PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 4 vs Fast-FWD NITRO Elite 2

Which Running Shoe Is Better?

Products

PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 4
PUMA Fast-FWD NITRO Elite 2

Tested using Methodology v0.10

Updated Jul 13, 2026 03:30 PM

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Amazon

Tested using Methodology v0.15

Updated Aug 03, 2026 06:36 PM

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PUMA
PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 4 Picture

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PUMA Fast-FWD NITRO Elite 2 Picture

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Our Verdict

PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 4

PUMA Fast-FWD NITRO Elite 2

The PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 4 and PUMA Fast-FWD NITRO Elite 2 are two super shoes by the same brand, but they serve very different purposes. The Deviate is the more versatile and approachable option for most runners, with much more cushioning, a more responsive ride, a more forgiving fit, and enough protection to handle everything from shorter races up to the marathon. The Fast-FWD is significantly lighter and more focused for 5K and 10K racing, with a lower, firmer, more stripped-back ride that feels closer to a modern racing flat. That said, it gives up a lot in protection, comfort, and range, so it's not suitable for long runs or longer races.

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Variants

  • 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))
  • Fast-FWD NITRO Elite 2 (Light Lavender/Ultra Red - (Men - US 9))
  • Fast-FWD NITRO Elite 2 (Light Lavender/Ultra Red - (Women - US 7))
Read more

Main Differences for
Half/Full Marathon Racing

Threshold 

0.10

Half/Full Marathon Racing 
 

8.6
6.5

Heel Stack Height 
 

40.7 mm
29.1 mm

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

30.1 mm
20.6 mm

Plate 
 

Carbon Fiber
Carbon Fiber

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning 
 

8.0
4.7

Weight  

8.9
9.7

Heel Firmness 
 

4.8
8.3

Outsole Arch Width 
 

60 mm (2.4")
51 mm (2.0")

Full Comparison

Design

Weight  

8.9
9.7

Right Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 4 Right Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
PUMA Fast-FWD NITRO Elite 2 Right Shoe Weight Photo

Left Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 4 Left Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
PUMA Fast-FWD NITRO Elite 2 Left Shoe Weight Photo

Weight 
 

169.1 g (5.96 oz)
127.1 g (4.48 oz)

Stack Heights 
 

Stack Height Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 4 Stack Height Photo
Compare High-Res
PUMA Fast-FWD NITRO Elite 2 Stack Height Photo

Heel Stack Height 
 

40.7 mm
29.1 mm

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

30.1 mm
20.6 mm

Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

10.6 mm
8.5 mm

Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

8.0 mm
8.0 mm

External Shape 
 

3D Model Full Shoe  

Preview 3D
PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 4 3D Model Full Shoe
Preview 3D
PUMA Fast-FWD NITRO Elite 2 3D Model Full Shoe

Outsole Heel Width 
 

80 mm (3.1")
73 mm (2.9")

Outsole Arch Width 
 

60 mm (2.4")
51 mm (2.0")

Outsole Forefoot Width 
 

106 mm (4.2")
99 mm (3.9")

Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

1.97
2.51

Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

3.52
3.81

Internal Shape 
 

3D Model Internal  

Preview 3D
PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 4 3D Model Internal
Preview 3D
PUMA Fast-FWD NITRO Elite 2 3D Model Internal

Internal Length 
 

270 mm (10.6")
265 mm (10.4")

Internal Heel Width 
 

60 mm (2.4")
59 mm (2.3")

Internal Forefoot Width 
 

91 mm (3.6")
85 mm (3.3")

Wide Sizing Available 
 

No
No

Forefoot Fit: Width 
 

9.9
9.3

Forefoot Width Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 4 Forefoot Width Photo
Compare High-Res
PUMA Fast-FWD NITRO Elite 2 Forefoot Width Photo

Ball-Of-Foot TTS Deviation 
 

0.6 mm (0.024")
-1.7 mm (-0.065")

Toe TTS Deviation 
 

-0.5 mm (-0.018")
-1.5 mm (-0.059")

Forefoot Fit: Height 
 

9.7
5.2

Forefoot Height Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 4 Forefoot Height Photo
Compare High-Res
PUMA Fast-FWD NITRO Elite 2 Forefoot Height Photo

Toe TTS Deviation 
 

-0.8 mm (-0.031")
-5.7 mm (-0.222")

Arch Fit: Width 
 

9.8
10

Arch Fit Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 4 Arch Fit Photo
Compare High-Res
PUMA Fast-FWD NITRO Elite 2 Arch Fit Photo

Arch Width TTS Deviation 
 

2.3 mm (0.092")
0.2 mm (0.007")

Length Fit 
 

10
7.0

Toe Clearance Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 4 Toe Clearance Photo
Compare High-Res
PUMA Fast-FWD NITRO Elite 2 Toe Clearance Photo

Heel Rocker Geometry 
 

7.3

Heel Rocker Photo  

PUMA Fast-FWD NITRO Elite 2 Heel Rocker Photo

Heel Spring 
 

19 mm (0.7")

Heel Apex Position 
 

16.8%

Heel Rocker Angle 
 

22.4°

Forefoot Rocker Geometry 
 

6.2

Forefoot Rocker Photo  

PUMA Fast-FWD NITRO Elite 2 Forefoot Rocker Photo

Toe Spring 
 

42 mm (1.7")

