Asics is among the biggest running brands in the world and makes some of the best running shoes on the market. Its huge range of shoes can be confusing at first glance, but within the line-up there are options to suit every kind of runner, whether you’re looking for a reliable cushioned shoe for daily training or one of the best carbon plate running shoes for racing.
How I Tested These Shoes
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I’m a keen runner who logs around 50-70 miles (80-110km) a week in training, usually in the build-up to a marathon—I have a PR of 2hr 28min. I have been testing Asics shoes, along with every other major brand, for many years and have tried most of the top road running models in its current range. My favorite at the moment is the Asics Superblast, which is one of the most versatile shoes you can find.
The Best Asics Running Shoes
The Asics Gel-Nimbus 26 is the top-of-the-line neutral cushioned shoe in the Asics range, offering new runners a high amount of comfort and protection during their fledgling efforts. It provides a smooth ride with a rocker helping to move you through your footstrike, and it’s great for cruising along at a relaxed pace, even if it’s not the best for doing speedwork. It’s expensive, so I’d advise that if you find the previous model, the Gel-Nimbus 25, in a deal then grab that instead, as I found the updates to the Gel-Nimbus 26 were minimal.
Read more in my Asics Gel-Nimbus 26 review
The Superblast is the best daily trainer in Asics’s range, but most people aren’t going to spend $200 on a daily trainer, and the Novablast 4 is also an excellent shoe—and much cheaper. The latest version of the Novablast is my favorite yet, with a smoother and more resilient ride than the Novablast 3, so while it’s heavier and less bouncy than its predecessor, I found it a more versatile shoe that feels better at faster paces.
I enjoyed the Novablast 4 most for long runs, either done entirely at an easy pace or when picking up the pace throughout to finish strong. Given the high stack of cushioning it feels surprisingly light on the foot, and Asics has also improved the outsole grip on the latest version of the shoe compared with the Novablast 3, which is helpful for running in wet conditions.
Read more in my Asics Novablast 4 review
The Superblast blew me away during my testing, with its towering stack of bouncy FF Turbo foam delivering a fun and versatile ride. I’ve used the Superblast for every kind of run from short recovery plods and easy long runs to tempo sessions and track reps, and it always comes up trumps. The high stack and lack of ground feel that comes with it take some getting used to, and the high price may be off-putting, but if you want a shoe for everything (including races, though it’s not as fast as a carbon plate running shoe), then the Superblast is Asics’ top option.
Read more in my Asics Superblast review
The Metaspeed Sky Paris is one of the best carbon plate running shoes from any brand. I currently have it top of my list overall thanks to the lightweight design, which still features a high stack of bouncy foam and a full-length carbon plate. It’s a brilliant racing shoe for any distance, with the lightness and aggressive feel you want for 5K and 10K events coupled with the springy cushioning you need for marathons. Asics also has the Metaspeed Edge Paris super-shoe in its line-up, which is similar to the Metaspeed Sky Paris but has tweaks that make it better suited for high-cadence runners, such as a longer forefoot rocker and a more scooped plate.
Read more in my Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris review
The Asics Gel-Kayano 30 is the stability counterpart to the Gel-Nimbus 25, with a similarly high stack of soft FF Blast+ foam in the midsole to create a comfortable, smooth ride. The Kayano 30 adds several elements to make it more supportive than the Nimbus 25, such as sidewalls of foam, a wider base and a soft, springy section of foam on the medial side to bounce your foot back into a neutral position during runs.
It’s a stability shoe that works for anyone and I enjoyed using it for long runs even as a neutral runner. It’s fairly heavy and not the best for faster runs, but for cruising through easy daily training and long runs, the Kayano 30 is a great option. It’s certainly one of the most comfortable stability shoes on the market.
Read more in my Asics Gel-Kayano 30 review
The Magic Speed 3 is billed as the fast training partner shoe to the Metaspeed racers, but also works as a cheaper racing option thanks to the speedy ride its carbon plate provides. It’s not as bouncy as the Metaspeed shoes because the FF Blast+ foam in the Magic Speed 3’s midsole isn’t as springy as the FF Turbo in the Sky+ and Edge+, although the Magic Speed 3 is more durable and much cheaper. It’s perfect for hammering out tough training runs and allows you to save your expensive super-shoe for race day.
Read more in my Asics Magic Speed 3 review
