MagMax Nitro

I have run more than 60 km in the Puma MagMax Nitro and rated it in five categories out of 10. Fit, design and comfort get 9/10, my highest recently. In my US 9 there is a thumb's width of space and enough height in the toe box, and the forefoot is wide, which gives the stable ride I want in a max-cushion shoe. The gusseted tongue is luxurious, and the padding is very soft. There is hardly any heel counter, but the shoe is stable enough not to need one. My one complaint is the laces. They are too short for a runner's knot and sometimes come loose at faster paces, so I double-knot them. It is so comfortable that it is the only shoe I wear casually and for walking now. Cushioning and performance get 8/10. The Nitro foam cushioning is unique and very soft, and it protects your legs like a baby. I have tried the Nimbus, Vomero 18, Vomero Plus, Glideride Max and Skechers Aero Burst, and the cushioning here deserves full marks. Performance is lower. At around 5:00/km you feel the Nitro energy return, but the weight pushes you to run slower. If you start at 7:00 or 9:00/km, it helps you hold that pace without pushing you faster. Outsole and build quality get 8/10. Puma's grip is the best in the industry, wet or dry, and the materials are premium. Breathability is very good for a max-cushion shoe, even on long runs. It weighs 290 g, lighter than its rivals, but it feels over 300 g when I run fast. If Puma cuts the weight, it will be number one next year. Price and availability get 6/10. It is on Puma's site, Tata CLiQ, Ajio, Myntra, Amazon and Flipkart, but ₹17,000 is far too high. It suits beginners from 70 to 120 kg who want a highly protective neutral shoe for easy jogging, half marathons and full marathons. It is not a stability shoe and not for fast running. At ₹12,000, buy it without thinking.