ASICS Superblast Review – Lightweight Everyday Running Shoe

Fit and Tech

The Superblast fits true to size in both length and width although I found the upper to have a little more volume in the toe box. This may in part be due to the upper mesh; it’s a single-layer construction and like many lightweight upper materials it tends to bunch a little, particularly at the bottom of the laces.

The midsole is made up of a dual-layer construction of the brand’s FF Turbo and FF Blast+ foam materials.

The FF Turbo is the same foam used in the brand’s range-topping Metaspeed Sky models and as such offers the highest level of energy return. Of course, in the Metaspeed shoes, a carbon plate helps create additional propulsion, whereas here a layer of FF Blast+ foams a base and with a prominent rocker-shaped geometry gives as close to a carbon-plate effect without actually using one.

A single-layer engineered mesh upper keeps the weight down and a gusseted tongue remains in place around the instep.

Performance

First impressions of the shoe are a little strange mainly due to the large stack of cushioning feeling much lighter than you might expect!

The deep stack of cushioning and the large area of the midsole, including the large protruding part at the rear of the heel give the impression it should be much heavier than it actually is.

This transfers to the running experience for the first few miles. I felt as though the shoe was too big, such is the big chunk of foam under the foot.

Once into my stride, the shoe becomes a little more runnable and the heel and forefoot rocker become a little more noticeable. The heel rocker at the heel rolls the foot forward easily and smoothly upon impact although once up to a pace in keeping with the shoe's intended use, my heel strike is less prominent and I move to a slightly more midfoot strike.

As the foot rolls through into toe-off, the prominent and steep rocker in the forefoot helps launch the foot forward. Together the running experience is smooth with a sense of encouragement to increase the speed.

One minor criticism is the small cut-out sections in the base of the FF Blast+ foam situated in the sole of the shoe. Designed to reduce weight they have the familiar habit of managing to cling onto small stones you inevitably pick up even on what may be the smoothest of roads.

The Superblast, like lots of shoes of late I find works ideally at a specific pace. Now, of course, everyone is different and so will respond differently to different shoes, but for me, this shoe works best at between 6 and 7 minutes per mile pace. With a recent marathon of 2 hours 40 minutes (Berlin 2023) – I’d describe this as my ‘steady to tempo’ type pace.

When running a little slower I became more aware of the shoe on my feet, that bulging heel becoming a little cumbersome. But as my pace quickens the shoe seems to disappear a little and roll me down the road in a smooth and confident manner. The toe rocker responds well at the quicker end of my 6 to 7-minute time zone.

Of course, others will operate at different speeds and find the pace at which the shoe works best for them, this may be 5-minute miling, but it could just as easily be 10-minute miling for others. It’s relative and I think it will suit the faster-paced runs more.

Shoes Similar to Superblast

The obvious comparisons that spring to mind are the Novablast and Metaspeed shoes also from ASICS.

The Novablast is from the same ‘family’ of shoes, the ‘Blast’ series with the Metaspeed being the range-topping racing shoe featuring the same FF Turbo foam as used in the Superblast.

I personally find the Novablast a little unstable. Its higher stack and softer midsole ‘wobble’ a little when I heel strike. I know it’s a very popular model with runners, but when compared to the Superblast, I’d recommend the latter every day. The Superblast is not only more stable but I feel, a better long-term option. The combination of midsoles seems (so far) to be holding up under the miles better than the Novablast, which appears to be compressing relatively easily.

The Metaspeed does have a carbon plate to separate it from the Superblast and make it a true, out-and-out racer. The Metaspeed also falls within World Athletics regulations with regard to stack heights. The Superblast doesn’t have a plate yet is only around $20 less expensive, so for those wanting a purely racing shoe I’d push for the Metaspeed unless you are a heavier runner where you may find the Superblast more stable and more durable.

From other brands, I think the Saucony Kinvara Pro is a close competitor in terms of performance. The Kinvara Pro does feature a carbon plate but it's closely matched in terms of price and intended use. Like the Superblast it also uses the same foam as the brand’s top-end race shoe to form part of its midsole. On the run, both shoes have a similar overall feel and performance, the choice will be yours.

My Verdict

In conclusion, the ASICS Superblast is a great, lightweight every day running shoe that excels at faster-paced workouts. The combination of high-tech foams in the midsole makes for a smooth and responsive ride that is stable and balanced, giving an impressive amount of energy return.

One small caveat is the price, it’s priced in the same bracket as many carbon-plated models and as such most runners will choose them as they tend to offer that next step up in terms of overall performance.

The shoe is a performance model and may well be the perfect racing shoe for heavier runners thanks to its greater stability over many carbon racers.

If price isn’t a factor, then the Superblast is a great shoe to add to a collection of models for your midweek tempo runs and interval sessions on the road.