Article by Jen Schmidt. Renee Krusemark, Jeff Valliere and Sam Winebaum
Puma Deviate Nitro Elite Trail ($230)
Introduction
The Deviate Nitro Elite Trail represents Puma entry into the carbon plated, supercritical foam cushioned trail super shoe race. At commendable weights of women’s 8.25 oz / 284g US 8, men’s 9.25 oz / 262g US9, with a substantial but not extreme 36mm heel / 30mm forefoot stack height it is powered by the same NITROFOAM Elite as Puma’s Elite 3 marathon shoe and is shod in always excellent PumaGrip rubber, here the ATR flavor with 3mm lugs.
Pros:
- Quick energy rebound is superior to other trail supershoes - Jen/Renee/Jeff/Sam
- Very lightweight for substance - Jen/Jeff/Sam
- Midsole is well-cushioned but energetic, not over soft - Jen/Renee/Jeff/Sam
- Great stability despite the high 36 mm stack - Jen/Renee/Jeff
- Outsole is grippy even on muddy singletrack and wet rock - Jen
- Handles surprisingly well on moderately technical trails - Jen/Renee/Jeff
- Somewhat flexible carbon plate is key to its stability, climbing ability for a carbon shoe and speed: Sam
- An excellent door to trail/crossover to road versatile trainer - Jeff
Cons:
- Heel collar may take some breaking in or cause rubbing for some - Jen/Jeff
- Extra long laces don’t always stay put - Jen
- Pointy heel cup and toe box shapes - Renee
- Yet more carbon plate flex please: Sam
Stats
Approx. Weight: women’s 8.25 oz / 284g US 8, men’s 9.25 oz / 262g US9
Sample Weights:
women's 8 oz / 225 g US 8.5
men’s 9.25 oz / 262g US9, 9.75 oz / 279g US10
Stack Height: 36 mm heel / 30 mm forefoot (6 mm drop spec)
Platform Width:
87 mm heel / 60 mm midfoot / 107 mm forefoot US W8.5
90 mm heel / 70mm midfoot / 110mm forefoot US M8.5
Most comparable shoes
HOKA Tecton X3 - Jen
Adidas Agravic Speed Ultra - Jen
Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 3 (road version) - Jen
North Face Summit Series VECTIV Sky 2 - Jen
First Impressions, Fit and Upper
Jen: To get straight to the point, this is my favorite shoe that I’ve reviewed so far this year. It’s immediately clear that the Deviate Nitro Elite Trail belongs in the relatively new category of trail supershoes, and in my personal opinion it sits at the top of that category.
Runners with lower-volume feet can celebrate the narrower forefoot and midfoot in this shoe as compared to its closest competitors, the Adidas Agravic Speed Ultra or HOKA Tecton X3. (The fit through the toe box and midfoot is comparable to the lower-stack, less cushioned but still plated North Face VECTIV Sky 2.) The midfoot felt completely locked in thanks to the partially gusseted tongue and durable extra-long laces. (I’m not sure the laces needed to be quite so long, but it’s easy enough to tuck them in.)
Perhaps the PWRTAPE reinforcements played a role as well, although they’re not noticeable on the run.
The ULTRAWEAVE upper is as lightweight and durable as advertised, with a surprisingly soft suede-like ankle collar and reinforced lace grommets.
That part of the upper gives way to a very firm heel cup that extends high in the rear, perhaps my only complaint with this shoe.
I got some rubbing on my Achilles from the highest part of the heel counter that took off some skin even through socks and moleskin.
At ~50 miles on the shoe, it hasn’t broken in yet to a point where it no longer rubs, but a training partner has not had the same issue. Still, everything else about this shoe makes me willing to sacrifice the skin on my heel.
Renee: Puma sent several review samples of the Elite Trail to RTR, which must reflect their confidence in the product.
I’m between half sizes in most models, whether road or trail. My women’s size 8 felt a bit long, which is not my usual fit with a Puma. If between half sizes, consider the half size shorter. For reference, I have the Deviate Nitro 3 in a size 8 and my toes have no extra space.
