to Marathon.  The price point is attractive when compared to other super shoes, which makes it an excellent choice for speed training too.

So the question is how does it perform as a super-shoe? 

<ShoeCard shoeCode="005012000M"></ShoeCard>

##### What makes up Puma Deviate Nitro Elite?

In terms of geometry, it looks very similar to Deviate Nitro. Geometry is more traditional, the rocker effect is very minimal when compared to similar shoes from Nike and Saucony. What you notice immediately is how light the Elite edition is. At 190 grams for UK 8, it is one of lightest.  

To compared, for UK 10 Deviate Nitro is under 274 grams, while Deviate Nitro Elite undercuts it by 60g with a weight of 213 grams for UK 10. The stack height is 36mm. The shoe has a heel-to-toe drop of 8 mm, which is ideal for mid-foot strikers but works fine for forefoot and heel strikers too. 

<div class="row">
        <LightBox src="/images/pdne-weight.jpg" caption="Lighter in weight compared to Deviate Nitro" alt="" ></LightBox>
</div>

Here is comparative view of weights of all the carbon plated shoes available in India. At 190 grams, it is one of the lightest, next only to VaporFly. 

<div class="row">
        <LightBox src="/images/pdne-weights.jpg" caption="One of the lightest in its category" alt="" ></LightBox>
</div>

**Midsole**  

This is the most interesting part of the shoe. It is made of Puma’s take on PEBAX foam, called Nitro Elite. Nitro Elite is a completely different foam from Nitro foam which is used in other Nitro series shoes like Deviate, Velocity, and Liberate. The midsole is very soft and bouncy.  

<div class="row">
        <LightBox src="/images/pdne-midsole.jpg" caption="Nitro Elite foam is very responsive and yet is soft" alt="" ></LightBox>
</div>

Here is a comparative view of how soft is Nitro Elite's midsole is, when measured the softness with a Durometer. At 25 HA, it is the softest. 

<div class="row">
        <LightBox src="/images/pdne-durometer.jpg" caption="One of the softest midsole" alt="" ></LightBox>
</div>

No super shoe introduction is complete without the mention of carbon fiber plate. The plate is curved and wedged within the two layers of the  midsole. As soon as you step into the shoe, you will feel the plate.

**Upper**  

The upper is one of the key highlights of the shoe, and is one of the best among the modern shoes. It is thin, transparent, and yet keeps its shape. It is extremely breathable, nothing like I have ever experienced before.  Puma has nailed it to perfection. Liberate Nitro Cool Adapt edition also has a similar upper, but the upper here is much superior. The upper has several reflective elements and it looks glorious in the dark and is inspired by the Puma, the cat.

<div class="row">
        <LightBox src="/images/pdne-upper.jpg" caption="Upper is thin, transparent and highly breathable" alt="" ></LightBox>
</div>

The tongue can cause inconvenience as it moves around, and is not attached to the sides. The Lacing system however is excellent except that the laces are too long.

**Heel**

The heel is as minimal as it can get.  The padding is almost non-existant, but it feels better than Deviate Nitro.  While one might feel heel slipping, it is not as pronounced. The heel has very minimal reinforcement and expect no support.

<div class="row">
        <LightBox src="/images/pdne-heel.jpg" caption="Heel support is minimal" alt="" ></LightBox>
</div>

**Bottom sole**

There is not much to talk about the bottom sole, when compared to the other shoes in Nitro series. PUMAGRIP of Nitro series is one of the best in the business. The variation of Puma Grip used here is called PUMAGRIP LT, which is thin rubber, and doesn’t offer much traction.   The bottom sole has a cut-out through which you can see the Carbon plate. 

<div class="row">
        <LightBox src="/images/pdne-bottom.jpg" caption="Durable rubber grip, traction is good enough for tarred roads" alt="" ></LightBox>
</div>

##### Why did I consider this shoe?

I have been running in Deviate Nitro for a while.  Despite the carbon plate and Nitro foam, I didn’t enjoy the shoe because of its weight and not-so-great heel fit. When I first heard from a friend about the release of the Elite version, I considered it a good candidate to replace my Deviate Nitro. A lighter shoe definitely will help me in my current training cycles which primarily involved building speed. An extremely good price point by Puma India helped me to seal the deal.  In fact, I bought the shoe on the first very day of its release in India.

##### Ride In Deviate Nitro

Given the purpose of the shoe, I have used it primarily for faster runs close to the race pace. I have also used them for speed training. I have so far run about 100km in the shoes.  The runs included a couple of half-marathon distances at marathon pace,  a 5KM race, Tempo runs, and a few VO2 max Interval workouts. 

The shoe is comfortable no matter whichever distance and pace you choose to run. Nitro Elite foam-based midsole is well cushioned and yet bouncy. 

For longer runs at my marathon pace (about 5 min/km), the shoe feels extremely comfortable in handling the distance.  The lightweight nature of the really helps towards the finishing kilometers, keeping the fatigue in check.  At this, you can’t feel the carbon plate effect much, but the bounce is pronounced enough to make the ride enjoyable.

