If your priority is comfort that carries you through long runs does the Puma MagMax Nitro 2 deliver? Or does all that stack height get in the way of enjoying the run?
It should be known that one of my AIM screen names growing up was xo_pink_pumas_ox or something along those lines, so this is not my first love affair with Puma, but it was my first time wearing a Puma running shoe! And the Puma MagMax Nitro 2 is hard to forget, with a towering stack height that both intimidated and enticed me at first glance.
The original MagMax Nitro came out swinging and we were absolutely impressed by the max cushion. So for the last few months I’ve been putting the Nitro 2 to the test to help you decide if it’s a winner.
Who is it Good For?
- Wide Feet: I have a fairly wide foot and found the MagMax Nitro 2 comfortable, likely helped by sizing up 1.5 sizes or perhaps due to the engineered mesh which allows MagMax Nitro 2 to feel roomier.
- Heavier Runners: With maximal stack height from Puma’s cutting edge NITROFOAM cushioning, this is a great option to support extra weight.
- Long Runs: This is the MagMax Nitro 2’s bread and butter!
- Front of the Pack: While the responsiveness of the NITROFOAM offers some bounce during speedwork, this shoe really shines for long runs at more steady or easy efforts. I found the sheer amount of cushion a little cumbersome during shorter speed intervals.
Puma MagMax Nitro 2 Overview
I think before we dive into this review, it’s important to know a few things about my running journey right now. I’m currently 5 months pregnant and showing (read: more injury prone), I primarily run on asphalt/city streets, and I am not super focused on speed.
The reason I mention these things is because I do think it influences how much I love this shoe.
I was a little intimidated by trying out my personal highest stack height to date at 38mm/46mm (!!), but it turned out all that extra bouncy cushion has made running feel way more comfortable. I definitely think if you are newer to running, building back mileage, injury prone or feeling heavier in your body, this is a really good choice.
That said, I didn’t exclusively run slow and long in the Puma MagMax Nitro 2. I really wanted to put the responsiveness of the NITROFOAM technology to the test.
Besides easy long runs, I did some progression long runs, tempo work and short 60 second speed intervals. The short 60 minute bursts felt a little cumbersome in a shoe with so much cushion, and I missed the feeling of the “road beneath my feet.”
However, I thoroughly enjoyed doing progression runs and tempo work in the MagMax Nitro 2. I truly felt supported and like it was easier to maintain forward momentum thanks to the springiness of the NITROFOAM cushion.
Some of my speedwork was done on the treadmill, and I noticed that the engineered mesh offered my foot a lot of breathability and temperature control despite the stuffiness of my “in-home gym” (aka my office!).
Staying cool definitely helps me push harder with more comfort during speedwork.
Overall, training on the MagMax Nitro 2 definitely kept my legs fresher and my body less sore overall as I have been rebuilding mileage in my second trimester of pregnancy.
While I never had the pleasure of running in the original MagMax Nitro, I do think the reduced overall weight of this upgraded version likely has enhanced its comfort and helped make the shoe enjoyable for some of those longer speed effort runs.
Puma MagMax Nitro 2 Specs
- Weight: 9.7 oz Men’s, 7.9 oz Women’s
- Stack Height: 46 mm
- Heel toe drop: 8 mm
- 5 Colors Available
- Not Available in Wide
- Available on Puma.com for $180
I love the pop of color from the “apple spritz” lime green streak that wraps around the shoe, and think it adds a fun splash of color to the otherwise grey tone of the shoe.
I likely wouldn’t wear this shoe casually (although MAYBE I would if I had the black & white pair?!), but I think it’s a fine looking running shoe!
Quick Take
Pros
- Supportive arch
- Stable, cushioned ride
- Bouncy responsiveness
Cons
- Narrower fit and not available in wide
- Long, unattached tongue takes getting used to
- Stack height loses ground feel
Puma MagMax Nitro 2 Fit
As a runner with a moderately wide foot, I definitely can tell the MagMax Nitro 2 is a regular-width shoe. I wear my running shoes around 1.5 sizes larger than my standard shoes, and so with the extra size and the engineered mesh, I did find the Mag Max Nitro 2 overall fit comfortable.
