Puma Magnify Nitro 3 Review – Has Puma Taken a Step Back?
- FORDY RUNS
- Jul 5
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 10
The Puma Magnify Nitro 3 is the latest version of Puma’s max-cushioned daily trainer, coming in at £130. But does it live up to its predecessors or has it taken a misstep—literally and figuratively? After putting it through its paces, here’s my honest take.
First Impressions: A Great-Looking Shoe
Let’s get this out of the way: this shoe looks brilliant. The colorway I tested is bold, clean, and modern—definitely one of Puma’s best in terms of visual design. The silhouette screams comfort and cushion, and for the most part, it delivers. But it’s not all smooth running.
Key Specs & Features
Price: £130
Stack Height: 40mm heel / 30mm forefoot (10mm drop)
Weight: 280g (UK 9.5)
Foam: Nitro Foam (unclear if it's Peba-based, but feels similar to the MagMax)
Outsole: PumaGrip
Upper: New mesh with PowerTape for added support
Fit: Very narrow
The Magnify Nitro 3 slots into Puma’s lineup as a max-cushion daily trainer, comparable to something like the Brooks Ghost Max 3. It’s built for cruising miles with a plush underfoot feel and high stack, but it’s not quite perfect.
The Ride: Smooth but Not Without Flaws
The Nitro foam used here feels similar to what we saw in the Puma MagMax—a shoe I really rate. It offers a smooth, cushioned ride that works especially well for easy miles (I’ve mostly run around 9-minute miles / 5:30 per km in them). When you pick up the pace, the foam responds nicely.
PumaGrip remains excellent—it’s among the best outsoles in the game, delivering reliable traction even in wet conditions. The comfort underfoot is solid, and the overall build quality is high.
However, the ride isn’t without issues. The shoe feels a little clunky and bulky, which is understandable in a max-cushioned model, but still worth noting.
The Big Issue: Sizing & Fit
Unfortunately, there’s one major problem that overshadows the positives: the fit is extremely narrow. I experienced significant discomfort due to a pinch point around the midfoot. Surprisingly, this hasn’t been an issue with previous Puma models like the MagMax.
What’s likely to blame? The new PowerTape feature in the upper, designed to provide support, may actually be constricting the fit further. Even after some break-in time, it hasn’t eased up.
If you’ve got even slightly wide feet, this shoe will probably not work for you. And that’s a real shame, because the midsole and outsole performance is excellent.
Alternatives to Consider
If the fit is a deal-breaker (and for me, it is), you might want to consider these alternatives:
Puma Magnify Nitro 2 – Still widely available and much cheaper. No major fit issues.
Brooks Ghost Max 3 – Similar max-cushion profile with a more forgiving fit.
Adidas Supernova Prima 2 – A solid, cushioned ride with more room in the upper.
Nike Vomero 18 – A comfortable daily trainer that outperforms the Magnify 3 in many areas.