Puma MagMax Nitro review

We were eager to test Puma's largest shoe yet, and we found it perfect for:

• Runners seeking tons of cushioning—the MagMax Nitro’s maximalist build offers plenty of it.
• Those looking for a supertrainer that prioritizes stability and support over speed and agility.
• Long-distance runners who dislike ground feel and need an ultra-cushioned shoe for long runs and recovery sessions.

We found that while the MagMax Nitro weight isn’t exactly a disaster, it’s noticeably heavier than many other supertrainers, especially when stacked up against the Mizuno Neo Vista. And if you prefer to skip the Japanese brand, we think the Hoka Skyflow is a good choice too.

We also think that runners aiming for faster paces in a supertrainer will likely find the MagMax Nitro ankward. For speedier efforts, we recommend the ASICS Superblast 2 (no plate) or the ASICS Magic Speed 4 (carbon plate), which effortlessly handle a variety of faster paces.

This shoe's weight has a solid reason behind it—its jumbo-sized stack height, which elevates the rearfoot to 42.9 mm from the ground, firmly placing it in the maximalist running shoe category.

Though it falls slightly short of Puma's stated 47 mm, we found that 42.9 mm is enough. In our experience, adding more height could have even been detrimental, given the shoe's weight-to-stack ratio.

The forefoot also measured shorter than anticipated at 33.3 mm, yet it's still much higher than most running shoes and clearly suitable for forefoot and midfoot strikers. It's ideal for those seeking zero ground feel and maximum protection underfoot.

If you're good with numbers, you may have already calculated it, but if not, the MagMax Nitro has an actual heel-to-toe drop of 9.6 mm. This makes it even more appealing to heel strikers than the Puma-stated 8-mm offset, though the 1.6-mm difference is minor.

Some supertrainers combine two different foams, but Puma surprised us by sticking solely to Nitro foam and leaving Nitro Elite out, a different approach from the Deviate Nitro 3. While it would've been great to have their top-tier compound here, we understand it helped keep the price lower than some competitors.

Nitro is a nitrogen-infused foam that delivers both lightness and solid energy return, offering a far better ride than almost any other mid-tier foam on the market. Using a single slab instead of a dual setup also benefits durability, as it eliminates the risk of layers separating over time.

In our view, with the massive stack height of this shoe, Puma couldn't afford to make the foam too soft. We measured 18.3 HA on our durometer—an ideal balance that suits the MagMax very well.

After placing the MagMax Nitro in the freezer for 20 minutes, we tested it again with our durometer.

In our view, the outcome was underwhelming—28.3 HA, reflecting a substantial 54.8% uptick.

We used our digital calipers to measure the insole thickness, and it turned out to be just 3.3 mm—much thinner than we expected for this shoe. Maybe we were biased, assuming the MagMax Nitro had everything in XXL size!

The MagMax Nitro features a prominent rocker that begins 10 cm before the toe, essential for aiding turnover due to the shoe’s substantial stack height. The heel also boasts a significant curvature, crucial for heel strikers—especially those who land heavily on their rearfoot. Without it, they'd struggle to move forward smoothly.

Overall, we found the rocker to be smooth and natural, making the ride feel fluid and effortless in such a maximalist running shoe.

The fit is similar to most Puma models, leaning towards a snug overall feel. However, in the MagMax Nitro, we discovered a bit more width at 98.3 mm, providing some extra space.

The upper's height is limited, and while the mesh does break in and stretch after a few runs, it’s worth noting if you struggle with low-volume uppers.

The toebox tapers like most daily trainers, striking a balance between not being too roomy or ultra-snug in the toe area. Combined with the stretchiness of the upper, we believe it should provide a comfortable fit for most runners.

However, Puma doesn’t offer this shoe in wide sizes, which typically keep the same midsole but feature a larger toebox. For this reason, trying to go up half a size is the only trick available if you need more room.

The Puma MagMax Nitro is built for neutral runners, but to handle its towering stack height, Puma added several guidance features, including midsole sidewalls, a massive sole flare extending along the midsole's sides, and a highly rigid construction.

For these reasons, we believe that runners with moderate stability needs can use this shoe, though we still think its primary focus should be on neutral runners, regardless of their footstrike.

Crafting a shoe that's flexible from a torsional standpoint becomes challenging when the heel exceeds 40 mm and the forefoot goes over 30 mm.

In our experience, having 5/5 torsional rigidity helps provide a slight stability boost by keeping the forces centered in the MagMax Nitro. Of course, such high rigidity can make the shoe feel a bit less comfortable, but we believe it is necessary to maintain control given the high stack height.

In our testing, we found that the heel counter strikes a solid balance, scoring 3/5 in stiffness.

It’s firm enough to provide support without feeling overly rigid. For us, this design seems aimed at satisfying a wide range of runners, and it succeded.

From the moment we started working with this shoe in the lab, it looked enormous, but it wasn’t until we measured it that we realized its true massive scale. When we took our digital calipers to measure the forefoot width—coming in at a whopping 126.9 mm—we were genuinely amazed.

This is one of the widest shoes we've ever tested in the lab, and we found that its broad base is a key reason behind the stable feel, even with its towering height. Think of it as driving a massive SUV—it's not built for quick turns or rapid accelerations, but you'll be super comfortable cruising the highway.

