PUMA MagMax Nitro 2: Maximum cushioning with a surprisingly lively ride

Over the past two years, PUMA has established itself as one of the most dynamic brands in running. The Fast-R 3 and Deviate Nitro Elite 3 are turning heads at the Majors, and the German brand is now playing a leading role. It innovates, takes risks and embraces its differences, whether through its supercritical aliphatic TPU foam or bold designs. The result is a distinctive technical identity, with dynamic, stable shoes that deliver a riding experience unmistakably PUMA. In 2024, as part of its push to expand the range and follow the market’s maximalist trend, the first MagMax arrived with huge cushioning, designed for everyday runs and long outings. A year later, after the success of the original, the MagMax Nitro 2 is already here: lighter, livelier and aimed at runners who love putting in the miles and want the ultimate in comfort.

A lighter, livelier Nitro foam

The core idea remains unchanged: a maximalist shoe designed to deliver the highest level of cushioning in the PUMA range. It answers the market’s growing appetite for shoes with ever more foam underfoot. Mileage has become increasingly central to training, and runners are logging more and more of it. The MagMax 2 has a clearly defined role: maximum protection without sacrificing the shoe’s dynamism or comfort.

15 g lighter
PUMA has refined the shoe’s structure while retaining its XXL stack. At 275 grams, its weight is reasonable for this category. The model is 15 grams lighter than its predecessor. That may sound insignificant on paper, but the difference is clear once you get moving: this second version feels smoother and less “heavy” through the gait cycle. The stride feels more natural.

An improved Nitro foam for more bounce
The slightly revised Nitro foam delivers sensations familiar from PUMA: exceptionally generous, energetic cushioning without becoming overly soft. It has a touch of firmness to it. PUMA promises a higher bounce, a more energized stride and the same reliable stability, thanks to a very broad platform. In short, it remains firmly in the maximal-cushioning category, while moving away from the somewhat “marshmallow” feel of some competitors.

A smoother ride
The geometry has been refined, with a more pronounced rocker, a more linear transition and more natural propulsion. The result is a shoe that, despite its considerable volume, feels nothing like a cruise ship underfoot.

PUMA’s MagMax Nitro 2 is lighter, livelier and deeply cushioned, with new NitroFoam, premium comfort and improved bounce. Here’s why this second version stands out as one of the best daily trainers around.

A premium upper for long runs

The MagMax Nitro 2 also addresses an area where the first version lacked a little finesse: the upper.

Redesigned mesh
The mesh is more breathable and more flexible, while still providing enough structure in the key areas.

Padded collar and foam tongue for a softer fit
PUMA has gone for maximum comfort around the foot: a thick but enveloping collar, a knitted tongue that stays put without ever getting in the way, and a secure fit that does not squeeze the ankle.

The goal is clear: this shoe is fully equipped for long runs at easy to moderate intensity. Two hours, three hours, four hours on the run, without friction or pressure points.

With the MagMax NITRO™ 2, our goal was to improve what runners already appreciated, cushioning and energy return, while making the shoe lighter and more responsive. We wanted every stride to feel dynamic, so whether it’s a short daily run or a long outing, the shoe delivers comfort and performance from start to finish.
Conor Cashin, Senior Footwear Product Line Manager at PUMA

A versatile daily trainer built to do it all

PUMA is not positioning the MagMax Nitro 2 as a pure performance shoe. It is not a Deviate Elite. It is not a Fast-R 3. It is a premium daily trainer, in the same broad category as the ASICS Superblast or Nike Vomero Plus, designed for runners who want maximum protection and those putting in serious volume.

The MagMax 2 will be particularly at home on:
➜ Easy runs
➜ Recovery runs
➜ Long runs
➜ High-volume training weeks
➜ Relaxed runs when all you want is comfort

It can pick up the pace, thanks to the good energy return from the Nitro foam, but that is not its primary role. This is a shoe that provides security, protection and impact absorption. The kind of model you reach for without a second thought when it’s time for your daily run.

A confident take on the maximalist shoe

While some competitors simply pile on foam for the sake of it, PUMA arrives with a clear proposition: plenty of cushioning, yes, but cushioning that has been properly thought through. The MagMax Nitro 2 is imposing, in the best possible way. It is impressively stable for a maximalist shoe, does not bottom out and delivers that rare blend of softness and dynamism. You can run long, very long, without ever feeling the shoe tire. In terms of durability, PUMA is among the strongest performers. Nitro foam and PUMAGRIP are two technologies that have won over plenty of runners in recent years. The foam is resilient, while the rubber outsole provides enough protection to extend the shoe’s lifespan.

Global launch from December 1

The MagMax Nitro 2 will be available from December 1 on PUMA.com, at PUMA stores and through specialist retailers worldwide, including North America, Europe, Asia, Latin America and Australia. The announced price is €190, which is high but consistent with the emerging premium daily trainer category.

At a glance

Category: premium maximalist daily trainer
Foam: NitroFoam
Weight: 146 g
Stack: 46 mm heel, 38 mm forefoot (8 mm drop)
Best for: easy runs and long runs
Gait type: neutral
Available December 1, 2025
Price: €190

PUMA is confirming its rapid progress in the running market. With this launch, the German brand is no longer simply making good shoes; it is putting forward a genuine vision of running. The MagMax Nitro 2 embodies that ambition through technologies that are innovative and, more importantly, effective. Few runners have been disappointed by their PUMA shoes in recent years, and it is easy to see why. Lightness, comfort and dynamism: this new MagMax is not trying to copy the competition, but offers a remarkable balance for a shoe with this much stack, at 46 mm. A daily model built to last, and clearly designed to carry runners through hundreds of miles.

✔ Find the PUMA MagMax Nitro 2 from December 1 on PUMA.com for €190.