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Tested using Methodology v0.14
Updated Aug 27, 2026 01:51 PM
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Updated Sep 15, 2026 06:29 PM
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Heel Stack Height
35.1 mm
Weight
160.5 g (5.66 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
8.8 mm
Plate
Carbon Fiber
Heel Stack Height
40.7 mm
Weight
169.1 g (5.96 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
10.6 mm
Plate
Carbon Fiber
Our Verdict
Nike Vaporfly 4
PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 4
The PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 4 and Nike Vaporfly 4 are two very light super shoes, but they feel optimized for different racing needs. The Nike is lower-stacked and lighter, with a firmer forefoot that creates a more classic, snappy racing feel and better ground connection, making it better suited to shorter, faster efforts than long-distance protection. The PUMA is still very light, but its foam feels more forgiving and protective, giving it a more comfortable ride across a wider range of race distances.
Variants
- Vaporfly 4 (Bright Crimson/Mint Foam/Cave Purple/Lime Blast - (Men - US 9))
- Vaporfly 4 (Bright Crimson/Mint Foam/Cave Purple/Lime Blast - (Women - US 7))
- Deviate NITRO Elite 4 (Fresh Water/Lemon Crush/Black - (Women - US 7))
- Deviate NITRO Elite 4 (Fresh Water/Lemon Crush/Black/White - (Men - US 9))
Main Differences for
Half/Full Marathon Racing
Half/Full Marathon Racing
Threshold
Half/Full Marathon Racing
7.2
8.4
Forefoot Stack Height
26.4 mm
30.1 mm
Heel Stack Height
35.1 mm
40.7 mm
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
5.8
8.0
Full Comparison
Design
Weight
9.1
8.9
Right Shoe Weight Photo
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Left Shoe Weight Photo
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Weight
160.5 g (5.66 oz)
169.1 g (5.96 oz)
Stack Heights
Stack Height Photo
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Heel Stack Height
35.1 mm
40.7 mm
Forefoot Stack Height
26.4 mm
30.1 mm
Heel-To-Toe Drop
8.8 mm
10.6 mm
Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop
6.0 mm
8.0 mm
External Shape
3D Model Full Shoe
Preview 3D
Preview 3D
Outsole Heel Width
75 mm (3.0")
80 mm (3.1")
Outsole Arch Width
50 mm (2.0")
60 mm (2.4")
Outsole Forefoot Width
108 mm (4.3")
106 mm (4.2")
Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio
2.13
1.97
Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio
3.84
3.52
Internal Shape
3D Model Internal
Preview 3D
Preview 3D
Internal Length
271 mm (10.7")
270 mm (10.6")
Internal Heel Width
60 mm (2.4")
60 mm (2.4")
Internal Forefoot Width
92 mm (3.6")
91 mm (3.6")
Wide Sizing Available
No
No
Forefoot Fit: Width
8.6
9.9
Forefoot Width Photo
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Ball-Of-Foot TTS Deviation
-3.4 mm (-0.134")
0.6 mm (0.024")
Toe TTS Deviation
0.8 mm (0.032")
-0.5 mm (-0.018")
Forefoot Fit: Height
9.7
9.7
Forefoot Height Photo
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Toe TTS Deviation
-0.8 mm (-0.032")
-0.8 mm (-0.031")
Arch Fit: Width
6.7
9.8
Arch Fit Photo
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Arch Width TTS Deviation
-5.0 mm (-0.196")
2.3 mm (0.092")
Length Fit
7.0
10
Toe Clearance Photo
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Heel Rocker Geometry
7.5
6.9
Heel Rocker Photo
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Heel Spring
20 mm (0.8")
18 mm (0.7")
Heel Apex Position
18.1%
20.7%
Heel Rocker Angle
21.8°
17.8°
Forefoot Rocker Geometry
6.8
8.0
Forefoot Rocker Photo
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Toe Spring
46 mm (1.8")
55 mm (2.2")
Toe Apex Position
60.1%
57.4%
Forefoot Rocker Angle
22.7°
25.6°
Foam
Primary Foam Picture
Secondary Foam Picture
Primary Foam Name
ZoomX
Primary Foam Type
PEBA
Secondary Foam Name
N/A
Secondary Foam Type
N/A
Laces
Laces Picture
Lace Type
Flat
Width
4.0 mm (0.2")
Thickness
1.6 mm (0.1")
Stretch
20.0%
Other Features
Other Features Photo
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Tongue Gusset Type
Non-gusseted
Non-gusseted
Plate
Carbon Fiber
Carbon Fiber
Performance
Heel Compression Energy Return
8.6
8.6
Heel Compression Video
Heel Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Heel Energy Return
84.4%
84.5%
Forefoot Compression Energy Return
8.3
8.3
Forefoot Compression Video
Forefoot Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Energy Return
82.6%
82.3%
Heel Cushioning
6.4
8.6
Heel Cushioning Picture
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Heel Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 550N
3.64 J
3.94 J
Energy Absorbed At 1100N
8.00 J
10.62 J
Energy Absorbed At 1900N
12.32 J
17.54 J
Forefoot Cushioning
6.2
8.5
Forefoot Cushioning Picture
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Forefoot Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 800N
4.09 J
5.42 J
Energy Absorbed At 1300N
6.59 J
9.31 J
Energy Absorbed At 2050N
9.46 J
13.51 J
Heel Firmness
7.8
6.8
Heel Firmness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Firmness At 550N
38.4 N/mm
39.6 N/mm
Firmness At 1100N
55.3 N/mm
49.1 N/mm
Firmness At 1900N
82.9 N/mm
69.8 N/mm
Forefoot Firmness
8.8
6.6
Forefoot Firmness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Firmness At 800N
60.8 N/mm
51.2 N/mm
Firmness At 1300N
83.3 N/mm
66.9 N/mm
Firmness At 2050N
118 N/mm
93 N/mm
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
5.8
8.0
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 10km
6.30 J
8.77 J
Energy Absorbed At 20km
6.19 J
8.59 J
Energy Absorbed At 30km
6.11 J
8.48 J
Energy Absorbed At 40km
6.06 J
8.40 J
Rocker Stiffness
6.9
8.2
Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Video
Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Force To Flatten The Rocker
83 N
129 N
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
8.7
8.8
Forefoot Bending Video
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
78.1%
79.4%
Forefoot Bending Stiffness
8.5
8.6
Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture
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Forefoot Bending Resistance
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Bending Stiffness
28.0 N/mm
25.6 N/mm
Forefoot Bending Force
325 N
355 N
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Nike Vaporfly 4
PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 4
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Nike Vaporfly 4 vs PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 4: Main Discussion
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