Puma MagMax Nitro 2 vs HOKA Bondi 9

MagMax Nitro 2 or Bondi 9? Here’s how they compare on feel, fit, brand specs and price, from the fitting team at The Run House.

The short answer

Want a super max-stack shoe that’s lighter than before? Get the MagMax Nitro 2.

Want max cushion with a firmer, more supportive feel? Get the Bondi 9.

Get the MagMax Nitro 2 if

• You want the softer, more cushioned ride
• You want more foam underfoot (3mm more at the heel)
• You need a roomier fit
• You want the lighter shoe, by about 1.1 oz

Get the Bondi 9 if

• You like a firmer, more stable feel
• You’re on your feet all day or walk a lot
• You prefer a lower drop (5mm vs 8mm)
• You need an extra-wide width

On the run

MagMax Nitro 2: Super max stack, much lighter. Super max-stack cushion with re-tuned supercritical Nitro foam, now much lighter than the original.

Bondi 9: The supportive max-cushion tank. A huge, protective slab of foam that’s firmer than it looks, more supportive than squishy. The rocker keeps it moving, but it’s built for easy miles and long days on your feet, not speed.

The MagMax Nitro 2 hasn’t been lab tested by RunRepeat yet, so its feel ratings are estimated from the MagMax Nitro lab test (RunRepeat), RTINGS’s lab test of the 2 and Running Warehouse’s description.

Specs side by side

Stack, drop and weight come from each brand’s own website. Numbers marked * aren’t published by the brand and come from other published specs. Weights are for the size each brand quotes. Expected life is our estimate.

Fit

MagMax Nitro 2. True to size with a roomier toebox than the first version.

Bondi 9. Lower volume, with a toebox that tapers, so wide feet should go straight to the wide. The heel counter is stiff, so it isn’t a sockless shoe.

Try them on

Come try on both at The Run House in Walpole, Needham or Falmouth. Gait analysis is always free.

Shop the MagMax Nitro 2 · Shop the Bondi 9 · Compare other running shoes