Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris Review: The best carbon racing shoe?

[@MyFatAdaptedLife]

For what it's worth, last Sunday I ran a Boston Marathon qualifying time in my Sky Paris. This is an absolutely brilliant shoe.

[@MyFatAdaptedLife]

@@MrAsthenia Many thanks 😊

[@michaelgriffiths305]

WOW - lightness is winning out. For Nick to tip the Metaspeed Sky Paris over the AF3… given the conclusion the AF3 was the best racer ever - clearly the bar is getting raised!!!

[@alexkhan2000]

I thought I was set with the AF3 for at least the next year, but I couldn't resist trying the Edge Paris after seeing various reviews and comments from other runners. Not having been a big ASICS fan in the past (I'm a big fan of the Adidas Adizero lineup as well as the Nike AF3 and VF3) with a preference for softer foams, I didn't know what to expect from the Edge Paris and the feel and ride of the FF Turbo+. I was immediately blown away by the Edge Paris and took it out on a 15-mile run when I had planned on a 7-mile test run. It was so fun and the ride felt so good that I kept on going. That experience left a nagging curiosity: what would the Sky Paris be like? Am I a cadence runner or stride runner? Does that even matter? Well, when I'm curious I just quench the curiosity and go for it. Haha. Got the Sky Paris several days ago and immediately took it on a 16-mile run when, again, I had planned on a 7~10-mile run at most. Obviously, the Sky Paris feels very similar to the Edge Paris but it had slightly more upwards bounce and the overall ride felt just a little smoother but just as propulsive while encouraging a very rapid turnover. For reference, I'm an older (59yo) light guy (167cm, 57kg) who's been running seriously for about 2 years now. My 5K is a little below 21:00, 10K around 44:00 and HM PB is 1:37. I haven't run a FM race yet but Garmin and Stryd both tell me I should do 3:30. My goal is to run my first FM early next year and do sub-3:30. As usual, I fully agree with everyone's assessment of the Sky Paris. I also love the AF3 and the Cielo X1 and I've only had one run in the Sky Paris, but it's the one I'd choose for 5K through HM. I'll need to do a 20+mile run with the Sky Paris to see how I feel but, when I did the 16-mile run with the mid-segment of around 10 miles at 7:15/mi (4:30/km) pace and then at my moderate pace of 8:00/mile (5:00/km) pace near the end, I still felt very good and felt I could easily go another 5 miles. The lightness was really a big factor for keeping strong during the last few miles and I could see how that could make the difference over the full marathon distance. Being a light guy, I've preferred softer-feeling midsole foams like Lightstrike Pro, FuelCell (mainly for training and easy runs), and ZoomX and wasn't interested in the FF Turbo in the previous Metaspeed Edge+/Sky+, but I really love the feel and ride of the FF Turbo+. It's still on the firm side compared to the aforementioned foams from other brands but in a nice way. I felt like I got all the protection I needed while getting more pep, punch, and propulsion as well as great responsiveness underfoot. The upper feels fantastic and is also roomier in the forefoot/toe-box than I expected, which is an area that I always found too narrow and tight in some other ASICS shoes I've tried in the past. My forefoot is slightly on the wide side while my mid-foot and heel are standard-to-narrow. I guess that's why the Adizero shoes, in general, fit my feet so well. The fit on both the Edge Paris and Sky Paris are virtually perfect for me. They are also quite stable considering their narrow heels. I really like the wide forefoot base and the outsole grip is as good as that of any other race shoe out there or even better. I really can't think of any negative points about both Edge Paris and Sky Paris. I still need to run in both shoes more to fully understand the difference between the two but, based on two long runs I've done with them, the Edge Paris does seem to promote a faster rollover (cadence) in my gait cycle while the Sky Paris lifts me higher to extend my strides. I guess it's similar to the differences between AF3 and VF3 as well as the PXSv1 and PX2S that I've noticed, but more subtle since the Edge Paris and Sky Paris are virtually the same shoes with minor differences under the hood, so to speak. Once again, I fully agree with Nick and his overall thoughts - especially when comparing to the AF3 and the Cielo X1. These are all great shoes but, for racing and squeezing out every little inch, second, ounce, etc. out of one's performance, the Sky Paris seems to have the edge over the competition right now. ASICS hit it out of the park with the Edge Paris and Sky Paris. It'd be interesting to see the Run Testers do an Edge Paris vs. Sky Paris comparison since I know there are many runners out there who are confused and if one is better than the other for their mechanics, gait cycle, and ride preferences. Personally, I prefer the Sky Paris. It's more aggressive and feels a little firmer underfoot due to the positioning of the plate, but that may be exactly what some will prefer.