The heel follows the same design concept as the forefoot—remarkably wide compared to 9 out of 10 running shoes on the market today. We measured it at 105.8 mm, which should be more than enough for heel strikers who require extra stability compared to the typical neutral workhorse.

With its sky-high torsional rigidity and massive midsole, we were initially skeptical about the longitudinal stiffness of the MagMax Nitro.

We tested it using our 90-degree bend method and found results similar to nylon-plated tempo shoes like the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4. While this isn't a bad outcome at all, we believe it's not ideal for those seeking a shoe for walking or all-day wear—it feels too stiff if comfort is your main priority.

We obtained the exact same result after freezing the shoe for another 20 minutes, which is quite unusual in our lab tests!

Discussing the weight of this shoe is a bit of a mixed bag. On one hand, we believe it's even lightweight for its massive, behemoth-like build at just 10.3 oz or 291g. But on the other hand, it's still heavy when compared to a standard road daily trainer or average running shoe.

In our view, if weight isn't a significant factor for you, then the MagMax Nitro should suit you well. However, if you prefer a shoe that feels almost weightless on your feet, this is not going to work for you.

From the moment we unboxed the blue MagMax Nitro that we purchased, we noticed the upper was exceptionally plush and comfortable—though this raised some concerns about breathability. Naturally, we wanted to find out if it could deliver enough airflow.

We began with our signature smoke test, connecting our machine to a custom-designed, 3D-printed piece to direct smoke into the toebox. We found it performed well, earning a solid 4/5 on our scale.

Next, we used a light to examine the placement of ventilation holes in the toebox and medial area. We saw that Puma aimed for a balance of airflow and support, with less ventilation from midfoot to heel—a choice that made sense to us given the towering stack height of this shoe.

Under the microscope, we found an engineered mesh upper that was surprisingly standard. While Puma often experiments with unique materials and designs, this one resembled the uppers found in many other daily trainers.

Puma often uses thermoplastic overlays (PWRTAPE) to enhance the structure of the upper. We wanted to check if these overlays would restrict airflow, but we found that they don’t.

Overall, we think this upper suits this shoe very well, with ample padding and adequate ventilation. For us, it passes the test!

The advantage of using a classic engineered mesh upper is that durability tends to be reliable, even with numerous ventilation holes—especially compared to knit materials.

We gave it a 3/5 in the Dremel test. While not an outstanding result, it’s sufficient to handle the typical wear and tear of road running.

Although the MagMax Nitro here earned the same 3/5 result as our previous test in the toebox, we found it slightly underwhelming compared to its competitors in the heel. Nonetheless, this score it’s far from disappointing.

The issue lies in the lining, which isn't plain but includes tiny ventilation holes. While these improve breathability, they also create weak points that are more prone to damage.

We found the outsole’s surprisingly soft rubber—measuring 74.0 HC—delivered exceptional traction, which we expected from the well-known PumaGrip.

Our tests confirmed that the MagMax Nitro uses the same ultra-grippy rubber as Puma's top supershoe, the Deviate Nitro Elite 3. However, the MagMax features more extensive outsole coverage, and we anticipate a thicker measurement when we gauge it shortly.

Durability-wise, the result isn't great—something we anticipated given the soft PumaGrip formulation and the fantastic traction we experienced even on dirt roads.

We measured the dent with a tire tread gauge and found 1.4 mm of rubber wear. This is more than we’d prefer and could lead to early wear for heavier runners prone to this issue, but we also believe it’s only slightly concerning for the average runner.

Why do we think so? Because Puma, knowing the low wear-resistance of its PumaGrip compound, used 3.5 mm of thickness to ensure durability and extend the shoe's shelf life.

Maximalist running shoes often come with maximalist price tags, and the MagMax is no exception. While it’s not the most expensive supertrainer we’ve seen, it’s certainly not a budget-friendly option either.

Is it worth the investment? Well, we believe it is. In our experience, the combination of a luxurious upper, endless cushioning, and a world-class outsole makes the price justified.

We were thrilled to discover reflective elements in the MagMax—something Puma has been skipping in some of their top-tier trainers recently. In our view, this is a smart safety feature, and we’re all for it!

One of the standout elements of the MagMax Nitro is its tongue.

Unlike most running shoes that match the tongue material with the upper, Puma impressed us by opting for a stretchy design paired with a massive pull tab that instantly reminded us of the ASICS Nimbus 26.

At 7.1 mm thick with two slabs of foam, it strikes a perfect balance between plush comfort and minimal weight—a smart choice that enhances the overall feel without adding bulk.

Puma chose a semi-gusseted tongue for the MagMax Nitro, and we believe it’s the right call. A non-gusseted tongue would feel subpar in a $180 shoe, while a fully gusseted version could have been overwhelming and airflow-restrictive. 

The MagMax opts for a flap-style pull tab against the heel similar to Adizero shoes like the Adidas Adizero SL2. And they definitely took a prankish approach with this one!

The stock insole can be replaced with a standard one, but you’ll lose the cozy, bucket-like footbed that enhances heel lockdown in the MagMax.