The much-anticipated Superblast 2 has arrived. In my circle, everyone who’s gotten to try this shoe has fallen in love–myself included. It’s one of the most versatile trainers I’ve ever worn. It’s extremely well-cushioned, but light and quick underfoot. This shoe has a place in any neutral runner’s rotation.
Category: Neutral
Drop: 8 mm
Weight: 249 g (8.8 oz.)
MSRP: CAD $260
Available: Now
Upper
The Superblast’s upper has seen some big changes from the first model to the second. The new upper has a tightly woven knit that’s highly breathable and comfortable. It’s one piece of material, meaning it’s light and fits snugly without promoting any blisters or hot spots.
A note on fit: this version of the Superblast fits a bit small (whereas the previous version ran a bit large). Consider going up half a size.
Midsole
The midsole has also seen some major updates, with FF Turbo Plus (the same foam that’s used in the Metaspeed series) in the forefoot. The FF Turbo Plus is designed to help runners conserve energy over longer distances and at higher speeds. The rear of the shoe has FF Blast Plus Eco for maximum cushioning, to ensure a smooth and bouncy ride.
Overall I found the midsole a touch stiffer and more responsive than the first iteration, making this shoe even better at higher speeds (for example, tempo runs).
Outsole
The outsole is a new and improved Asicsgrip, designed with better durability. This outsole is placed in the same pattern as the previous version, but has a little more staying power.
Final thoughts
Much like the first version, I love and wear this shoe almost daily. It’s a touch lighter and firmer than before; the new upper is excellent and fits a bit smaller, but overall I still love this shoe and will use it for the same purposes. It’s a great option for an easy day, but can also handle a long run or tempo. Because of its combination of responsive and cushiony foams, the Superblast really can do it all.
This is my go-to shoe for racing trips, when I don’t want to bring a pair of warmup as well as workout shoes in my luggage (the Superblast does both well). If you’re looking for one shoe to help you get to race day, this is a great option. It also pairs very well with a Metaspeed, as a warmup shoe for top-end, race-prep workouts.