When I’m not running, I do feel some “tightness” around my forefoot, but I don’t seem to notice it while running. The toebox is comfortable with room to wiggle my toes, but not notably generous (especially compared to the Topo Athletics Atmos 2 I run in sometimes).
The arch feels supported and comfortably snug for the shape of my foot. At first I wasn’t sure if it felt too tight, but as I ran, I felt that the snugness was really comfortable and supportive, especially paired with the bouncy cushion of the NITROFOAM.
The heel padding was really comfortable and helped the shoe really stay put without any rubbing. I found that I even enjoyed leisurely walks in these shoes because of how stable and comfortable the shoe feels overall.
The MagMax Nitro 2 does have a fairly long padded tongue that is unattached from the shoe. I honestly found how high it comes up a bit annoying at first, but after a few wears, I am now used to it. I think it’s just very different from the other shoes I run in and thus required some getting used to.
Overall, any of the initial quirks I felt at first about the shoe (the tongue, the width), I eventually adjusted to. MagMax Nitro 2 didn’t cause any rubbing, blistering or discomfort during runs, and I actually felt extra comfortable during long runs and progression runs in the MagMax Nitro 2. It creates a very stable, cushy ride!
Puma MagMax Nitro 2 Feel
Running in the MagMax Nitro 2 is so comfortable and a lot of that has to do with the massive amount of cushion and the plush/bouncy feel of that cushion. This is not a max shoe where you wonder what the foam is there for, you feel it.
The cushion in Mag Max Nitro 2 is bouncy enough that it helps to propel you forward during runs; a feature I really enjoyed during tempo sessions, but the cushioned heel kept the landing controlled and smooth.
My ankles felt really stable despite all that stack height. The cushion is so responsive and soft that I even enjoyed just leisurely walking!
However, while all that stack height gives you ample cushion, it also inhibits your ability to feel “connected to the ground,” which wasn’t my favorite during shorter 60 second sprint repeats. I’ll stick with these shoes for long runs or recovery runs going forward!
It’s winter here in Philadelphia, and so I’ve been spending a lot of time on the treadmill in my stuffy home office. The breathability of MagMax Nitro 2 is excellent.
My body temperature runs hot, especially during treadmill runs, and I really noticed the breathability of the MagMax Nitro 2s engineered mesh.
While I found the high, plush tongue a bit annoying at first, I grew used to it, and it did not make the shoe feel too ‘hot.’ The heel collar was padded and hit comfortably, not causing any rubbing or irritation, and kept my foot secure in it’s seat.
The MagMax Nitro 2 does remind me a bit of another favorite shoe of mine, the Mizuno Wave Sky 9, which is another max cushioned shoe with a lower heel drop and overall stack height.
However, I’d say the MagMax Nitro 2 feels a bit more controlled with an even better “guided rolling sensation” as you’re running when compared to the Mizunos, which could possibly just be my body’s preference for the Puma’s 8mm heel drop rather than the Mizunos’ 6mm.
I also found the breathability of MagMax Nitro 2 far more comfortable which really mattered for all my treadmill runs!
The MagMax Nitro 2 boast a PUMAGRIP technology which is meant to help your traction on rugged surfaces, but because I mostly run on smooth roads or the treadmill, and my longest run was “only” 8 miles, I didn’t really have the opportunity to appreciate this feature.
Similar Shoes to the Puma MagMax Nitro 2
We’ve tested a whole lot max cushioned shoes and here are the one’s we find most similar:
- Nike Vomero Plus – When you want all the cushion and a higher heel toe drop
- Asics Gel Nimbus 28 – Super cushioned, plush running shoe with that big stack
- Hoka Bondi 9 – A max cushion daily trainer with a smaller heel drop.
Our Verdict
Ultimately, the MagMax Nitro 2 is a winner for those who like long runs in truly cushioned, supportive shoes. If you’re looking to log a lot of miles with a lot of support and comfort, this may be the perfect shoe for you!
What to Read Next?
The post Puma MagMax Nitro 2 Review | The Plush Cushioned Running Shoe That Protects Your Legs Mile After Mile appeared first on RunToTheFinish.
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