The Asics Superblast 2 has been everywhere as a topic pick for the year, so of course we needed to put in some miles and find out if the hype was warranted. Both Coach Stacey and Coach Amanda, tested it on a variety of runs both indoors and out (thank you Colorado weather).
While this is another massive stack height shoe, it just doesn’t feel unstable to me. It felt like a comfortable ride that I could repeat over and over. And in fact, in the few weeks that I’ve had the shoe it’s already made it through a multiple 8 miles runs, a couple 5 miles runs from the roads to the treadmill.
I’ve got to say Asics is really bringing the goods lately and I’m pretty stoked we’re getting to weigh in on this lightweight super trainer. It really does seem like a winner for a lot of athletes, not just the super fast runners.
As always, we’ll give you the pro’s, the con’s and our honest assessment of this shoe. There’s no one running shoe that is going to work best for every single runner! So hopefully the goal of our reviews it just to help you decide if this is the one that you should try.
Who Is It Good For?
Who is Asics Superblast 2 a good fit for? Let’s break it down with some common categories:
- Wide Feet: It’s not a wide shoe, but accommodating for wider feet (definitely not wide toe box)
- Heavier Runners: Fantastic option for durable foam and stable cushion
- Long Runs: 100% this is designed to carry you over the miles with good cushion, support and energy return
- Front of the Pack: Absolutely going to love it for easy to tempo days
While the Novablast 5 is in our best cushioned running shoes, this one is amazing but due to the price gets a footnote on that list. Oh boy, we’re gonna get some feedback on that!
Asics Superblast 2 Overview
When I tossed Stacey the box, she looked at me funny and said “are there shoes in here?” Like I was asking her to take something to the trash, instead of being the kind generous person with shoes. There were indeed shoes inside and the weight is one of the most notable things about them for the massive amount of cushion.
The Asics Superblast 2 is a non-plated super trainer that’s incredibly light for the max cushion and could absolutely be a great race day option for many runners.
Let’s talk super trainers for a second because this falls in to that category at $200 with the weight and cushion, but it does not contain any kind of fiber, nylon or carbon plate. Compared to what other brands are doing at that price range it is unusual…and we like it.
While labeled a “super trainer”, the reality is these shoes are fantastic for long runs and race day for the middle to back of the pack runner.
Another reasons we like this super trainer over some others is the foam choice. PEBA is what you find in your top end racing shoes, so it’s trickling down to these types, but isn’t as durable. Instead, Asics is using this more durable foam in even their Asics MetaSpeed top end racers.
The FF Turbo+ remains an EVA foam which is going to hold up a lot longer and give you a lot more good miles in the shoe. Now this iteration with even more Flytefoam did increase the weight a smidge, but honestly we just didn’t notice.
Like many super shoes, they’re actually using 2 types of foam, which gives you both the soft cushion you want to feel AND the stiffness for that quick turn over, Flytefoam Turbo Plus top layer and Flytefoam Blast Plus Eco bottom layer.
The slightly stiffer foam gives you a nice forward roll and that’s a big part of where you feel the speed in this shoe since there isn’t a plate.
One of our big questions at 45mm stack height is always does it feel stable and the answer is absolutely. This is due to the flare you see along the midsole and the extended heel. The entire shoe is just wider, which controls that lateral movement without a rigid guide. That makes this really good for long runs and marathon runs.
This shoe really does hit the mark as one that can do a LOT of things for runners at a lot of paces. We’re starting to understand the hype and it looks like we’ve jumped onboard.
Superblast 2 Specifications
- Heel toe drop: 8mm
- Weight: Unisex sizing 8.8oz
- Stack Height: 45mm
- Usage: Lightweight trainer that could pick up speed
- Not available in wide
- Available in four colors
- Available at Asics.com and Runningwarehouse.com $200
Two other updates from the past model are a change to lighten the upper/make it more flexible and the addition of AscisGrip on the outsole to really improve traction. One reduced weight, the other added a big…so kind of a wash.
We don’t spend a lot of time talking about outsoles on road shoes, but you’ll find for a lightweight trainer this one really does have some good drip and will feel comfortable on wet days.
