PUMA Velocity NITRO 4 vs Magnify NITRO 3

Which Running Shoe Is Better?

Products

PUMA Velocity NITRO 4
PUMA Magnify NITRO 3

Tested using Methodology v0.9

Updated Mar 17, 2026 02:14 PM

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Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v0.10

Updated Feb 13, 2026 05:59 PM

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Amazon.com
PUMA Velocity NITRO 4 Picture

Track

PUMA Magnify NITRO 3 Picture

Track

Our Verdict

PUMA Velocity NITRO 4

PUMA Magnify NITRO 3

The PUMA Magnify NITRO 3 and PUMA Velocity NITRO 3 are both daily trainers, but they serve slightly different purposes. The Velocity NITRO 4 is the more classic daily trainer: lighter, lower to the ground, and more traditional in geometry, so it feels nimble and quite grounded, which favors quick turnover. The Magnify NITRO 3, by contrast, leans into comfort and fun with a higher stack and a midsole that feels a bit more energetic, especially in the heel. It offers more cushioning overall, holds onto that protection better as the distance increases, and comes across as softer underfoot for longer runs. That said, both shoes share some fit drawbacks: they have a fairly constricting, narrow toebox and a snug, almost elastic wrap through the arch that won't suit wide feet, though they do redeem themselves with excellent grip from their PUMAGRIP outsoles.

 

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Variants

  • Velocity NITRO 4 (Black - (Men - US 9))
  • Velocity NITRO 4 (Black/Dark Amethyst - (Men - US 9))
  • Magnify NITRO 3 (Black/Speed Blue - (Men - US 9))
  • Magnify NITRO 3 (Sea Glass/Mint Melt - (Women - US 7))
Read more

Main Differences for
Marathon Racing

Threshold 

0.10

Marathon Racing 
 

6.5
7.1

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

26.1 mm
28.5 mm

Weight  

7.1
6.0

Heel Stack Height 
 

37.2 mm
38.7 mm

Full Comparison

Design

Weight  

7.1
6.0

Right Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
PUMA Velocity NITRO 4 Right Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
PUMA Magnify NITRO 3 Right Shoe Weight Photo

Left Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
PUMA Velocity NITRO 4 Left Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
PUMA Magnify NITRO 3 Left Shoe Weight Photo

Weight 
 

232.3 g (8.19 oz)
261.0 g (9.21 oz)
Show Text 

Stack Heights 
 

Stack Height Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
PUMA Velocity NITRO 4 Stack Height Photo
Compare High-Res
PUMA Magnify NITRO 3 Stack Height Photo

Heel Stack Height 
 

37.2 mm
38.7 mm

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

26.1 mm
28.5 mm

Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

11.1 mm
10.2 mm

Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

10.0 mm
10.0 mm
Show Text 

External Shape 
 

3D Model Full Shoe  

Preview 3D
PUMA Velocity NITRO 4 3D Model Full Shoe
Preview 3D
PUMA Magnify NITRO 3 3D Model Full Shoe

Outsole Heel Width 
 

85 mm (3.4")
94 mm (3.7")

Outsole Arch Width 
 

65 mm (2.6")
71 mm (2.8")

Outsole Forefoot Width 
 

103 mm (4.0")
113 mm (4.4")

Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

2.28
2.43

Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

3.95
3.96

Internal Shape 
 

3D Model Internal  

Preview 3D
PUMA Velocity NITRO 4 3D Model Internal
Preview 3D
PUMA Magnify NITRO 3 3D Model Internal

Internal Length 
 

278 mm (10.9")
281 mm (11.1")

Internal Heel Width 
 

62 mm (2.4")
65 mm (2.6")

Internal Forefoot Width 
 

90 mm (3.5")
91 mm (3.6")

Wide Sizing Available 
 

Yes
No
Show Text 

Forefoot Fit: Width 
 

9.8

Forefoot Width Photo  

PUMA Magnify NITRO 3 Forefoot Width Photo

Ball-Of-Foot TTS Deviation 
 

1.2 mm (0.047")

Toe TTS Deviation 
 

-0.9 mm (-0.036")

