Asics Superblast 2 Introduction
I think even ASICS underestimated how successful the Superblast was going to be.
For the past 2 years, the Superblast has been one of the difficult running shoes to purchase. Colourway after colourway, it has sold out and if you were waiting for it to go on discount, you would have been met with disappointment because it is excluded from promotions.
There are a few main reasons why the Superblast is such a successful series.
- It’s a relatively lightweight & stable trainer for its gigantic 45.5/37.5 mm midsole stack height.
- It has the same midsole foam as the flagship Metaspeed racing series so you’re getting ASICS’ most advanced super foam for $50 less than the Metaspeed series.
- It has an extremely versatile ride character which excels at most types of runs and paces.
When it was launched 2 years ago, the Superblast quickly became one of my favourite ASICS trainers. I loved how much cushioning it had and how lightweight it felt. It also felt comfortable doing easy paces because it didn’t have a stiff carbon plate. It was a truly unique offering.
Running shoe prices rarely decrease: the Superblast launched at a price of $220 but after a few months, the price came down to $200 due to a lack of sales. $200 was the sweet spot and the Superblast has sold like hot cakes ever since.
This year, the Superblast 2 sold out online and in stores on the day it launched here in Malaysia. ASICS restricted stock for the first version but not for the second. Even with the increase in supply of v2, it still sold out and none of the retailers have restocked yet.
The Superblast 2 maintains its $200 price tag which is good news. The bad news is that it now weighs 8.8 oz (250 g), which is 0.4 oz (11 g) heavier than version 1.
It has the same stack height as v1 and although it looks very similar to its predecessor, it has a new outsole, midsole and upper.
Asics Superblast 2 First Impressions
My first run in the Superblast 2 was a 20 kilometre recovery run. Just like the first version, it was smooth, stable and very well-cushioned.
The most noticeable improvement was the new upper which felt much more comfortable. The true-to-size length and width were perfect.
The ride was very similar to version 1 and I was disappointed that it didn’t deliver more energy return considering it has FF Turbo+, the new premium super foam.
The most similar ride to the Superblast 2 is the Novablast 4. I said in my review of the original Superblast that it could have been named the “Novablast Pro” or the “Novablast Elite”.
The Superblast 2 felt similar to the Novablast 4 but slightly lighter and with more cushioning.
Asics Superblast 2 Upper
The upper of the Superblast 2 is an improvement over the first version. It fits better and it feels better ventilated. The mesh on the top of the toe-box lets in more air, as do the side panels, so breathability is much better.
The flat tongue is semi-gusseted and it does not slide around. Foot lockdown is superb and there’s an internal heel counter for support in the rear of the shoe. It has reflective Superblast wording on the heel pull tab for safety in low light conditions.
It fits true to size but it has a narrow, snug forefoot and toe-box. It’s best suited to narrow, low-volume feet. Unfortunately it doesn’t come in a wide version, unlike ASICS’ older trainers such as the Nimbus and Cumulus.
Asics Superblast 2 Sole Unit
The Superblast 2 is a rare running shoe because it feels like a super shoe but it doesn’t have a plate in it. It’s lightweight, snappy, very cushioned and has a responsive ride.
What sets the Superblast apart from the crowd is its high stack height and the absence of a plate in its midsole.
Most of the other trainers/racers with midsoles above 40 mm in stack height have a plate or other stiffener in their midsole to create structure in order to enhance the stability of the tall midsole.
The Superblast’s midsole is not squishy or extremely soft, so it doesn’t need a plate. It also has a broad base, so it’s already a very stable shoe and it provides plenty of support.
Long runs are the Superblast 2’s speciality. It has enough cushioning for a full marathon and its lightweight build (for a trainer) allows your legs to remain fresher for longer. Its gentle forefoot rocker eases you through transitions and helps you save energy.
The Superblast 2 is an incredibly versatile trainer. Slow paces above 6 minutes per kilometre feel great, as do uptempo paces below 4:30 per kilometre (7:15 per mile). Marathon pace feels comfortable but I find that when I push it to my threshold pace (4 minutes per km/6:26 per mile) or faster, it struggles a bit to hold it there.
The new FF Turbo+ foam combined with the new FF Blast+ Eco foam in its midsole feel very similar in softness to the last version. Even wearing one version on each foot at the same time, it’s hard to tell the difference. It’s a medium-firm ride which feels balanced and just right.
The outsole is the biggest improvement. It now has ridges on the rubber lugs so there’s more bite upon contact with the ground. Grip is also decent on wet surfaces now. There are no more holes in the outsole so stones don’t get trapped anymore.
Outsole durability is above average. I haven’t noticed much wear on my pair after 80 kilometres even with my heavy heel-striking form.
Asics Superblast 2 Conclusions
It’s been 2 years that we’ve had to wait for the Superblast 2 and while there are some small advancements such as comfort and traction, this new version isn’t a significant update. It’s a relief that they haven’t messed it up though. So if you have version 1, you don’t need to get version 2. Version 1 feels faster because it’s lighter.
The Superblast 2 is one of the most versatile trainers to be released this year. It has plenty of cushioning for distances above 30 kilometres, it has a stable ride and its forefoot rocker makes it energy-saving. It also has a surprisingly low weight for such a tall midsole which gives it the ability to effortlessly pick up the pace.
If I was asked to recommend a racer with no carbon plate (for a non-elite runner), I would recommend the Superblast 2 because it has a racing foam and it feels like a super shoe. Its $200 price tag is not excessive considering the Metaspeed series is $250 and you’re getting more FF Turbo+ foam in the Superblast 2.
The one thing I would change is to add a deep decoupled groove underneath the shoe, similar to the Novablast 1. This would increase the trampoline effect (more bounce and energy return) and would decrease the weight.
The Novablast is the Superblast’s biggest competitor and it is encroaching in the Superblast 2’s space.
The Novablast 4 has seen a midsole stack height increase of 2 mm and is now also above 40 mm in stack height. It doesn’t feel as fast as the Superblast 2 (due to its training midsole foam) but it’s $60 cheaper and is much better value for money. It’s also much easier to buy than the Superblast 2.
