A comparison of the newly launced Asics Megblast vs Sonicblast from our tests. These are two brand new shoes designed more for the average runner to get a taste of that lightweight speed.
A look at the full Blast line up
I’ve said previously ASICS loves to confuse us with names like the Metaspeed Sky vs Metaspeed Edge which are the same, but the same at all. And now we have a whole line up of Blast shoes, which is indeed intentional as more brands go to this silo approach to define a family of shoes.
Here’s a rundown of how the brand breaks out shoes right now, the blast line up is the first series without their trademark historic Gel (think Gel Nimbus, Gel Cumulus). And the line has really brought them back to the forefront of runners minds.
- ASICS Novablast 5: Daily trainer with good amount of cushion, not made to pick up the pace.
- ASICS Superblast 2: Lightweight, great cushioned trainer that can pick up the pace and carry many through their marathon feeling really stable.
- ASICS Sonicblast: Pebax plated uptempo shoe with more bounce and speed, but can still function on easy days.
- ASICS Megablast: Lightest shoe in the line up, no plate, using bouncy foam similar to top tier shoes.
We’ve got more details on each of these new shoes below from our testing, but answering some of your quick questions first.
For those waiting on updates to the existing shoes, we’re looking at March 2026 for the Superblast 3 and July 2026 for the Novablast 6. That gives these two new shoes some time for everyone to understand what they are and see how they fit in to a running shoe rotation.
ASICS Sonicblast vs Megablast
Consider this your quick comparison and then we’ll dive in to some additional details and reviews.
One thing these shoes both share is a brand new midsole, FF Turbo Squared. This is a key difference maker in these shoes and also another reason, they launched simultaneously. It’s definitely made to be light and allow you to feel like you can pick up the pace, but it is a different feeling than the top tier FF Leap which really bounces.
New now often means they are taking an existing foam and doing some remixing. It’s a fascinating technical process that I won’t bore you with, but results in some big gains for these shoes.
Of course, the question on my mind was will this new super foam be as durable. ASICS said in their testing it meets all the normal durability standards, which sounds a little like a politician answering without answering. As noted, we are testing these right now and will have some thoughts.
- Both are very lightweight without being a top tier racing shoe
- Both utilize this light, bouncy foam
- Megablast is ENTIRELY the new foam, Sonicblast is a combo of foams
- Sonicblast has a plate
- Megablast is lighter with a bit more cushion
- Megablast is unisex sizing and upper reminds me more of a racing shoe
- Both can be a daily trainer or race day shoe
- Sonicblast will be a little faster shoe, so maybe the 4 hour marathon
- Megblast will carry you through that 4 or 5 hour marathon
- Both shoes are available in up to size 14 and 15 which the faster race shoes are not
ASICS Megablast Overview
We’re starting with the non-plated and yet lighter weight of the two shoes! I was super intrigued and wanted to find the best way to describe this cushion, so I ran around the block in 5 different shoes. Not weird at all.
If I had to pick the closest feeling underfoot it would be the much loved Adidas EVO SL, except this is even lighter. Pulling it on will immediately give you that race day shoe feeling with the thin woven upper, thin tongue and lightly padded heel collar.They call this the bounciest shoe they have, but putting it on next to the Metaspeed I disagree. Possibly because the Metaspeed is softer and gives more rebound. That being said it’s still a fun ride.
Having tested this shoe from 7:30 pace to 12 minute pace, it can do it all.
BUT for me if the goal is anything 9 or under I’d opt for a different shoe. I actually really enjoyed the ride at that 9:30-12 pace.
I am thrilled to see a brand spend some time thinking about the gait and the needs of those not just running a 3 hour race, but those who are ready to have a really strong race day at 5 hours! Lighter weight can add up over the miles and the rocker, geometry and bounce will definitely help with the stride continuing to feel good.Not a shoe for walking around, but the shoe you want when you’re putting in some longer miles or those days where you’re playing with speed. No, we don’t all need or want a plate. The foam plays a huge role in a shoes ability to pick up the pace and you’ll find that here.
Unlike a standard max cushion running shoe, say the super comfy Asics Gel-Nimbus, you won’t be sinking in to the cushion or losing energy to it’s softness.
Some folks may not love that feeling and would prefer the softer shoe overall, so it’s going to come down to a bit of personal preference underfoot. In fact, while I think I could go faster in this shoe I might like the overall feel of the Superblast 2 better.
We usually do this per shoe, but these two share so many traits that we’re doing a joint who is the Megablast good for:
- Wide Feet: Unisex sizing means it’s a little more accommodating and far wider than most race shoes, but not a wide fit. Toebox could use more room.
- Heavier Runners: The foam is ready to carry you the distance and will not overly compress.
- Long Runs: Designed with marathon training in mind.
- Front of the Pack: No. It’s not your shoe, stay in your lane.