Tempo effort runs at paces under 4:30 is when I really feel the carbon plate in action.  One can feel the springboard effect at these paces. The shoe just responds as you hit the road harder.

I wasn’t in my best shape for the 5K race I ran in the shoe.  But the shoe did a fantastic job with bounce and getting a good stride. However, the lack of rocker effect is evident to me.  When compared to other carbon plated shoes I have used such as AlphaFly, and Endorphin Pro 2, the transition at push-off is not as enjoyable.  The weak rocker effect is also the reason why the shoe also promotes higher cadence.

##### Fit & Comfort

I am using UK 10, which is the usual size for me.  The fit is perfect for me in every way.   The Forefoot and toe box area are very roomy and never had any issues so far.  

The laces are too long, but the laces work perfectly and keep themselves in place.  The tongue moves around a bit, a minor inconvenience.

The heel slip feels uncomfortable at times, but it is not a deal-breaker.  With a bit of lacing adjustment, it is managed well.

The upper is extremely breathable.  As I’ve mentioned earlier, the shoe feels most natural as it is very light. 

##### Stability

As with other super shoes, the shoe is a neutral shoe, and there are no pronation control measures in the midsole or at heal. However, with a reasonably wider base of the shoe, it feels quite stable.  If you are looking for pronation control, this is not the shoe for you.

##### Road Grip

The grip is good enough for tarred roads.  Unlike regular Puma Nitro series shoes, the grip doesn’t work very well on roads with sand, and construction debris.

##### Aesthetics

During the launch, there is only one colorway option available. The white colorway with the Puma racing strip is flaunt-worthy. The reflective overlays at the heel, and around the laces gives it a cool look in the dark.  

<div class="row">
        <LightBox src="/images/pdne-night.jpg" caption="Glows in the dark!" alt="" ></LightBox>
</div>

Through the translucent mesh upper you can see the socks you wear.  So the color of the socks gives the shoe a distinct aesthetic. In a way, it gives plenty of options to match your shoe color to the apparel you wear.

##### Review Summary

<ReviewSummaryCard shoeCode="005012000M"></ReviewSummaryCard>

<ProsCard
  title="PROS"
  pros={[
    "Extremely light and feels fast.",  
    "Excellent bounce at faster paces",
    "Well-cushioned and offers a soft ride",
    "Well made, good premium feel and aesthetics",
    "While a racing shoe, it is versatile enough to be used for a run",
  ]}
/>

<ConsCard
  title="CONS"
  cons={[
    "Heel slippage can be an issue for some runners.",
    "The grip is not that great, and using on surfaces other than tarred roads is tricky."
  ]}
/>

<InfoCard title="RECOMMENDATION">
  Puma's Deviate Nitro Elite is an excellent carbon plated racer, and lives up to its super shoe hype. It is light, fast and bouncy. It is well cushioned and offers a soft ride. While is a racing shoe, it is versatile enough to be used for any type of run. More importantly, it is the lowest priced super shoe in India.
</InfoCard>


Puma's carbon plated super shoe lives up to the hype. It is light, fast and responsive.

Puma Deviate Nitro Elite Review

Since its launch in India this January, Hoka has already made its presence felt in the Indian running community.  Hoka didn’t hold anything back, and ensured all their best shoes are available in India.  That coupled with a good pricing strategy, content-rich marketing, and community engagement via events, is a promising start.  Hoka has made both their carbon-plated shoes available in India. Hoka Carbon X2 and Hoka Rocket X ([which we have reviewed here](https://shoegeeks.in/review/hoka-rocketx-012010000/)).

Hoka Carbon X2 is available for the Indian market on the Tata Cliq website. When I first saw images of the Carbon X2 online, I immediately took a liking to its new design with the extended, exaggerated heel at the back.  At first look, the shoe screams it is an endurance racer. Its bold overlays, cutouts, rocker shape, and flared heels say it is a racer, while the midsole cushioning says it is all about endurance.

<ShoeCard shoeCode="012009002M"></ShoeCard>

##### What makes up Carbon X2?

A stack height of 32mm, puts Carbon X2 in a medium profile category.  Weight of 247g (men)/221g (women) makes it well suited for endurance running while offering plenty of comfort. 

**Midsole**

Carbon X2’s midsole like its cousin Rocket X is made of Compression-Molded EVA foam (CMEVA). However, it is a very different shoe. It has a stack height of 32mm (30mm for women) at the heel and 27mm (25mm for women) at the forefoot with a 5mm heel-to-toe drop. The midsole has two layers of foam between which the carbon plate is placed. The top layer is softer, while the bottom layer is thinner and firmer.  The midsole profile is much softer when compared to Rocket X. 

The carbon plate is much closer to the ground and has very little curvature compared to super shoes like VaporFly. This is the reason why Carbon X2 doesn’t have the springboard effect but primarily helps the transition from mid-foot to toe-off transition.

