PUMA Magnify Nitro 3 review

The PUMA Magnify Nitro 3 is a solid pick for runners who:

• Want a daily trainer with superb energy return and a plush foam.
• Prefer a classic midsole shape and enjoy a more agile feel instead of the super-wide designs many modern trainers use.
• Are heel strikers seeking a dependable, durable, and comfortable shoe that performs well in many areas.

We think the Magnify Nitro 3 falls short for runners who want maximum protection, as its shock absorption simply cannot match more cushioned trainers. Based on our findings here in the lab, shoes like the Mizuno Neo Vista 2 or the Salomon Aero Glide 3 deliver far more protection for long runs.

We also believe the high-drop geometry limits who will enjoy the MN3. In our view, if that design feels awkward for your stride, you’ll likely prefer other shoes like the ASICS Novablast 5 or the New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5.

The Magnify Nitro 3 delivers moderate energy return for a modern daily trainer, with 136 SA in the heel and 99 SA in the forefoot.

The high drop explains the large gap between both readings, making it a versatile choice for most distances, especially for heel strikers, though it may not be the ideal pick for cranking out a brutal 20 miler if you're a midfoot or forefoot striker.

One of the things we criticized in the Magnify Nitro 2 was its limited energy return. The old Nitro foam felt flat, and after we tested it, we discovered it delivered only 54.7% in the heel and 58.5% in the forefoot.

But that’s now history. The new Nitro foam of this shoe is made from PEBA (yes, it’s confusing, it’s a completely different material with the same name, and we explain this in our famous guide about foams) and feels absolutely impressive. It offers a far better running experience at the same price, reaching an energy return of 65.2% in the heel and a delightful 73.6% in the forefoot.

The heel stays almost unchanged from the previous model, measuring 37.4 mm. This sits slightly higher than the Velocity Nitro 4 but lower than the MagMax Nitro, placing the Magnify Nitro 3 right between those two daily trainers.

The forefoot came in at 25.9 mm, putting it right around the current lab average for running shoes. And after logging miles in the MN3, we also found that the overall stack feels nicely balanced.

However, this shoe mainly suits runners who enjoy a high drop, as we measured 11.5 mm. That’s slightly above PUMA’s stated 10 mm and reduces its appeal for midfoot or forefoot strikers who prefer a more moderate offset.

The new Nitro foam is extremely good. PUMA used PEBA instead of A-TPU this time, but you still get an impressive package here. Energy return is fantastic and the foam underfoot is very pleasant, offering a plush ride with 14.5 HA in our durometer.

The good part of this shoe is that, unlike other soft foams, this one doesn’t feel like a sponge. Yes, it deforms a lot, but it bounces back quickly and doesn’t feel mushy at all. For us, it's the highlight of the shoe.

The moderate forefoot stack keeps the Magnify Nitro 3 from adopting an overly pronounced rocker, which fans of classic daily trainers will appreciate.

We also noted that the heel maintains the same curvature as the previous model. With its very high drop, the shoe is clearly geared toward rearfoot strikers, and this shape helps encourage smoother forward motion after landing.

We created a 1:1 gel mold of the interior and measured the widest point at 96.0 mm.

This makes it slightly wider than most running shoes but still within an average range. It also shows that PUMA shifted the fit, as the DN2 worked mainly for narrow-footed runners.

The second measurement came in at 72.3 mm in the toebox area.

It’s not a very roomy shoe, but we confirmed that it’s more accommodating than before, as the previous model measured only 70.1 mm here.

Our final measurement from the gel mold focused on toebox height.

We found 26.0 mm, again slightly roomier than the DN2 at 24.7 mm. In other words, runners who felt the Deviate Nitro 2 was too tight may now find a much better fit here.

PumaGrip is one of the key reasons PUMA shoes have grown so popular, delivering reliable traction in all weather conditions on tarmac. The Deviate Nitro 3 delivers as well, earning a strong 0.61 score in our SATRA TM144 test.

We discovered that the Magnify Nitro 3 uses PumaGrip rubber in large black panels placed in the heel and forefoot, with moderate presence in the midfoot. Each panel has grooves arranged in a directional pattern, separated by exposed white foam. 

The Magnify Nitro 3 is slightly stiffer than its predecessor, landing at 17.8N. This won’t appeal to everyone, but with running shoes getting stiffer each year, this result feels right in line with current trends.

