If you are a Puma Velocity Nitro 2 fan but think it needs more stack or stability, then the Puma Magnify Nitro 2 is probably what you’re looking for.
Introduction
The Magnify Nitro 2 is Puma’s max-cushion running shoe, but I wouldn't call it a max-cushion shoe. It doesn’t have a great amount of padding that one would expect from a max-cushion running shoe, but they are, for sure, a premium running shoe for your daily and long runs.
These shoes were bought with my own money and I already logged 100 km (62 mi) with them.
Stats
Upper
The Magnify Nitro 2 features a premium knit upper and you can feel it stretching on the top of your toes. This should provide greater comfort and fit, but honestly, I didn’t feel any difference between other Puma’s upper.
The upper is well structured, featuring Puma’s PWRTAPE that reinforces it in strategic areas and we can feel this well-structured upper supporting our foot.
Moving to the back, we have a rigid heel counter and a padded heel collar, but as I mentioned, it’s not max-cushion padding, it’s more like good daily trainer padding.
The inner lining is comfortable, but again, it’s not noticeable on the run.
The tongue is just how I like it. It’s gusseted and it’s also fixed with a loop. It's well padded, but without too much padding, it’s very comfortable, and surrounds the foot provindig extra comfort. It’s perhaps a little bit too long, just a little bit.
The heel collar touches my ankle and this is something that also happened in the Velocity 1. It didn’t cause me any issues, and as soon as I started running I forgot about it.
Midsole
The Magnify Nitro 2 features a great amount of 100% Nitro foam. This is a dual-density setup, with a softer inner core and a harder outer core. This combo provides softness and at the same time, responsiveness and springiness.
The Nitro foam is already well known. It’s soft, responsive, and has a slightly springy feel to it. In the Magnify Nitro 2, the foam is not as soft as in the Velocity 2 for example. The Magnify Nitro 2 has more Nitro foam, more stack height, and the foam feels denser. So, is not as soft as I would expect, but it’s still a soft foam that will provide you with great cushion and protection, more than you have in the Velocity 2.
Outsole
It’s PumaGrip. Do I need to say more? I don’t think that you’ll find any better for now. The Magnify Nitro 2 has good rubber coverage, especially in the forefoot, and only the necessary coverage in the heel, protecting the high-impact areas.
The Magnify Nitro 2 has more rubber stack than the Velocity Nitro 2 so this outsole should last longer, at least 800 km (500 mi).
Fit
I was expecting a great fit from this shoe because it has a very well-structured upper and also has a sort of boot style. But unfortunately, it’s not perfect. I didn’t get a total secured lockdown in the heel, and only in the heel. This didn’t cause me any issues while running and despite not being perfect, it’s the fit you need for your daily runs.
I bought my regular Puma number, and I felt that I could go half a size down because I have more than a thumb width of extra space. Still, the regular number is perfectly fine. Note that for Puma, the US11 is a EU44.5 and not the typical EU45.
Ride
In my first run with the Magnify Nitro 2, I didn’t find anything special about it and I surely didn’t understand why one would pay more for it when the Velocity Nitro 2 is cheaper.
So it took me about 20 km (12 mi) to break the foam and to find out what this shoe was all about.
After these initial miles, I felt a great cushioning, not very soft, but a very protective, controlled, and stable cushion. This Nitro setup is denser than the one found in the Velocity and because of it, it compresses slower and in a more controlled way. This results in a stable ride that will be great for those who appreciate a little extra support.
I am a heel striker, but I did some testing landing on my forefoot and even so, the cushioning is great, much better than the Velocity 2.
Not only does this shoe provide great cushioning, but the Nitro foam also gives us a good amount of energy return with that expected spring feel to it.
On the run, I didn’t feel any additional comfort as I would expect from a max-cushion shoe. I didn't even feel much of a difference from the Velocity 2. Yes, the Magnify Nitro 2 is better in comfort, but not by much. The comfort difference is especially felt in the tongue and in the Magnify’s more structured upper.
What I did feel was a great heel-to-toe transition, not always expected from a high-drop shoe. The heel bevel and the rocker are doing a great job, softening the drop feeling and giving us smooth transitions.
I did all sorts of runs with the Magnify Nitro 2, and it can handle all runs, but they are not fit for speed. The Nitro foam is not responding quickly enough so we feel that we are in a heavy shoe. Not only that, but the overall step in feeling tells us that this is not a speed shoe. In the end, too much foam without the needed energy return and too much weight tell me that this shoe is not a workhorse.
But, for long runs, this shoe is perfect. When we set our long run pace, the Magnify Nitro 2 will work with us giving the right amount of energy return to help us move our feet between transitions. The cushioning, smooth transitions, and energy return are all I need for my long runs.
Despite this being a max-cushion shoe, I wouldn’t use it for recovery runs. There are softer and more comfortable shoes for that.
Value
With a retail price of 150€ ($150), this shoe is a no-brainer if you are logging for a premium daily trainer. Some non-premium daily trainers cost the same (or more).
Better yet, Puma running shoes are often found with great discounts so don’t be surprised to find the Magnify Nitro 2 below 100€ (or $100).
I don’t think you can find better at this price.
Conclusion
Suggested Rotation
If you only want 1 shoe in your rotation, the Magnify Nitro 2 is not your best option. Take a look at the Velocity Nitro 2 (or the 3 that was just released).
For a 2-shoe rotation, I would use the Magnify Nitro 2 for my long runs and the Velocity for all other runs.
For a 3-shoe rotation, you need a speed shoe, and you can stay with Puma and look at the Liberate Nitro 2, if you prefer a light and simple running shoe with more ground feel, or consider the Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 2 that you can often find discounted.
For a 4-shoe rotation, you need a race shoe. If you have considered the Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 2 in your 3-shoe rotation, then you don’t need a 4-shoe rotation. Otherwise, go for the Deviate Elite 2.
If you need help building your running shoe rotation, check out this post.
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If you're interested in buying the Puma Magnify Nitro 2, follow the links below:
- EU: 365 Rider
- EU: Top4Running - Code "allaboutrunning" for an additional 5% discount.
- UK: ProDirectSport.com
These are affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you. It helps out my blog so I can keep bringing new content.
Portuguese-speaking readers, I have this same content in video format here (video below). Visit my YouTube channel.
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