Puma Magnify Nitro 2 Review

Published November 1, 2023 06:00AM

Puma Magnify Nitro 2

We included the Puma Magnify Nitro in our September ‘What We’re Loving’ roundup, but it merits a deeper dive given how much we are enjoying the second edition.

As a max-cushioned daily trainer, this is not your go-to racing shoe, and that’s perfectly okay. While fast, carbon-plated stallions in the running shoe family are fun to race in, and review, we’re entering the off season. It’s time for low-grade, base training to have its moment. As runners, we should all appreciate it’s this non-sexy, or non-instagrammable, type of training that will deliver results for 2024 race goals.

With that in mind, it’s time for the daily trainer to step up their game in the shoe rotation. The Puma Magnify Nitro 2 has firmly established itself as my go-to. With a closet of demo shoes, I keep being drawn subconsciously to this one for those mind-clearing, end-of-season runs.

Puma Magnify Nitro 2: Features and Fit

The second edition of the Puma Magnify Nitro features a full-length, high stack (40 millimeter under the heel, 30 millimeters under the forefoot) midsole of NITRO foam, made of a TPE blend infused with, you guessed it, nitrogen, to create a light, soft, smoothly bouncy ride. The resulting step-in feel gives your foot a hug, and offers comfort when you click ‘start’ on your smartwatch and head out the door.

Once you start the warm up jog, you’ll immediately feel the cushion in this shoe, but not the down-quilt kind, more of a mid-firm mattress that supports but welcomes your downstep. Skipping past the warm up and onto the meat of your run, the grippy sole gives a good base upon which to push off the next step. This cushion/grip combo makes this a super comfortable shoe that also has enough propulsion to keep you interested in the run at hand.

A rolled collar delivers comfort around the heel. This is bordering on being too plush, but that’s my only minor criticism. On test runs there was no discomfort from the collar, it just looks a little bit too much from an aesthetics perspective. Other than that minor visual critique, this is a good-looking shoe and also approved by a Gen Z collegiate runner who, disclaimer, I may have given birth to.

In addition, the women’s edition has been upgraded with a narrower heel, lower arch, and more support for a female foot. The engineered knit upper is airy over the toe and supportive where needed around the instep. Some issues I’ve had with knit uppers is a feeling of less foot support due to a pliable knit weave, but the heel provided a locked-in and secure fit coupled with the reinforced areas of the knit upper.

Puma Magnify Nitro 2: Who’s It For

For those looking to slow it down and do the grind work this off season, the Puma Magnify Nitro 2 is perfect for logging the daily miles. These max-cushion trainers are equally suitable for when you need to run for your mind, letting you forget about your feet as well as your race goals.

As we enter the gift-giving season, the Puma Magnify Nitro 2 would make an excellent gift for a new runner looking to start hitting the roads in 2024. It’s forgiving, comfortable, with a full-length foam that offers plush cushion for the base miles ahead.

Puma Magnify Nitro 2 Review