Magic Speed 5

I picked up the ASICS Magic Speed 5. They’re light and cheaper; under 7oz I think. Probably not as much energy return as other racers, but they definitely feel more stable than the high end racers and also should be more durable for daily training. I haven’t used them enough to confirm the durability yet. Got mine for $160. Might be tough for heel strikers though. I’ve heard good things about the Endorphin 4 for heel strikers, but I don’t know that they’re really for short speed work.

Maybe Gel-Kayano or GT-2000. They’re a little heavier but pretty supportive. I used the GT-2000 when I came back to running not too long ago. As for your topic question. It’s really runner dependent, but ASICS do keep hitting for me. Love the SB2s and the Magic Speed 5. I like Adidas, Saucony, and NB too. I don’t trust Nike. I’ve had Nike shoes just fall apart on me.

I just got the Magic Speed 5s. I like them. They’re supposed to be a little lighter and more aggressive than the MS4s. But I never wore the 4s. I am interested in the responses you get though. Had a similar issue. I found the Metaspeed too narrow. Adios Pro 4 felt better, but I wasn’t certain. MS5s are great, and I grabbed them for speedwork training, but I’m still wondering about race day performance shoes recs.

I have the Magic Speed 5’s. They’re great, light shoes for speedwork. I mostly bought them because I felt comfortable and seemed like they had better stability than other carbon plates. They’re supposedly more durable too compared to other carbon plates, so I use them for daily training. If they can put on the extra miles then their value is better than comparators. I would recommend them.

Magic Speed 5 is easily my favourite shoe for two things, track intervals 800m and below and treadmill. I like them more than Metaspeed for both of those cases. These are wildly underrated for the treadmill, IMO. I'm sure I'm in a minority, but the rocker and foam just work perfectly there for me for any kind of treadmill run. I did have the Magic Speed 3 at one point, but I had the wrong size, so can't really compare properly.

The magic speed 5 is a good, nimble racer and tempo trainer. If you want something that's also moderately stable and cheap I'd recommend the anta c202 7. Can get it for around $70 on TaoBao or $130 from Anta's official US website. They're also starting to build retail stores in the US if you want to try them in person. A good, smooth, stable and agreeable tempo trainer that can double as a racer. Nothing insane but smooth

This, don't overcomplicate things and start with a regular daily trainer. NB5 is a great shoe to start with. I really like them too. MS5 is a tempo shoe and the MS3 is the super trainer version of the NB5.

Hi all I am new to running and overall fitness. In 2025 I had started my fitness journey and lost 21kg. I am 187cm, 96kg male and plan to loose 5 to 10kg this year. My times are pretty slow...10k: 59min and i did my first half marathon in 2.20. This year I am focusing on more weight loss and preparation for a full marathon next year...I am taking it slow and I avoid injuries etc. I am running 30 to 50km a week depends where I am in training. I am also doing 2 to 3 metcon and strenght session and swap some runs accordingly to avoid strains etc. This year I plan to run few 5k, 10k and 2 halfs with maybe 30km long run at the end of the year. My current shoe rotation is asics only as I love how they work for me: Superblast 2...my staple base and long run shoe Nimbus 27... easy and recovery Metaspeed edge tokyo...my recent purchase for 5k race and intervals.. My marathon pace is 6.30 min/km My threshold is around 5.20min/km. I run and track all with Garmin Fenix 8. Metaspeeds are a bit harsh..feel narrow but when running they are ok..and I had few runs in them...usually long threshold runs from garmin daily suggested workouts..like [email protected]/km pace with 10 min warmup and cool down at 6.30/km. Legs are trashed after that but metaspeeds edge tokyo feel fast..demanding but boy they quick. I don't want to trash my racer shoes and I am looking for dedicated shoe to handle such threshold or tempo Workouts. Going below 6min/km in Superblast 2 feels like super hard work vs Metaspeed. I was considering: - megablast - sonicblast - magic speed 5. What would be your take? I am preferring asics.

Thank you all for the input. I ordered Magic Speed 5 in same size as Metaspeed and Superblast 2. My rotation would be: - easy and recovery: Nimbus 27 - base and long with marathon pace: Superblast 2 - threshold and speed: Magic Speed 5 - races up to 10km: Metaspeed Edge Tokyo. I will keep loosing weight. Target is 90kg and low body fat...I am doing Metcon/strenght on top keep in mind. I am awaiting for Superblast 3 to come up. Probably would instantly buy them as my SB2 have almost 500km and I catched 1cm glass into them my last run on the heel..so they will be retired when SB3 would come up.

