
ASICS
SUPERBLAST 2
Marathon workhorse, but loud and clunky at slow paces.

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I tried them on and was obsessed! Easily most fun shoe I have demoed, but I simply could not spend $290 at the time on one pair of shoes that may only go 100 miles. As ugly as the EE3 are though, they fixed essentially every issue I had with the EE2. Maybe if I come across some extra cash this summer I will try them out.
For me the EE2 were just too unstable for long distances, and the toebox taper paired with the somewhat unforgiving upper material in the reinforced spots rubbed/squeezed my toes. The EE3 lacks the medial cutout which promotes better stability, and the upper is a stretchy mesh-like material that conforms better to my foot. It may lessen the durability though. Not sure on that score.
I tried to like them. I actually have two pairs. But they are like a quicksand when trying to run any faster. I land on a different part of my sole depending how quick I'm going and there are some paces where the stability feels just good. But mostly it is not just stable enough for me. Elite 3 looks promising, based on the Doctors of Running review.
EVO Sl are great shoes for tempo workouts, but they really end at 10k, for longer runs I go for the Adizero Pro 4’s, but for a HM and coming from Evo SL’s the pro 3’s are probably better, here you can still buy them at some shops, for about 170eur, not sure what your situation is. The nitro elites are also a great option, since the foam is also a bit more firmer, but sizing can be a thing, they are pretty narrow. Also the endorphin speed pro’s are a bit firmer, but they don’t have the bounce and pop like the Evo SL’s, perhaps the Saucony Elite 1, comes a bit closer. Foams nowadays are for a lot of brands far softer but with great bounce, and the evo SL’s is at a sweet spot but it needs for your running a HM a bit more stability.
PR'd Twin Cities Marathon in Asics Metaspeed Edge on Sunday -- amazing experience. Just cushy enough to feel natural, light, and so so speedy. I tested them with a half a few weeks ago and there were immediate pace differences compared with my normal trainers. Did Brooklyn Half 2025 in Saucony Endorphin Elite -- also fast, and great rocking feeling, but a little hard feeling and personally felt more unstable to me than Asics Metaspeed. I ran NYC marathon in 2024 with Asicas Novablast 4 -- honestly these are still some of my fav shoes -- incredibly comfortable and bouncy feeling. Not racing shoes necessiraly but worked very well for my first marathon, and lasted for long after the race.
Heel striker here- I ran a PR twice in the Saucony Endorphin Elite. Not sure if you can still find that shoe though
I like mine, considered them for a marathon but having done a 5k and 10k fartlek session in them yesterday I feel I won’t get the best out of them as they absolutely fly at the faster paces, and I’m not fast enough, the midsole doesn’t feel a soft to me as a lot of the reviewers make out, it compresses but like it’s under tension, like it’s always ready to explode. Quite a different feeling to anything else I’ve used. I think the endorphin elite and adi pro 4 are heaps softer. For foam properties/squish I’d say it feels similar to zoom x but with more resistance. I’m 86kg for reference.

ASICS
SUPERBLAST 2
Marathon workhorse, but loud and clunky at slow paces.

Nike
Vomero Plus
Ultra-comfortable for long runs, but too bulky for speed.

Saucony
Endorphin Pro 4
Stable race shoe, versatile, but narrow fit, lacks bounce.

ASICS
Megablast
Very durable and versatile, but narrow toe box, causes blisters.

Mizuno
Neo Zen
Plush and versatile, but can be too soft and unstable.

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Brooks - Glycerin GTS 22

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Puma - Velocity NITRO™ 4

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ASICS - SUPERBLAST 2

Ranked #1
ASICS - SUPERBLAST 2

Ranked #1
ASICS - SUPERBLAST 2

Ranked #1
Nike - Vomero Plus