Asics METASPEED Sky Paris Introduction
It would be great if Nike offered 2 different Vaporflys, Adidas offered 2 different Adios Pros and Hoka offered 2 different Rocket X’s for runners to choose from. Launching 2 different long-distance racers at the $250 price point is a stroke of genius from ASICS.
Each brand has 2-3 different daily trainers in the same price range that you can choose from so why can’t there be variety when it comes to racers?
Most runners I know can only afford either the Sky or the Edge but there are some who get both versions. The Metaspeed series is such a compelling purchase because both racers are super lightweight, are worn by some of the fastest athletes in the world and are more freely available than shoes like the Alphafly 3 or the Evo Pro 1.
The Sky Paris is named after the Olympic Games taking place in Paris this year. There wasn’t a Metaspeed Sky update last year but when I reviewed the Sky+ two years ago, I was disappointed with it because it felt completely different to the original version: firmer, heavier and less propulsive.
I never raced in the Sky+ and I preferred the Edge+ because of its more prominent forefoot rocker. I found both versions too firm. This year’s Sky Paris comes in at a substantially lower weight: 6.5 oz (185 g) compared to 7.2 oz (205 g) of the previous version. What makes it even more impressive is that it has 0.5 mm more foam in the heel and forefoot.
Asics METASPEED Sky Paris First Impressions
My first run in the Sky Paris was 32 kilometres. It was at a steady pace for the first 22 kilometres and then dropped down to tempo pace for the last 10.
It felt familiar. It felt fast but nothing really stood out for me on that first run. It just felt like a good, lightweight all-rounder. It was easy to pick up my pace and the upper was comfortable.
The ride was on the firm side, similar to the Edge Paris and it felt very stable. It actually felt really similar to the Edge Paris with the only difference being that the Edge has a more prominent forefoot rocker.
Asics METASPEED Sky Paris Upper
The Metaspeed Sky Paris upper has a very narrow fit, just like the Edge Paris. I had to go up a half size from my normal sizing because the length is shorter and the toe-box narrower than most running shoes.
The toe-box is also high so there’s some material bunching in the front of the shoe. This shoe is best suited to runners with narrow, high volume feet.
The upper mesh is super light and airy, which allows for plenty of air circulation around your feet. The tongue is flat and not gusseted so it slides around during runs but it isn’t uncomfortable.
There’s some light padding in the collar so there’s no heel slippage and foot lockdown is fantastic. The shoelaces are similar to the notched ones made popular by the Nike Alphafly. They do a good job staying tied and lasting for the lifetime of the shoe.
Asics METASPEED Sky Paris Sole Unit
The main reason you’d buy the Metaspeed Sky Paris is its low weight. It doesn’t feel particularly propulsive or energetic but because of its featherweight build, it feels very agile, nimble and nippy. Its midsole doesn’t compress that much, so it provides a firm platform to push off from.
The new FF Turbo+ midsole foam is slightly softer than the previous version but it’s barely noticeable and I would still prefer it to be 15-20% softer, especially for long distances above 30 kilometres. It doesn’t have as much long-distance comfort as the Vaporfly 3, Alphafly 3, Rocket X 2, and Endorphin Pro 4.
The longest run I did in the Sky Paris was 35 kilometres and it didn’t blow me away during that run. I wished it had more rockered transitions and a more lively ride.
FF Turbo+ is nylon-based and I don’t feel like it provides as much bounce or energy return as the Lightstrike Pro in the Adios Pro or the ZoomX in the Alphafly. It doesn’t compress and rebound as much as the softer, PEBA based foams on the market.
In the Sky Paris, the plate sits closer to your foot than in the Edge Paris so there’s less foam between your foot and the plate. This results in a firmer forefoot and softer rearfoot.
The forefoot rocker in the Sky Paris starts later than in the Edge Paris so you get a less prominent forward-tipping sensation. I prefer a more aggressive forefoot rocker because I feel that it helps me maintain a fast speed when my legs begin to tire in the latter stages of races.
With the Sky Paris, it’s all about the bounce. The design utilises the foam and plate to get as much bounce as possible from the forefoot to propel you forward. That’s why there’s a higher concentration of foam under the forefoot and it bulges outwards. The Edge Paris doesn’t bulge out as much.
You have to strike hard on the forefoot to take advantage of the design. With the Edge Paris, the design uses the S-shaped plate as a lever to propel you forward, so you need to lean forward and increase your cadence to engage the rocker.
I feel that for short, fast workouts like intervals and strides, I prefer the Sky Paris because my foot strikes are harder and I’m stomping the ground more, whereas I prefer the Edge Paris for longer runs like tempo and threshold runs during which my strikes are softer and less powerful.
My favourite run in the Sky Paris was a 10K specific workout with 1K, 400m, 300m and 200m intervals. It comes alive when I’m in Zone 6.
The Sky Paris has excellent traction in wet conditions. Durability is average and I’ve noticed a patch in the middle of the rearfoot which has worn down more than the rest.
My Edge Paris doesn’t have this worn down patch even though I’ve done almost double the mileage in it so I don’t think this outsole will last as long as the Edge Paris.
Asics METASPEED Sky Paris Conclusions
This update has been 2 years in the making but the upgrades are not as substantial as I expected. The Sky Paris is very similar to the Sky+ and I don’t think you need to upgrade if you have the Sky+.
It’s still a bit too firm for my liking with not enough bounce or energy return coming from its midsole foam. The main difference is the weight, with the Sky Paris being lighter.
The Sky Paris wouldn’t be my first choice for racing a marathon because it’s not comfortable enough for long-distances for me. I prefer something with more propulsion and more rebound.
It performs better during the short, fast stuff like V02 max workouts. The Sky Paris does have an impressive cushioning-to-weight ratio compared to the competition though.
If you’re thinking about getting both the Sky Paris and the Edge Paris, I personally don’t think you need both because their rides feel so similar. You should get the Sky Paris if you’re a forefoot striker with a powerful footstrike, get the Edge Paris if you’re a heel striker with a quick cadence who enjoys a forward rolling motion with each transition.
For me, the Edge Paris feels better during long runs because the forefoot rocker makes it feel more efficient whereas the Sky Paris feels better during short distances.
