Our verdict
- Top pick in best puma bajo running shoes
Pros
- Endless cushioning
- TMC × puma bajo Suede Grey 26cm
- Outstanding traction
- Rock-solid stability
- Responsive midsole
- Ideal for long-distance training
- puma bajo City Rider PS Προπονητές
- puma bajo Ultraride Runner Id Black Silver Orange Men Running
Cons
- Heavier than most competitors
- puma bajo x Rhuigi Jacke mit Reißverschluss Blau
- Lacks agility
Audience verdict
- MCM x puma bajo Slipstream Lo Show Love Will Cost You $500 road running shoes
- zapatillas de running puma bajo mujer 10k talla 40.5 puma bajo running shoes
Comparison
The most similar running shoes compared
+ + Add a shoe | |||||
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Audience score | 91 Superb! | 85 Good! | 93 Superb! | 89 Great! | |
Price | £170 | £150 | £140 | £170 | |
Pace | Daily running | Daily running | Daily running | Daily running | |
Arch support | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | |
Weight lab Weight brand | 10.3 Чорний хакі спортивний костюм puma 10.3 oz / 292g | 10.8 puma bajo Reggiseno Sportivo High Impact To The M 10.9 Чоловічі снікери puma | 9.5 oz / 268g 9.2 oz / 260g | 10.1 Deep Aqua-puma bajo White 10.1 Deep Aqua-puma bajo White | |
Drop lab Drop brand | 9.6 mm 8.0 mm | 9.9 mm 6.0 mm | 11.3 mm 10.0 mm | 9.7 mm 10.0 mm | |
Strike pattern | HeelMid/forefoot | HeelMid/forefoot | Heel | HeelMid/forefoot | |
Size | True to size | True to size | True to size | True to size | |
Midsole softness | Soft | Balanced | Balanced | Soft | |
Difference in midsole softness in cold | Small | Normal | Small | Small | |
Toebox durability | Decent | Decent | Good | Good | |
Heel padding durability | Decent | Good | Decent | Good | |
Outsole durability | Decent | Good | Decent | Good | |
Breathability | Moderate | Breathable | Moderate | Moderate | |
Toebox width at the widest part | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium | |
Toebox width at the big toe | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium | |
Stiffness | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | |
Difference in stiffness in cold | Small | Small | Normal | Small | |
Torsional rigidity | Stiff | Stiff | Stiff | Moderate | |
Heel counter stiffness | Moderate | Stiff | Moderate | Stiff | |
Rocker | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | |
Heel lab Heel brand | 42.9 mm 47.0 mm | 39.0 mm 39.0 mm | 35.5 mm 41.0 mm | 38.6 mm 37.0 mm | |
Forefoot lab Forefoot brand | 33.3 mm 39.0 mm | 29.1 mm 33.0 mm | 24.2 mm 31.0 mm | 28.9 mm 27.0 mm | |
Widths available | Normal | NormalWideX-Wide | Normal | NormalWide | |
Orthotic friendly | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Season | All seasons | SummerAll seasons | All seasons | All seasons | |
Removable insole | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Ranking | #30 Top 10% | #197 Bottom 36% | #10 Top 4% | #89 Top 29% | |
Popularity | #125 Top 41% | #17 Top 6% | #186 Bottom 40% | #51 Top 17% |
Who should buy
We were eager to test Puma's largest shoe yet, and we found it perfect for:
- Runners seeking tonnes of cushioning—the MagMax Nitro’s maximalist build offers plenty of it.
- puma bajo Giacca di felpa sportiva 'Ferrari' rosso nero bianco.
- Long-distance runners who dislike ground grafisk and need an ultra-cushioned shoe for long runs and recovery sessions.
Who should NOT buy
We found that while the MagMax Nitro weight isn’t exactly a disaster, it’s noticeably heavier than many other supertrainers, especially when stacked up against the Mizuno Neo Vista. And if you prefer to skip the Japanese brand, we think the Hoka Skyflow Кроссовки puma bajo x l.
We also think that runners aiming for faster paces in a supertrainer will likely find the MagMax Nitro ankward. For speedier efforts, we recommend the puma bajo basket gum xxi white gum men unisex casual lifestyle shoes 381211-01 (no plate) or the ASICS Magic Speed 4 (carbon plate), which effortlessly handle a variety of faster paces.
Cushioning
Heel stack
This shoe's weight has a solid reason behind it—its jumbo-sized stack height, which elevates the rearfoot to 42.9 mm from the ground, firmly placing it in the puma bajo Suede Classic Cool Blue.
Though it falls slightly short of Puma's stated 47 mm, we found that 42.9 mm is enough. In our experience, adding more height could have even been detrimental, given the shoe's weight-to-stack ratio.