Buy Asics Megablast
At a 45mm stack the shoe feels extremely stable thanks to the really wide base. This is a common feature of the blast line that we appreciate.
- Heel Drop: 8 mm
- Stack: 45 mm
- Weight: 8 oz (note actual weights are coming in lighter than specs list)
- Available in 2 colors
- Not available in Wide, Unisex fit
- Available on Asics.com for $225
Buy Asics Megablast
As expected with a lighterweight shoe, we don’t have a full ASICSGRIP rubber coverage on the bottom. Again this leads us to wonder about durability, so we will be checking back after 100 and 200 miles. Asics says they have tested it against their standards and it should be as durable as a daily trainer.
Of these two shoes, the Megablast at the higher price point might be the more well rounded shoe for long runs to pace pickups, if you’re looking for just one option.
Asics Megablast Fit
Lengthwise I’m tempted to tell you to go up a 1/2 size. Maybe it’s just that the toebox is fairly shallow and you’re rocking forward, but I really wanted a bit more room.
Though it’s Unisex sizing I didn’t run into any issues with my foot slipping around. I admit this is a peeve of mine and I wish brands would start getting consistent with making race style shoes in both a male and female last.Love the laces in here having the ridges. This is a new thing for many brands on their race style shoes and it absolutely seems to help with keeping them tied. Heel lock lacing was needed in this shoe, which could be due to the Unisex fit which changes the heel cup. And it’s a VERY short lace to try and make that happen.
Tongue has no padding and is attached to prevent moving around. Overall going to help keep the heat down, which is great as our feet already swell during marathon runs.
Heel collar is lightly padded and had no issues. As with every race style shoe, I do wish there was a bit more room in the toebox and I think some may want more volume in the mid-foot.
ASICS Sonicblast Overview
A large contingent of runners have been asking ASICS for a Novablast with a plate, aka something light with nice cushion that can go just a hair faster. Instead of just inserting a plate, they came up with this new foam and put in a PEBAX plate to make it more widely accessible and usable than the carbon plated race day shoes.
The 3/4 length PEBAX plate (called an Astroplate) is going to be more flexible, which is important as the gait of a 4 hour runner is different than a 3 hour marathon runner. Many of the front pack race shoes are too stiff for everyday athletes and could contribute to lower leg injuries.While the Megablast is entirely the new Flyte Foam Turbo Squared, the Sonicblast kept the same bottom layer as the Superblast (FF Blast Max). This is where we start to understand how different foams give us a different feel and speed in a shoe.
Personally, I enjoyed the ride of this shoe more. I think it’s entirely related to that bottom layer of foam that’s also used in the Novablast. I actually think that heavier testers have gotten more bouncy and enjoy the Megablast more.
The Sonicblast has an immediate feel of a shoe that’s ready to pick up the pace. Not a bouncy super shoe, but a shoe that’s going to feel really good for a 4 hour marathon. Yes, this is the cheaper of the two shoes which is surprising since it has a plate, but again shows you that foam makes a difference.I’ve used this shoe for a couple of easy runs and some tempo runs. It performed well in both, but was really nice on that slight pick up. Because it’s plated, it wouldn’t be my go to for daily training. However, I would happily take it out on longer miles with goal paced efforts knowing that it will still feel fine on those easy miles in between.
Even with the big stack height, this one never felt like a max shoe to me. That’ s a very good thing.
We usually do this per shoe, but these two share so many traits that we’re doing a joint who is the Sonicblast good for:
- Wide Feet: Average fit, not really designed for wide feet.
- Heavier Runners: Good foam set up to handle impact and prevent bottoming out.
- Long Runs: Designed with bigger miles in mind.
- Front of the Pack: It can handle some faster paces, but is designed for the middle of the pack.
Buy Asics Sonicblast
The slightly faster shoe is at a slightly lower price, that might shock some of you! It’s still a well rounded shoe, but maybe less daily trainer because we just don’t need a plate all the time.
- Heel Drop: 8 mm
- Stack: 46 mm
- Weight: 7.8 oz women’s, 9 oz men’s (note actual weights are coming in lighter than specs list)
- Available in 3 colors
- Not available in Wide
- Available on Asics.com $180
Buy Asics Sonicblast
Asics Sonicblast Fit
Oddly or sadly they didn’t extend the textured laces to this shoe, but I feel like that could be the next update which will also drop a tiny amount of weight. Otherwise, no issues with the fit.
It’s true to my normal length and with women’s sizing, it goes back to a bit more narrow fit. Would not complain if they found a way to increase the toe box in both shoes, but I also didn’t have any issues with rubbing.
The tongue is thin and attached, while the upper feels extremely breathable. That makes me want to take this out for some hard summer miles feeling like my feet would stay cooler, but also could swell a bit and feel fine. Right now 8 miles is my longest run in them.
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