ASICS Superblast 2 vs Magic Speed 4: Shoe Comparison Review

[@alexkhan2000]

Nice comparison review. I'm just getting started with the Superblast 2 (held out from the first one) and really liking it so far. It isn't outstanding at any one thing, but it's definitely a great all-rounder and can do lots of different runs very well. I understand the hype but it's not a mind-blowing kind of shoes that made me laugh out loud when I first ran in the PXS v1, Cielo X1, and the Metaspeed Sky Paris. It's a versatile workhorse type of shoe that's very light for what it is and I think that's why so many runners love it. As for the Magic Speed 4, seems interesting but doesn't seem like a shoe that will fit in my collection/rotation. I'll do one dedicated speed workout per week with Takumi Sen, Adios 8, DNE2, or Metaspeed Edge Paris and go on several other long runs per week with some tempo and threshold segments in the middle, so I just don't see the Magic Speed fitting in anywhere. Doesn't seem like I'd want to go on a 15~20-mile long run with it, even with some faster segments thrown in. For those, there are the PXS v1/v2, Cielo X1, Superblast 2, or long-distance race shoes like the Alphafly 3, Adios Pro 3, and SC Elite v4. Seems like a niche category shoe for the relatively few who really like that firm feel and speedy ride. I don't think I'm enough of a stud to get the most out of it.

[@run-are]

@@alexkhan2000 thanks for sharing your experience

[@MyFatAdaptedLife]

I'm still trying to rack up miles on my SB1, which I use for long runs with workouts (fast finish, surges, etc). I just picked up the MS4, which I've been using for uptempo workouts. I enjoy both and agree with your assessment regarding both. Cheers.

[@run-are]

@@MyFatAdaptedLife thanks for sharing your experience!

[@MyFatAdaptedLife]

@@run-are of course

[@tonylangelaan3094]

Great comparison video. Very similar to my thoughts after my wear test run of both shoes. The SB2 felt flat to me, not as lively as I expected. I would much prefer the magic speed 4 as a training shoe

[@run-are]

@@tonylangelaan3094 thanks for sharing your thoughts!

[@CorGP]

Just was looking at both. I get pretty a sweet discount from ASICS so I’m going to test out the SB 2, Speed 4 and Noosa Tri 16 this Fall/Winter. I already run in the NB 4 and people have told me it’s not worth the $60 price increase to buy the SB.

[@run-are]

@@CorGP I actually prefer the Nova 4 over the SB 2

[@dkmchui]

I have SB1. It is overhyped. I used it only for long distance goal race pace.

[@run-are]

@@dkmchui thanks for the comment

[@ganchinho]

well that's kind of the point of this shoe

[@dkmchui]

@@ganchinho it is light for the thickness of midsole it has, and it is pretty much about it. I don't find it very bouncy.

[@ganchinho]

@@dkmchui understood, have you tried the 2?

[@MLHunt]

I'm new to running so I'm still figuring out what works for me, but the SB2 is the favorite shoe I own overall (I have Clifton 9, Hurricane 24, Nova 4, Adizero SL2, Adios Pro 3, Magic Speed 3). It's not an exciting or fun shoe but it's solid, stable, efficient, and doesn't punish me for having a beginner's form and stamina.

[@run-are]

@@MLHunt that's a great rotation there! Thanks for sharing your experience

[@tigerbalm666]

Just ran in my first max stack Nimbus 25 and it's opened my eyes from my Dynaflite 3...

[@run-are]

@@tigerbalm666 That's a nice upgrade 👍🏽

[@Fozzee.1970]

I just can't pick up the pace in the MS4. As soon as I get on the forefoot it feels unstable and firm. Coasting on the heel and midfoot is ok even if unexciting. Superblast works better for me.

[@run-are]

@@Fozzee.1970 thanks for sharing your experience.

[@snowwalker9999]

Superblast is a very good shoe. But I feel it’s overrated. I only ran in Superblast 1 and I feel the same way about it. There isn’t enough sinking and rebound. I wouldn’t call it stiff either I tried Magic Speed 4 in a shoe store and I almost left the store with it. But I’m also getting the Saucony Speed 4 so I thought it would be redundant and a waste of money to have both shoes.

[@run-are]

@@snowwalker9999 agree it's either the Speed or the Magic Speed!

[@snowwalker9999]

@@run-are Which one do you prefer?

[@Nextman916]

The endorphin speed and the magic speed are quite different in terms of feel, the MS4 is max stack and almost 10mm thicker than the ES4. The ES4 is a firmer and lower ride while the MS4 is more mushy but its plate does more to propel forward. It’s the same category of shoe but how they get there is pretty stark. Superblast isn’t really a super trainer imo, it did speed better than most daily trainers in the SB1 and that was an awesome feat for such a max stack shoe without a plate, so people really hailed it for such. But it really wasn’t speedier than any of the plated super trainers that could handle race pace and below. The SB 1/2 is a phenomenal marathon trainer for long runs where you inject some strides and tempo pace. It likes to hold a rhythm you set in that range. I think the SB is a “super daily trainer” not a “super trainer”.

[@run-are]

@@Nextman916 I find the ES4 softer than the MS4 😂. Thanks for sharing your experience

[@run-are]

@@snowwalker9999 At this stage I'd go the ES4 for a workout shoe.

[@KUCINGCUKING_3768]

Out of all the shoes you reviewed which is your favourite and your go to?