The heel counter felt stiff and high initially but was never an issue when running. The tongue is a bit short and I wasn’t able to lace using the extra top eyelet. I wouldn’t anyway because the shoe is tight around the front ankle.
I did not have issues with the heel counter as Jen did, but the heel internal shape is pointy as opposed to rounded. My heel never sat back into the heel cup unless I was running uphill, and I think this is was as I was being between half sizes . Otherwise, the upper is fine with just enough overlays for some structure needed on trail. I have average width and low volume feet.
Jeff V: The Nitro Trail arrived at the perfect time, as I had recently received an entry to the Boston Marathon and I had been struggling to find just the right training shoe for my mostly gravel paths and rolling singletrack runs.
The Nitro Trail caught me a little off guard, as I had somewhat forgotten about talk of them earlier in the year. The moment I put them on my feet, I knew they had real potential as an all around shoe for fast uptempo gravel trails/roads, as well as on more technical trails. Jen has covered the mechanics of the upper very well, so I will comment mostly on fit and performance.
The Nitro Trail fits me perfectly and is true to size in my usual US size 10, with just about an index finger width extra room in the toe. For my somewhat narrow, low volume foot, I find them to be very secure with a race fit, but not at all confining with just enough wiggle room in the toe box. The heel is secure, as is the midfoot, with very positive and secure lacing.
I have not had the same issues with the heel counter as Jen, but I have found that the rounded section of collar where the top eyelets are located is stiff and needs some breaking in. It has not caused me any true difficulties, but it is very firm and I feel it when I first put on the shoes each time (though do not really think about it once I get running).
I have pushed the Nitro Trail in a variety of conditions, from mid 6 min/mile on easier rolling or flat trails, to quick downhills on steep, technical mountain trails and the upper is secure no matter the terrain, gradient, sidehilling, cornering or how technical. I feel confident and planted.
The toe bumper is minimal and flexible, offering just enough protection for the intention of this shoe.
The heel counter is very rigid at the far rear but "short" not extending as far forward towards the ankle as most. It is very secure, stable and gives just enough structure and protection.
Sam: The Nitro Trail was one of the top highlights for the RTR team at 2024 The Running Event. Light, well cushioned and sharp looking it for sure stood out with more of a road shoe vibe than many trail shoes, sharing Puma's excellent NitroFoam Elite and PWRPLATE carbon with the road Elite 3. With a weight of 9.25 oz / 262g US9 sample and 36/30 stack height we are for sure light for so much shoe.
My key question going into the test was if the platform, plate and all would adapt to trail conditions and have enough flex to climb, be stable, and toe off. The answer after testing is yes!
The others have described the upper well. A highly engineered thin non stretch mono mesh type material, the upper is thin and flexible yet highly supportive due to its non stretch, its PWRTPE overlays and slim but foot conforming and non binding fit.
I particularly noted the short but very rigid heel counter and its snug, narrow at the insole yet problem free fit. It really locked my heel in with no slip despite my sample being a half size up than my normal.
Ahead of the counter the ankle collars are relatively flexible allowing for enough give on terrain yet while the whole rear of the shoe is remarkably stable. This is for sure assisted by the foot sitting well down in the midsole at the rear as shown below.
The tongue is mostly thin and soft 3D mesh with a leartherette overlay towards the top. We have a quite thick but not broad gusset to the tongue. Lace up is impeccable and secure.
The toe box is moderately broad and quite unstructured for a trail shoe with the combination of main non stretch mesh and center softer black "vamp" a la Speegoat comforming just right to my medium to narrow feet, and this in a half size up from my normal. The white non stretch mesh provides hold while the center extended tongue mesh some give and volume
I have a bit more than a thumb's width up front and could go true to size especially as the toe bumper is quite minimal and not stiff with the front rubber and the midsole side walls rising up just enough for some protection down low.
The toe bumper being flexible, as its the front of the upper, for sure assists in helping with front toe off flexibility given the carbon plate.
