PUMA Magnify Nitro 2 review

We believe that the PUMA Magnify Nitro 2 excels for:

• Runners who frequently train on tarmac or dirt roads in rainy or even icy conditions. The PUMAGRIP outsole simply ensures excellent traction.
• Heel strikers looking to experiment with a different brand trainer beyond the most common options like Nike or ASICS.
• Beginners seeking their first running shoe that need a versatile all-rounder, capable of handling various paces and distances effortlessly.

The main drawback of this shoe is its limited breathability. It's not an issue in cold—we actually find it beneficial—or mild weather, but it becomes problematic in hot conditions. For a daily trainer with better airflow, we recommend options like the Brooks Glycerin 20 or the Saucony Triumph 21.

Although this shoe is versatile, its slight heaviness is noticeable. If the budget allows, the ASICS Superblast offers an unrivaled weight-to-performance ratio. In a similar price range to this PUMA, the ASICS Novablast 4 is a lighter option with comparable bounce, though it offers less grip.

We measured an impressive 37.1 millimeters in the heel, placing the Magnify Nitro 2 among the most cushioned daily trainers on the market. It's a dream-come-true shoe for heel strikers!

The forefoot is also exceptionally cushioned, with our measurements showing a plush 27.8 mm.

This makes the shoe a fantastic option for forefoot and midfoot strikers looking for comfort underfoot. It also offers a solid guarantee against bottoming out, which is great if that's a concern for you.

With those two measurements, we got a 9.3-mm drop, right in the expected range of 8 to 10 mm for a daily trainer.

This design may favor heel strikers and those with calf or Achilles issues, but it's a safe choice for anyone, unless you specifically prefer low-drop shoes.

Now, let's explore the midsole. PUMA Nitro, a TPE blend similar to Nike's React, has proven to be a huge success. It offers outstanding responsiveness, outlasts traditional EVA, and provides a lively ride for a being mid-tier foam.

In terms of softness, it teeters between plush and balanced (19.3 HA), depending on the runner's taste.

It's neither too firm nor overly squishy, and we believe it's perfectly suited for a daily trainer, offering a bouncy ride at a wide range of paces, from easy runs to fartleks.

In cold temperatures, the Nitro's performance was just average, becoming 30.8% firmer—a change you'll definitely feel, though it doesn't turn the foam rock-hard.

If you can't deal with that and require a PUMA shoe that maintains its softness in the cold, your best shot is the pricier Deviate Nitro 2, which also comes with a PEBA-based foam and also packs a carbon plate.

PUMA definitely didn't hold back on cushioning. The Magnify Nitro 2 features a generously padded insole that's 5.5 mm thick and adds to the overall comfort.

When we first tried on the shoes, we felt the fit was more performance-oriented and slightly narrow.

This is due to the knit upper, which hugs the foot more than mesh and has a break-in period. After a few runs, it expands and feels roomier. This aligns with our measurements, showing an average width of 97.7 mm.

The big toe area is neither particularly narrow nor wide, just average. We measured it at 76.7 mm.

In terms of stability, this shoe is geared towards neutral runners. It doesn't have medial posts, large sidewalls, or other features to guide the feet.

However, those with mild stability issues might find it suitable. Surprisingly, once you start running, the shoe feels more stable than expected, especially considering its high stack height. Let's find out why!

A major factor in the Magnify Nitro 2's improved stability is the shoe's rigidity.

While this might not appeal to runners who prefer a more natural, flexible shoe, it undoubtedly adds to a stable ride. We manually assessed the shoe and it earned a 4 out of 5.

The heel counter also feels slightly stiff, though not as much as in the previous test.

It's just what you'd expect from a daily trainer—a balanced approach for everyday runs. That's why we rated the shoe a 3 out of 5 in this aspect.

While the heel counter didn't add much stability, the midsole width certainly did. Measuring 118.1 mm in the forefoot, it's impressively wide compared to the standard among daily running shoes.

