HYROX combines running and strength. When did you realise existing running shoes weren’t fully serving HYROX athletes?  Damion: “As we kept evolving the Deviate Elite line, it became fully optimised for that singular function: running fast and efficiently from five kilometres to marathon. But during the Deviate Elite 4 development, we hit a junction. We realised we needed to deliberately serve two athletes in two different ways. In HYROX you’re still running eight kilometres, so you still want bounce, propulsion and light weight. But you’re also pushing sleds, pulling sleds, doing lunges, carrying heavy weights. That introduces completely different demands, especially in grip and stability.

So instead of compromising, we chose to diverge.”

From Marathon Super Shoe to Hybrid Weapon

What exactly changed from the marathon version (the Deviate Elite line) to the HYROX version?Damion: “We knew about 80% of the chassis was already right. NITRO™ Elite foam is top in the industry in terms of energy return, responsiveness and durability under foot- so we knew we had the right foam. We also knew what was needed from an upper fit perspective, notably the breathable mesh material, since this was a need for both runners and hybrid athletes.

But what we needed to evolve was how the shoe interacts with the ground.”

Let’s get technical- what exactly did you modify?Damion: “So, there were two main pillars: stability and grip. First, we altered the durometer of the foam, so we made it slightly firmer, which enhances stability under load. We knew we wanted more stability especially when you’re doing walking lunges or farmer’s carries, since you’re subjecting yourselves to different positions than you would ever running. Second, we completely redesigned the outsole. The marathon version uses rubber very precisely to keep weight down. For HYROX, we went full coverage PUMAGRIP, from forefoot to heel, with a new traction pattern designed to dig into turf during sled pushes and pulls.”

An Unexpected Breakthrough

One of the biggest breakthroughs came from something running shoes never experience. Were there any unexpected challenges during development?Damion: “Yes, the strain and force from sled pushing and pulling. So, with the Deviate Elite 3, we had heel rubber pods that began tearing away during HYROX testing. Running never exposed that issue before. But sled pushes and pulls introduce completely different stress patterns.

As I mentioned before, the rubber now extends continuously from the forefoot to the heel with no breaks in the HYROX version. This eliminates stress points and improves durability.”

With each emerging sport come new discoveries in physics and the need to design entirely new solutions.

Testing for True Hybrid Performance

How did you validate that the shoe was truly better for HYROX?Damion: “Our sports science team worked with our lab partners in Dillenburg, Germany, to conduct full hybrid racing assessments. We compared it internally against everything from minimal shoes to the standard Deviate Elite 4 to ensure we maintained great running economy but increased performance in the functional strength domains.  

Alongside lab testing, we had wear testers in Boston and Germany using the shoe in real gym settings. That feedback loop was critical. And, it’s cyclical. We test the prototypes in the lab: the flexibility, the stiffness, the foam behaviour. Then we test it with athletes. Then we adjust. Usually there’s two to three rounds before we finalise.”

Athlete Validation: Breaking Records Before Launch

The shoe has officially just launched, but we saw some HYROX athletes have already raced in it. What was the feedback?Damion: “They were quite floored by the upgrade. They immediately felt the improved traction during sled events, but still had that lively, propulsive running package they loved from the previous version, but now just tailored specifically for them.”

The ultimate validation relies in one of PUMA’s HYROX Elite 15 athletes, Joanna Wietrzyk, who recently broke the women’s HYROX world record in the new shoe by a significant margin.

“That’s the best early feedback engine you can ask for,” Damion adds.

Linda Meier, Elite 15 HYROX athlete and HYROX world champion 2025, added “The most important thing I realised is that it’s a really fast shoe, which I really like! And when it comes to the workouts, it is also a very stable shoe.” 

A Team Effort

When asked what part he’s most proud of, Damion was quick to redirect the credit.

“This was 100% a full team effort. Innovation delivered best-in-class NITRO™ Elite foam. Design engineered the traction pattern to interact with turf. Development ensured PUMAGRIP performed at the highest level. Sports science validated the changes. My role and my team’s involved orchestrating those pieces- making sure they come together in the right way.”

A Super Shoe, Reimagined

The Deviate NITRO™ Elite HYROX represents more than just a new outsole pattern or firmer foam. It’s proof that performance innovation doesn’t stand still. By taking one of the world’s fastest running shoes and deliberately tuning it for multidirectional force, turf grip and loaded stability, PUMA has created a new category: the hybrid super shoe.

As HYROX continues to grow globally, one thing stands clear: The sport evolved and, now the footwear has too.

Now it’s your turn to break records. The new PUMA Deviate NITRO™ Elite HYROX shoes are now available for purchase.