Midsole & Platform
Jen: Two layers of NITROFOAM™ Elite plus a carbon fiber PWRPLATE is apparently the recipe for some serious energy return. The extra pop on the toe-off on flatter trails is as close to a road super shoe as any trail shoe I’ve run in. There’s very little torsional flexibility (either front to back or side to side) due to the PWRPLATE, which generates the responsiveness, but surprisingly the rigidity does not detract from stability on uneven surfaces.
Even with two layers of foam and the stack height, the ride is responsive rather than mushy. The rebound helps this shoe excel on flatter trails and gravel where you can really put power into the carbon plate, but without sacrificing performance on smooth to moderate singletrack.
I haven’t tested it in the mountains as of yet, so I can’t speak to how this plated shoe performs there, but if I had received it a week earlier, I would have worn it at Way Too Cool 50k without hesitation. (Sam gently reminds me to mention I won this year’s edition, wearing the HOKA Tecton X3.) The Tecton X3 handled the bit of mud on the first lap well and drained nicely on the creek crossings, but I think the PUMA Deviate Nitro Elite Trail would have been a bit quicker on the very runnable miles on the Quarry and ALT sections and the extra stability would have been nice on the slightly technical sections between Goat Hill and the highway 49 crossing.
Alhough the Deviate NITRO Elite Trail has a full 36 mm stack heel height, I was extremely impressed with its lateral stability. The Adidas Agravic Speed Ultra was just too tippy for me to fully trust my feet, and while the HOKA Tecton X3 felt more stable due to its wide base, I’ve still rolled ankles in it a few times. Not so with the Deviate - perhaps it’s just a better fit for my narrower feet, but it feels much more stable even with a narrower base.
The 6 mm drop is enough to help deliver a little extra propulsion as you roll through but isn’t too aggressive.
Renee: Jen has the details. I did not think the shoe felt like 36mm/30mm underfoot and thought maybe the women’s version was less stack. I measured 36mm exactly at the heel (as per the spec), which includes the insole and outsole/lugs. The shoe feels much more stable than the stack suggests.
Those with ankle issues might disagree but if you run constant uneven surfaces without issues, the shoe will be fine. The plate is flexible as compared to most road plated shoes, which allows for some stability when landing on uneven surfaces, and with the stack height, there’s some protection against rock, roots, and ruts.
I wouldn’t choose it for technical rocky terrain with long and steep descents unless those sections were short rather than several miles. As a mediocre runner, the shoe would be good for a 50k of any surface. For gravel or smoother, totally runnable terrain, easily a 50 miler. Of course, it’s not heavy and with the plate, it’s a solid option for shorter distances. I can’t comment on a 100k or 100 miler, but I expect the shoe to be a good option for experienced and/or fast, elite runners at those distances.
Jeff V: The NITRO Elite foam with the carbon fiber PWRPLATE is a winning formula! I have long been a skeptic of carbon plated trail shoes (as I have found them to be a bit too rigid for the trails and often heavy) but have found it interesting to and follow the progression. I am still not 100% sold that a carbon plate on the trail makes a worthwhile difference such as they might on the road, at least not for the steep, rocky, technical mountain trails that I frequent, but for more buffed out, less technical trails, dirt paths and dirt roads, Deviate Nitro Trail certainly feels fast like a super shoe.
As I mentioned earlier, I have been utilizing the Nitro Trail as a road trainer for the upcoming Boston Marathon, as my road shoe choice has been very limited at best and I was struggling to find the right trail shoe. The Nitro checks all of the boxes for me, as they are light, fast, comfortable, well cushioned and the energy return is phenomenal, making day to day easy to moderate runs feel fun and effortless, while really excelling at uptempo work.
On the more steep, technical trails, I am impressed with how quick they are, with the carbon plate in the mix adding significant rebound when powering up hills. The faster you are running and the more power you are putting into your stride, the more energy you are getting out of them in return. I find this to be true on anything from a slight rise to about 15% grade, but when it gets steeper than that, I am finding the advantage to be less noticeable.
The cushioning, while not super soft and plush, like you might find in the Tecton X3 or Nike Ultrafly, is more firm, responsive and performative, though without feeling the least bit harsh and absorbs impact well over long distances and on hard surfaces.