The Magnify Nitro 3 upgrades every performance area, and we found that weight dropped nicely from 9.9 oz or 281g to a much better 9.2 oz or 261g. It’s a meaningful reduction that primarily comes from the new Nitro foam.

One of the most critical flaws of the Magnify Nitro 2 was its lackluster breathability. It only reached a weak 2/5 in our test and, as a result, it was not a good option for hot summer days, which limited its appeal for many runners.

However, this is another area where version 3 shines. PUMA completely changed direction and delivered an upper with excellent airflow that achieved our maximum score of 5/5.

The design prioritizes ventilation in the toebox through large openings that let heat escape easily. Meanwhile, the rest of the upper is more structured for stability and uses the brand’s familiar PWRTAPE overlays.

It is also worth noting that while PUMA labels this as engineered mesh, the central zone of the toebox actually uses a different knit material, something we confirmed under the microscope.

Another confirmation is the impressive stretch in that knit-based area, which helps create an excellent fit.

We were also very satisfied with the overall craftsmanship and comfort, making this upper a truly top-tier design.

The Magnify Nitro 3 is not a stable shoe, and we do not recommend it for runners who need pronation support. It also lacks the wide platform found in models like the HOKA Clifton 10.

For better or worse, it delivers a more agile, fun ride but offers less stability than many modern trainers.

Torsional rigidity is moderate at 3 out of 5, which we really appreciated because it makes the shoe very comfortable for daily use. It is refreshing to see mainstream brands still offering somewhat flexible designs, and we hope this approach continues.

We found the heel counter very comfortable, as it uses plenty of foam and avoids excessive stiffness, earning a solid 3/5 in our test.

One of the key appeals (or deal-breakers) of the Magnify Nitro 3 for many runners will be its dimensions.

Instead of going for an oversized silhouette, PUMA kept classic proportions, which makes the ride agile and enjoyable while also working great for everyday use like walking the dog or running errands. Up front, we measured 112.6 mm, which is even narrower than the average.

The heel stays close to the average at 91.6 mm, and we discovered that with the high-drop design aimed at heel strikers, PUMA clearly wanted to make this area a bit more supportive—leaving the forefoot as a transition zone rather than the main landing point.

In our view, this is another reason we think this shoe suits heel or midfoot strikers more than runners landing up front.

The Nitro foam is so good that it’s hard not to call it the MVP of the shoe, but the upper gets amazingly close in that race. It feels great on foot, stays nicely ventilated, and delivers extra-durable performance with a perfect 5/5 score in our Dremel test.

The heel padding did slightly worse, but a 3/5 is still reassuring and suggests there won’t be early wear and tear.

The PumaGrip rubber performed slightly below what we usually see in the lab, but only by a small margin, as we measured a 1.3 mm indentation.

However, we’re not concerned about that result because the outsole thickness is very generous. PUMA likely knew they needed to compensate and added 3.8 mm of rubber instead of the usual ~3 mm we see in most shoes, ensuring plenty of lifespan.

The insole adds 5.3 mm of cushioning to the mix, making it slightly thicker than what we usually measure in the lab.

If you want to remove it and swap in a different option, there’s no problem doing that, although you’ll lose the cradle design that adds a bit of stability.

Using PEBA not only brings strong energy return, but also helps the shoe behave much better in cold temperatures. Further proof is that we discovered only a 7% change in softness after putting the shoe in the freezer for 20 minutes.

PUMA added a small reflective piece in the forefoot area. It’s not the most impressive we’ve seen, but it’s definitely better than nothing.

We liked how the simple lacing system of the Magnify Nitro 3 delivered a secure fit and made it easy to adjust different lacing techniques. All eyelets are reinforced with TPU overlays, and the pull tab on the tongue looks great and helps you put the shoe on.

In terms of comfort, the tongue performs very well with 6.3 mm of padding. That is our preferred design for daily trainers, as it offers enough foam to protect the instep without making the tongue too bulky or heavy.

The tongue uses a semi-gusseted design that helps create a better fit. However, the straps connecting the tongue to the midsole could be a bit longer in the next version.

In our view, the price of the Magnify Nitro 3 is very fair. It’s not a budget-friendly shoe by any means, but the excellent quality of the foam, outsole and upper fully justifies the price.

The design skips a heel pull tab, but we found it offers nice support in the rearfoot thanks to the TPU pieces that wrap the heel.