Puma MagMax Nitro Introduction
Is there such a factor as an excessive amount of cushioning? Operating shoe midsoles are getting thicker and thicker, whereas the development in midsole foams has allowed these mega-stack trainers to nonetheless have affordable weights. Old fashioned EVA midsoles with jumbo stack heights would have weighed upwards of 13 oz (369 g).
Thick midsoles have a number of benefits: they’ve extra aggressive rockers and extra cushioning depth which interprets to raised long-distance consolation. Additionally they enable your legs to get well faster after runs. Quickly, we’ll all be working with mattresses underneath our toes (offered they will hold the load low).
As PUMA’s presence in efficiency working will get stronger and extra aggressive, their product vary has additionally grown. They have already got sneakers to go well with each kind of runner they usually have sufficient R&D at their disposal to focus on the brand new classes as effectively. The MagMax marks PUMA’s first entry into the brand new, tremendous max-cushioned class.
The MagMax is just not the German firm’s first working shoe which exceeds the 40 mm midsole top restrict imposed by World Athletics for competitions. They have already got the Fastroid Nitro in addition to the brand new Quick-RB Nitro Elite which has a colossal 66 mm heel stack top.
Additionally they have a max-cushioned coach referred to as the Enlarge Nitro 2 which has stack heights of 39mm/29mm however the MagMax is a maxed out model of the Enlarge. MagMax stands for Enlarge Max and it has a 47mm/39mm midsole.
The MagMax is non-plated and above 40 mm so it straight competes with different giants just like the ASICS Superblast, New Steadiness Extra v5 and the Hoka Bondi 8.
Puma MagMax Nitro First Impressions
My first run was a 20K simple run. My first thought was that the cushioning felt just a little firmer than I anticipated it to with such a thick midsole. There was a small quantity of power returned from the midsole foam and the forefoot was fairly stiff, leading to a mild rocker.
I used to be stunned once I felt a outstanding arch sensation towards my flat arches whereas strolling. This was because of the MagMax’s slim waist. When working, I observed it much less. The stress level didn’t create any blisters or ache nevertheless it took away from the consolation of the shoe.
The shoe that it jogged my memory of was the Skechers MaxRoad, one other tremendous max-stack coach. The MaxRoad 6 has a forefoot carbon-infused plate and an early-stage rocker to hurry up transitions so the MagMax felt slower.
Puma MagMax Nitro Higher
The MagMax is constructed for consolation. It’s manufactured from a gentle engineered mesh which has common breathability. It has a skinny, flat, knitted tongue which is semi-gusseted and really stretchy. It doesn’t transfer round in any respect throughout runs.
The heel pull tab naturally lies flat towards the heel counter nevertheless it may also be folded up. When folded up, it reveals the key message “BOUNCY AF”. A stout inner heel counter supplies help and heel lockdown is nice.
The MagMax has a slim midfoot, a large forefoot and a traditional toe-box. I’d suggest going true to measurement. It’s finest suited to low-volume toes with a excessive arch due to the poking arch within the midfoot.
Puma MagMax Nitro Sole Unit
The MagMax runs so much lighter than it seems to be. At solely 10.2 oz (290 g), it weighs lower than some each day trainers. To place it into perspective, the Nike InfinityRN 4 weighs 11.2 oz (318 g) and it has a lot decrease stack heights at 39mm/30mm.
The MagMax is a pure simple tempo or restoration coach. Due to its massive type issue and its geometry, it seems like a really cumbersome shoe on foot and though it’s not a particularly heavy coach, I discover that I can’t maintain a quick tempo for very lengthy in it. In contrast to the ASICS Superblast, the MagMax doesn’t really feel like an excellent shoe.
The principle motive for that is that PUMA has used a coaching foam (Nitro) because the midsole, which is a nitrogen injected TPEE. In contrast to the lighter and extra energetic Nitro Elite foam (as discovered within the Deviate sequence), Nitro is heavier and returns considerably decrease ranges of power return.
Nitro foam does have some power return nevertheless it’s removed from what PUMA advertises as “exhilarating bounce” on the MagMax’s product web page. It has an identical stage of power return to Brooks’ DNA Loft v3 or ASICS’ FF Blast+.
The MagMax has a gentle trip which isn’t mushy or marshmallowy. It doesn’t have a variety in relation to velocity so it’s not a really versatile coach. I’d classify it as a max-cushioned coach for relaxed runs, alongside the veins of the Nimbus 26, Glycerin 21, Hoka Bondi 8 and so on.
Its forefoot is stiff, so the rocker helps to make the MagMax really feel extra environment friendly throughout transitions though I nonetheless wouldn’t select it for a future above 20 kilometres. It’s far too gentle and it seems like power is getting sapped into the midsole. It’s finest for brief and middle-distance runs.
Stability is a power of the MagMax. It has no plate or stiffener in its midsole nevertheless it does have a really broad base which makes cornering simple. The exaggerated facet partitions across the rearfoot additionally come up excessive and cup the foot so it feels such as you’re contained in the midsole and never on high of it. The MagMax is steady sufficient for slight overpronators.
Outsole traction and sturdiness are additionally top-notch. The PUMAGRIP outsole rubber has the superb potential to deal with all types of surfaces in all types of climate situations. After 80 kilometres, my pair is exhibiting solely minor outsole put on on the outer heel areas.
Puma MagMax Nitro Conclusions
The MagMax is just not a nasty first try at an excellent max stack coach: it has a clean, supportive trip which isn’t overly gentle and its huge stack top doesn’t really feel prefer it’s overkill. I do nevertheless discover its midfoot too slim for my flat arches. It additionally lacks the thrilling trip of one thing just like the Superblast.
If PUMA can lighten the MagMax by 2 oz (57 g), it has the potential to be a Superblast killer. I additionally suppose that they should add Nitro Elite foam to make the trip extra vigorous as a result of the Superblast has a racing foam in its midsole.
On the subject of value, it’s $20 too costly. The MagMax is mainly a thicker model of the PUMA Enlarge Nitro which prices $150 and it doesn’t have a plate or a racing foam in it. The Deviate Nitro 3 has a carbon plate with Nitro Elite foam and it solely prices $160.