Magnify Nitro 3 vs Triumph 22

The Magnify Nitro 3 is Puma's big, soft, everyday max-cushion running shoe, and at £140 it undercuts most of the plush daily trainers it lines up against. This is the shoe you reach for on easy days, long runs and recovery miles when your legs want protection more than speed. The NITRO foam midsole is tall and forgiving without turning to mush, and Puma's PUMAGRIP outsole is genuinely excellent in the wet. At 287g it is not a light shoe, and you feel that on faster efforts, so treat it as a cruiser rather than a tempo tool. It runs neutral, with a 10mm drop that suits heel and midfoot strikers. In our view the real story is value: you get proper max cushioning and grippy, hard-wearing rubber for less than a Gel Nimbus 28 or Glycerin 22. If you want soft daily miles without paying £170, it belongs on your shortlist.

The Saucony Triumph 22 is the brand's plush, do-it-all max cushion daily training shoe, and it is one of the most comfortable neutral running shoes you can put on for easy mileage. This is not a speed tool. It is a soft, protective ride built to soak up long runs, recovery days and the steady base miles that make up most of a training week. At 286g it sits on the heavier side of the daily trainer market, and the traditional 10mm drop suits heel and midfoot strikers who want a familiar, supportive feel underfoot. In our view the Triumph earns its keep on the days you want to switch off and just clock the distance in comfort. The trade-off is the £170 RRP, which is steep, and a ride that feels muted when you try to pick up the pace. If you want one cushioned shoe for the bulk of your running, it is a strong pick. The newer Triumph 23 refines the same recipe if you want the latest version.