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The Asics Superblast 2 is one of the best running shoes available, offering an unrivalled level of versatility thanks to its lightweight but highly-cushioned design. It’s very expensive, but a one-of-a-kind, plate-less shoe that other brands have so far failed to replicate, despite some strong attempts like the New Balance Balos.
There are some more affordable rivals to the Superblast 2 that are worth considering though, including the excellent Adidas Adizero Evo SL and the Asics Novablast 5, which is not as versatile but considerably cheaper than the Superblast 2.
Design & Key Stats
- Price: £200/$200
- Weight: 252g/8.9oz (men’s UK 9 / US 10)
- Drop: 8mm
- Upper: Engineered mesh
- Midsole: FF Turbo+ upper later with FF Blast Plus Eco bottom later
- Outsole: AHAR Plus rubber
Asics Superblast 2 review
How’s The Fit
Mike and Tom tested the Superblast 2 for our full review but since then Nick and Kieran have also logged a lot of miles in the shoe, and we all found that it fit well in our normal running shoe size.
The Run Test: Likes
The Superblast 2 is one of the best all-rounders you can get, with the towering midsole stack delivering a comfortable ride for easy and long runs, but the responsive FF Turbo+ foam and lightweight design meaning it’s also great for faster efforts.
Part of its suitability for speed comes from the fact it’s quite a stiff shoe, which creates a faster transition from heel to toe without it being uncomfortable or firm at slower speeds, which can be the case with plated all-rounders.
It’s certainly one of the most versatile shoes you can get without a plate, and while the high price is clearly a downside the fact you can use and enjoy the Superblast 2 for such a wide range of runs might mean it can replace a couple of shoes in your rotation.
We also found the Superblast 2 a great shoe to take on trips, because it’s comfortable for walking, can handle any run, and looks pretty good too.
While versatility is a key attribute of the Superblast 2, if there’s one kind of run we think it excels at most it’s long runs at a range of paces, and it’s one of the best marathon running shoes for both training and race day itself. That’s something Kieran tested with a training marathon in the shoe.
The Run Test: Dislikes
While the Superblast 2 is light, it is quite a big shoe and can feel it during faster runs at times. Some of the team prefer a lighter and smaller shoe for speedwork, such as the Adidas Adizero Evo SL.
The stiffness of the ride is not always welcome at easy paces, and some runners might find it almost has the feel of a plated shoe in a bad way during relaxed runs.
Finally, the price is a key downside with the Superblast 2, because there are a lot of excellent shoes available for less.
Check out more of the best Asics running shoes
Verdict And Alternatives
The Asics Superblast 2 is a terrific running shoe and deserves its reputation as a rotation-killer, a shoe so versatile that you can buy it instead of two of three others. It’s also flat-out fun to run in, especially on longer runs where you progress the pace.
There also aren’t really any similar plate-free alternatives from other brands. Some have great high-stack shoes that are comfortable and fun, like the New Balance Balos or Hoka Skyward X, but they aren’t as fast as the Superblast 2.
There are plated super-trainers that come in cheaper that are equally good all-rounders though, such as the Hoka Mach X2 and Nike Zoom Fly 6, so if you don’t mind using a plate for training runs then those are good alternatives.
We’re also huge fans of the Adidas Adizero Evo SL, which is cheaper, lighter and has a lower stack than the Superblast 2. It feels nimbler for fast runs while still being comfortable over long distances, if less stable and protective than the Asics shoe.