TRIED &
TESTED Tried & Tested by THE MODERN ATHLETE TEAM
Electrocharged Running
The PUMA Deviate NITRO 2 Electrocharged running shoes promise a great ride , and when I put them to the test , I found that they deliver on that promise . – BY RICHARD LASKEY
and it is a gusseted design , attached to the footbed , with an extra lacing loop on top , so it sits securely and there is very little room for movement . During my trial runs , including a 32km pace run , it stayed in place and never moved or created any chaffing . Also , the mesh of the upper is lightweight and breathable , with more support in the toe area , plus PWRTAPE bands in the upper to maintain shape and fit , but still allowing air through .
I
’ ve said this before , and I don ’ t mind saying it again , but I am a huge fan of the PUMA brand , so it was great to receive a delivery the other day of the new PUMA Deviate NITRO 2 Electrocharged neutral running shoe . My initial thought on opening the box is that I love the colours – a purplish-blue top with a lumo green base , which PUMA call Elektro Purple and Royal Sapphire – and when I laced them up , my feet immediately felt comfy in them . I have narrow feet , so I seldom have fit issues , and found this shoe suited my feet perfectly , but I reckon those with wider feet will want to go a half size up .
In terms of tech , the new shoes notes say the following : “ The Deviate NITRO 2 features a full-length layer of premium NITRO Elite foam at the midsole for supreme cushioning and peak propulsion . A reworked PWRPLATE , with an innovative platform design , acts as a lever for maximum energy transfer at toe-off , while the breathable mesh upper offers extra padding and grip around the ankle to prevent heel slip . Improved traction rounds out this tech-packed running shoe that thrives at any distance .”
Happy Feet
Heading into my first run in them , I was aware of how stable and balanced the shoes felt . Importantly for me , I have a history of weak ankle ligaments as a result of many football injuries , and several operations , so I really liked that this shoe has a comfortable heel cup and padded collar that provide both the stability I need and a great feel and fit , locking your ankle in securely but comfortably . I did find the ankle collar a little high for my liking , especially when walking in the shoes , but they felt comfortable on the run .
On the other hand , I had no complaints about the tongue . Nice and thin overall , but with just enough padding to ensure a soft fit against the top of your foot ,
Now let ’ s talk performance . I found the shoes provided great cushioning no matter what speed I ran at , but the bounce , rebound and responsiveness just got better and better the faster I went . That ’ s obviously thanks to the PWRPLATE embedded in the NITRO midsole . Unless you ’ ve been living under a rock the last few years , you ’ ll know that plated shoes are the ‘ in thing ,’ and this shoe delivers on its promise of “ supreme cushioning and peak propulsion .” I also found the traction on the road was more than decent , and the grippy outsole definitely does its job well . Overall , I found this shoe to be superb , and I highly recommend you give them a try .
Tech Specs :
• Stack Heights : 30mm forefoot / 38mm heel
• Heel-toe Drop : 8mm
• Weight : 262g ( men ’ s ) / 214g ( women ’ s ),
• Key Technologies : Super Critical NITRO Elite foam ; carbon composite PWRPLATE ; PUMAGRIP outsole
GET THEM HERE :
The Deviate NITRO 2 men ’ s and women ’ s are available at a recommended retail price of R3599 at PUMA Retail and Totalsports stores , or via https :// za . puma . com and SportSA Online .
Images : Courtesy PUMA
60 ISSUE 157 | www . modernathlete . co . za