[@BigTastyBurger666]

Got the Edge Paris, and for a first carbon shoe, I’m very impressed. Can’t wait to run them at London

[@TheHutchRuns]

I love this shoe after one run! Thanks for the recommendation Nick, ran an Oslo session this morning (7x5mins at goal pace with 90 secs recovery) and they were like a dream, the AF3 has a serious competitor and I think I'd already prefer this for 5k & 10k but more runs will tell me 100%

[@alanorcharton8855]

I just ran the Oakland Marathon in the Edge Paris. Was excellent I got a similar time to the last marathon in the vaporfly 3. There is a little more cushion up front and less of a drop. Felt a little more comfortable than VF3 the last few miles of the marathon. Very impressive overall.

[@carloshurtado6130]

Ran my first 30k in my sky Paris just to try them out before Boston and I want to thank you guys (specially nick for the multiple replies to my questions). These are the shoes I was definitely looking for after loving the AF1 for years. Didn’t even try the AF3 so no idea if I would have chosen them or not. Nike made everything in their power for me not to be able to 🤷🏼‍♂️. They come out today apparently. Hope some actual runners are able to get a pair. I am sorted now. ASICS killed it.

[@TheRunTesters]

No problem and glad you like them! I'm going to get to the AF3 vs Meta Sky Paris this weekend but as a spoiler I used the AF3 for another workout and still prefer the Asics for sure

[@carloshurtado6130]

@@TheRunTesters oh that’s a great spoiler!! Specially today that Nike’s fomo strategy is at its peak 😅 Great news 😌 Looking forward to it!

[@Alex_Runs40]

Awaiting delivery of a pair. Cannot wait to take them out.

[@choccyverstapilton]

Can’t believe how light these are - 220g in a UK 12… I thought the Alphafly 3 (267g 12UK) was a big step forward in terms of weight loss from the 2…can’t wait to test them out.

[@MainmanNorm]

Really helpful video - was thinking of buying a pair but I’m too slow and my form too poor to make the best of them. Thanks Kieran.

[@Ghimlioak]

I just bought them for my future marathon in Toulouse (France) next November. I will use them during my preparation in September and race with them after. But I will test them before on one or two runs 😊.

[@JackD87]

Would be great to see a Sky/Edge comparison. From the content I’ve seen previously from Nick, it sounds like the Edge would suit him! I’ve ended up with both 😐

[@halimahmad1022]

I can only afford one. Does it matter which one?

[@InfoConGafas]

He’s mentioned it many many times, even though it should suit him more he has always gone for the speed

[@JackD87]

@@InfoConGafas speed? Well he said in this video they’re still waiting on the Edge. I’m looking forward to his thoughts on both, either way!

[@042766]

Was watching the asics Paris series yesterday for the youths vying for a contract and then the elites - many or most of which wore the sky's (Kenyans dominated and Ethiopia woman won) but their strides are so long and their body style and technique really adhered to that shoe - you could see them really taking off driving in the sky - yet when your are moving at that pace I take it they really excel.

[@GeoGigs14]

Great review! Really love the look of these but they're a bit too pricey for me currently, I'm gonna see if I can hang on until Black Friday and wait for the 6-month long-term reviews.

[@042766]

Edge vs sky - which shoe lets you do "your" natural style of running vs. forcing you into running the style the shoe wants you to run?

[@jamieparr6962]

Great review, thanks team 👍

[@042766]

Update - was able to run in both (asics NYC let's you test run them along west side highway) as I initially bought the edge but never ran in them. I wanted to make sure I made the right choice. The sky surprised me with its ease of running and feeling "natural" with my stride (either short or long and at multiple speeds. I then ran in the edge and it did not feel "natural" to me - felt like a drive into the ground and then snap up which aggravated my left knee. It was not a natural motion for me so hence exchanged the edge for the sky and look forward to 1/2 - marathon distances in it, but also it felt fast and nimble on the 5k I ran on the test run darting in and out of the nyc crowds (no stability problems). Maybe there's a reason I never ran in vaporflys but do in Pro 3's. Felt much lighter than those as well though I do love the pro 3's.

[@khrisnaram-indra7316]

Looking forward in April ❤

[@Fozzee.1970]

Gutted got mine today. Way too unstable for my left leg compared to the Sky Plus. Felt fast and effectient but triggered my Peroneal issue. I couldn't run more than short distances in these. Think they will be going back.

[@NickGrobler81]

Got mine on Thursday. Out of the box they defo feel the most unstable of all generations, not sure the upper helps? and so much foam!

[@DTOWNRW16]

torn between these and the endorpin pro 3s. unsure if ill need the little more stability in the 3s.