**Upper**

is made of a single layer perforated engineered mesh. Added synthetic and reflective panels give a nice aesthetic to the shoe. The tongue has no padding, while the heel is very well padded.

<div class="d-flex flex-row align-items-center justify-content-center">
  <div class="col-12 col-md-8 px-1">
      <LightBox src="/images/hcx2-top.jpg" caption="Upper is made of recycled materials" alt="" ></LightBox>
  </div>
</div>

**Outsole**

The bottom layer of the midsole (foam below the carbon plate) acts as the outsole.  Not using a rubber outsole is an interesting design decision. The bottom layer is made of firmer EVA foam.   EVA is not as good as rubber when it comes to traction and durability.  

The base of the outsole is very wide, which adds to the stability of the shoe.  Able to see the carbon plate through the cutouts in the outsole is a nice touch.  

##### Why did I consider this shoe?

I was looking for a carbon-plated trainer for speed training, and faster long runs. Hoka Carbon X2 is a carbon-plated racer with attractive pricing. Its popularity among many elite athletes made it a safe choice for the purpose I was looking for.

##### Ride In Carbon X2

I have run about 100 km. This includes speed intervals, tempo runs, long runs, and easy runs too.

**Speed Run** - The shoe felt great during the workout session. The ride felt smooth and efficient because of the carbon plate; however, it does not give explosive bounce as compared to other carbon plate racing shoes on the market.

**Tempo Run** - Comfortable Tempo runs with great shoe response. The midsole gives a cushioned landing. Carbon X2 has a more natural feel to it.

**Long Run** - My farthest run was 34 km and my performance on that run was excellent. It is a more stable shoe that can take you farther. I felt it was a good balance between cushioning and responsiveness while my legs still felt fresh at the end of my run.

<div class="d-flex flex-row align-items-center justify-content-center">
  <div class="col-12 col-md-8 px-1">
      <LightBox src="/images/hcx2-side.jpg" caption="Ride is balanced; responsive & comfortable" alt="" ></LightBox>
  </div>
</div>

This is why the Carbon X2 is better suited to longer distances. During the long runs, it is smooth, efficient, and energy-saving. Stability in the Carbon X 2 is excellent thanks to its wide midsole base, so it is one of the most stable carbon plated shoes in the market.

__If I have to choose a shoe to run an Ultra distance that is beyond a marathon, the Carbon X 2 would be my first choice.__

**Fit & Comfort**

The dual foam midsole of the Carbon X2 is noticeably softer and wide enough. It’s the most comfortable shoe in the market that I have used so far.  The thin single-layer mesh upper is highly breathable and has a comfortable fit.  The midsole of the Carbon X2 is noticeably softer and wide enough.

When it comes to sizing, my recommendation would be to go one size down as the length of the shoe is slightly long. The shoe comes with long laces which you need to carefully tie-up.

**Stability**

Carbon X2 is the most comfortable and stable shoe in the carbon plate shoe market. The thicker foam results in a higher level of cushioning comfort. A firmer base also gives the Carbon X better stability. 

<div class="d-flex flex-row align-items-center justify-content-center">
  <div class="col-12 col-md-8 px-1">
      <LightBox src="/images/hcx2-heel.jpg" caption="Wide base offers excellent stability" alt="" ></LightBox>
  </div>
</div>

**Road Grip** 

The grip isn’t bad on dry roads. But the foam outsole is unsuitable for slushy, damp, or dusty surfaces. Initial wear and tear happen quickly, so durability is a question.

<div class="d-flex flex-row align-items-center justify-content-center">
  <div class="col-12 col-md-8 px-1">
      <LightBox src="/images/hcx2-bottom.jpg" caption="No rubber on the outsole doesn't help traction" alt="" ></LightBox>
  </div>
</div>

**Aesthetics**

For Aesthetics reasons I chose white and blue which is not a smart choice for Indian roads, however, the positive side is that it is easily visible in the dark. It also has a large reflective panel on its flap as well as the last two eyelets – this makes the upper part very visible during the dark. The shoe can be easily put on and off with great heal support.

##### Review Summary

<ReviewSummaryCard shoeCode="012009002M"></ReviewSummaryCard>

<ProsCard
  title="PROS"
  pros={[
    "Wide midsole base with a stable ride",
    "Meta-Rocker provides a smooth, efficient ride",
    "Most affordable Carbon plate shoe in the market",
    "Great shoe for an ultra-distance race."
  ]}
/>

<ConsCard
  title="CONS"
  cons={[
    "Less Energy return as compared to other Carbon plate super shoes",
    "Slightly on the heavier side for a racer"
  ]}
/>

<InfoCard title="RECOMMENDATION">
It’s an endurance racing shoe that marries a firmly cushioned midsole with a carbon fiber plate, and the result is a fast ride that isn’t harsh on the feet.
</InfoCard>


Carbon plated endurance racer for marathon distances and beyond

Hoka Carbon X2 Review

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Reviews

Puma Deviate Nitro Elite Review

Hoka Carbon X2 Review