Puma MagMax Nitro 2 Review: I know why the Big Cat purrs

Introduction to the Puma MagMax Nitro 2

CHAD: One of the great things about my reviewing gig for Believe in the Run is the vast number of shoes I get to run in every year — more shoes than I could have possibly dreamt of running in before starting here. That said, I, unfortunately, don’t get to run in every shoe that comes out, because that would be crazy and infeasible, given my average weekly mileage is meager compared to many on our team.

One of the other perks of the job is that I regularly have folks reach out to me on Instagram, YouTube, and Reddit to ask my thoughts on a shoe or to compare certain shoes. I love helping any runner who reaches out to me find the perfect shoe for them, but I don’t think that there’s a shoe I have been asked about more in the past year than the Puma MagMax Nitro. Many people wanted me to compare the MagMax to the Superblast 2, the Glycerin Max, and other max stack offerings on the market.

Alas, the Puma MagMax was one of those 2024 releases that I was never able to get my hands on (or feet in, if you will). Based on all the reviews I read and watched, including the BITR team’s review, I was confident that it would likely have been a solid “bigger runner” option. However, we can all rejoice because the powers that be decided to bless me with a pair of the MagMax Nitro 2 for testing and review.

From what I can tell, a lot stayed the same from the first version to this year’s release. The NitroFoam was updated, and the second version shed nearly half an ounce for the US M9 (10.2 oz. to 9.7 oz.). So, I’ll use Puma’s tagline and let’s bounce… to the next section!

MEAGHAN: The Puma MagMax came in hot last year — it was a surprise shoe, and I couldn’t believe how much I ended up enjoying it. Puma was one of the last brands to join the max-cushion movement, and I wasn’t convinced their NitroFoam would translate to this category. As it turns out, it did, and impressively so. In fact, it made the shoe an unexpectedly versatile max-cushioned trainer.

Now we’re on to the second iteration, and not much has changed, and that might be for the best. You still get a hefty stack of foam (46 mm in the heel, 38 mm in the forefoot), a comfortable mesh upper with a knit tongue, and a slightly lighter overall package. Let’s dive in.

KARL: I’ve never run in the original Puma MagMax Nitro, but it was a shoe that I felt would work well in my rotation. All the changes on paper to the second version made it sound like a minor, but still positive upgrade. I love a high-stack trainer that can still be used for faster-than-recovery paces, so I was excited to check this one out.

What we like about the Puma MagMax Nitro 2

CHAD: I hate to sound cliché, but what is there not to like in the MagMax Nitro 2? At first glance, I was a bit meh on the light gray upper colorway, but combined with the Lux Lime colored midsole (which confuses me a bit because it’s Big Bird Yellow and limes are… green?), the design actually sort of pops. For those who prefer a cleaner look (cough, Meaghan, cough), they also offer a white-on-white colorway, along with a few others for good measure.

The initial step-in feel is instantly pretty comfortable. The tongue is gusseted, but the size of the gusset makes it almost feel like it’s a one-piece upper because the tongue is also light and thin, but with enough padding to protect the top of the foot from lace bite. That softness continues through the mesh upper, which is both malleable and supportive, maintaining a solid hold on the foot over the platform.

Jumping from the upper to the significantly lower portion of the shoe, it’s got PumaGrip, so traction was never a problem, even on a run just after a snowfall and having some residual icy/snowy patches.

The ride of the MagMax Nitro 2 is everything I would want in a max stack cruiser. Despite coming in as a heavyweight, the MagMax Nitro 2 floats like a butterfly. The NitroFoam has close to the perfect blend of softness and cushioning with rebound and resilience. It all comes together to make the shoe feel incredibly versatile, because it felt just as good at 11:00 min/mile pace as it did at 9:00 min/mile pace.

For someone looking for a shoe that can handle whatever you want to throw at it, the MagMax Nitro 2 is a great option. Would it be my choice to do speedwork or track sessions? No, probably not; but it could handle runs with certain uptempo pacing sections.

Finally, and just as importantly, I was pleased with the shoe’s general stability. It most certainly feels like a neutral trainer, and those with severe overpronation issues might have a problem. But it never once affected my right leg and its minor/moderate overpronation, like some max stack shoes have. I’ll also note that on Puma’s website, the shoe is marked as suitable for individuals who overpronate.

MEAGHAN: The first thing that stood out in the update was the forefoot — it looks noticeably less bulbous. The midsole appears slightly trimmed along the sides, giving the shoe a more streamlined, traditional trainer profile. What hasn’t changed is the step-in experience: still plush and welcoming, with a wide, stable platform and a stretchy knit tongue that adds a premium touch to the upper.

Underfoot, there’s still a hefty stack of NitroFoam, and it feels very similar to the original —maybe a bit softer and a touch more resilient. Naturally, I took them out for an A/B test with V1 on one foot and V2 on the other. The rides are nearly identical, but V2 offers subtle improvements across both the upper and midsole that make it feel like a mild but meaningful upgrade. It also lost half an ounce. My W7.5 went from 8.7 oz to 8.2oz.

