Puma Magnify Max 2 Review: A Max Cushion Shoe Leaning Into Long Runs

Introduction

The original Puma Magnify Max was one of those shoes that never quite committed to a single identity. It had the cushioning of a max cushion trainer but the temperament of something that wanted to do longer, more purposeful runs. The Magnify Max 2 keeps that dual character, but the dials have been nudged noticeably toward the long run side, and that subtle shift changes who the shoe makes sense for.

In this guide, we break down the Magnify Max 2 in detail, then compare it against three shoes that sit in the same general territory: the Puma Magnify Nitro 3, the ASICS Superblast 2, and the upcoming Saucony Endorphin Azura.

Puma Magnify Max 2: Specs and Construction

On paper, this is a tall shoe. The heel stack measures 46 mm with an 8 mm drop, putting the forefoot at 38 mm. Puma’s Nitro Foam fills the midsole, though Puma has not specified which variant this time; Nitro can mean anything from aliphatic TPU to PEBA or a PEBA-EVA blend depending on the shoe.

Width is a defining trait. There are no explicit stabilizing elements, but the broad platform means the shoe resists caving in no matter how you land. Pumagrip covers the outsole, and it remains one of the tackier and more durable rubbers around. The crash rail that ran along the lateral side last year is gone, leaving slightly more exposed foam, which lets the midsole bend a little more naturally and feel a bit more neutral.

The upper is a comfortable, breathable, stretchy dual-layer mesh with minimal overlays. The gusseted knit tongue includes a fold-over front pull tab, and the heel collar uses restrained padding with a modest amount of rear structure. Foam from the midsole wraps up slightly to cup the heel. For all the shoe that is here, a stated weight of 275 g (9.7 oz) is respectable for the class.

How It Rides: Max Cushion or Long Run Shoe?

The headline change is the foam. It has firmed up compared to the first version, which means the shoe is less soft and cushy but has more bounce. It feels more eager to do work, more lightweight in hand, and less chunky on foot.

That shift tips the shoe more clearly toward long run duty. In the middle of a big training block, it offers both performance and protection: enough pep for portions of a long run at steady or even marathon effort, with enough foam underneath to recover quickly. If you are a bigger or taller runner who wants something that can handle daily training and long runs with actual pace in them, this is an interesting option.

The trade-off is that it still straddles the line. It remains a little heavy for a dedicated long run shoe, and if what you truly want is a deep, sinking softness for recovery runs, this is no longer the best pick in that role. Trying to be both a max cushion shoe and a long run shoe holds it back from being truly excellent at either.

Puma Magnify Nitro 3: The Cheaper Cushion Alternative

If the goal is simply saving a few dollars, the Magnify Nitro 3 is the obvious Puma alternative. Despite having a PEBA midsole, the kind of material usually associated with racing shoes, it is tuned for a more classic max cushion feel. It is an excellent daily trainer, particularly for bigger and taller runners, but it lacks the same desire to go faster.

The distinction matters. At $160, it is $20 less than the Magnify Max 2, and if a plush max cushion experience is what you are after, that saving is a genuine bonus. If you specifically want a long run shoe with some pace in it, the Nitro 3 is probably not the right way to save that money.

ASICS Superblast 2: The Long Run Benchmark

The Superblast 2 essentially created the long run shoe genre: max cushion stack height paired with premium, race-day type foams tuned to feel cushy over distance while still rolling fast. That is almost exactly the use case the Magnify Max 2 is aiming for.

It remains the preference here, mainly because it is even lighter and the foam responds better when picking up the pace from steady to marathon effort. The catch is the price: at $200, you are paying a premium for that refinement.

Saucony Endorphin Azura: The Newcomer to Watch

Saucony’s Endorphin Azura is not on shelves yet, but it fits squarely in the long run category. It uses a tall stack of beaded PEBA foam and is noticeably lighter than the Magnify Max 2, so it more naturally wants to pick up the pace. The forefoot is much more rigid, so midfoot and heel strikers who like to roll forward into the next step will really feel that pep.

The upper is minimal, with a very thin tongue and little padding around the heel cup. It launches in early February at a $150 retail price. Unless you cannot get along with the relatively rigid forefoot rocker, it is a very intriguing long run option and the lightest of the four shoes covered here.

Buying Advice: Choosing Between These Four Shoes

At $180, the Magnify Max 2 is priced the same as the original version, which is unusual given the prior model is typically discounted after an update arrives. It is competitive, though a lower price would be welcome. The subtle update means choosing between versions comes down to whether you want the softer, cushier original or the firmer, bouncier second one.

If you want a firmer, more energetic shoe that can handle long runs with marathon-pace portions in the middle of a training block, the Magnify Max 2 delivers on that brief. If you want classic max cushion softness, the Magnify Nitro 3 at $160 is the better Puma pick. If budget stretches further, the Superblast 2 at $200 is the more refined long run tool, and the Endorphin Azura at $150 looks set to be a compelling lightweight option when it arrives in early February.

Conclusion

The Puma Magnify Max 2 is a subtle update that tips the shoe toward long run territory: firmer foam, more bounce, less chunk, and the same impressive platform and grip. It is still not entirely free of its dual identity, but for runners who want one tall shoe that can protect during big mileage and still do some work, it is a strong contender. Match it against the Nitro 3, Superblast 2, or the upcoming Endorphin Azura based on whether softness, refinement, or weight matters most to you.