- Asics’s marketing pitch: Supercharged cushioning.
- Upper: Engineered mesh, gusseted tongue.
- Midsole: Flytefoam Turbo and FF Blast, 8 mm heel drop.
- Outsole: Asicsgrip rubber in high-wear areas.
- Weight: 250 gms/ 8.8 Oz for a half pair of Men’s US 9/UK 8/EUR 42.5/CM 27.
- Stack heights: 45 mm (heel), 37 mm (forefoot).
- Available widths: D – regular (reviewed).
- Previous model: Asics Superblast 1.
- Country of origin: Vietnam.
- Recommended use: Daily training, recovery runs, marathons.
- Footstrike orientation: Heel, midfoot/forefoot (full contact).
- Median lifespan: 450 miles.
- Recommended paces: Slower than 4:30 min/km (7:00 min/mile).
- Recommended temperature range: Warmer than -0° C/32° F.
Pros
- Lightweight yet deep cushioning
- Supportive ride
- No performance penalty for slow speeds and heel landings
- Ventilation
- Long-distance comfort
- Multiple widths
Cons
- Weak upper fit lockdown
- Diminished speed capabilities versus the V1
- Under-utilized rocker because of excess upper space and softer ride
- Lack of optional widths
- Scarce reflectivity
Also consider:
- Brooks Hyperion Max 2
- New Balance SC Trainer v3
- Nike Zoom Fly 6
- Use the Asics Superblast 2 for daily runs, recovery, and long runs
- Use the Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris or Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 for marathons
- Use the Asics Hyperspeed 4 or adidas Takumi 10 for intervals, tempo runs, and short races
In this review:
SUMMARY AND VERDICT
As the saying goes – if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
The Superblast 2 is a disappointing follow-up to the Superblast 1. While it has many qualities that will translate into commercial success, it’s missing two key ingredients that made the first Superblast a special shoe.
Why did everyone love the Superblast V1 so much? They were coveted to a point where the stock was always in short supply. What made them a sell-out success, despite a $200 sticker?
There were many reasons behind the Superblast V1’s stupendous success.
The Superblast was seen on runners going about their everyday runs, racing marathons, and even during a 10K race. Fast or slow, rearfoot strike or forefoot, heavy and light – the shoe’s appeal was universal.
The Superblast was something for almost everyone, and it was truly one of a kind. Some runners appreciated the deep yet lightweight cushioning. Others found it peppy enough for tempo runs. Slow runners liked the supportive and neutral ride. Heavier running loved the stability.
The positive feedback around long-term durability didn’t hurt. It was an expensive shoe after all, so the higher miles per dollar certainly didn’t hurt.
The lightweight and uber-cushioned Superblast 2 is missing two things that contributed to the Superblast 1’s success.
That was the Superblast 1. What about the newest version, the Superblast 2? Does it hold up to the original?
The original model gets our vote; the new model doesn’t. The S-2 is a watered-down version of what made the first shoe great, so we’d recommend sticking to the v1 or the second-best thing – the Novablast v4.
THE ASICS SUPERBLAST 2 COMPARED WITH SUPERBLAST 1
A softer ride and more upper fit don’t necessarily make a running shoe better.
If the V1 was for the purists, the V2 is designed for the masses. The latest model doesn’t feel as focused, and is less disciplined in its transition delivery. It’s harder to get quicker miles out of the Superblast 2 than the V1, and it’s nearly impossible to achieve a locked-in feel.
Asics has added more upper room while simultaneously making the midsole softer. These two updates dilute the honed character of the first model, so it’s missing the very qualities that made the v1 the shoe it was.
While the extra upper room and softer ride will find many takers (including new adopters), the updates may disappoint runners who loved the ultra-versatile ride of the last model.
An improved fit and ride quality is a reasonable expectation for a new update. While the Superblast 2 is different, it’s certainly not an improvement – in the sense that it doesn’t build on the Superblast 1’s success – but rather deviates from it.
THE MIDSOLE DESIGN AND RIDE EXPERIENCE
The upper fit affects the ride character as much as the midsole does.
How a shoe behaves under the foot is directly related to how it behaves over it. While the midsole is the foundation of the ride quality, a well-tuned upper fit can maximize the midsole’s potential.
On the original Superblast, the snug upper locked the foot in for an efficient power transfer from the foot to the midsole.
When the foot is flush with the midsole, it accentuates different aspects of the cushioning. The midsole feels more responsive, the rocker is more effective, and the midsole stability improves the landing and loading process. A secure fit also inspires greater confidence when turning into sharp corners.
Too much upper room – that’s one of the shoe’s shortcomings.
The Asics Superblast 2’s upper fit – and ride quality – suffers from an excess of room. The shoe struggles to lock the foot down over the Flytefoam Turbo midsole, so the speed-friendly nature is greatly diminished.
A weaker foot-midsole connection negatively affects the functioning of the midsole rocker. A rocker midsole performs best when the foot is properly seated over it.
If the foot is not ‘locked in’ over the rocker’s sweet spot, it’s harder to achieve efficient ‘roll forwards.’
The rocker effect is toned down by the less-than-ideal fit and softer Flytefoam Turbo.
The midsole softness (or firmness) also affects a shoe’s speed manners and rocker effect. The firmer and stiffer the midsole is, the more effective the rocker is. The source of the firmness could be the midsole foam density or a plate-like insert.
A firmer midsole also makes it easier to pick up pace. Throw in a secure upper, and we have the makings of a tempo-friendly running shoe.
Like before, the Superblast 2’s midsole has a two-density stack. Around 80% of the stack (45 mm and 37 mm) is made of Flytefoam Turbo; the rest is Flytefoam Blast. In the rear, the midsole edges rise to create a cupping action.