The carbon plate in the Deviate Nitro Elite Trail has more torsional flex than the road models, which helps adapt to uneven terrain (rocks and roots underfoot), making them feel more stable than most other carbon shoes. That said, they are still relatively stiff and definitely require a bit of added care when running on rocky, rooty technical trails and rock gardens. I certainly wouldn’t pick this shoe if my route has a lot of that, but then again, they are not made for that anyways. If you find yourself in technical terrain though, they can handle it reasonably well in limited doses without having to slow too much.
Sam: The supercritical NITROFOAM Elite midsole foam, carbon plate and geometry play very well together.
The foam is quite dense but very vibration reducing with a very quick return. With a 36/30 stack height we have plenty of cushion. I also note that even with its 6mm drop the rear of the shoe stays "up" even at slower paces due to the rear stability and I have no problem rolling forward assisted by the narrow but stable 70mm midfoot platform width. Just about ideal for a trail shoe.
The carbon plate has developed some front flex which came in handy for one of my test runs and all steep uphill road run. I find that carbon plates in trail shoes need to have some flex for climbing and terrain stability and the Trail has just enough for the terrain but not so much that it isn't propulsive on smoother terrain and it for sure is. Road running is also really fine here. Yes, the outsole is noticed but the broad lugs lead to a smooth laydowm on firmer surfaces.
Outsole
Jen: Initially, I didn’t expect much from the outsole. After all, Puma is known as a road brand, and the Deviate NITRO Elite Trail looked like its road counterpart with some minimal 3 mm lugs.
My low expectations set me up to be very pleasantly surprised. The PUMAGRIP ATR rubber was grippier than anticipated, even on muddy singletrack and wet rock. While deep mud or extremely technical terrain might require something more aggressive, I was very satisfied with these for Auburn-area trails which included portions of the Western States 100 and less technical sections of the Canyons 50k and 100k courses.
The lugs aren’t aggressive at only 3 mm, but the outsole is grippy enough, even on wet rock.
Renee: I’ve had great experiences with PumaGrip on road shoes, so I had high expectations. The 3mm lugs aren’t much for traction, but these shoes are clearly geared for more runnable terrain. They will handle some mixed surfaces.
Uphill, the outsole was good. Downhill while dodging roots in mud on single track was not great but the shoes are so lightweight and flexing that they do fine. I wouldn’t wear the shoes for a trail with steep descents over several miles at a time on technical (rocky/loose) terrain. If you run sole/soul sucking mud, the lug size won’t matter much anyway. For moderate mud, 2mm more on the lugs would be better, but there’s a fair trade off with keeping the shoe light and useful on harder surfaces. I had mud stick in the cutout when switching from mud to packed dirt/gravel but otherwise the mud sheds off from the lugged areas.
Jeff V: Echoing Jen and Renee’s observations, I did not expect much from the outsole, given the minimal 3mm lug depth and their broad and mellow profile, but was pleasantly surprised with the overall performance on a wide variety of terrain.
On gravel paths, roads and compacted dirt, the lugs provide excellent grip, while going unnoticed underfoot.
Performance on pavement is particularly good for a trail shoe, as I completely forgot that I was in a trail shoe while running on roads.
On the steeper, more technical trails (again, not really what they are made for), I was quite impressed at how well they held on steep, loose trails and off trail.
Certainly if you were going to be in the loose stuff for a long time, a more luggy shoe would be preferable, but they really held their own quite well. The PumaGrip ATR rubber compound is also surprisingly sticky and sticks well on rock and slab. I have not had a chance to really test wet grip, but deliberately tested crossing creeks and navigating the wet creek bed rocks and they really grip quite well.
Sam: Not much to add to my fellow reviewers take on the outsole. Grip is solid. The broad lug design balanced somewhat more technical terrain utility with a smooth if present (audibly and underfoot) firm terrain ride yet one where the outsole does not overwhelm the midsole in firmness and stiffness.
Ride, Conclusions and Recommendations
Jen: In case you can’t tell, I’m sold. This shoe seems fit for my needs: a narrow to moderate fit with excellent energy return, and capable of handling up to moderately technical terrain without any trouble. The only minor complaint I have is the rubbing from the high heel counter, but hoping that will break in with more miles.