As I mentioned earlier, most max-cushioned shoes end up in the recovery-run-only bucket, but the MagMax continues to buck that trend. It’s surprisingly versatile, handling everything from easy days to long runs without issue. And one of the best non-changes? The price remains $180— a solid value, considering the shoe’s exceptional durability.

KARL: As a fan of the Puma Velocity Nitro 4, this is everything I love about that shoe in a higher stack counterpart. The fit is more dialed in than previous Puma shoes, and the ride is just very pleasant.

It’s no secret that Puma’s shoes have run relatively narrow — particularly in the midfoot region. I’m happy to report that the MagMax 2 is slightly wider all around and accommodates my foot very nicely. I should say it hasn’t widened by a considerable margin, but just enough that my feet are still locked in, and there’s an added sense of stability because of that wider platform, which I enjoy quite a bit. The pinching sensation in my midfoot, which often comes from Puma shoes, is noticeably absent in the MagMax 2, a positive step in the right direction for me.

I was a big fan of the NitroFoam formulation used in the Velocity Nitro 4, so I believe this might be the same makeup in the MagMax 2, just at a higher stack. It’s the perfect blend of softness and firm, energy-returning rebound. Combined with the rocker geometry and the weight of 9.8 oz in my US M10.5, this is a highly versatile shoe that I can run easy, long, short, and slightly uptempo in. It’s really hard to go wrong with this package.

The PumaGrip outsole has also been re-tuned to a lighter density, which adds to the feeling of a more balanced shoe. I complained in the Velocity Nitro 4 review that I felt the outsole weighed it down, so I’m glad Puma made a slight change in that department for its higher stack counterpart.

The Puma MagMax 2 falls somewhere between the Nike Vomero Plus and the Asics Megablast for me, which is a very welcome addition to my rotation.

What we don’t like about the Puma MagMax Nitro 2

CHAD: Forefoot width? Great, accommodating. Heel width? Fantastic, no issues. Overall volume? Generally solid. Midfoot width? Ehh, it’s a bit dodgy. I’ve always warned people when they ask for recommendations that Puma shoes tend to run narrow in the midfoot, and the MagMax Nitro 2 is no exception.

I took the MagMax Nitro 2 out for a 10-mile run, and halfway through, I had to stop and retie the laces to alleviate some pressure on the medial side of my feet due to the narrowness of the midfoot. Is the width a deal-breaker for me? No, but for some, it could simply just be too narrow

MEAGHAN: Honestly, I don’t have much to nitpick with this update. The aesthetics feel a bit more toned down compared to the original, but the ride and overall comfort are still very much intact.

The only real caveat — more an observation than a complaint — is that this isn’t your ultra-soft, marshmallowy max-cushioned shoe. It has a high stack, yes, but the ride is on the firmer, more performance-oriented side, which might not appeal to runners seeking a purely plush, recovery-day feel.

KARL: We’re at a time now where the convergence of fashion-forward, performance trainers seem to be the next attainable goal for brands. From the Adidas Adizero Evo SL to the New Balance Rebel V5 and Nike Vomero Plus, these high-end shoes are starting to look very good while maintaining performance characteristics. I think Puma still has some catching up to do in the style department compared to Nike or Adidas, but the overall look of the shoe is fine. They toned down the crazy overlays, and I think the all-white colorway of this is pretty sick, but there’s something about the Nike Vomero Plus that just has it style-wise for me.

Hopefully, this is a department where we’ll see Puma focusing on in the future.

Final thoughts on the Puma MagMax Nitro 2

CHAD: I’m so happy now that when I have my “bigger runner” army come to me and ask what my thoughts are on the Puma MagMax Nitro 2, I can actually give them my opinion, versus just what I heard on the streets.

Overall, I think the MagMax 2 would have been in the running for a podium spot on my shoe of the year list in 2025 had it been released earlier. It will have to hope that it can hold onto a spot in my 2026 rankings, and if it does, it will be well earned. Puma followed up a solid effort in the MagMax Nitro with another banger in the MagMax Nitro 2.

MEAGHAN: The MagMax 2 is the kind of update V1 fans will appreciate: a slightly lighter build, a subtly softer ride, and the same generous stack as the original. It’s comfortable, it’s versatile, and I’m happy to report that Puma didn’t mess with what made the first version so good.

KARL: I really enjoy the MagMax 2 overall. I think Puma’s been hitting it out of the park this year and may be very high on my list for brands that have a solid lineup from top to bottom. I’ve never run in the first version, but if you enjoyed that, you’ll most likely enjoy the MagMax 2. A few minor but still significant improvements really make this cat purr.

You can pick up the Puma MagMax Nitro 2 for $180 from Running Warehouse (featuring free shipping and 90-day returns) by using the buttons below.