Puma MagMax Nitro Introduction

Is there such a thing as too much cushioning? Running shoe midsoles are getting thicker and thicker, while the advancement in midsole foams has allowed these mega-stack trainers to still have reasonable weights. Old school EVA midsoles with jumbo stack heights would have weighed upwards of 13 oz (369 g).

Thick midsoles have a number of advantages: they have more aggressive rockers and more cushioning depth which translates to better long-distance comfort. They also allow your legs to recover quicker after runs. Soon, we’ll all be running with mattresses under our feet (provided they can keep the weight low).

As PUMA’s presence in performance running gets stronger and more competitive, their product range has also grown. They already have shoes to suit every type of runner and they have enough R&D at their disposal to target the new categories as well. The MagMax marks PUMA’s first entry into the new, super max-cushioned category.

The MagMax is not the German company’s first running shoe which exceeds the 40 mm midsole height limit imposed by World Athletics for competitions. They already have the Fastroid Nitro as well as the new Fast-RB Nitro Elite which has a colossal 66 mm heel stack height.

They also have a max-cushioned trainer called the Magnify Nitro 2 which has stack heights of 39mm/29mm but the MagMax is a maxed out version of the Magnify. MagMax stands for Magnify Max and it has a 47mm/39mm midsole.

The MagMax is non-plated and above 40 mm so it directly competes with other giants like the ASICS Superblast, New Balance More v5 and the Hoka Bondi 8.

Puma MagMax Nitro First Impressions

My first run was a 20K easy run. My first thought was that the cushioning felt a little firmer than I expected it to with such a thick midsole. There was a small amount of energy returned from the midsole foam and the forefoot was quite stiff, resulting in a gentle rocker.

I was surprised when I felt a prominent arch sensation against my flat arches while walking. This was due to the MagMax’s narrow waist. When running, I noticed it less. The pressure point didn’t create any blisters or pain but it took away from the comfort of the shoe.

The shoe that it reminded me of was the Skechers MaxRoad, another super max-stack trainer. The MaxRoad 6 has a forefoot carbon-infused plate and an early-stage rocker to speed up transitions so the MagMax felt slower.

Puma MagMax Nitro Upper

The MagMax is built for comfort. It’s made of a soft engineered mesh which has average breathability. It has a thin, flat, knitted tongue which is semi-gusseted and very stretchy. It doesn’t move around at all during runs.

The heel pull tab naturally lies flat against the heel counter but it can also be folded up. When folded up, it reveals the secret message “BOUNCY AF”. A stout internal heel counter provides support and heel lockdown is great.

The MagMax has a narrow midfoot, a wide forefoot and a normal toe-box. I would recommend going true to size. It’s best suited to low-volume feet with a high arch because of the poking arch in the midfoot.

Puma MagMax Nitro Sole Unit

The MagMax runs a lot lighter than it looks. At only 10.2 oz (290 g), it weighs less than some daily trainers. To put it into perspective, the Nike InfinityRN 4 weighs 11.2 oz (318 g) and it has much lower stack heights at 39mm/30mm.

The MagMax is a pure easy pace or recovery trainer. Because of its large form factor and its geometry, it feels like a very bulky shoe on foot and although it’s not an extremely heavy trainer, I find that I can’t hold a fast pace for very long in it. Unlike the ASICS Superblast, the MagMax doesn’t feel like a super shoe.

The main reason for this is that PUMA has used a training foam (Nitro) as the midsole, which is a nitrogen injected TPEE. Unlike the lighter and more energetic Nitro Elite foam (as found in the Deviate series), Nitro is heavier and returns significantly lower levels of energy return.

Nitro foam does have some energy return but it’s far from what PUMA advertises as “exhilarating bounce” on the MagMax’s product page. It has a similar level of energy return to Brooks’ DNA Loft v3 or ASICS’ FF Blast+.

The MagMax has a soft ride which isn’t mushy or marshmallowy. It doesn’t have a wide range when it comes to speed so it’s not a very versatile trainer. I would classify it as a max-cushioned trainer for relaxed runs, along the veins of the Nimbus 26, Glycerin 21, Hoka Bondi 8 etc.

Its forefoot is stiff, so the rocker helps to make the MagMax feel more efficient during transitions although I still wouldn’t choose it for a long run above 20 kilometres. It’s far too soft and it feels like energy is getting sapped into the midsole. It’s best for short and middle-distance runs.

Stability is a strength of the MagMax. It has no plate or stiffener in its midsole but it does have a very wide base which makes cornering easy. The exaggerated side walls around the rearfoot also come up high and cup the foot so it feels like you’re inside the midsole and not on top of it. The MagMax is stable enough for slight overpronators.

Outsole traction and durability are also top-notch. The PUMAGRIP outsole rubber has the amazing ability to handle all kinds of surfaces in all kinds of weather conditions. After 80 kilometres, my pair is showing only minor outsole wear on the outer heel areas.

Puma MagMax Nitro Conclusions

The MagMax is not a bad first attempt at a super max stack trainer: it has a smooth, supportive ride which is not overly soft and its massive stack height doesn’t feel like it’s overkill. I do however find its midfoot too narrow for my flat arches. It also lacks the exciting ride of something like the Superblast.

When it comes to price, it’s $20 too expensive. The MagMax is basically a thicker version of the PUMA Magnify Nitro which costs $150 and it doesn’t have a plate or a racing foam in it. The Deviate Nitro 3 has a carbon plate with Nitro Elite foam and it only costs $160.