Toe Apex Position 
 

59.9%

Forefoot Rocker Angle 
 

20.9°

Foam 
 

Primary Foam Picture  

PUMA Fast-FWD NITRO Elite 2 Primary Foam Picture

Secondary Foam Picture  

PUMA Fast-FWD NITRO Elite 2 Secondary Foam Picture

Primary Foam Name 
 

Nitrofoam Elite

Primary Foam Type 
 

A-TPU

Secondary Foam Name 
 

Secondary Foam Type 
 

Laces 
 

Laces Picture  

PUMA Fast-FWD NITRO Elite 2 Laces Picture

Lace Type 
 

Sawtooth

Width 
 

4.0 mm (0.2")

Thickness 
 

1.1 mm (0.0")

Stretch 
 

10.0%

Other Features  

Other Features Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 4 Other Features Photo
Compare High-Res
PUMA Fast-FWD NITRO Elite 2 Other Features Photo

Tongue Gusset Type 
 

Non-gusseted
Non-gusseted

Plate 
 

Carbon Fiber
Carbon Fiber
Performance

Heel Compression Energy Return 
 

8.6
8.3

Heel Compression Video  

Heel Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 4 Heel Energy Return
 Preview Graph
PUMA Fast-FWD NITRO Elite 2 Heel Energy Return

Heel Energy Return 
 

84.5%
82.8%

Forefoot Compression Energy Return 
 

8.3
8.5

Forefoot Compression Video  

Forefoot Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 4 Forefoot Energy Return
 Preview Graph
PUMA Fast-FWD NITRO Elite 2 Forefoot Energy Return

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

82.3%
83.7%

Heel Cushioning 
 

8.6
5.9

Heel Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 4 Heel Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
PUMA Fast-FWD NITRO Elite 2 Heel Cushioning Picture

Heel Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 4 Heel Cushioning
 Preview Graph
PUMA Fast-FWD NITRO Elite 2 Heel Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 550N 
 

3.94 J
3.35 J

Energy Absorbed At 1100N 
 

10.62 J
7.59 J

Energy Absorbed At 1900N 
 

17.54 J
11.55 J

Forefoot Cushioning 
 

8.5
5.5

Forefoot Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 4 Forefoot Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
PUMA Fast-FWD NITRO Elite 2 Forefoot Cushioning Picture

Forefoot Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 4 Forefoot Cushioning
 Preview Graph
PUMA Fast-FWD NITRO Elite 2 Forefoot Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 800N 
 

5.42 J
3.72 J

Energy Absorbed At 1300N 
 

9.31 J
5.84 J

Energy Absorbed At 2050N 
 

13.51 J
8.15 J

Heel Firmness 
 

4.8
8.3

Heel Firmness  

 Preview Graph
PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 4 Heel Firmness

Heel Firmness Graph  

 Preview Graph
PUMA Fast-FWD NITRO Elite 2 Heel Firmness Graph

Firmness At 550N 
 

43.4 N/mm
41.8 N/mm

Firmness At 1100N 
 

101.5 N/mm
59.1 N/mm

Firmness At 1900N 
 

250.6 N/mm
88.9 N/mm

Forefoot Firmness 
 

7.7
9.2

Forefoot Firmness  

 Preview Graph
PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 4 Forefoot Firmness

Forefoot Firmness Graph  

 Preview Graph
PUMA Fast-FWD NITRO Elite 2 Forefoot Firmness Graph

Firmness At 800N 
 

92.2 N/mm
66.1 N/mm

Firmness At 1300N 
 

200.0 N/mm
91.6 N/mm

Firmness At 2050N 
 

408.4 N/mm
131 N/mm

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning 
 

8.0
4.7

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 4 Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
 Preview Graph
PUMA Fast-FWD NITRO Elite 2 Forefoot Long Run Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 10km 
 

8.77 J
5.24 J

Energy Absorbed At 20km 
 

8.59 J
5.09 J

Energy Absorbed At 30km 
 

8.48 J
4.99 J

Energy Absorbed At 40km 
 

8.40 J
4.92 J

Rocker Stiffness 
 

5.1

Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Video  

Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph  

 Preview Graph
PUMA Fast-FWD NITRO Elite 2 Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph

Force To Flatten The Rocker 
 

45 N

Forefoot Bending Energy Return 
 

8.3

Forefoot Bending Video  

Forefoot Bending Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
PUMA Fast-FWD NITRO Elite 2 Forefoot Bending Energy Return

Forefoot Bending Energy Return 
 

74.4%

Forefoot Bending Stiffness 
 

7.2

Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture  

PUMA Fast-FWD NITRO Elite 2 Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture

Forefoot Bending Resistance  

 Preview Graph
PUMA Fast-FWD NITRO Elite 2 Forefoot Bending Resistance

Forefoot Bending Stiffness 
 

16.0 N/mm

Forefoot Bending Force 
 

242 N

Heel Compression Depth 
 

5.6

Heel Compression Graph  

 Preview Graph
PUMA Fast-FWD NITRO Elite 2 Heel Compression Graph

Heel Compression At 550N 
 

13.2 mm

Heel Compression At 1100N 
 

18.6 mm

Heel Compression At 1900N 
 

21.4 mm

Forefoot Compression Depth 
 

4.9

Forefoot Compression Graph  

 Preview Graph
PUMA Fast-FWD NITRO Elite 2 Forefoot Compression Graph

Forefoot Compression At 800N 
 

12.1 mm

Forefoot Compression At 1300N 
 

14.2 mm

Forefoot Compression At 2050N 
 

15.6 mm

PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 4

PUMA Fast-FWD NITRO Elite 2

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