Puma isn’t sitting on its laurels, that’s for sure. Not long after releasing the latest iterations of its Deviate Nitro line, the performance footwear company is back with another exciting launch. The MagMax Nitro is the most-cushioned trainer from Puma yet and looks oddly familiar…
The Puma MagMax Nitro has a ridiculous amount of foam underfoot, an engineered mesh upper and a rolled collar to maximise comfort when tackling long distances. I’ve only managed to squeeze in a couple of runs in the shoes, but I can already tell you they are almost a carbon copy of Hoka’s Bondi franchise.
Ultra runners love the Bondi, as the tons of foam help preserve the legs when you’re out on your longest runs. The MagMax Nitro mimics – potentially unintentionally – many aspects of the Bondi, all the way down to having a tighter upper than other Puma shoes.
How does the MagMax Nitro compare to the best running shoes, and is it good enough to include in your rotation? What are the strengths and weaknesses of the trainers? Read my full Puma MagMax Nitro review below to find out.
Puma MagMax Nitro review
Price and availability
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The Puma MagMax Nitro was launched in August 2024 and is available to buy directly from Puma US, Puma UK, and Puma AU for a recommended price of $180/ £170/ AU$280. It’s available for both women and men and comes in three colours (each).
Specifications
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- Best for: recovery, jogging, cushioning
- Tested weight: 328g/ 11.6oz (men’s UK 10)
- Stack height: 46mm (heel), 38mm (forefoot)
- Drop: 8mm
- Fit: true to size
- Support: Neutral
Design and materials
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The MagMax Nitro features Puma’s proprietary Nitrofoam, which is a nitrogen-infused compound used in many of the brand’s footwear. Puma isn’t the only company using nitrogen in its shoes; Brooks’ DNA foam also uses the same element to reduce weight and increase responsiveness.
The unique thing about the MagMax Nitro isn’t the presence of nitrogen but the amount of foam underfoot. The shoes have an incredibly tall 46mm maximum stack height under the heel and an 8mm drop, which means even under the front, you have 38mm of foam stacked under your foot.
The shoes aren’t just tall; they are also quite wide, reminiscent of the Hoka Bondi 8 and the Nike Invincible 3. The wider platform is ideal for reducing stress on your ankles, thanks to its stabilising properties.
All that extra foam does come at a price: the MagMax Nitro weighs a hefty 328g (11.6oz) in a men’s UK 10 size. To be honest, it’s not unbearably heavy, but it’s not the lightest shoe either.
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
The engineered mesh upper provides plenty of breathability and is reinforced with PWRTAPE in critical areas. The upper is comfortable and certainly breathable but somewhat tight if you have wide feet like me. It’s not unbearable, though.
The shoes feature an integrated, stretchy tongue and traditional lacing. The laces are thin, and the eyelets are reinforced with rubber. There is a pull tab on the tongue to help you put on the shoes.
Puma added a rolled collar with reinforced foam to help keep your heels in place without restricting them. You also get a lovely, firm internal heel counter to enhance stability around the heels and ankles further. On the outsole, you’ll find a generous amount of PUMAGRIP rubber.
There is no information about whether any of the components are made sustainably or not, so I’ll assume they aren’t. It would be nice to see more effort on Puma’s behalf to introduce more environmentally friendly materials in its shoes!
Performance and comfort
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I only managed to take the Puma MagMax Nitro on a couple of runs, but I’m already falling in love with it, not least because it fills the Hoka Bondi 8-shaped hole in my heart. The Bondi wasn’t my favourite shoe from the get-go, but we *cough* bonded *cough* over time.
The MagMax Nitro provides an almost identical running experience. I thoroughly enjoyed wearing it for my 20k long run one Sunday; although it’s not the lightest or fastest shoe, it has more than enough responsiveness and does help you keep going.
Even though the upper feels somewhat tight at the front, it’s not uncomfortable by any means. Breathability is superb, and the rear of my foot felt securely held in position, too. I detected no chafing in any areas, which is a further testament to the shoes’ fit.
Who’s the Puma MagMax Nitro for?
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I recommend the Puma MagMax Nitro for the same target market the Hoka Bondis are for. You can use them for anything from jogging to slower-paced and recovery sessions. Runners with narrower feet will probably enjoy the fit more, but I wasn’t desperate to get out of the shoes after any of my runs, so they are also comfortable enough for people with wide feet.
Should you buy the Puma MagMax Nitro?
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I really like the shoes and am generally very happy with Puma shoes, so I would recommend the MagMax Nitro for runners who need a well-cushioned trainer in their rotation for their recovery sessions. It might not be versatile enough as a standalone trainer unless, of course, you’re really into max-cushion shoes.
Verdict
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After a few runs, I’m really happy with the Puma MagMax Nitro. The shoes are chunky and comfortable and do exactly what I need from max-cushioned trainers. They do a wonderful job of preserving the legs and providing enough energy return not to feel too sluggish once the will to live starts to leave you after 15-20k.
They aren’t too expensive, either, so if you need a reliable max-cushioned entry fo your running shoe rotation, definitely give the MagMax Nitro a try. I’ll update this review once I run a few more miles in the shoes, but for now, I’m really happy with them. Full send!
