Puma Magnify Nitro Review: A Sensible Max-Cushion Running Shoe

Introduction

The Puma Magnify Nitro is a max-cushion road shoe that surprised in almost every aspect after the first few runs. It sits close to the tallest stack heights on the market at roughly 38 millimeters, yet it delivers that cushioning in a more considered way than many rivals. Tested in a UK size 11 / US size 12, it proved to be a comfortable long run specialist rather than a pace-focused trainer, and that focus shapes everything about it.

Upper and Fit

The upper is comfortable and form fitting, with a well-padded tongue that gives a pillow-like plushness across the top of the foot. For a shoe aimed at long efforts, that extra padding makes sense: comfort is the priority when you are on your feet for hours. There is a considerable heel counter at the back, so if you like structure in that area, it is there.

The fit runs a tad long, which can actually be a benefit for long runs as feet swell over distance. A shoe that felt ideal at mile one can begin to feel constrictive much later, so a little extra room helps. The toe box is flexible and light, though slightly shallower than some other models. Lockdown was solid with no heel slipping, and the fit is similar to the Puma Velocity Nitro, so if you size that shoe, the same size will probably work here.

There are a couple of small drawbacks. The supplied laces are a little too short to comfortably tie a runner’s knot, and the upper absorbs water in the rain, taking time to dry and adding a little weight when wet. Otherwise the design is deliberately minimal, with just some reflective pieces on the eyestays and the front of the tongue. It earns a solid score in this category, with the laces and wet-weather drying as the only real complaints.

Midsole and Ride

The midsole uses a Nitro and EVA combination: a thinner layer of firmer EVA on the bottom with a thicker, more compressive layer of Nitro foam on top. The result is a smooth ride with genuine impact protection, but far from clunky. Do not expect dramatic, foot-eating compression, and do not expect a bouncy, race-day feel either.

Tested over roughly 12 miles at paces between about 8:30 per mile and 7:00 per mile, with a few faster bursts mixed in, the shoe clearly favors steady cruising efforts. It is not a shoe to reach for during intervals. The EVA base layer adds underfoot stability, which pairs well with the cushioning for longer and slower runs where protection from the pounding of the pavement matters most.

Think of it as a less rigid, more relaxed take on a plated trainer: fewer race-day pretensions, more straightforward comfort. The use case is specific, though. If you are running 5K or 10K distances, there is little here for you. If you are building toward half marathon or marathon training and want a stable, protective easy-day shoe, it fits that role very well.

Outsole and Grip

The Puma Grip outsole is simply excellent. The full-length rubber application is assured and grippy, and while it adds weight, it also promises serious durability. Exposed EVA is often the first thing to wear down on other shoes, but the tough EVA layer here sits behind generous rubber coverage, so the outsole should last a long time.

In mainly dry conditions the grip was faultless, and even after a soaking wet run where the shoes took on some water, they performed fantastically. The rubber compound is on par with what Puma uses across its other Nitro models, and there is little to criticize beyond the slightly generous, weight-adding application.

Value and Who Should Buy It

At around £120, with a slightly cheaper £110 version available, this is a very competitive price for a max-cushion shoe, since there are not many options at that level in this price range. It compares favorably against several better-known max-cushion rivals: it is cheaper and more comfortable than some of the flagship models from other brands, less clog-like than the Hoka Clifton, and more stable than the Saucony Triumph, with a slightly higher overall quality feel.

The build philosophy is refreshing. Puma has left off the unnecessary extras, kept the upper simple, and put the weight where it counts. The EVA is used thoughtfully rather than as a lazy default. The main caveat is the narrow use case: this is a shoe for easy, long, and recovery miles, not for tempo sessions or racing. As a value proposition for that type of runner, it is genuinely hard not to recommend.

Conclusion

The Puma Magnify Nitro is a well-crafted max-cushion trainer with a plush upper, a stable and protective Nitro-EVA midsole, and outstanding grip in both dry and wet conditions. Its strong scores across the board reflect a shoe that does one job very well. If you are extending your long runs or adding an easy-day shoe to your rotation without spending flagship money, this is a smart pick.