[@alpineassault]

went a half size bigger when I bought mine. now I'm so curious on what the difference in feel would be if I went true to size.

[@seanhelmot3984]

How did the AF3 vs sky paris assessment go for Mara in mind Nick?

[@jakestewart7204]

Just bought a pair. Very excited to try them out. Roughly how many miles do you get out of a shoe like this before performance is not the same?

[@paulwilliams3585]

Great review! Does anyone know where you can get these? Size 10.5 Seem to be sold out everywhere Thanks

[@hamoudalnasser]

How accommodating is this shoe for runners with wider forefeet/higher arches/splaying toes?

[@cwd3bon]

Not very for me, tried both sky and edge and found them narrow at the top of the toe and contacted 3rd/4th/5th toes

[@deezel3527]

In my normal size UK10 I'm finding the Paris very tight around the outer side (small toe knuckle) on both feet. I never usuallly have width issues in Saucony, Hoka, Adidas. Disappointed as I don't think it'll be fixed by moving half a size up.

[@cwschang]

I had the same issue and went half a size up. More room for toes and no issues with heel lockdown.

[@deezel3527]

@@cwschang thanks for the reply

[@kaprikornian1]

As a heel striker myself, I'm waiting on the Edge Paris review as I think that would (in theory) be better for me...

[@mahmehn7]

can it be used for race sprints

[@pm_gaming22]

I am a triathlete with race distances of 5k, would this be the shoe to recommend or something else? Curently have the hoka rocket x and had it for a few years so want an upgrade. Any advice would be really helpful, thanks!

[@markhill8590]

The rocket X2 is phenomenal

[@benharris3699]

Managed to pick up this shoe with an Easter discount for £186. I’ve never tried the alphaflys, is there a 60- 70 quid difference?

[@choccyverstapilton]

I’d probably say the upper fit of the Alphafly 3 is nicer and a little more snug being sock-type. I guess the rest is cost of zoom pods if anything. Can’t go wrong with either if you desperately want one but can only get the other. These are crazy light though so guess it comes down to trying both if you can and going with what feels best for you.

[@tinqwyx]

21:16 that is orange or what?

[@Football77-z7k]

Does the bounce also help in short distance running

[@markoljustina]

Yes

[@MainmanNorm]

You guys are brilliant reviewers BUT you’re also all about twice as fast as me. I run half marathons in 2 to 2 1/4 hours and I’m sure many of your viewers are equally keen but much slower than you all. Could you recruit someone to give us slower / older runners a feel for these super shoes please?

[@jeremygreenwood2668]

Oddly i recently purchased a pair of AMSP from sportshoes but returned them without opening the box exchanging them for the Hoka Cielo X1 partly because I wanted to spend all that cash on something slightly more versatile but mainly because I think predict that Hoka will offer me more stability in the latter stages of racing (being nearly 50 and having weak ankles!) Reading these latest reviews I can't help but think I've made the wrong decision! That being said I haven't actually run in either yet 😂

[@danny3335]

Great review as always, sky paris vs vaporfly 3....which one is more stable at the rear end? Tia.

[@Tony-em4cb]

Asics by FAR!

[@davidpearson6011]

Are they a narrow fit in the width

[@cwd3bon]

Yes

[@fr0zenmilk]

What is considered a "high cadence?"

[@markhill8590]

Anything about 180-190

[@cocktails4u890]

i got the normal one Asics Metaspeed Sky not the paris i used it for training what that a mistake cuz on my right foot on top it really hurts now i dont know if its the shoe or what? cuz i only did 13.6km in them, but i do want too get the paris but is it good for training running races?

[@karls8989]

Seriously the Adios Pro3 none of you guys use that??

[@grantmckay7014]

They reviewed it many times it the past. It is a very good shoe but the new gen edges it.

[@042766]

@@grantmckay7014- also tough to compare as I have the pro 3 and when looking a the plates, the pro 3 seems to fall between both edge and sky - more closer to then edge but not as quite a steep drop. Also more landing on the rear with the pro 3

[@timtrenholm3698]

For the full marathon distance, the 5mm drop concerns me. It's why I am locked into using the AF V3 for both my scheduled marathons this year. Now....at the half marathon....I'm seriously considering trying the Sky Paris. Now, I'm a high cadence runner, and I'm of the opinion that once you already have a high cadence....the last thing you want is MORE cadence, you need the extra stride length. And that's where I would go with the Sky over the Edge, but I'm probably an outlier in terms of cadence in the high 190's for the full/half.

[@grantmckay7014]

I wonder the same. I have mid 190s on a solid 30km training run at the moment during marathon prep. Surely more to gain by increasing stride length. 🤔

[@hengang4571]

Everything is perfect except the tongue is too thin for me, is just me.