The heel tells the same positive story, complementing the wide forefoot and boosting overall stability.

That's why we previously mentioned that it's a fantastic shoe for heel strikers. With a width of 96.9 mm, it really deliver confidence during heel landings.

We measured the force needed to bend the Magnify Nitro 2 to a 90-degree angle. Our tool recorded exactly 30.0N, aligning with the average and typical of most daily trainers.

This makes it more flexible longitudinally than torsionally, which is great for everyday activities like going to the gym or walking the dog.

Contrary to its performance in softness, the Nitro foam excelled in maintaining stiffness under cold temperatures.

After spending 20 minutes next to our ice creams, it only became 8.3% stiffer. This is a fantastic result!

We just mentioned that the rubber would impact the shoe's weight, and that's exactly what happened.

We believe that with a bit less rubber, the shoe could still be durable and possibly shed about half an ounce. However, at 9.9 oz (281g), it remains a fair deal for a well-cushioned daily trainer, especially for those who prioritize durability over lightness.

Knit uppers generally offer less breathability than mesh due to their thicker yarns. There are some exceptions like the Adidas Ultraboost 1.0, but PUMA hasn't quite mastered this yet.

We used our smoke-pumping machine to test airflow. We noticed minimal air movement through the tongue, but almost none in the toebox. As a result, we rated this shoe with a subpar 2/5 in breathability.

This makes the Magnify Nitro 2 suitable for winter training but potentially too hot for summer days.

Our light test showed the knit is very thick, as barely any light passed through, especially in the toebox. Curious about the lack of airflow in this area, we turned to our lab's microscope.

Under the microscope, we discovered why the toebox has near-zero airflow. Although there are some holes, a second thin knit layer traps the air.

In summary, this stretchy, knit-based upper is excellent for cold weather running or if you prefer a cozy feel. However, be aware that breathability is significantly compromised.

On the bright side, after our rigorous Dremel test, the knit impressively compensated for the lack of breathability.

This was a delightful surprise, as knit uppers usually fall short in this area. We were thrilled to award the MN2 an outstanding 5 out of 5—the highest possible score and a rare feat among road running shoes.

In the heel, we faced a letdown. Typically, most shoes perform better in the toebox than the heel, as brands often use sturdier materials in the back. But PUMA—always keen to be different—did the opposite—created a robust toebox and a weak heel area.

After putting it through the Dremel test, we had no choice but to score it a dismal 1 out of 5.

While this might sound alarming, it's mainly a concern for those who wear down the heel area quickly. If that's you, we recommend skipping this model and opting for something more durable in the heel, like the Saucony Axon 3.

Seeing "PUMAGRIP" on the shoe's rubber, our expectations for the outsole soared. We've always been fans of the incredible grip provided by shoes with this compound.

Our first test was to measure hardness. We found it to be 78.5 HC, which is on par with most shoes. That's good news!

While the shoe shines with its exceptional grip, that's just one aspect of its greatness. Outstanding grip means little if the rubber wears down after only 100 miles. Luckily, that's not what we found.

In our third Dremel test, the shoe showed good durability with only a 0.9-mm indentation. Considering the amount of grip the Magnify Nitro 2 provides, we view this as a highly positive outcome.

The news gets even better—regarding durability—with our last measurement of the outsole.

PUMA chose to play it safe by providing a solid 4.2 mm of rubber thickness, which naturally means a bit more weight. You just can't have everything.

Unfortunately, PUMA missed the mark by not including reflective elements in the Magnify Nitro 2. Perhaps they'll consider it for version 3?

Using our caliper, we found the tongue to be 8.5 mm thick. It gave excellent comfort across the instep during long runs and protected against biting.

The tongue is impressively well-ventilated and semi-gusseted, a feature not always found in $150 shoes. 

The designers of the Magnify Nitro 2 chose not to include any heel tabs.

The insole isn't glued and looks normal, except for some saw-like cutouts in the big toe area. But these shouldn't cause any issues if you switch to your own orthotics.