If you’ve been a serious runner in the past couple of years, you’ve probably noticed the buzz surrounding the ASICS Superblast. Launched in early 2023 to great fanfare, the hype was well-deserved. Even if you haven’t had the chance to try them yourself, you’ve likely seen them featured on multiple “best shoes” lists. We had the opportunity to test them out early in 2023, and we can confirm—they’re pretty great.
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Now, here we are 18+ months later, and the Superblast 2 has just hit the market. Runners everywhere have been eagerly waiting to see how it measures up to its predecessor. We’ll dive into the details in the next few paragraphs, but for now, we’ll say this—we’re impressed.
Superblast vs. Superblast 2
Looks:
I really liked the visuals of the original Superblast, which had an understated colorway with a grey upper and muted orange and foam green on the outer midsole. I thought it would be hard to top that design.
When the Superblast 2 launched, I was extremely excited about the original media colorway – grey with yellow and orange. Unfortunately, it seems it’s no longer available. What I found on the ASICS website was a more straightforward version with a white upper and sky blue outer midsole. I didn’t hate it, but it felt a bit plain based on the website photos – and compared to original launch colors.
When I opened the sample box, my heart sank just a bit to see that this was the pair I received. However, I was pleasantly surprised to like this version much more in person than I initially did online. It has a clean feel with a subtle blue that rounds out the design, and I’m now fully on board.
Fit & Construction:
Upper:
Aside from the looks, the upper feels a bit more breathable and airier compared to the first version. The fit is true to size, with plenty of room for different foot shapes while still keeping things secure. Straight out of the box, they felt great—no break-in period needed. I didn’t even think about the fact that I was wearing new shoes, which is always a good sign.
Midsole:
This is where you’re really getting your money’s worth. At $200, you’re not just paying for a nice upper and outsole—you’re paying for an incredibly smooth and comfy ride. It strikes a great balance between cushioning and propulsion, without being too soft. Chalk that up to a combo FF BLAST PLUS ECO and FF TURBO PLUS cushioning – which is a pair used in their Metaspeed models.
Some super-cushioned shoes tend to make my feet ache after a while, but these hit that sweet spot. The midsole feels a little firmer than version one (but still super cushioned), and that’s actually a good thing for me.I loved version one, but I found myself wearing them less over time. If you liked the first version, you’ll probably love this one even more. It might have just a touch less cushion, but overall, the ride feels like an upgrade, which is impressive since the first version was already fantastic.
Outsole:
The outsole’s had a few tweaks too, and it’s got solid grip thanks to ASICSGRIP. I’ve only done a few runs in wet conditions (trying to keep these white for as long as I can—ha!), but they’ve handled the slick surfaces just fine. The grip feels reliable, and the outsole seems like it’ll hold up over time, which is always a plus.
Inaugural Run:
For my first run in the Superblast 2, I went for a 7-mile pace-pushing session to see how the cushion and responsiveness would hold up. Right from the start, they felt super natural—like I wasn’t even wearing new shoes. I managed to hit negative splits the whole way, starting at a 7:15 mile and finishing with a 6:59. The shoes handled the pace changes and quicker turnover without any issue, and I barely had to think about it. They gave me great support and bounce, making the run feel smooth and effortless. Big win right out of the gates.
Overall:
At $200, it’s not the cheapest option, but in my opinion, it’s absolutely worth it. If you’re looking for a cushioned, responsive shoe that can tackle long runs and intense workouts, this one deserves a spot – and perhaps THE spot – in your rotation!
ASICS Superblast 2 $200
Specs & Socials:
- Weight: 45mm / 37mm
- Stack: 8mm
- Drop: 8.8 ounces
ASICS
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Thank you to ASICS for providing us with a sample pair. Please read our transparency page for info on how we do our reviews.