Forefoot Fit: Height 
 

7.7

Forefoot Height Photo  

PUMA Magnify NITRO 3 Forefoot Height Photo

Toe TTS Deviation 
 

-2.8 mm (-0.110")

Arch Fit: Width 
 

5.2

Arch Fit Photo  

PUMA Magnify NITRO 3 Arch Fit Photo

Arch Width TTS Deviation 
 

-6.7 mm (-0.265")

Length Fit 
 

6.0

Toe Clearance Photo  

PUMA Magnify NITRO 3 Toe Clearance Photo

Other Features  

Other Features Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
PUMA Velocity NITRO 4 Other Features Photo
Compare High-Res
PUMA Magnify NITRO 3 Other Features Photo

Tongue Gusset Type 
 

Semi-gusseted
Semi-gusseted

Plate 
 

None
None
Show Text 
Performance

Heel Energy Return 
 

7.1
7.4

Heel Compression Video  

Heel Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
PUMA Velocity NITRO 4 Heel Energy Return
 Preview Graph
PUMA Magnify NITRO 3 Heel Energy Return

Heel Energy Return 
 

76.6%
77.6%
Show Text 

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

7.8
7.9

Forefoot Compression Video  

Forefoot Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
PUMA Velocity NITRO 4 Forefoot Energy Return
 Preview Graph
PUMA Magnify NITRO 3 Forefoot Energy Return

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

79.9%
80.0%
Show Text 

Heel Cushioning 
 

7.2
7.7

Heel Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
PUMA Velocity NITRO 4 Heel Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
PUMA Magnify NITRO 3 Heel Cushioning Picture

Heel Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
PUMA Velocity NITRO 4 Heel Cushioning
 Preview Graph
PUMA Magnify NITRO 3 Heel Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 550N 
 

3.56 J
3.56 J

Energy Absorbed At 1100N 
 

8.90 J
9.28 J

Energy Absorbed At 1900N 
 

14.28 J
15.78 J
Show Text 

Forefoot Cushioning 
 

6.2
6.9

Forefoot Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
PUMA Velocity NITRO 4 Forefoot Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
PUMA Magnify NITRO 3 Forefoot Cushioning Picture

Forefoot Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
PUMA Velocity NITRO 4 Forefoot Cushioning
 Preview Graph
PUMA Magnify NITRO 3 Forefoot Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 800N 
 

4.12 J
4.49 J

Energy Absorbed At 1300N 
 

6.66 J
7.42 J

Energy Absorbed At 2050N 
 

9.39 J
10.60 J
Show Text 

Heel Firmness 
 

6.3
5.7

Heel Firmness  

 Preview Graph
PUMA Velocity NITRO 4 Heel Firmness
 Preview Graph
PUMA Magnify NITRO 3 Heel Firmness

Firmness At 550N 
 

51.7 N/mm
52.9 N/mm

Firmness At 1100N 
 

130.5 N/mm
115.3 N/mm

Firmness At 1900N 
 

319.7 N/mm
255.9 N/mm
Show Text 

Forefoot Firmness 
 

9.0
8.6

Forefoot Firmness  

 Preview Graph
PUMA Velocity NITRO 4 Forefoot Firmness
 Preview Graph
PUMA Magnify NITRO 3 Forefoot Firmness

Firmness At 800N 
 

137.6 N/mm
121.7 N/mm

Firmness At 1300N 
 

297.8 N/mm
254.9 N/mm

Firmness At 2050N 
 

585.1 N/mm
513.8 N/mm
Show Text 

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning 
 

5.8
6.5

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
PUMA Velocity NITRO 4 Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
 Preview Graph
PUMA Magnify NITRO 3 Forefoot Long Run Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 10km 
 

6.35 J
7.13 J

Energy Absorbed At 20km 
 

6.21 J
6.97 J

Energy Absorbed At 30km 
 

6.11 J
6.86 J

Energy Absorbed At 40km 
 

6.05 J
6.76 J
Show Text 

PUMA Velocity NITRO 4

PUMA Magnify NITRO 3

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