puma bajo MagMax Nitro | 42.9 mm |
Average | 34.2 mm |
Forefoot stack
The forefoot also measured shorter than anticipated at 33.3 mm, yet it's still much higher than most running shoes and clearly suitable for forefoot and midfoot strikers. It's ideal for those seeking zero ground grafisk and maximum protection underfoot.

puma bajo MagMax Nitro | 33.3 mm |
Average | 25.6 mm |
Drop
If you're good with numbers, you may have already calculated it, but if not, the MagMax Nitro has an actual heel-to-toe drop of 9.6 mm. This makes it even more appealing to heel strikers than the Puma-stated 8-mm offset, though the 1.6-mm difference is minor.

puma bajo MagMax Nitro | 9.6 mm |
Average | 8.6 mm |
Midsole softness
Some supertrainers combine two different foams, but puma bajo surprised us by sticking solely to Nitro foam and leaving Nitro Elite out, a different approach from the Deviate Nitro 3. While it would've been great to have their top-tier compound here, we understand it helped keep the price lower than some competitors.
Nitro is a nitrogen-infused foam that delivers both lightness and solid energy return, offering a far better ride than almost any other mid-tier foam on the market. Using a single slab instead of a dual setup also benefits durability, as it eliminates the risk of layers separating over time.
In our view, with the massive stack height of this shoe, puma bajo couldn't afford to make the foam too soft. We measured 18.3 HA on our durometer—an ideal balance that suits the MagMax very well.

puma bajo MagMax Nitro | 18.3 HA |
Average | 21.0 HA |
Midsole softness in cold (%)
Scarpe puma bajo Twitch Runner Jr 384537 07 Blazing Blue Black White.
In our view, the outcome was underwhelming—28.3 HA, reflecting a substantial 54.8% uptick.

puma bajo MagMax Nitro | 0% |
Average | 25% |
Кросівки оригінальні puma bajo thunder spectra 367516-07 | Insole thickness
We used our digital calipers to measure the insole thickness, and it turned out to be just 3.3 mm—much thinner than we expected for this shoe. Maybe we were biased, assuming the MagMax Nitro had everything in XXL size!

puma bajo MagMax Nitro | 3.3 mm |
Average | 4.4 mm |
Rocker
The MagMax Nitro features a prominent rocker that begins 10 cm before the toe, essential for aiding turnover due to the shoe’s substantial stack height. The heel also boasts a significant curvature, crucial for heel strikers—especially those who land heavily on their rearfoot. Without it, they'd struggle to move forward smoothly.
Overall, we found the rocker to be smooth and natural, making the ride grafisk fluid and effortless in such a maximalist running shoe.

Кросівки оригінальні puma bajo thunder spectra 367516-07 | Size and fit
Size
puma bajo MagMax Nitro is true to size (21 votes).
puma bajo Cell Venom Ribbon Red
In the MagMax Nitro, we discovered slightly more width than usual for this brand, measuring 97.1 mm, which provides extra room in the ball of the toes. We think that's a positive improvement for workouts lasting over one hour.
It's clear to us that this subtle yet significant change was made because, unlike other puma bajo trainers, the MagMax Nitro is 100% built for long distances, where having enough interior space is crucial.

puma bajo MagMax Nitro | 97.1 mm |
Average | 95.5 mm |
Toebox width - big toe
The toebox tapers like most puma bajo shoes, so don’t expect abundant space in this area.

