Asics MEGABLAST Introduction
“Atatte kudakero” is a Japanese saying that actually interprets to “Hit and break.” It means go for it, even for those who fail. This saying completely embodies ASICS’ technique of throwing prototypes on the wall to see which of them stick.
In 2025, ASICS has completed extra by way of uncooked new fashions than any of its opponents. It’s arguably probably the most thrilling and progressive operating shoe model proper now.
The Megablast, together with the Sonicblast are the two latest additions to the ASICS Blast household. Each of them are designed to be versatile, do-it-all trainers however the Sonicblast is plated whereas the Megablast isn’t.
I simply examined the Sonicblast and I concluded that it’s a really common coach. It doesn’t really feel significantly quick or propulsive, neither is it enjoyable and bouncy. I don’t see a necessity for its existence.
The Megablast weighs 8.1 oz (230 g) for a males’s US 9. It’s lighter than the Sonicblast, Superblast and Novablast. It prices a whopping $225 which makes it one of the costly trainers available on the market. It has stack heights of 45 mm/37 mm so it’s unlawful to make use of in official World Athletics races.
Asics MEGABLAST First Impressions
My first run was a simple run with a bit of hill sprints. At the start whereas I used to be going slowly, the Megablast felt agency and blocky. I didn’t really feel a lot vitality return.
Through the hill sprints once I was placing in effort, it felt like a very totally different shoe. It felt springy and transitioned quick from the heel to toe. It made it simple to propel myself up the hill.
It felt like a firmer, sport model of the Superblast 2. It jogged my memory a whole lot of the Superblast 1. The Superblast felt extra steady and had a extra snug higher than the Megablast however the Megablast felt sooner.
Asics MEGABLAST Higher
The Megablast’s higher is a hybrid between a racer and a coach. The fabric is skinny and laborious (plastic-like) to avoid wasting weight however the inside the heel counter can be padded to reinforce consolation round your ankles.
It has a really slim forefoot so I don’t advocate it for huge toes. Many runners have reached out to me concerning the strain on their pinky toe because of it being too slim. I don’t advocate going up a half dimension as a result of the size will probably be approach too lengthy. You can purchase it in your true dimension.
A semi-gusseted on the tongue ensures there’s no tongue slide and there’s a small quantity of padding within the tongue that’s designed to forestall lace bite- I nonetheless really feel strain on the highest of my toes if I lace them up too tightly. I discover general foot lockdown excellent. There’s a reflective strip on the again of the heel counter for security throughout low gentle runs.
Asics MEGABLAST Sole Unit
When going on the proper paces, the trip of the Megablast has the “wow issue”. It feels each fashionable and dynamic and the easiest way to explain its trip is sort of a souped up Superblast 2: a sooner, extra energetic Superblast.
That is the primary yr that ASICS is utilizing A-TPU. Each their FF Leap and FF Turbo Squared are manufactured from aliphatic TPU however they really feel very totally different. FF Leap is extraordinarily spongy and plush whereas FF Turbo Squared is agency and rubbery.
In case you have been an A-TPU doubter, the FF Turbo Squared midsole of the Megablast is proof that A-TPU is THE midsole foam of the longer term. The Megablast is extraordinarily light-weight and energetic on the identical time. ASICS says it’s 33% bouncier than commonplace FF Turbo. It’s additionally very durable- it resists chips and scrapes very nicely.
The Megablast is just not for gradual operating. It’s finest for uptempo runs beneath 5:15 per km. After I’m going slowly, it doesn’t reward me with a lot bounce as a result of the midsole is agency. It requires some power to compress the FF Turbo Squared so I solely really feel the vitality return once I’m doing exercises, hill sprints or strides.
It feels actually snappy although it doesn’t have a plate in it. The forefoot is thick and the froth isn’t squishy so transitions don’t really feel relaxed. The Megablast is the quickest non-plated coach I’ve examined and I might use it for a marathon the place I’m not going for a PB.
On the subject of stability, the Megablast isn’t as steady because the Sonicblast. It has a narrower base and your toes don’t sink down into the midsole; your toes sit on prime of the midsole quite than inside it. It’s additionally not as steady because the Superblast 2.
The Megablast outsole takes inspiration from the opposite trainers within the Blast sequence. It has the forefoot “island” which is designed to supply trampoline-like transitions nonetheless, it’s not as pronounced because the Novablast 5 as a result of the midsole is far firmer than the Nova.
The outsole is extremely sturdy and the rubber lugs are robust. This is without doubt one of the most sturdy ASICS outsoles I’ve lately tested- primarily as a result of the midsole foam is so robust. Traction can be good on moist roads.
Asics MEGABLAST Conclusions
The Megablast is spectacular for a 1st gen coach. Its weak spot is its slim forefoot however its new FF Turbo Squared midsole feels each quick and fascinating. The caveat is that you need to put in some effort to really feel the vitality return. That is undoubtedly not a simple/restoration run coach.
I’ll be utilizing the Megablast in my rotation for lengthy runs with quick finishes, for hill sprints and for brief tempo runs. I choose a stiffer coach with a plate or rods for threshold or interval exercises.
I benefit from the Megablast rather more than its blast sibling, the Sonicblast. It’s a lot simpler to choose up the tempo within the Mega. It’s $45 greater than the Sonic although. I really feel that the Megablast is right here to remain whereas the Sonicblast’s existence is irrelevant within the ASICS vary.
In comparison with the Superblast 2, the Superblast is $25 cheaper and is healthier worth for cash. The Superblast 2 is a bit softer and a bit heavier than the Megablast however they’re each used for a similar kinds of runs so that you don’t want each in your rotation.