Asics Superblast 2 Fit
My initial impression was that the shoe was too small. Due to the unisex sizing a women’s is basically 1.5 bigger than a men’s size, so my 11 is a men’s 9.5. I was convinced that this would lead to a black toenail between the toe box feeling shallow and the shoe feeling short.
Then I went for my 8 mile run and pretty much forgot about it. I was simultaneously testing the new Gel-Nimbus 27 and had the same feeling in that shoe, but not so much in the Novablast 5. Which leads me to believe this might just be the fit of Asics shoes and I’d forgotten.
Stacey said she didn’t notice them feeling short at all, so again it makes me think I’ve been testing things with a more forgiving toebox and that’s why I noticed it.
All that to say, if you want a wide or deep toe box these are not the shoes. I might also go up a 1/2 size if planning to wear these for a marathon knowing that feel swell even more over distance.
The tongue is lightly padded and connected about mid-way to create that sock like fit where it doesn’t slide all over your foot, but also isn’t restrictive around the ankle (aka a gusseted winged tongue if you want to be technical).
It’s breathable as you’d expect from pretty much all of our running shoes at this point.
Laces are plenty long for heel lock lacing, but not excessively long…I know that sounds weird, but we’ve had to tuck laces in to a number of shoes lately.
Similar Shoes to Asics Superblast 2
What’s currently out there to rival this super trainer massive cushioned shoe? We’ve tested a few that feel similar, but different based on the brand fit:
- New Balance Supercomp Trainer – (Carbon plate, available in wide)
- Saucony Endorphin Trainer – (Our preview of what’s coming soon)
- On Cloudmonster Hyper – (Plated and bouncy)
Asics Novablast 5 vs Asics Superblast 2
One of the issues I have with many brands right now is their shoes are getting so similar, that it’s hard to know if there’s really a difference that’s going to matter to you. And this time around the colorways had me doing a double take as well.
Running in both shoes back to back, I can say I like them both and you’ll continue to see them, but they are different.
Key Differences:
- Superblast has almost 4mm more cushioning
- Cushion in the Superblast is designed to be a little lighter and give more energy back, plus that dual foam allows you to have the option to pick up pace
- Same heel toe drop and really similar in weight
- Little bit more of a forefoot rocker in the Superblast
- Superblast is a wider base and feels like more shoe
- Upper on the Superblast is going to be a bit more breathable
- If you’re mostly looking for an easy run shoe, middle to back of the pack, go with the Novablast.
- If you’re looking for a long run shoe and want to be able to throw in tempo work, marathon pace, or are more front of the pack for easy days the Superblast
So is it worth the extra $60 to upgrade?? I think it comes down to what you want from the shoe. If you want something for long runs and race day, then honestly I think the Superblast 2 is a great option (though you’ll do just fine with the Novablast).
If you’re doing less miles or more casually running the Novablast is going to absolutely give you what you need.
Checkout our full review of the Asics Novablast 5 >>
Carbon Neutral Running Shoes
When there’s a chance to call out any sustainability efforts being made by a brand we love to do so. This is important to all of us runners who want to keep spending miles outside in great fresh air!
Asics has stated, “We’re committed to reducing our CO₂ emissions throughout the value chain, so we’re being transparent about how we measure and continuously work to reduce our emissions.”
One way you’ll see is this is on the note inside the shoe which is measuring it’s footprint. The Superblast Carbon Footprint is 14% lower than the industry average.
This is done with a combination of the upper being made from recycled materials and a dying process that reduces water emissions by 33%.
Both of these are pretty on par with what we’re seeing other brands like Brooks begin to lean in to and we love it.
All right there you have it! Our Asics Superblast 2 review, sorry it took us a little extra time to get this one out!
It’s safe to say we were duly impressed and pretty excited to keep this in the shoe rotation.
Looking for other running shoes??
- Best Carbon Plated Running Shoes
- Best Long Distance Running Shoes
- Setting up a Running Shoe Rotation
- Asics vs Brooks Running Shoes
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