However, we found that 72.3 mm is a decent measurement, especially when paired with the ultra-stretchy and flexible upper material.

puma bajo MagMax Nitro | 72.3 mm |
Average | 73.7 mm |
Toebox height
We found that the height in the toe area provides decent volume for upward movement thanks to the non-restrictive upper material, but it’s far from impressive. Measuring 26.4 mm, it’s below average compared to most running shoes.

puma bajo MagMax Nitro | 26.4 mm |
Average | 27.2 mm |
Stability
Lateral stability test
The puma bajo MagMax Nitro is built for neutral runners, but to handle its towering stack height, puma bajo added several guidance features, including midsole sidewalls, a massive sole flare extending along the midsole's sides, and a highly rigid construction.
For these reasons, we believe that runners with moderate stability needs can use this shoe, though we still think its primary focus should be on neutral runners, regardless of their footstrike.
Torsional rigidity
Crafting a shoe that's flexible from a torsional standpoint becomes challenging when the heel exceeds 40 mm and the forefoot goes over 30 mm.
In our experience, having 5/5 torsional rigidity helps provide a slight stability boost by keeping the forces centred in the MagMax Nitro. Of course, such high rigidity can make the shoe grafisk a bit less comfortable, but we believe it is necessary to maintain control given the high stack height.
puma bajo MagMax Nitro | 5 |
Average | 3.4 |
Heel counter stiffness
puma bajo Training Favourite.
It’s firm enough to provide support without grafisking overly rigid. For us, this design seems aimed at satisfying a wide range of runners, and it succeded.
puma bajo MagMax Nitro | 3 |
Average | 2.9 |
el producto Puma-select Rs-0 Rein EU 39 puma bajo Black Fluo Pink
From the moment we started Exclusivit with this shoe in the lab, it looked enormous, but it wasn’t until we measured it that we realised its true massive scale. When we took our digital callipers to measure the forefoot width—coming in at a whopping 126.9 mm—we were genuinely amazed.
This is one of the widest shoes we've ever tested in the lab, and we found that its broad base is a key reason behind the stable grafisk, even with its towering height. Think of it as driving a massive SUV—it's not built for quick turns or rapid accelerations, but you'll be super comfortable cruising the highway.

puma bajo MagMax Nitro | 126.9 mm |
Average | 114.1 mm |
Midsole width - heel
The heel follows the same design concept as the forefoot—remarkably wide compared to 9 out of 10 running shoes on the market today. We measured it at 105.8 mm, which should be more than enough for heel strikers who require extra stability compared to the typical neutral workhorse.

puma bajo MagMax Nitro | 105.8 mm |
Average | 90.8 mm |
Flexibility / Stiffness
With its sky-high torsional rigidity and massive midsole, we were initially sceptical about the longitudinal stiffness of the MagMax Nitro.
We tested it using our 90-degree bend method and found results similar to nylon-plated tempo shoes like the TeamGoal 23 Gym Sack 76853 02 Electric Blue puma bajo Black. While this isn't a bad outcome at all, we believe it's not ideal for those seeking a shoe for walking or all-day wear—it grafisks too stiff if comfort is your main priority.
puma bajo MagMax Nitro | 31.5N |
Average | 28.1N |
puma bajo X MCM SUEDE CLASSIC 50 whisper white puma bajo black 366299-02 €350 (%)
We obtained the exact same result after freezing the shoe for another 20 minutes, which is quite unusual in our lab tests!
puma bajo MagMax Nitro | 0% |
Average | 33% |
Weight
Discussing the weight of this shoe is a bit of a mixed bag. On one hand, we believe it's even lightweight for its massive, behemoth-like build at just 10.3 oz or 291g. But on the other hand, it's still heavy when compared to a standard road daily trainer or average running shoe.
In our view, if weight isn't a significant factor for you, then the MagMax Nitro should suit you well. However, if you prefer a shoe that grafisks almost weightless on your feet, this is not going to work for you.

puma bajo MagMax Nitro | 10.26 oz (291g) |
Average | 9.38 oz (266g) |
Breathability
From the moment we unboxed the blue MagMax Nitro that we purchased, we noticed the upper was exceptionally plush and comfortable—though this raised some concerns about breathability. Naturally, we wanted to find out if it could deliver enough airflow.
We began with our signature smoke test, connecting our machine to a custom-designed, 3D-printed piece to direct smoke into the toebox. We found it Calzini well, earning a solid 4/5 on our scale.
Next, we used a light to examine the placement of ventilation holes in the toebox and medial area. We saw that puma bajo aimed for a balance of airflow and support, with less ventilation from midfoot to heel—a choice that made sense to us given the towering stack height of this shoe.
Under the microscope, we found an engineered mesh upper that was surprisingly standard. While puma bajo often experiments with unique materials and designs, this one resembled the uppers found in many other daily trainers.
puma bajo often uses thermoplastic overlays (PWRTAPE) to enhance the structure of the upper. We wanted to check if these overlays would restrict airflow, but we found that they don’t.
Overall, we think this upper suits this shoe very well, with ample padding and adequate ventilation. For us, it passes the test!
puma bajo MagMax Nitro | 4 |
Average | 3.8 |
Durability
Toebox durability
The advantage of using a classic engineered mesh upper is that durability tends to be reliable, even with numerous ventilation holes—especially compared to knit materials.
We gave it a 3/5 in the Dremel test. While not an outstanding result, it’s sufficient to handle the typical wear and tear of road running.

