Rating the Most Popular Max Cushion Running Shoes on Comfort, Speed, Durability, Traction, Bounce, Weight, Fun Factor and Value
Here we will break down the comfort, speed, stability, durability, traction, bounce, weight, fun factor, and overall value of the most popular max cushion running shoes currently on the market—the Saucony Endorphin Trainer, the Nike Pegasus Premium, the Mizuno Neo Vista 2, and the Puma MagMax.
Welcome back with another edition of Choose Your Player! In this series, we’re giving running shoes an overall score based on 10 key categories—ranging from fun factor to all-day comfort—each rated from 1 to 100. This time, we’re breaking down the stats on 4 of the most popular Max cushion gang shoes on the market right now.
Comfort
The max cushion category is known for top-tier comfort and step-in feel. The Endorphin Trainer takes the top spot here, with Saucony’s legendary PWRRUN+ insole, a top layer of IncrediRun foam, and plush upper materials. In second place is the Nike Pegasus Premium, which also offers an excellent upper and soft step-in feel. While not uncomfortable, the Puma MagMax and Mizuno Neo Vista 2 don’t stand out in this category.
Nike Pegasus Premium
Speed
We don’t usually focus on speed in the max cushion category, but it’s always a bonus when a shoe can pick up the pace. The Puma MagMax stands out here—it actually feels better at faster paces. Its foam and geometry encourage putting down more force, making it a great option for long runs with pickup miles. Coming in second is the Neo Vista 2, with its smooth rocker geometry that handles faster efforts well. The Endorphin Trainer isn’t far behind—its plastic plate and firmer bottom layer give it some pop when you want to turn it up. The Pegasus Premium ranks lowest here, feeling heavy and better suited for easy, recovery paces.
Stability
Stability is key in max cushion shoes to avoid feeling wobbly or unstable. The Puma MagMax takes first place with its wide base and planted feel. The Endorphin Trainer and Neo Vista 2 tie closely behind—both use plastic plates and firmer bottom foam layers to stabilize the softer top foam. The Pegasus Premium, with its full-length air unit, is the least stable of the bunch.
Durability
Max cushion shoes are often expected to go the distance, and the Puma MagMax excels here. The outsole rubber and Nitro foam show minimal wear after extended mileage. The Endorphin Trainer and Neo Vista 2 follow close behind—we’ve seen no issues with either. The Pegasus Premium, however, has questionable durability. Multiple users have reported issues with the air unit popping or puncturing easily.
Puma MagMax Nitro
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Traction
The Puma MagMax leads again with its grippy PumaGrip outsole. Surprisingly, the Neo Vista 2 also performs well in wet or varied conditions. The Pegasus Premium takes third, offering decent traction with its thick outsole rubber. The Endorphin Trainer, with its exposed EVA, is fine for most conditions but doesn’t inspire as much confidence on slick roads.
Bounce
This is where the Pegasus Premium shines. The full-length air unit delivers a unique, bouncy ride. The Puma MagMax and Endorphin Trainer follow, both offering responsive rides, though slightly less bouncy. The Neo Vista 2, while smooth and stable, has less bounce—it’s more about rolling through your stride than rebounding off the ground.
Nike Pegasus Premium
Weight
Max cushion shoes tend to be on the heavier side. At 309 grams, the Pegasus Premium is the heaviest on paper—and feels like it on foot. The Puma MagMax comes in at 292 grams and feels lighter on foot than the numbers suggest. The Endorphin Trainer weighs in at 278 grams and is technically lighter than the MagMax, but it doesn’t feel as lively. The clear winner is the Neo Vista 2, which weighs only 264 grams—a great weight for the amount of foam underfoot.
Nike Pegasus Premium
Fun Factor
The Pegasus Premium takes the crown again thanks to its super bouncy, air-filled ride—it’s just plain fun. The Endorphin Trainer lands in second, with the bouncy IncrediRun foam bringing plenty of energy. The MagMax is more of a workhorse—its fun factor increases once you’re moving faster. The Neo Vista 2 isn’t what we’d call “fun,” but it is incredibly smooth and easy to run in, encouraging you to just keep clicking off the miles.
Value
The Pegasus Premium scores lowest in value. At $210, its limited durability, lower speed, and instability make it a tough sell—unless you’re specifically seeking that bouncy, air unit ride and Nike swag. Next is the Neo Vista 2, priced at $200. The poorly fitting booty-style upper and lack of versatility make it harder to recommend at full price. Saucony recently raised prices, so the Endorphin Trainer now costs $200 (up from $180). However, it’s more versatile than the Neo Vista 2—solid for recovery runs, daily miles, tempo paces, and long runs.The winner in value? Puma MagMax. At $180, it beats the competition by $20–30, and delivers standout durability, traction, long-run comfort, and the ability to handle faster paces.
Final Thoughts
Each shoe brings something unique to the game—from the sheer fun of the Pegasus Premium to the comfort of the Endorphin Trainer, the reliability and durability of the Puma MagMax and the smooth, encouraging ride of the Neo Vista 2. Choose your player wisely—your enjoyment of your recovery runs and long runs might depend on it.
Check out our Choose Your Player Marathon Racing Shoes edition if you've enjoyed this format or our Supwell Power Rankings List of the 5 Best Max Cushion shoes of May 2025.
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