The PUMA MagMax NITRO™ Isn't in A League of Its Own, but It's Leading the Pack

House of Heatº was founded on the premise of covering the hottest sneaker releases for a global audience. Over the last handful of years, the outlet's scope has expanded to include more than retro products. The rise of Crocs' expansive, comfort-driven catalog has led the charge in coverage outside of the traditional sneaker space, opening the gates for stories on Birkenstock, R.A.D®, and other brands. Similar attention has been paid to running footwear since the start of 2025. Spearheaded by resident runner, Jovani Hernandez, coverage of performance models has gone beyond simple press releases regurgitations or write-ups on new colorways. Our outlet has no intention of transforming into a performance-first publication, but, where applicable, it will include first-hand experience to bring you precise reporting worth reading that could help inform your purchasing decisions.

And that brings us here.

Over the last month-and-change, I've logged 105 miles (170 kilometers) in the PUMA MagMax NITRO™. I wasn't training for anything specific at the beginning, but my enjoyable experience in the shoe (my first-ever pair from PUMA) has inspired me to sign up for a half-marathon this spring. I purchased the sneaker in its debut "Lapis Lazuli/NITRO Blue" color scheme with my own money; PUMA isn't sponsoring this story nor reading it before it goes live on HoHº. We do, however, receive some kickback if you decide to purchase the "Peach Frost/Glowing Red" pair from PUMA.com at some point.

Prior to running in the MagMax NITRO™, my go-to runner had been the New Balance 1080v13. The pair had started feeling flat after about 200 miles, but I continued to wear the shoe for easy sessions and recovery runs. Once arriving at 304 miles, however, the NB 1080v13 was relegated to the retirement pile, which includes the Nike React Infinity Run and Adidas Supernova Rise.

The transition from New Balance's offering to PUMA's wasn't as drastic as I expected.

Fresh Foam X midsole was—and continues to be—the softest-feeling cushioning I've ever experienced in a running shoe. The nitrogen-infused NITROFOAM™ isn't too far off, but I've perceived it a bit firmer within the first 105 miles. According to folks with more experience running in NITROFOAM™-cushioned footwear, PUMA's solution requires a longer break-in period than most of the competition's. (Must be a German thing, no?)

What was immediately noticeable between both models, however, was their versatility. I bought the MagMax NITRO™ to be my go-to option for the bulk of my weekly mileage, but it's felt fun at faster paces. Yesterday, I ran a total of 12 kilometers, dividing my session in three sets. The first and last sets were done at warm-up and cooldown paces, but the middle one was run at an average pace of 5:30 minutes per kilometer (8:52 min. per mile). That second set of 4 kilometers wasn't the easiest, but felt doable and fun in a way that faster paces never felt in the NB 1080v13.

My experience with the shoe in weekend long runs has been similar. Cruise control in the PUMA pair feels great, and what feels even better is knowing that the shoe is always ready for a dynamic ride if I so choose to keep things interesting across longer distances. (I'm seriously considering it as my half-marathon sneaker.)

I've never run in the ASICS SUPERBLAST™ series or Brooks Ghost Max line, but I've gathered that the PUMA MagMax NITRO™ sits somewhere in between these two models. While not the lightest, most explosive design, the shoe also isn't so one-dimensional.

Faster runners might feel bogged down by the NITROFOAM™-assisted pair, but the rest of us could certainly benefit from the fine-tuned silhouette.

As a supinator, a handful of my Adidas Adizero line running shoes have bits of foam near the medial forefoot missing. My foot strike, however, has become more neutral since running in the PUMA pair. Its wide base has also made the tall, 40+ millimeter midsole feel more stable than that found on the original Prime X Strung (the third iteration is on the way), saving me from several gnarly missteps.

I haven't experienced any hotspots in the shoes, even during hour-and-a-half sessions. The engineered mesh works well with the overall shape and 8mm drop; in comparison, a similar setup in the ASICS GEL-NIMBUS™ 25 never felt quite right for me as the tip of my foot always felt too close to the ground.

PUMAGRIP has also worked wonderfully throughout my dozens of runs. It's rainy season in Mexico City and the shoe's rubber compound has been on-par with the Three Stripes' use of Continental rubber. I don't plan on putting PUMAGRIP through an extensive list of stress tests, but it's nice knowing I have a highly-renowned tread solution underfoot. Also, there are no visible signs of wear on the outsole after 100 miles (I'm a mid-foot striker hovering around 172 pounds (78.1 kilograms)).

If I had to reduce my evaluation of the MagMax NITRO™, it'd be "Reliable. Fun."

So many daily trainers live in the former category, but I've found that some of the space's biggest brands struggle in achieving the latter attribute. The Nike Pegasus franchise, for example, is marketed as the "workhouse with wings," but the last few iterations have turned longtime fans away to offerings from Saucony, On, and others. The Pegasus Premium, however, returns the decades-old series to a place of magic that's already been celebrated by even the biggest skeptics.

The MagMax NITRO™ is exciting in a similar way to the Adizero SL 2. While not as explosive nor lightweight, its NITROFOAM™ can come alive—arguably begs for it—like LIGHTSTRIKE PRO foam.

As always, it's recommended to head into your local PUMA Store to try-on a pair of the MagMax NITRO™, if you're interested. The company's 30 Day Test Run program also allows you to order the shoes via PUMA.com to try them out. If things don't work out, you can return the item—hassle-free.

At $180, PUMA's max-stack running shoe is a great value. The pair's "Peach Frost/Glowing Red" style launches online an in-store today, March 31, at 11 p.m. EST.

For more from the world of footwear, check out all sneakers releasing throughout April.