Puma MagMax Nitro 2 vs Brooks Glycerin Max 2: Two Max-Cushion Trainers Compared

Introduction

Max-cushion trainers used to mean one thing: big, soft, slow. The Puma MagMax Nitro 2 and the Brooks Glycerin Max 2 both keep the towering stack, but they take slightly different paths to comfort. After around 50 to 60 km in each, running easy miles, long runs, progression work and some uptempo testing, the differences come down to weight, foam feel and how much versatility you want from a cruiser.

At a Glance: Key Specs

The Brooks Glycerin Max 2 costs £180 or $200, weighs 332 g (11.7 oz) for men in a US size 8, and has a 6 mm drop. The Puma MagMax Nitro 2 costs £170 or $180, weighs 270 g (9.5 oz) in the same size, with an 8 mm drop. That is a substantial weight gap for two shoes in the same category, and it shapes much of the comparison that follows.

The Glycerin Max 2 is built for maximum cushioning and impact protection for everyday runs, long runs, recovery runs and walking. Its high-stack midsole uses nitrogen-infused DNA Tuned foam with a dual-cell structure to manage cushioning and responsiveness in a single seamless layer, plus Brooks’ GlideRoll rocker with sculpted bevels and toe-spring geometry for smooth heel-to-toe transitions. The MagMax Nitro 2 aims to be lighter, faster and more responsive than its predecessor, with a tweaked stack of nitrogen-infused Nitro foam for extra bounce and an engineered mesh upper for airflow and lockdown.

Puma MagMax Nitro 2

The MagMax Nitro 2 delivers a soft, super-plush ride with oodles of road protection. It has that big-stack, marshmallowy softness that can feel a bit sinky underfoot, but it cradles the foot well on landings. The trade-off is responsiveness: the foam is slow to come back after dampening impact, and the ride is not particularly energetic. On tired legs, you may find yourself digging out of each stride a little more than you would like.

The clear advantage is weight. At 270 g, it delivers its cushion in a much lighter package than the Brooks, which makes it the more versatile of the two. The Puma Grip outsole is excellent as usual, with a thick layer of durable, high-traction rubber that protects the midsole and grips well on footpaths, gravel and wet ground. The upper uses engineered mesh with plenty of airflow and a nice lockdown fit, finished with a slimmer, wrapping, almost knitted tongue that saves weight without sacrificing comfort.

Brooks Glycerin Max 2

The Glycerin Max 2 has gained some weight over the last generation, and that makes it a bit too heavy for its own good. The ride is not as sinky as the Puma, though. There is still some snap from the forefoot, the DNA Tuned foam is not devoid of resilience, and you roll into the rocker a bit quicker, so it gives something back to make easy miles feel more effortless. The rocker is noticeably sharper, rolling you into toe-off faster than the flatter-riding Puma.

The platform feels a little narrower, so you sit higher up on the shoe, and the foam is firmer and comes back quicker. The DNA Tuned foam is very soft at the back, then feels dense but poppy as you roll through to the toes. Brooks foam also stays consistent throughout a run without bottoming out, which helps over long distances. The triple-jacquard air mesh upper offers a secure, breathable fit, and the thick rubber outsole grips excellently on wet ground while protecting the midsole. The plush, heavily padded tongue is a highlight for those who like maximum comfort.

View more details for Brooks Glycerin Max 2

Fit and Sizing

Both shoes fit true to size, and the general advice is simple: if you always wear one size in running shoes, go with that in both. If you sit between two sizes, consider going smaller in the Puma, as Puma shoes can come up a little long.

Both offer similar toe-box clearance with roughly a thumb’s width of room up front. The Glycerin Max 2 feels slightly narrower in the midfoot but a touch more accommodating overall, in typical Brooks fashion. The MagMax Nitro 2 has a roomier forefoot, particularly around the little toes. Tongues differ noticeably: Brooks goes big and plush, while Puma saves weight with a slimmer, elasticky, knitted-style tongue that does not compromise on comfort. Heel collars are well padded on both, and lockdown is secure in each.

How They Ride on the Run

In a side-by-side mile with one shoe on each foot, the Glycerin Max 2’s more aggressive rocker and firmer foam stood out immediately. It rolls into toe-off quicker and feels more immediate. The MagMax Nitro 2 feels flatter, softer and wider in the base, with a more cradled landing.

Neither shoe is great for speed work. Both are big, comfortable cruisers that soak up daily mileage well, with wide platforms offsetting their tall stacks to bring a degree of stability. The Glycerin Max 2 is very much an easy-run shoe: easy runs, recovery runs, and longer sessions at an easy pace, including marathon training at a comfortable pace. The MagMax Nitro 2 ticks over a little further, with a smoother, more fluid transition that suits longer sessions at a slightly quicker effort, making it the better pick if you like the option of picking up the pace on a long run.

The outsoles are essentially equal in quality: both are thick, grippy, and protective, with the Brooks matching Puma’s usual benchmark for traction.

Which One Should You Buy?

It comes down to what you want from a max-cushion shoe. If you want full-on softness, the lightest route to protective cushioning, or the cheaper option of the two, the MagMax Nitro 2 is the pick. It is notably sprightlier than the heavier Glycerin Max 2 and offers just a bit more versatility, even if neither is a true super trainer.

If you want your cushion with a bit more immediacy on the return and do not mind trading some extra weight, the Glycerin Max 2 makes sense. Some testers prefer the feel of its resilient DNA Tuned foam, with its firmer edge and pleasant platform to push against, even while cruising. Both are expensive shoes, so price alone might decide it for you; the Puma is the cheaper of the pair.

Conclusion

These are two solid, comfortable max-cushion daily trainers that protect your legs well on easy and long runs, without the extra bounce or versatility of the best shoes in the category. The MagMax Nitro 2 wins on weight, price and a touch of versatility; the Glycerin Max 2 counters with a slightly firmer, more immediate ride and a more aggressive rocker. Choose based on whether you prioritise softness and lightness or cushioning with a bit of snap, and you will get a dependable cruiser either way.