Video summary

I spent £1730 to review every asics running shoe - these are the best!

Main summary

Key takeaways

Product Review

Overall product reviewed

An unsponsored, full roundup of the ASICS running shoe lineup (2026 range), explaining what each model is for, along with the presenter’s personal likes/dislikes.

The presenter’s overall stance is that ASICS are top-tier, but most models are expensive, so picking the right one matters.

Unique points mentioned about ASICS shoes (features, pros/cons, experience)

1) ASICS Novablast 6 (daily “do-it-all”)

Use case: Classic daily shoe for easy runs, speed sessions, and occasional races—very versatile.

Build/tech:

  • FF Blast Max midsole with FF Turbo Squared foam pod in the forefoot
  • No plate

Numbers:

  • £140, 298 g, 41.5 mm stack, 8 mm drop

Pros (likes):

  • Extremely versatile
  • Forefoot Turbo Squared pod adds more bounciness/pop vs Novablast 5
  • Very comfortable (heel padding, breathable upper)
  • Smooth ride across different strike patterns; pod benefit best for mid/forefoot strikers

Cons (dislikes):

  • Oddly short laces
  • Quality control issues (glue marks) on his pair
  • Prior durability on Novablast wasn’t great; expects Turbo Squared pod to help (plans a 200-mile update)

Verdict: A safe bet for most runners needing one shoe or a base for a rotation.

2) ASICS Magic Speed 5 (speed training / beginner carbon option)

Use case: Faster workouts—tempo/threshold/sessions, occasional races; parkrun-type performance.

Build/tech:

  • FF Blast + FF Blast Plus foam combo
  • Carbon plate (flexible/forgiving)

Numbers:

  • £170, 243 g, 38 mm stack, 7 mm drop

Pros:

  • Strong speed + stability blend
  • Lightweight, nimble, good grip
  • Carbon plate is flexible and forgiving, good for beginner/intermediate carbon users

Cons:

  • Firmer feel; not for people wanting a soft/high-stack ride
  • Not ideal for jogging/easy running—needs a daily shoe to cover mileage (e.g., Novablast/Superblast/GEL-Nimbus)

Verdict: Great if you do lots of speed work and want a first carbon-plated option without “full race shoe” pricing.

3) ASICS Sonic Blast (max-stack tempo/threshold, but niche/confusing)

Use case: Tempo/threshold faster running like Magic Speed; positioned as max-stack/high-volume.

Build/tech:

  • Dual-layer foam: FF Turbo Squared + FF Blast Max
  • Uses an Astro Plate described as Pebax (not carbon)

Numbers:

  • £170, 301 g, 46 mm stack, 8 mm drop

Pros:

  • Comfortable, breathable, good lockdown
  • Stable when picking up pace and around corners; reduced ankle-roll risk vs many max-stack shoes
  • Good for heavier runners

Cons:

  • Feels rigid/firma (plate + foam makes it less pleasant when running slower)
  • Slower running feels clunky/awkward
  • Reviewer calls it a “confusing offering”
  • Sits “between” Novablast and Magic Speed, but is less versatile than Novablast and less fast than Magic Speed
  • Overall: probably the one to skip (“Marmite”)

Verdict: Only for runners who like that specific max-stack, firm tempo feel; otherwise skip.

4) ASICS GEL-Kayano 33 (premium stability)

Use case: Premium stability for overpronators; long runs/heel strikers.

Build/tech:

  • FF Blast Max + FF Blast Plus
  • Fluid support tech
  • Pure gel insert under heel

Numbers:

  • £180, 39 mm stack, 8 mm drop

Pros:

  • Feels softer than previous versions
  • Premium soft comfort for longer runs
  • Well built, expected excellent durability
  • Stable but not too intrusive; natural ride

Cons:

  • Not great energy return
  • Heavy/bulky
  • Expensive
  • Suggested alternative: GT-2000 for cheaper stability (but firmer)

Verdict: One of the best stability shoes, especially for overpronators wanting a softer premium ride.

5) ASICS GEL-Nimbus 28 (maximum comfort + casual walking)

Use case: Easy miles/jogging at relaxed pace; also good for walking/casual all-day wear.

Build/tech:

  • Large chunk of FF Blast Plus
  • No plate

Numbers:

  • £180, 335 g, 43.5 mm stack, 8 mm drop

Pros:

  • Among the most comfortable shoes available
  • Stretchy knit tongue, lots of heel padding
  • Durable build quality
  • Good for heavier runners due to stability/support

Cons:

  • Expensive for what it is (foam described as outdated)
  • Made for easy running only; not for faster work due to weight/foam

Verdict: Comfort-first daily/all-day option; not performance-focused.

6) ASICS Superblast 3 (max-stack long run, but durability issues)

Use case: Long daily runs and long run protection (90 min to 4 hours).

