PUMA MagMax NITRO vs MagMax NITRO 2

Which Running Shoe Is Better?

Products

PUMA MagMax NITRO
PUMA MagMax NITRO 2

Tested using Methodology v0.9

Updated Jan 07, 2026 06:52 PM

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PUMA

Tested using Methodology v0.9

Updated Jan 14, 2026 03:35 PM

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PUMA

Our Verdict

PUMA MagMax NITRO

PUMA MagMax NITRO 2

The PUMA MagMax NITRO has been succeeded by the PUMA MagMax NITRO 2, and the second version is neither the same old shoe nor a clear upgrade. The MagMax 2 weighs significantly less than the original, despite maintaining essentially the same stack height and dimensions. It also has a slightly reworked toe box that allows a bit more toe splay than the original MagMax, and a different outsole grip pattern that maintains the characteristic groundfeel of PUMAGRIP, but has less of a dampening effect on the cushioning. But for all these changes, the second version doesn't necessarily feel more nimble than the first MagMax, as the NITRO foam in the midsole is less bouncy. Both shoes share the same broad platform that ensures decent stability, even with all that cushioning.

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Variants

  • MagMax NITRO (Black/Galactic Gray - (Men - US 9))
  • MagMax NITRO (Black/Yellow Alert - (Women - US 7))
  • MagMax NITRO 2 (Silver Mist/Apple Spritz - (Women - US 7))
  • MagMax NITRO 2 (Black/White - (Women - US 7))

Main Differences for
Marathon Racing

Threshold 

0.10

Marathon Racing 
 

6.7
6.0

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

6.6
2.6

Heel Energy Return 
 

5.1
1.6

Weight  

4.8
5.7

Full Comparison

Design

Weight  

4.8
5.7

Right Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
PUMA MagMax NITRO Right Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
PUMA MagMax NITRO 2 Right Shoe Weight Photo

Left Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
PUMA MagMax NITRO Left Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
PUMA MagMax NITRO 2 Left Shoe Weight Photo

Weight 
 

291.0 g (10.26 oz)
267.7 g (9.44 oz)
Show Text 

Stack Heights 
 

Stack Height Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
PUMA MagMax NITRO Stack Height Photo
Compare High-Res
PUMA MagMax NITRO 2 Stack Height Photo

Heel Stack Height 
 

45.2 mm
44.9 mm

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

36.3 mm
36.1 mm

Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

8.9 mm
8.8 mm

Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

8.0 mm
8.0 mm

External Shape 
 

3D Model Full Shoe  

Preview 3D
PUMA MagMax NITRO 3D Model Full Shoe
Preview 3D
PUMA MagMax NITRO 2 3D Model Full Shoe

Outsole Heel Width 
 

103 mm (4.0")
103 mm (4.0")

Outsole Arch Width 
 

81 mm (3.2")
81 mm (3.2")

Outsole Forefoot Width 
 

125 mm (4.9")
123 mm (4.8")

Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

2.28
2.29

Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

3.44
3.40
Show Text 

Internal Shape 
 

3D Model Internal  

Preview 3D
PUMA MagMax NITRO 3D Model Internal
Preview 3D
PUMA MagMax NITRO 2 3D Model Internal

Internal Length 
 

281 mm (11.1")
281 mm (11.1")

Internal Heel Width 
 

67 mm (2.6")
67 mm (2.6")

Internal Forefoot Width 
 

94 mm (3.7")
94 mm (3.7")

Wide Sizing Available 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Other Features  

Other Features Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
PUMA MagMax NITRO Other Features Photo
Compare High-Res
PUMA MagMax NITRO 2 Other Features Photo

Tongue Gusset Type 
 

Fully-gusseted
Fully-gusseted

Plate 
 

None
None
Show Text 
Performance

Heel Energy Return 
 

5.1
1.6

Heel Compression Video  

Heel Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
PUMA MagMax NITRO Heel Energy Return
 Preview Graph
PUMA MagMax NITRO 2 Heel Energy Return

Heel Energy Return 
 

72.0%
66.9%
Show Text 

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

6.6
2.6

Forefoot Compression Video  

Forefoot Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
PUMA MagMax NITRO Forefoot Energy Return
 Preview Graph
PUMA MagMax NITRO 2 Forefoot Energy Return

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

74.9%
68.9%
Show Text 

Heel Cushioning 
 

8.8
8.9

Heel Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
PUMA MagMax NITRO Heel Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
PUMA MagMax NITRO 2 Heel Cushioning Picture

Heel Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
PUMA MagMax NITRO Heel Cushioning
 Preview Graph
PUMA MagMax NITRO 2 Heel Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 550N 
 

3.74 J
3.86 J

Energy Absorbed At 1100N 
 

11.37 J
11.21 J

Energy Absorbed At 1900N 
 

20.25 J
20.25 J
Show Text 

Forefoot Cushioning 
 

9.1
8.9

Forefoot Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
PUMA MagMax NITRO Forefoot Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
PUMA MagMax NITRO 2 Forefoot Cushioning Picture

Forefoot Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
PUMA MagMax NITRO Forefoot Cushioning
 Preview Graph
PUMA MagMax NITRO 2 Forefoot Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 800N 
 

5.65 J
5.45 J

Energy Absorbed At 1300N 
 

10.38 J
9.91 J

Energy Absorbed At 2050N 
 

15.77 J
15.14 J
Show Text 

Heel Firmness 
 

3.9
3.8

Heel Firmness  

 Preview Graph
PUMA MagMax NITRO Heel Firmness
 Preview Graph
PUMA MagMax NITRO 2 Heel Firmness

Firmness At 550N 
 

43.5 N/mm
43.6 N/mm

Firmness At 1100N 
 

86.0 N/mm
87.0 N/mm

Firmness At 1900N 
 

178.3 N/mm
157.6 N/mm
Show Text 

Forefoot Firmness 
 

6.4
6.5

Forefoot Firmness  

 Preview Graph
PUMA MagMax NITRO Forefoot Firmness
 Preview Graph
PUMA MagMax NITRO 2 Forefoot Firmness

Firmness At 800N 
 

78.0 N/mm
84.7 N/mm

Firmness At 1300N 
 

153.6 N/mm
160.4 N/mm

Firmness At 2050N 
 

301.3 N/mm
291.2 N/mm
Show Text 

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning 
 

8.4
8.0

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
PUMA MagMax NITRO Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
 Preview Graph
PUMA MagMax NITRO 2 Forefoot Long Run Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 10km 
 

9.49 J
9.06 J

Energy Absorbed At 20km 
 

9.20 J
8.77 J

Energy Absorbed At 30km 
 

9.02 J
8.57 J

Energy Absorbed At 40km 
 

8.89 J
8.42 J
Show Text 

PUMA MagMax NITRO

PUMA MagMax NITRO 2

Comments

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