This familiar setup comes with an important update; the Flytefoam Turbo foam on top is softer than the Superblast 1. The footbed and fabric lasting are identical, so the step-in softness hasn’t changed.
Since most of the cushioning is produced by the now softer FF Turbo stack, the Superblast 2 (S-2) delivers a changed ride experience than its predecessor.
The softer ride and cavernous upper makes the Superblast 2 great if you want a hyper-cushioned trainer for long runs. It’s also excellent for marathons, as runners benefit from generous ride comfort without the weight penalty.
But that wasn’t what made the original Superblast special, was it?
One of the things that the tighter upper and firmer ride did was to infuse a sense of quickness into the midsole. The Superblast v1’s rocker felt fine-tuned, and the foot-to-midsole power delivery felt well-connected.
During a run, the Superblast 1 had a strong bond with the foot. The V2? Not so much. It doesn’t feel as ‘one’ with the foot, affecting its overall performance.
The midsole stability is excellent relative to its stack height.
Sure, the new model has an excellent cushioning-to-weight ratio. Very few other shoes that weigh 250 grams (8.8 ounces) have the durability and supportive cushioning that the S-2 offers.
Except, it takes more work to extract faster speeds out of the Superblast 2. The softer midsole is relatively less efficient during the gait cycle, and things are further aggravated by the looser fit that weakens the foot-to-midsole connection. It’s a pity because the better-defined outsole lugs grip better than before.
The S-1 could sustain 4:00 min/km (6:30 min/mile) paces without missing a beat. The S-2 is more of a 4:30 min/km (7:00 min/mile) and slower trainer.
Discounting the clumsy fit and speed dilution concerns, the Superblast 2 carries forward most of the other qualities. The wide forefoot and heel base offer a lot of real estate for planted landings, making the shoe ideal for heavy runners and all footstrike patterns.
You can run as slow as you want without incurring performance penalties. Though the FF Turbo is a softer kind, it’s not the kind that the foot ‘sinks’ into. There’s a sense of buoyancy that doesn’t bog the foot down.
The durability feedback from the previous model was excellent, and that should apply to the latest version as well.
Lifespans of 500 miles (and higher) aren’t unheard of, since the midsole foam and outsole design fare extremely well under long-term use.
RECOMMENDED ROTATION
The Superblast 2’s less aggressive ride rotates well with a dedicated race-day shoe. If you’re running a marathon, Carbon-plated racers like the Asics Metaspeed Sky and Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 are strong contenders.
Long runs and everyday training can be done in the S-2, or a more ‘basic’ shoe like the Asics Cumulus 26 or Saucony Ride 17. A shoe like the Novablast 4 will deliver better versatility though.
For shorter duration races of 5K and 10K, choosing flats is one option. Here, racing flats like the Hoka Cielo Road and adidas Takumi 10 are our recommendations. For more comfort, the Asics Metaspeed Edge is excellent, or the Asics Hyper Speed 4 as the budget alternative.
THE UPPER DESIGN AND FIT
Much has already been said about the abundance of upper room, so it’s time to get into the specifics.
The forefoot fit is odd. Most of the additional space is above the foot – in the space between the ventilated mesh and the base of the toes.
When it comes to the quality of the ride, the upper fit is as important as the midsole.
On the other hand, the large toe touches the ceiling of the toe box. So the upper manages to feel simultaneously spacious and cramped, so ‘odd’ is the right word to describe the fit.
From a sizing point of view, the Superblast 2 fits true-to-size. It’s just the proportions that feel off.
Once you move towards the back, the fit improves. The tongue and midfoot design is very similar to the last time. A mild elastic tongue and gusset snap flush over the foot.
The gusset and tongue are made of a continuous mesh, meaning they have a single-piece construction without seams or joints. This makes the midfoot fit very smooth and comfortable. The front of the tongue is vented for air circulation.
Ventilation is an area where the S-2 performs exceedingly well – the loose forefoot is also generously vented, so a stuff fit is the least of your worries. It’s a better summer shoe than the S-1 was.
The tongue has very minimal padding – only the flap has foam-filled pods. The thin and semi-elastic laces do not create a pressure hot spot.
Unlike the forefoot, the heel delivers a very decent lock-down. The stiff counter and padded collar grip the foot when in motion. The large heel loop is practical and functional, as the index finger can freely loop through.
SHOES COMPARABLE TO THE ASICS SUPERBLAST 2
The Asics Novablast 5 was released recently, so we’ll update this review with a comparison once we’ve had the opportunity to test the latest model.
Despite the Superblast 2’s ride character taking a less aggressive turn, it still offers a different experience than the Saucony Triumph 22, Brooks Glycerin 21, or the New Balance 1080v14.
Its closest competitors would the Brooks Hyperion Max 2, New Balance SC Trainer v3, and to a certain extent, Nike’s Zoom Fly 6.
The Hyperion Max 2 is a completely different shoe than the Hyperion Max 1.
The Hyperion Max 2 is much firmer than the Superblast, but it fits into a similar use case. The firm ride, Nylon plate, and well-defined midsole rocker make it a cushioned trainer for tempo or marathon training. And just like the Asics shoe, the H-Max 2 has a durable build quality.
The H-Max is ideal for everything from tempo runs to half-marathons, daily miles included. For a softer yet agile ride, the New Balance SC Trainer 3 should be on your radar. The Carbon plate adds a quick feel to the cushioned PEBA-blend Fuelcell midsole.
The Brooks Hyperion Max 2 and New Balance SC Trainer 3 undercuts the Superblast by $20.
The third option is the Zoom Fly 6. Unlike the Zoom Fly 5, the Fly 6 returns to its roots – it’s now a more robust version of the Vaporfly 3. So you don’t get the versatility and stability of the Fly 5, H-Max 2, or the SC Trainer 3.