We Tested Every Running Shoe Asics Offers. These Are the Best

Nathan Lemin
·13 min read
1

Men’s Journal aims to feature only the best products and services.  If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.

Asics is one of the most popular running shoe brands on the market. Beyond the sheer number of different shoes the brand offers, Asics has a loyal following due to their consistent year-over-year improvements. In my experience testing Asics shoes, the company does a great job of keeping what works and tweaking what doesn't. Slow, steady innovation leads to some of my favorite running shoes from any brand (like my overall best pick, the SuperBlast).

The best Asics running shoes share common traits, including secure, comfortable uppers and excellent midsole foams. The various FlyteFoams—Blast, Blast Plus, and Blast Turbo—are particularly soft and springy underfoot. And better yet, most of these shoes don’t take long to break in, so you can enjoy comfort and performance almost immediately.

Related: The Best Running Shoes Out There, Tested and Reviewed

Best Overall Asics Running Shoe: SuperBlast

The Asics SuperBlast has been one of my favorite shoes from any brand this past year. Fun and versatile, this max-stack shoe is lightweight, fast, and comfortable.

The Asics SuperBlast was one of two pairs of shoes first out of my closet on any given long run Sunday this year (the other being the New Balance SuperComp Trainer 2). They don't have a carbon fiber plate, but they don't need one. I find plates too rigid for most training runs, and the appeal of these shoes is their very supple feel underfoot. Plus, the FlyteFoam (FF) Blast Turbo foam is so peppy that no plate is needed to achieve speed. Even late in 10-plus mile efforts, the SuperBlast felt comfortable, stable, and bouncy. I would happily race in this shoe, because the low weight and high-energy midsole foam perform great.

Beyond the excellent long-wearing performance, the Asics SuperBlast excels at faster paces as well. I gravitated toward these shoes over other speed-oriented options because they are so plush. Speed work can be hard on the feet, and the SuperBlast was a welcome comfort.

SuperBlasts are sold as gender-neutral shoes, and Asics has created some of their coolest colorways for this shoe. I tested the White/Lilac Hint color and it remains one of my favorite looking shoes from this year. My only real qualm with the Asics SuperBlast is their minimal outsole. The outsole is mostly exposed midsole foam, with some small sections of a low-tread rubber. Although this minimalist outsole helps keep the weight down (only 9 ounces), the exposed foam has indents that pick up small rocks, and the rubber isn’t very grippy, especially in wet weather.

Pros:

  • Super plush and bouncy.

  • More versatile than chunky appearance indicates.

  • Lightweight and speedy.

  • Comfortable upper.

  • Very stable for stack height.

  • Great colorways.

  • Dual foams (FF Blast Turbo and FF Blast Plus) are ideal combo.

Cons:

  • Outsole is not very durable or tacky compared to other high-performance trainers.

  • Pricey for a trainer.

Weight: 9 ounces

Heel-Toe Drop: 8 mm

$200 at Asics
$200 at Asics
$200 at Zappos
$200 at Zappos

Best Everyday Asics Running Shoe: NovaBlast 4

The new Asics NovaBlast 4 is as an excellent all around trainer. I loved the NovaBlast 3 and named it best Max Cushion shoe for our latest running shoe guide. My two gripes about the previous version were that the upper wasn’t super secure, and the excessively soft foam led me to overpronate (and I don’t typically overpronate). The NovaBlast 4 fixes both of those previous issues.

While the NovaBlast 4 is not a speed shoe, the new version feels a bit firmer underfoot (but still plenty comfortable). The upper is now slightly thicker, which makes it easier to lock your foot in—though this comes at the cost of breathability.

I love how this shoe felt on long, slow efforts as well as mid-length faster-paced runs. While I’d opt for the SuperBlast over the NovaBlast for speed work, this fourth iteration is still more lightweight and nimble than something like the Gel-Nimbus or Gel-Kayano.

Pros:

  • A little firmer and peppier than the NovaBlast 3.

  • Still extremely comfortable underfoot.

  • Really smooth transitions.

  • New upper is easier to lock-in fit.

  • Looks great.

  • Improved outsole.

Cons:

  • New upper doesn't cool as well as the previous model.

  • Still not the most versatile—lackluster for speed work and other fast efforts.

  • Outsole grip felt lacking.

