Puma MagMax Nitro 2 Review
By Andrea Myers
The Puma MagMax Nitro 2 is an exciting update to the original, which was one of my favorite shoes of 2024. It features Puma's NITROFOAM cushioning, no plate, and a tall 46mm/38mm stack height. The original MagMax stood out for its relatively light weight in the super trainer category, and Puma has delivered with nearly a 1oz weight loss in version 2. For me, MagMax Nitro 2 keeps Puma at the front of the field with this relatively lightweight, bouncy super trainer.
Puma MagMax Nitro 2Price: $179.95 at Running Warehouse
Weight: 9.4oz, 266g (men's size 9), 8.2oz, 232g (women's size 8)
Stack Height: 46 mm heel / 38 mm forefoot
Drop: 8 mm
Shoe Purpose: Daily trainer
Pros: Relatively light weight for a maximal stack shoe, higher volume and width toe box, bouncy midsole
Cons: Narrow midfoot, narrower overall base as compared to v1
RUNNING SHOE SUMMARY
The Puma MagMax Nitro 2 is Puma's highest stack shoe, featuring Puma's supercritical Nitro foam and no plate. I loved the original MagMax for its relatively light weight, bouncy midsole, and ride that felt optimized for midfoot strikers. While many maximal trainers are well over 10oz in a men's 9, version 2 now weighs in at 9.4oz. Puma saves weight by omitting a plate in the MagMax line, but the lofty 46/38 mm midsole stack is stabilized by a wide base, stiff platform, and extensive sole flaring. Runners who loved version 1 will find a similar midsole feel, slightly narrower (but still wider than average) toe box, a noticeably narrower midfoot, and refined rearfoot and forefoot sole flaring. The shoe remains solidly in the stable neutral category and will be a good choice for ticking off easy and uptempo miles.
SIMILAR SHOES: Mizuno Neo Vista 2
PAST MODEL: Puma MagMax Nitro v1
FIT
(To learn how a shoe should fit, check out our full podcast on fit by Matt Klein.)
Andrea: The Puma MagMax Nitro 2 fits true to size in my usual women's 9.5. Like the original MagMax Nitro, it has a wider and higher volume toe box as compared to other Puma trainers. I have nearly a full thumb's width from the front of the shoe to the end of my longest toe and there is sufficient width that I did not experience any pressure on my 1st or 5th MTPs. The midfoot is on the narrow side and while I did not find it too narrow, those with a wider than average midfoot may experience discomfort. The rearfoot is normal width and features a small, rigid heel counter in the lower 1/2 and a well padded collar. The snug midfoot and secure rearfoot allowed me to not need to tie the laces very tight to achieve a secure foot hold. The gusseted tongue is on the thicker side, but integrates well with the upper without folding over or causing dorsal foot discomfort. I have no complaints about the fit of MagMax Nitro 2, but the narrow midfoot is likely to cause issues for some runners.
Andrea's Typical Size: Women's US Size 9.5
Shoes that have fit Andrea well: Brooks Hyperion Max 1 and 2, Topo Cyclone 2, Nike Vaporfly 3, ASICS Novablast 4 and 5, PUMA MagMax Nitro
Shoes that have fit snug: Altra Escalante 4 (toe box width and volume), Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro 2 and 3 (length), Saucony Endorphin Speed and Pro 1-4 (length)
Shoes that have fit large: Adidas Boston 12 (length), Adidas Adios 8 (length)
Doctors of Running Checklist
Is This a Good Shoe for Walking: Yes
Is This a Good Shoe for Standing: Yes
Is the Forefoot Flexible: No
How Flexible is the Shoe: Not Flexible
Is This a Good Heel Bevel: Yes
Recommended for Haglunds: No
Is This Shoe Orthotic Friendly: Removable sockliner, but narrow midfoot may not accomodate an orthotic
Recommended for Sockless: No
Durability Expectation: Average - Above Average
PERFORMANCE
Andrea: I have enjoyed running in the original Puma MagMax Nitro and have continued to put easy miles on it after reviewing it in 2024. The original version was a rare lighter weight, bouncy maximal stack trainer. Version 2 has lost nearly an ounce of weight while retaining a high stack of Puma's responsive Nitro foam. On my first couple of runs in the shoe, which were 3-4 mile recovery runs, I couldn't tell much difference between the two versions except I did notice the tighter midfoot. My third run in the shoe was a more normal easy pace 5 miler, and that is where I could feel the difference in weight and noticed the shoe felt a little more nimble at push off.