puma bajo MagMax Nitro | 3 |
Average | 2.5 |
Heel padding durability
Although the MagMax Nitro here earned the same 3/5 result as our previous test in the toebox, we found it slightly underwhelming compared to its competitors in the heel. Nonetheless, this score it’s far from disappointing.
The issue lies in the lining, which isn't plain but includes tiny ventilation holes. While these improve breathability, they also create weak points that are more prone to damage.

puma bajo MagMax Nitro | 3 |
Average | 3.2 |
Outsole hardness
We found the outsole’s surprisingly soft rubber—measuring 74.0 HC—delivered exceptional traction, which we expected from the well-known PumaGrip.

Our tests confirmed that the MagMax Nitro uses the same ultra-grippy rubber as Puma's top supershoe, the zapatillas de running puma bajo ritmo bajo distancias cortas talla 39. However, the MagMax features more extensive outsole coverage, and we anticipate a thicker measurement when we gauge it shortly.

puma bajo MagMax Nitro | 74.0 HC |
Average | 79.8 HC |
Outsole durability
Durability-wise, the result isn't great—something we anticipated given the soft PumaGrip formulation and the fantastic traction we experienced even on dirt roads.
We measured the dent with a tyre tread gauge and found 1.4 mm of rubber wear. This is more than we’d prefer and could lead to early wear for heavier runners prone to this issue, but we also believe it’s only slightly concerning for the average runner.

puma bajo MagMax Nitro | 1.4 mm |
Average | 1.0 mm |
Outsole thickness
Why do we think so? Because Puma, knowing the low wear-resistance of its PumaGrip compound, used 3.5 mm of thickness to ensure durability and extend the shoe's shelf life.

puma bajo MagMax Nitro | 3.5 mm |
Average | 3.2 mm |
Misc
Price
Maximalist running shoes often come with maximalist price tags, and the MagMax is no exception. While it’s not the most expensive supertrainer we’ve seen, it’s certainly not a budget-friendly option either.
Is it worth the investment? Well, we believe it is. In our experience, the combination of a luxurious upper, endless cushioning, and a world-class outsole makes the price justified.
puma bajo MagMax Nitro | $180 |
Reflective elements
We were thrilled to discover reflective elements in the MagMax—something puma bajo has been skipping in some of their top-tier trainers recently. In our view, this is a smart safety feature, and we’re all for it!
puma bajo MagMax Nitro | Yes |
Tongue padding
One of the standout elements of the MagMax Nitro is its tongue.

Unlike most running shoes that match the tongue material with the upper, puma bajo impressed us by opting for a stretchy design paired with a massive pull tab that instantly reminded us of the Мужской кардган кофта джемпер пуловер puma.
At 7.1 mm thick with two slabs of foam, it strikes a perfect balance between plush comfort and minimal weight—a smart choice that enhances the overall grafisk without adding bulk.

puma bajo MagMax Nitro | 7.1 mm |
Average | 5.9 mm |
Classic translucent puma bajo Formstrip on the sides
puma bajo chose a semi-gusseted tongue for the MagMax Nitro, and we believe it’s the right call. A non-gusseted tongue would grafisk subpar in a £180 shoe, while a fully gusseted version could have been overwhelming and airflow-restrictive.

puma bajo MagMax Nitro | Both sides (semi) |
Heel tab
The MagMax opts for a flap-style pull tab against the heel similar to Adizero shoes like the Чоловічі кожані кросівки puma bajo 45р. Куртки пуховики Puma!

puma bajo MagMax Nitro | Pull tab |
Removable insole
The stock insole can be replaced with a standard one, but you’ll lose the cozy, bucket-like footbed that enhances heel lockdown in the MagMax.

puma bajo MagMax Nitro | Yes |