Weight: 9.2 ounces

Heel-Toe Drop: 8 mm

$140 at Asics
$140 at Asics
$140 at Zappos
$140 at Zappos

Best Value Asics Running Shoe: GT-1000 12

Also on our best running shoe guide, the Asics GT-1000 12 provides excellent value. While competitive runners might find it lacking some of the premium features of higher-priced shoes, like peppier foams or lock-down uppers, the latest in the ever-popular GT-1000 lineup packs a lot into a $100 shoe.

If you tend to overpronate, the GT-1000 12 is a stable, solid shoe for casual runs and walking around town. It’s great for runners of all sizes, and the breathable, pliable upper kept my feet comfortable on hot summer runs. While this shoe isn’t performance-oriented, it's comfortable, available in wide and trail versions, and weighs less than 10 ounces. For $100, few shoes offer that much.

Pros:

  • Tons of options to dial in fit and utility.

  • Great price.

  • Good blend of comfort and weight.

  • Breathable upper.

  • Stability features for overpronators.

Cons:

  • Lacks some structure and rigidity of higher-priced options.

  • Lightweight upper doesn’t “lock-down” as well as other shoes.

  • Lacks premium foams found in other Asics shoes.

Weight: 9.5 ounces

Heel-Toe Drop: 8 mm

$100 at Asics
$100 at Asics
$100 at Zappos
$100 at Zappos

Best Asics Racing Shoe: Magic Speed 3

Don’t get me wrong, Asics super-shoes like the Metaspeed Sky+ and Metaspeed Edge+ are excellent marathon shoes. But I’m going to urge readers to consider the Asics Magic Speed 3 for your racing efforts.

The Magic Speed 3 package appeals to more runners. Categorized as a speed trainer and shorter distance racer (think less than marathon distance), the Magic Speed 3 features a full-length carbon plate, dual-density FF Blast Plus foam, and a lightweight upper. At 7.8 ounces, this is nearly as light as the top super-shoes, and the lower profile design feels more stable and less tippy than some higher-stack competitors.

And last but not least: You’d be hard pressed to find another racing shoe so good for $160. I'm often weary to break out the $250-plus super-shoes for fear of wearing them out. But knowing I can get a solid training life and racing life out of a pair of shoes just over the $150 mark is really appealing.

Pros:

  • Extremely lightweight.

  • Dual-density FF Blast Plus foam is comfortable and fast.

  • Full-length carbon plate.

  • Surprisingly accommodating Motion-Wrap upper.

  • Great heel-structure for racing option.

  • Less expensive than a super-shoe.

Cons:

  • Lacks premium foams of Asics super-shoes.

  • Lower profile design may not appeal to longer distance racers.

  • Takes some mileage to fully break in.

  • No FF Blast Turbo foam.

Weight: 7.8 ounces

Heel-Toe Drop: 7mm

$160 at Asics
$160 at Asics
$160 at Amazon
$160 at Amazon

More Asics Running Shoes We Love

Related: The Best Marathon Shoes to Run Your Next PR

Why You Should Trust Me

Over the past year, I ran hundreds of miles in over 60 pairs of running shoes. I’ve been testing many of these Asics shoes since early 2023, and have even had the opportunity to test older and newer versions side-by-side for many of the choices on this list.

In addition to my individual testing, I worked with a team of testers over a variety of reviews and gleaned insight from all types of runners, from heavier men looking for maximum support to elite, sub-4:00 minute milers. There were different Asics models that appealed to every runner I worked with this year. Some shoes, like the SuperBlast and NovaBlast, appealed to a wide range of testers.

As an average runner, I find a lot to love about Asics running shoes. They make the best shoes for the money. Not many companies have high quality racing shoes for under $200 or multiple versatile trainers for under $150. No matter your budget and running goals, Asics seems to offer an excellent choice for everyone.

We tested numerous pairs of Asics running shoes to pick the very best the brand has to offer.<p>Nathan Lemin</p>
We tested numerous pairs of Asics running shoes to pick the very best the brand has to offer.

Nathan Lemin

What We Look for in a Great Running Shoe

My three go-to questions when testing running shoes are as follows:

  1. Do I want to wear it again?

  2. Is it holding up to frequent wear?

  3. Does it serve its intended purpose?

Indeed, our testing team at Men’s Journal is concerned with recommending comfortable, durable shoes that perform the job they were designed for. That means a racing shoe should provide speedier transitions, long-wearing comfort and lightweight fit, an everyday trainer should provide durable outsoles, accommodating fit and plenty of support, and a trail running shoe should provide excellent tread and enhanced protection.

Asics shoes check all the boxes. They're durable, comfortable, and versatile running shoes that look classic and speedy.

Related: We Tested Every Hoka Running Shoe—These Are the Best