The shoe feels a little lower than its stated 8mm drop due to the larger heel bevel. I didn't feel like the rearfoot was getting in the way of my preferred lateral midfoot landing. The shoe features an early forefoot rocker, which combined with the responsive Nitro midsole, results in an energetic and rolling sensation at push off, even when running recovery paces. The shoe features large medial and lateral sole flaring, which is most pronounced in the rearfoot and forefoot, and narrower in the midfoot. It appears balanced in the rearfoot. medially biased in the midfoot, and laterally biased in the forefoot. For me, this resulted in a centered ride that didn't particularly feel like it was encouraging motion medially or laterally. The tall 38mm forefoot stack height provides plenty of underfoot protection, even if my feet were sore from running in spikes the day before. I like the feel of the Nitro foam in this shoe (and actually most Puma shoes) because it has mild compliance and moderate resilience. The midsole never feels like it bottoms out or that I get stuck in the midsole, like I do in softer shoes like the Asics Superblast 3.
For me, the MagMax Nitro 2 feels best at easy paces. The midsole feels too tall to use it for faster running, although I am sure many runners will like it for uptempo runs. The PUMAGRIP outsole provides good traction on wet roads. I have 25 miles on my pair and there is minimal wear on the exposed midsole and no wear on the outsole rubber. I would expect average to above average durability from this shoe.
STABILITY
(Learn more about stability in our full guide)
Andrea: The Puma MagMax Nitro 2 is a stable neutral daily trainer. It features a wide base, significant rocker geometry, and large sole flaring in the rearfoot and forefoot. The MagMax 2 is a rare maximal shoe that does not require a plate to stabilize its tall midsole. Puma achieves this by using a wide, inflexible base and Nitro foam that is not highly compliant. The large sole flaring is balanced in the rearfoot, slightly medially biased in the midfoot, and laterally biased in the forefoot. For my mechanics as a lateral midfoot striker, this resulted in a centered ride from initial contact to push off. I often do not like a laterally biased forefoot, but I think the forefoot base is so wide that my foot remained centered on the platform, not pushed excessively laterally. The large heel bevel may result in heel strikers landing further forward than they are accustomed, so this shoe may not feel as stable neutral to heel strikers as it does to midfoot or forefoot strikers.
Puma MagMax Nitro 1 vs 2
By Andrea Myers
It took a few runs in the Puma MagMax Nitro 2 to start noticing the differences between it and its predecessor. While the two shoes have more similarities than differences, there are a few notable changes in v2 that may make some runners prefer one over the other.
FIT
PERFORMANCE
The nearly 1 oz weight loss in v2 is noticeable, particularly when picking up the pace. There aren't many maximal stack shoes that are under 10oz in a men's 9. Version 2 feels more nimble than v1, likely due to the weight loss and the reduced amount of sole flaring in v2. The rocker geometry feels similar between the two models, but the reduced sole flaring in v2 makes the shoe feel a little more responsive to pace changes. While I find both versions to be best suited for easy pace, the lower weight of v2 will make it more suited for uptempo running as compared to v1.
STABILITY
Both v1 and v2 are stable neutral due to their wide base, large sole flaring, and rocker geometry. I do not feel a big difference in the stability of the two models, but the more balanced rearfoot sole flaring in v2 (v1 featured a medially biased rearfoot) may make v2 more stable neutral for rearfoot strikers. While v2 has less overall sole flaring, the balance feels similar and results in a highly centered ride. The large heel bevel in both versions makes them well designed shoes for midfoot or forefoot strikers.
SUMMARY
RECOMMENDATIONS
Andrea: I like the updated Puma MagMax Nitro 2 due to its weight loss and more energetic ride. Puma has once again made a stable neutral maximal stack trainer without a plate and while keeping the price under $200. My only recommendation would be to widen the midfoot, because it is likely going to be too narrow for some runners who were comfortable in the original version.
WHO IS THIS SHOE FOR?
Andrea: The Puma MagMax Nitro 2 is a stable neutral daily trainer with a tall midsole stack and a centered ride. If you liked the original version and do not have a wide midfoot, you will probably like the lighter v2 even more. While I prefer it for easy miles, this shoe will also be a great uptempo long run shoe for many runners, particularly due to its lower weight and protective midsole. I think it is a great value at $180 and am impressed Puma did not increase the price from version 1.
GRADES
Andrea
Fit: A- (Comfortable, wide toe box and secure fit. Narrow midfoot did not bother me but will definitely be too narrow for some)
Performance: A (One of the best maximal stack trainers on the market due to its light weight, centered ride, and comfortable fit.)
Stability: [neutral] A (Puma's use of sole flaring, wide base, rocker geometry, and stiff platform demonstrate that you do not need a plate to stabilize a >40mm heel stack shoe)
Value: A ($180 is lower than average for shoes in this category, and the shoe's performance makes it a good buy)
Personal: A (One of my favorite maximal trainers of 2026)
Overall Design: A-
SHOP | SUPPORT DORPuma MagMax Nitro 2Price: $179.95 at Running Warehouse
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FURTHER READING
Super shoe for the long distance.
Brooks everyday trainer.
Find all Shoe Reviews at Doctors of Running here.
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