Puma Magnify Nitro 2: First Thoughts on Puma's Max Cushion Trainer

Introduction

The Puma Magnify Nitro 2 is positioned as the brand’s max cushion shoe, and first impressions back that up: a thick slab of Nitro foam, a comfortable knit upper, and a ride that manages to stay lively despite all that softness. After putting meaningful miles into the shoe, the early verdict is simple: this one is a winner.

Cushioning and Ride Feel

The Magnify Nitro 2 carries Puma’s thickest slab of Nitro foam, with heel stack around 39 to 40 millimeters. That gives you a ton of cushioning underfoot, which is exactly what you want from a max cushion trainer.

What makes it work is the character of the foam itself. Nitro foam is soft but genuinely responsive, with a noticeable energy return that keeps the ride from feeling flat or mushy. The result is a shoe that soaks up impact on easy miles while still feeling pretty responsive through the run.

It is not quite as soft as some other max cushion options such as the Nimbus. The trade-off, though, is that you can pick up the pace in this shoe a little better, which makes it more versatile than its stack height suggests.

Knit Upper and Fit

The upper is a knit construction, a material that is easy to get wrong. Here, Puma did a good job. The knit is layered with Puma’s power tape, which adds structure over an otherwise relaxed material.

That structure matters. Knit uppers can sometimes feel sloppy, but this one stays put on the foot through a run. Testers with narrow feet noticed a bit of creasing in the upper, while wider feet had plenty of room, so the fit leans accommodating rather than snug.

Traction and Stability

The outsole has proven dependable in wet conditions, offering solid traction when running in the rain. It also inspires confidence underfoot in a way that is easy to appreciate: the kind of stable platform where you are not second-guessing your footing.

Who This Shoe Is For

The Magnify Nitro 2 suits runners who want genuine max cushioning but do not want to give up all responsiveness. If your priority is a plush ride for easy and recovery miles, and you like the idea of a shoe you can still push a bit when the mood strikes, this fits well. Runners chasing the absolute softest ride available may find competitors softer, but the exchange is a shoe that handles quicker running better.

Buying Advice

Both testers came away enjoying their miles in the Magnify Nitro 2, and the telltale sign showed up after runs: legs feeling fine afterward, with that taken-care-of sensation a good max cushion trainer should deliver. It runs a little on the bigger side, which is worth considering if you prefer a lower-profile shoe, but as a comfortable, confidence-inspiring daily option, it is easy to recommend at this stage.

Conclusion

Early impressions of the Puma Magnify Nitro 2 are strong: thick, responsive Nitro foam, a structured knit upper that avoids the usual knit pitfalls, and traction you can trust in the rain. It may not be the softest max cushion shoe on the market, but it is one of the more balanced ones, and a full review will follow with more complete mileage data.