Build/tech:

  • FF Blast foam + thin layer of FF Blast Plus
  • No plate

Numbers:

  • £200, 276 g, 46.5 mm stack, 8 mm drop

Pros:

  • Super soft upper; great lockdown and roomy toe box
  • Lightweight for the stack height; lighter than competitors in the category
  • Excellent for long runs (legs feel better at the end)

Cons:

  • Durability suffers: outsole wears quickly
    • ~400 miles per pair (Superblast 3) vs ~600 miles (Superblast 2)
  • Slight instability around corners at higher speeds
  • Expensive

Verdict: Excellent for long-run comfort, but expect earlier wear.

7) ASICS Metaspeed (described as “Mega Blast”) (fast long-run non-plated)

Use case: Long run and race use for runners who want no plate; very fast but for training/race blocks.

Build/tech:

  • FF Turbo Squared foam
  • No plate

Numbers:

  • £210, 275 g, 45 mm stack, 8 mm drop

Pros:

  • Excellent durability: can get around ~1000K (1000 km) before retiring (per reviewer)
  • Lightweight despite bulk
  • Fastest non-plated option the reviewer claims
  • Snappy geometry; feet feel like they “disappear underneath”
  • Good marathon racer for 3–5 hour marathon runners avoiding aggressive carbon racing shoes

Cons:

  • Shallow toe box height → racing fit can irritate top of toes (he had it in first pair, not second)
  • Very expensive, though reviewer feels durability justifies pricing

Verdict: Standout shoe: super fast + durable; strong choice for long-run pace and non-plate racing needs.

8) ASICS Metaspeed Edge vs Sky (full race shoes with carbon plate)

Use case: Race day from 5K up to marathon. Two versions: Edge and Sky.

Build/tech:

  • Carbon plate + foams: FF Blast + FF Turbo Square
  • Component positioning differs between Sky and Edge

Numbers (both):

  • £240 each, 39 mm stack, 5 mm drop, 191 g

Pros:

  • Extremely fast and very lightweight
  • Great traction/grip for water stations and tight turns
  • Reviewer’s distance split:
    • Edge: best for half marathon + marathon
    • Sky: best for 5K + 10K

Cons:

  • Limited versatility: mostly race day / key sessions near race
  • Confusing to choose between versions
  • Reviewer notes Edge appears more popular

Verdict: Excellent marathon start-line shoes, but you must pick correctly.

9) ASICS Metaspeed Ray (elite/niche, very expensive)

Use case: Elite racing day shoe (presenter hasn’t bought it).

Build/tech:

  • Midsole entirely FF Blast foam
  • Claims: fast, responsive, very bouncy—but also unstable

Verdict: For most runners, Edge/Sky are the better options.

Comparisons explicitly made

  • Novablast 6 vs Novablast 5: Turbo Squared pod makes it more poppy/bouncy.
  • Magic Speed 5 vs Sonic Blast: Sonic Blast is max-stack/more volume and firmer/rigid when slow.
  • Sonic Blast positioning: sits “between Novablast and Magic Speed,” but is less versatile and less fast → reviewer would skip.
  • GEL-Nimbus 28 vs performance needs: comfort shoe; not for speed sessions.
  • Superblast 3 vs Superblast 2: durability down (400 mi vs 600 mi).
  • Metaspeed (non-plated) vs carbon race shoes: fastest non-plated option; aimed at marathoners avoiding aggressive carbon.
  • Metaspeed Edge vs Sky: Edge for half/marathon; Sky for 5K/10K; reviewer suggests Edge is the better overall.
  • Sonic Blast as “Marmite”: some love it; reviewer doesn’t.

Price snapshot (as stated)

  • Novablast 6: £140
  • Magic Speed 5: £170
  • Sonic Blast: £170
  • GEL-Kayano 33: £180
  • GEL-Nimbus 28: £180
  • Superblast 3: £200
  • Metaspeed (non-plated): £210
  • Metaspeed Edge / Sky: £240 each
  • Metaspeed Ray: very expensive (no price stated)

Pros/Cons summary (pattern across the range)

Common pros:

  • Comfort and responsiveness (especially FF Turbo Squared / FF Blast foams)
  • Stability options (Kayano)
  • Strong performance options in the Metaspeed lineup

Common cons:

  • Price
  • Some models are firm/rigid or heavy
  • Durability varies (notably Superblast 3 outsole wear; QC concerns on Novablast 6)

Concise verdict / recommendation

  • Best “one shoe” / rotation foundation: Novablast 6
  • Speed training with carbon (less expensive than race day): Magic Speed 5
  • Long-run/max-stack comfort: Superblast 3 (expect earlier wear)
  • Fast non-plated marathon training/race: Metaspeed (“Mega Blast”)
  • Race-only options: Metaspeed Edge / Sky (Edge for longer distances)
  • Likely skip: Sonic Blast (reviewer calls it confusing and less useful than nearby alternatives)

Speakers/views

Only one main speaker provides the assessments, including personal wear/testing, likes/dislikes, and comparisons. A brief unrelated interruption about shorts/Ben Parker occurs, but no additional product opinions are added.

Original video