Hi, I am heavy runner 94kg, 187cm 22% body fat. size 44.5. Running for over a year. Weekly km: 30 Goals: 10k race, 5k race and 2 half planned this year (June and September). Want to improve time. Loose weight. Start prepping for Full Marathon next year (attempt 30k this year but chill on my own). High cadence runner...175 spm on easy runs. 190spm when going full on. Recent 5km PB: 25.50 10km 59min Half 2h 20. 10 and Half times are from mid last year. my easy long run pace is 6min 20s/km. HR 140bpm. Shoes: Superblast 2. 450km on them. Running 80% on those. Got half marathon on those last year no problem. Magic Speed 5. New addition. Only tempo and speed work in them. I was not used to plated shoe..but I am now ok with them up to 8 to 10km. I added proper speed sessions from this year as I lost 21kg (was 117kg last year) and was comfortable to do so. Metaspeed Edge Tokyo race only. initially could not handle them...but worked on speed in Magic Speeds this year and did that 5k PB in them no problems. Can probably do 10k as I am still not stable in them. Superblast 3: New shoe...I went ahead and got those as I wanted softer Superblast 2. superblast 2 are great but I felt this training block my feet and ankles (calfs too) were beaten in them after long runs. I like Superblast 3 feel but I have some problems and maybe someone can explain to me what happens. Superblast 3 feel great first 5 to 6km...then I feel like the pop is gone. I also feel my knees and upper legs more...but my ankles and calfs problems from Superblast 2 are completely gone. I even feel my knees more in SB3 at the end of today after 12km long run. my tibia and intrinsic foot muscles are also tired initially...when lifting big toes I feel them worked hard. In Superblast 2 I felt those were more calf and ankle loading. Superblast 3 give me those weird knee, toe and overall fatigue feeling. my suspicion...softer foam needs different muscles or more stability muscles? would that go away as I transition? would SB3 foam settle as they break in? I like the shoe for the first 6 to 7km...then I am not sure....in SB2 I just got a bit tight calfes and ankles sometimes. that's all. EDIT: SB2 "issues" were not actually a problem...but I feel legs are less fresh in SB3. For recovery i used Nimbus 27 but rarely....i usually rest instead of recovery run. Added weekly and monthly km. UPDATE: 80km in and alternating my runs between SB2 and SB3 I start to like them now. I did 8k base run this weekend and was 100% fine afterwards...they work different muscles groups than firmer shoe like SB2...and I had to slowly ease into them like I had to my speed session shoe (magic speed 5). If you are coming from SB2...give them time...they less stable...and work different part of your legs. After adapting...they are great. I noticed SB3 want me to go faster....my 6.25/km feels great but around 6.00/km they are excellent... I will keep rotating SB2 and SB3 until I fully adapt. I will probably get Megablast after my SB2 die completely...and have dream combo. I will attempt 10k easy race (I am pacing someone) next weekend. Should be ok. UPDATE 2: after almost 100km and adapting to them they are amazing! I can do 12km on a weekend lojg run at 6.20 /km pace and my legs are 100% ok. Foam became less squishy and more balance. There is one fault though...they are running hot vs SB2. They are in fact least breathable shoe from my rotation and cause blisters just below my big toe in midfoot. I recently got Megablast on sale for 200 euro....I will start testing those too should be better in warm weather. So overall great... except breathability.

Same. Especially on uneven road or sidewalk there is clearly lack of stability vs SB2. I am talking 20 to 30% less stable. SB2 I can switch my brain off when I am on long 10km+ long run. In SB3 I need to pay attention on surface angles and if road is uneven. This probably contributes to more fatigue...my ankles and stabilisers need to work more in those vs SB2. I might get megablast next after my SB2 die completely. I am currently trying transition from SB2 to SB3 by rotating both shoes in a week. Will see how it goes. Good news is it's probably gonna be ok. For example I could not handle Metaspeed edge tokyo same reason. But based on good advice here I got magic Speed 5 and started tempo/speed work in those. Got used to them and was able to race 5k without a problem in Metaspeeds few weeks later...actually metaspeeds are excellent now...but I am solely using them as race shoe (thats their main purpose). I hope its the same transition to SB3 i need to do wirh SB2 in place.

I have vomeros and I used them when SB2 left my foot more sore.. Haven't run in them...so I cannot compare. SB3 are softer and more bouncer than SB2 but I think as one person answered...less stable and thus putting more effort on my stabiliser muscles hence perceived fatigue is more (other muscles need to work harder). I am not bottoming them etc...even at the end of the 12km...so probably ok for my weight just different shoe to SB2. Vomeros are also much heavier.