Jen’s score: 9.9/10
(Ride: 10/10, Fit: 9.5/10, Value: 9.7/10, Style: 10/10),
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Renee: If you are someone who wants a road shoe with a little bit of traction on the outsole, that’s what the Elite Trail delivers. And no, you don’t need to be an elite trail athlete chasing Western States dreams and stones for UTMB to enjoy the shoe. You do need $230 though.
For gravel roads and clearly runnable terrain, a carbon plated road shoe is still the lighter option and perhaps better. My rural roads are often uneven so having a 3mm lugged shoe with some flexibility is nice.
As a mediocre runner, I’m not going to be much faster in these shoes on single track as compared to a shoe like the Saucony Peregrine, and for terrain with constant switchbacks and inclines/declines I’d be more confident wearing a shoe with more ground feel and deeper lugs, like The North Face VECTIV Sky 2.
The Elite Trail is clearly much faster, even for me, on runnable terrain compared to most (all?) other trail-specific shoes as long as you have enough runnable terrain on the course to matter.
The underfoot geometry is smooth and it’s easy to have a fast cadence and healthy form when moving to open terrain. The comfort is great underfoot as well, and like most road plated shoes, you get responsiveness and cushion.
My only true con about the shoe is the sizing in the women’s version, which feels a bit long especially given the pointy heel cup shape.
Renee’s Score: 9.7/10
Ride 10/10, Fit 9/10, Value 9.75/10, Style 10/10, Traction 9.75/10
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Jeff V: The Puma Deviate Nitro Elite Trail is a true super shoe, ideal for fast uptempo running or racing on gravel paths, dirt roads and moderate trails. They are nice and light for a carbon plated trail shoe, adding to their fast feel and agile ride. The Nitro Elite foam combined with the carbon PWRPLATE provides an impressive amount of responsive snap and a smooth transition. Whether I am running at 10 min/mile pace or ~6 min per mile pace, the Nitro Trail are fun and easy to run in, feeling quite quick and efficient. Trail performance is quite good, with adequate stability, foothold and traction for most trails. Whether using for trail racing, uptempo training, be it moderate trails, gravel paths or even on the roads, the Deviate Nitro Elite Trail is the fastest, most capable carbon plated trail shoe to date.
Jeff V’s Score: 9.9/10
Ride: 10
Fit: 10
Value: 10 ($230 is not cheap, but given the performance you are getting and compared to other carbon shoes, the price is quite reasonable).
Style: 9.5
Traction: 9.5 (very good for intended purpose)
Rock Protection: 10
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Sam: Puma strikes gold with its first trail super shoe, really its first performance trail shoe of any kind that I can recall.
Adapting technologies from its superb road racing shoes: NITRO ELITE foam, carbon PWRPALTE plate and always fine PumaGrip rubber they have created a superb speed trail shoe for a wide variety of terrain with a focus on smoother terrain, gravel and even road for me.
The upper blends light weight, breathability and plenty of support for any run and like the platform is a successful trail adaptation of Puma's road technologies.
I have beens struggling with knee issues for a few months, yet when I took them out for their first trail and road runs I ended up significantly faster everywhere than earlier in the week. I had none of the usual pain or awkwardness due to their dense, forgiving cushion, upper and platform support and stability and friendly enough carbon plate and nimble platform that quite quickly developed some welcome flex (wish for a bit more though).
This is a far friendlier and more practical trail super shoe for most of us than several of its competitors, most notably the ASICS Meta Fuji Trail and Agravic Speed Ultra with their very high stack heights and rigid quite unstable platforms if not landing forefoot..all the time..
If you have hesitated to go with a trail super shoe so far, the Elite Trail due to its versatility, fast yet not over the top hard to handle ride, light weight, and well balanced, cushioned and stable ride is a top pick
Sam's Score: 9.8 / 10
Wish for a touch more flexibility
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Please Also Watch Mike's Deviate Nitro Elite Tail Initial Video Review
HOKA Tecton X3 (RTR Review)
Jen - both are true to size, but the Tecton X3 feels significantly roomier and runners who like the wider toebox of most HOKA shoes may feel that the Deviate is too constricting. Conversely, my narrower midfoot was locked down much better in the PUMA. Outsoles perform similarly well in wet and muddy conditions and lugs are similar (4mm in the Tecton, 3mm in the Deviate). Stack height and weight are quite similar, with the Deviate having 1 mm more drop (6 vs 5) and being slightly lighter (225 vs 239 g in my samples). Both are top of the line trail supershoes, but I like the PUMA slightly better.
Jeff V: Agreed with Jen on all points. While I really like the comfort of the Tecton, I find the Deviate to be faster and more adapted to fast, performance running than the Tecton, which feels a bit mushy to me. I prefer the more firmer foam and construction of the Deviate. I do really like the built in gaiter of the Tecton and I think traction is a touch better. The Deviate is also a much better value at $45 less (for more performance).
Adidas Agravic Speed Ultra (RTR Review)
Jen - First, the disclaimer that I’ve only demoed the ASU rather than put serious miles on it, but others at RTR have tested it thoroughly and shared their thoughts at the link above. The ASU has a higher stack (38 vs 36 mm) and slightly higher drop at 8 mm, which may have contributed to its lower lateral stability. Both shoes are highly cushioned and bouncy with ~3 mm lugs and some testers have had issues with rigid ankle or heel collars in both shoes.
Nike ZoomX Ultrafly (RTR Review)
Jen - The most notable difference is weight: the Ultrafly is almost a full ounce heavier, with a slightly higher stack (38.5 mm heel/30mm forefoot). The Ultrafly is also wider, especially in the forefoot, and its ZoomX foam is softer than the Puma’s Nitro. Both shoes have good energy return thanks to the carbon19.1 plate/foam combination. The Ultrafly’s Vibram outsole sports 3-3.5mm lugs, comparable to the 3mm in the Deviate.
Jeff V: The Deviate is much lighter, faster and is all about performance, where the Ultrafly is much heavier, softer and has a more accommodating fit. I cannot think of a scenario where I would pick the Ultrafly over the Deviate, except for maybe a long day of casual running or hiking, or just for casual day to day wear.
Sam: Would add the Ultrafly plate is completely rigid.
The North Face Summit Series VECTIV Sky 2 (RTR Review)
Jen - The VECTIV Sky 2 has a similarly lightweight but durable mesh upper and accommodates lower-volume feet nicely. The biggest difference between these two is the midsole: the VECTIV Sky 2 is a much lower-stack, firmer ride, while the Nitro Deviate has those two generous layers of superfoam. Both have grippy outsoles, surprisingly good stability for plated shoes, and an energetic ride from the plates, but most runners will find the firmer ride of the VECTIV Sky 2 better suited to shorter races, while the Nitro Deviate could easily be a 100k or fast 100 mile shoe.
Renee: TNF VECTIV Sky 2 is a lighter shoe, 7.22oz as compared to 7.82oz in a women’s size 8. The Sky 2 is less stack, with better ground feel and control on single track. The lug depth also makes the shoe better in loose or soft terrain. The Sky 2 won’t be as comfortable or fast on runnable terrain, especially for long or ultra distances. For sizing, my size 8 in the Sky 2 was perfect while I have a bit too much length in the Elite Trail.
The North Face Summit Series Vectiv Pro 2 (RTR Review)
Jeff V: The Vectiv Pro 2 is a notably heavier shoe, weighing 17 grams more in my US men’s 10 and has an overall bulkier and more rockered feel. The Deviate is much faster in my opinion, lighter, more responsive, a superior upper and much better traction.
Brooks Catamount 4 (RTR Review)
Renee: For pure speed, the Elite Trail takes the cake. The shoe is a lighter weight and more dynamic underfoot. The Cat 4’s plate is firmer and more protective as compared to the more propulsive Elite Trail. For more runnable terrain, the Elite Trail is best. I’d select the Cat 4 for more rugged terrain or less speed/races focus paces. Sizing is similar but I have just a tad more length in the Elite Trail to make me want to half size down as compared to the Cat 4.
