Puma Magnify Nitro 2 vs New Balance Fresh Foam More v4: Two Max Cushion Shoes Compared

Introduction

Max cushion shoes used to mean one thing: lots of soft foam and not much else. The Puma Magnify Nitro 2 and the New Balance Fresh Foam More v4 both fit the max cushion label, but they take the category in slightly different directions. One leans towards being a genuinely versatile daily trainer, while the other doubles down on comfortable, relaxed cruising.

If you are trying to decide between them, the choice really comes down to how you like to run.

What We Look For in a Max Cushion Trainer

A good max cushion shoe has to do more than feel soft on day one. The midsole needs enough structure that your foot does not sink into it, the upper has to hold you in place over long miles, and the outsole needs enough rubber to protect the foam and keep you planted. Stability matters too, because tall stacks are not always the most planted shoes out there.

Both of these shoes score well on that list, but they get there in different ways.

Puma Magnify Nitro 2: Firm Comfort with a Bit of Bounce

The Magnify Nitro 2 is Puma’s updated max cushion daily trainer, and the changes are all about refining the ride. It uses a full-length Nitro foam midsole that improves cushioning while adding a touch more firmness, an engineered knit upper for better step-in comfort and a more flexible fit, and an internal and external molded heel for solid lockdown. Medial power tape areas across the shoe add support, and the Puma Grip outsole delivers impressive traction and durability.

In practice, the Nitro foam sits on the balanced side rather than the squishy side. It has a nice bit of softness, but also a little bit of bounce back, which makes it noticeably more versatile than most max cushion shoes. You can comfortably do easy runs in it, and depending on the type of runner you are, you can probably push the pace a bit too. Intervals in it will never feel razor sharp, but it has enough pickup to handle the occasional faster effort.

The outsole deserves special mention. Puma Grip is one of the best outsole rubbers available on running shoes right now, and on the Magnify Nitro 2 it comes with a waffle-style pattern and a thick, protective layer. The firmer, more solid midsole also holds your foot in place well, making this a genuinely stable max cushion shoe.

Sizing-wise, there is quite a lot of room in the forefoot. The stretchy knit upper forgives a lot, but if you prefer a snugger fit, going down half a size is a sensible move. It costs £130, weighs 287 grams (10.1 oz) for men in a UK 8, and has a 10mm drop.

Fit and Sizing: How They Compare

Both shoes are forgiving uppers with a stretchy feel on top. In the New Balance More v4, a true-to-size UK 8 felt like a perfect fit with a little wiggle room in the forefoot and a nice lockdown through the heel. In the Magnify Nitro 2, the same size worked without any problems, but the extra forefoot space is worth factoring in if you like a more precise fit. One quick note: the More v4 has a 4mm drop versus 10mm on the Puma, which some runners will feel on longer outings.

New Balance Fresh Foam More v4: Balanced Cushioning for Easy Miles

The Fresh Foam More v4 takes everything people liked about the More v3 and goes bigger. There is even more Fresh Foam X midsole foam, making the shoe higher and wider, a design move aimed at improving the stability of the ride. New Balance has also updated the outsole with new cushion zones along the length of the shoe and Flex Zones for a more natural feel, and the shoe keeps its rocker profile for smooth transitions. The modified engineered mesh upper feels plush while still breathing well, there is a generous layer of rubber for grip and midsole protection, and a reflective logo adds visibility at night.

The key thing about the More v4 is how balanced the midsole feels. This is a big wedge of foam, wide and high, but it is fairly dense rather than ultra soft. It feels cushioned without squishing into the ground, so it never slows you down. With the rocker profile helping turnover, it is a lovely shoe just for cruising along, and the wide base cradles your foot into the ground with a genuinely stable feel.

Where it falls short is pace. This is a long run, easy run, and recovery run shoe at comfortable effort, around long-run pace for a typical marathon build. Trying faster reps in it simply does not work, and it is not a shoe to reach for when you might want to do quicker running. It also makes a good walking shoe. The outsole is competent rather than spectacular, but the sturdy foam is durable enough that exposed areas are not a worry. It costs £140 (or $149.99), weighs 298 grams (10.5 oz) for men in a UK 8, and has a 4mm drop.

Which One Should You Buy?

The More v4 excels at one specific thing: comfortable, relaxed miles. It sits firmly in the cushioned world rather than the daily trainer world, and that focus makes it the more enjoyable pick if you want a dedicated easy day and long run shoe.

The Magnify Nitro 2 is more of a jack of all trades. It has a bit more responsiveness, fantastic grip, strong durability, and enough versatility to handle a broader mix of training. If you want one cushioned shoe to do lots of different things, it is the better choice. If you want a full-on cushioned easy day shoe you will genuinely love reaching for, the More v4 is the one.

Conclusion

Both of these are stable, well-built max cushion shoes, which is rarer than it should be in this category. The Puma Magnify Nitro 2 wins on versatility and outsole grip, while the New Balance Fresh Foam More v4 wins on pure cruising comfort. Match the shoe to the role you need it to fill and you will be happy with either.