With the spring running season almost here, most runners are looking to add a new pair of shoes to their footwear quiver. To help you decide what to get, we selected some of our favourite shoes from Asics for this spring.
Tempo and Speedwork
Asics Magic Speed 4
A propulsive, carbon-plated shoe for racing and fast training
If you are a competitive runner or just looking to set a PB at your next race, take a serious look at Asics’ Magic Speed 4. The shoe delivers a perfect combination of propulsion and cushioning, making it ideal for faster-paced training and racing.
At the heart of the shoe is a sculpted carbon plate that delivers a smooth, propulsive ride during the toe-off phase of your stride. The shoe also features a sophisticated three-layer midsole (two layers of FF Blast+ foam and one layer of FF Turbo foam) that does an admirable job of cushioning without compromising the responsiveness required for faster runs.
For the upper, Asics has spec’d a highly breathable engineered mesh that offers a foot-conforming fit and excellent lockdown. If you are a runner who obsesses about numbers, you’ll likely approve of the shoe’s increased stack height dimension; the men’s shoe clocks in at 42.5 mm in the heel and 35.5 mm in the forefoot, while the women’s is 40.5 mm/33.5 mm.
These boosted dimensions significantly improve cushioning, making Magic Speed 4 ideal for longer training runs and races of any distance.
Daily Training
Asics Novablast 5
A neutral, well-cushioned shoe
Looking for a daily training shoe that has plenty of cushioning while retaining enough pop for faster training? Then check out the Asics Novablast 5.
Asics has updated the midsole (FF Blast Max foam), resulting in a bouncy ride that you’ll appreciate on runs of any distance.
The upper has also been updated with a unique jacquard mesh that is noticeably more breathable while providing a secure foot-conforming fit. Asics has maintained the height from the previous model: 41.5 mm in the heel and 33.5 mm in the forefoot for the men’s, while the women’s is 40.5 mm/32.5 mm. These numbers nudge the Novablast 5 into maximalist territory, which contributes to the shoe’s plush ride. It’s also worth noting that the outsole uses the same geometric, trampoline-inspired shape as the previous model, which was a hit with many runners.
If you are looking for a well-cushioned daily trainer with a bouncy ride, check out the Novablast 5.
Long Runs
Asics Gel-Nimbus 27
A neutral shoe with exceptional cushioning
The Gel-Nimbus 27 continues its legacy as one of the best cushioned shoes on the market. The latest version adds 2 mm of Asics’ FF Blast Plus Eco foam in the midsole, resulting in even more cushioning.
Asics has also updated the upper with a new, lighter and more breathable jacquard mesh textile for greater comfort in warm conditions. The 2 mm increase in the midsole has obviously upped the stack height numbers, with the men’s registering at 43.5 mm in the heel and 35.5 mm in the forefoot. The women’s version clocks in at 42.5 mm in the heel and 34.5 mm in the forefoot. Runners familiar with the numbers will instantly understand that the Gel Nimbus 27 is a maximalist shoe and, not surprisingly, delivers an exceptionally plush, shock-absorbing ride.
If you are logging long, easy recovery miles or are just looking for a supremely cushioned daily trainer, check out the Gel-Nimbus 27.
Stability
Asics Gel-Kayano 31
A time-tested classic stability shoe
With the Gel-Kayano 31, Asics has taken all the successful components from the previous version and added a new upper, as well as an improved outsole material. We’ll get to these updates, but first, let’s look at what features Asics carried over.
The Gel Kayano 31 uses the same 4D Guidance System for stability that is found in the Kayano 30. This construction provides more natural and adaptive support, that is less obtrusive than some less sophisticated designs. The midsole is also carried over and showcases FF Blast Plus Eco foam, which is softer and lighter and delivers a very smooth ride. The stack height dimensions are also unchanged, with 40 mm in the heel and 30 mm in the forefoot for men, and 39 mm in the heel and 29 mm in the forefoot for women. As with the previous model, the resulting 10 mm drop will be appreciated by heel-strikers and newer runners.
Moving on to the updates, the new engineered mesh upper and knit collar construction deliver a more foot-conforming fit while still remaining surprisingly breathable. While this may seem like a rather small change, it does improve the shoe’s overall comfort and feel. Finally, the new outsole now features a combination of rubbers that deliver improved grip and softness.
So, if you are looking for a sophisticated stability trainer for daily runs, you need to look at the Gel-Kayano 31.
Products reviewed in this article:
