Step 02 — The lineup
6 shoes scored across eleven metrics · Any purpose
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Puma MagMax Nitro 2 — Puma MagMax Nitro 2: 46 mm heel stack, 8 mm drop, 269 g — specs from independent lab testing.
Sizing note
Everything here fits true to size. Leave a thumbnail of space at the toe.
Durability
Expect roughly 500 miles before the midsole flattens out.
Step 03 — Every metric
| Metric | Mizuno Wave Sky 5 | Mizuno Wave Sky 8(2024) | Asics Gel-Nimbus 27(2025) | Under Armour Infinite Elite 2 | Asics Gel-Nimbus 28(2026) | Adidas Adistar 3 | Mizuno Wave Sky 9 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 317 g / 11.2 oz | 305 g / 10.8 oz | 300 g / 10.6 oz | 295 g / 10.4 oz | 298 g / 10.5 oz | 310 g / 10.9 oz | 295 g / 10.4 oz |
| Drop | 8 mm | 8 mm | 8 mm | 8 mm | 8 mm | 6 mm | 8 mm |
| Stack (heel) | 40 mm | 43 mm | 42 mm | 38 mm | 43 mm | 42 mm | 43 mm |
| Cushioning | |||||||
| Flexibility | |||||||
| Stability | |||||||
| Rocker geometry | |||||||
| Energy return | |||||||
| Responsiveness | |||||||
| Toe-box | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Plate | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Intended pace | 9:00–12:00 /mi | 9:00–12:00 /mi | 8:30–12:00 /mi | 8:30–11:30 /mi | 8:30–12:00 /mi | 9:00–12:30 /mi | 8:30–12:00 /mi |
| Purpose | Recovery, Long run | Recovery, Long run | Recovery, Long run, Daily | Daily, Recovery, Long run | Recovery, Long run | Recovery, Long run, Daily | Recovery, Long run |
| Sizing | True to size | True to size | True to size | True to size | True to size | True to size | True to size |
| Durability | ~500 mi | ~500 mi | ~500 mi | ~450 mi | ~500 mi | ~600 mi | ~450 mi |
| Price | $155 | $175 | $165 | $160 | $180 | $150 | $175 |
Your reference shoe is shown first for context. Cushioning, flexibility and stability are rated 1–5.