Jeff V: Agreed with Renee on all points, though I do not feel any temptation to downsize in the Deviate. I will also note that I feel more comfortable running long distances in the Deviate, where the Catamount can feel a bit firm to me as the miles pile up. The TPU plate in the Catamount 4 is not quite as rigid as carbon, allowing for a little better contouring over rough terrain, though still offers an impressive amount of propulsion/performance.
Asics Metafuji Trail (RTR Review)
Jeff V: Despite having a much higher stack, the Metafuji is still a little lighter than the Deviate. I had really high hopes for the Metafuji, as it looks a lot like a trail version of the Metaspeed Sky Paris, a road supershoe that I am crazy about. Unfortunately though, I struggled with the Metafuji, finding it to only be moderately useful on only the most mellow trails (gravel paths), as the profile of the shoe is narrow in the heel, with soft foam, making them really unstable. The Deviate is overall a much more capable shoe, more responsive, more agile and can just rip on most trails, where the Metafuji requires so much care to run in, you can’t really put the pedal to the metal. I would pick the Deviate in every circumstance.
Sam: Agree with Jeff here, 100%
X-Bionic TerraSkin X00/C (RTR Review)
Jeff V: The X-Bionic is roughly 2 oz. heavier and is a much larger, bulkier shoe, not nearly as nimble and quick feeling as the Deviate. While the X-Bionic is innovative and has a lot going for it (comfort, protection, quality, durability), I find them to feel a bit overly stiff and somewhat lumbering, where size and weight are inhibiting performance. For hiking, or plugging away at casual training miles, I might lean towards the X-Bionic, but for this purpose, I would never spend $300 or look for a carbon plated shoe, I would look for something like a Brooks Cascadia or Caldera for half that price. For $70 less, the Deviate is the obvious choice, as they offer much better overall performance and supershoe fast feel.
Index to all RTR reviews: HERE
Tester Profiles
Jennifer Schmidt found trail running in her mid-20's and began dabbling on the roads a few years later. Trail 50k's are nearest and dearest to her heart, and she recently took the win at the 2025 Way Too Cool 50k and placed sixth at the 2025 Black Canyon Ultras 50k. These days, you can find her primarily on the sweet California singletrack around Auburn, chasing competitive and personal goals over a variety of surfaces and distances. Depending on the season, she also competes in the USATF road and XC circuits for Sacramento Running Association's racing team, with a marathon PR of 2:41.
Renee is a former U.S. Marine journalist, which is when her enjoyment of running and writing started. She isn’t that awesome of a runner, but she tries really hard. Most of her weekly 50-60 miles take place on rural country roads in Nebraska, meaning mud, gravel, dirt, hills, and the occasional field. She has PR’s of 1:30:59 for the half marathon and 3:26:45 for the marathon.
Jeff Valliere loves to run and explore the mountains of Colorado, the steeper and more technical the better. He has summited all of the 14ers in the state, many 13ers and other peaks in Colorado and beyond, plus, he has summited his local Green Mountain over 2,100 times in the past 20 years. He can be found on mountain trails daily, no matter the weather, season, conditions or whether there is daylight or not. On the side he loves to ski (all forms) bike and hike, often with his family, as he introduces his twin daughters to the outdoors. Jeff was born and raised in New Hampshire, but has called Colorado home for over 25 years. He is 5’9” and 145 lbs.
Sam is the Editor and Founder of Road Trail Run. He is in his 60’s with 2024 Sam’s 52th year of running roads and trails. He has a decades old 2:28 marathon PR. These days he runs halves in the just sub 1:40 range if he gets very, very lucky. Sam trains 30-40 miles per week mostly at moderate paces on the roads and trails of New Hampshire and Utah be it on the run, hiking or on nordic skis. He is 5’9” tall and weighs about 160 lbs, if he is not enjoying too many fine New England IPA’s.
1 comment:
Hi!
Thanks you for this great review!
@Sam, please can you compare to the Norda 005?🙏🏽
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