Products
Tested using Methodology v0.10
Updated Mar 09, 2026 03:38 PM
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Nike.com
Tested using Methodology v0.10
Updated Apr 29, 2026 04:37 PM
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PUMA
Weight
160.5 g (5.66 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
8.8 mm
Plate
Carbon Fiber
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
Marathon Racing
Marathon Racing
Threshold
Marathon Racing
7.4
8.6
Forefoot Stack Height
26.4 mm
30.1 mm
Heel Stack Height
35.1 mm
40.7 mm
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
7.0
Toe Clearance Photo
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Other Features
Other Features Photo
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Tongue Gusset Type
Non-gusseted
Non-gusseted
Plate
Carbon Fiber
Carbon Fiber
Performance
Heel Energy Return
8.6
8.6
Heel Compression Video
Heel Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Heel Energy Return
84.4%
84.5%
Forefoot 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
7.3
4.8
Heel Firmness
Preview Graph
Firmness At 550N
59.3 N/mm
43.4 N/mm
Firmness At 1100N
167.7 N/mm
101.5 N/mm
Firmness At 1900N
383.4 N/mm
250.6 N/mm
Forefoot Firmness
9.0
7.7
Forefoot Firmness
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Firmness At 800N
141.4 N/mm
92.2 N/mm
Firmness At 1300N
293.3 N/mm
200.0 N/mm
Firmness At 2050N
555.3 N/mm
408.4 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
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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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