[@run-are]

@@KUCINGCUKING_3768 my best of 2024 video is on my channel. I go through all my favourites of the year for all types of runs. My shoe of the year is the Mizuno Neo Vista

[@nickb1201]

Another terrific comparison video - thank you. I'd be really interested to get your opinion when comparing the Superblast 2 and Brooks Hyperion Max 2. I feel they're worth comparing and I (and I suspect plenty of others) would love to hear what you think, and perhaps which one you prefer. The SB2 seems a much bulkier and slightly "clunky" shoe compared to the Max 2, despite being similar weights and I'd love a comparison between the respective rides of these shoes. Thanks in advance and best wishes.

[@run-are]

@@nickb1201 I'll put that one on the to do list.

[@icio1511]

In the SB2 i have size 46 and in MS4 size 46,5 this because the MS4 was too narrow for me so i had to take half a size bigger.

[@run-are]

@@icio1511 thanks for the info!

[@JuarezRichard]

This is the first honest review I hear about the Superblast 2. is overhyped and I didn’t liked it. I prefer my novablast 3

[@run-are]

@@JuarezRichard thanks for the comment!

[@TakaFujiOfficial]

Magic Speed 4 vs Endorphin Speed 4 please

[@JohnMckee-m9o]

I'm a big Asics fan and currently run in the Novablast 4 as my daily trainer and really enjoy the shoe. Looking to add either the Magic Speed 4 or Noosa Tri 16 for faster training and potentially some shorter racing. Which would you recommend?

[@run-are]

@@JohnMckee-m9o I think the Magic Speed 4 feels like the faster shoe with the plate, geometry and the little bit of FFTurbo...saying that the Noosa Tri 16 is feather light and is very easy to run in but it's more of a do-it-all shoe and an overall better shoe in my experience. If you are only looking for a speed shoe then MS4 is designed for that but won't offer much in versatility.

[@JohnMcKee-m7v]

Thanks for your reply - I went with the Noosa Tri 16 and had a good first run yesterday. Didn’t feel anything special the first few kms but felt effortless as you described the longer the run went on. Looking forward to putting more kms on them. Cheers

[@run-are]

@@JohnMcKee-m7v no problems!

[@jannytangotv5800]

Hello sir i would like to buy in japan store for Asic Magic speed 4 what is difference of 2E and 3E?

[@run-are]

@@jannytangotv5800 the width, 3E is extra wide I believe

[@johnsonch7292]

Will you be getting Mach x2 soon? Want to see how it compare to magic speed and superblast 2.

[@run-are]

@@johnsonch7292 I haven't got that one on my radar as I didn't test the first version. Who knows maybe HOKA may surprise me 😂

[@popitn2nd]

Any fit issue on the sizing of Superblast 2? Some people say that the superblast 2 fits smaller than the previous superblast.

[@run-are]

Yes the Superblast 1 is 1/2 size bigger than the 2. I found the SB1 too big and I come down 1/2 a size. The SB2 fits me true to size and aligns with most other shoe brands in the same size.

[@popitn2nd]

@@run-are thank you for your reply. I do have the Magic speed 4 and this shoes fits me perfectly in size 11. should i get the same size for Superblast 2? Since you have both shoes on your possession. Are they same size?

[@run-are]

@@popitn2nd Yes they are the same size

[@damodaraomalley3974]

Great vids bro. Could I order a pair of sb2’s for delivery to collie w.a. pleas please. Size 11.5 is men’s in that exact colour way. Thank you 😊

[@run-are]

@@damodaraomalley3974 contact the team at the running company Geelong. They should be able to hook you up.

[@ezra6872]

I’m still torn between vaporfly 3 or asics magic speed 4 for my speed session, any suggestions? (I’m currently rocking pegasus 38 & novablast 3 for dailies)

[@run-are]

@@ezra6872 do you already own the VF3 or MS4 or are you looking to purchase one?

[@ezra6872]

@@run-are looking to purchase one

[@run-are]

@@ezra6872 The VF3 is a top tier race shoe and the magic speed is just a speed workout shoe, big price difference. If you are considering the VF3 I would also look at the ASICS Metaspeed Sky Paris or Edge as these are ASICS equivalent to the VF3. Another great shoe I am testing now is the Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 3, its a fast boucey shoe!

[@smilingsunflower-q9p]

I can see why some runners enjoy the Superblast but for me, it's too expensive for what you get. It's supershoe price for essentially a shoe with very little tech or innovation. It's just a slab of excellent FF Turbo+ midsole foam with a smidgen of FF Blast+. It's an unexciting ride but does what is expected in terms of performance and stability. That price point is a kill joy.

[@longshlongsilver293]

It's durable though. You'll get a 1000km out of it.

[@run-are]

@@smilingsunflower-q9p thanks for the comment!

[@nickb1201]

I really do think you're right - you can actually get just as much responsiveness and more fun out of a pair of Noosa Tri 16's. In a way the Noosa are a very good substitute for both the Superblast 2 and the Magic Speed 4. The Noosa 16 is light, nimble and responsive, good for long runs, fun and cheap. I'd be interested to hear whether others agree.

[@run-are]

@@nickb1201 I am certainly reaching for the Noosa over the SB.

[@muhammadzakir1292]

We in Malaysia kinda lucky with Superblast2 ( if you can get them!) retailing at equivalent AUD 288 n Magic Speed 4 AUD230…cool review mate! 🙌🏼

[@popitn2nd]

Are these shoes illegal for Marathon race day?

[@run-are]

@@popitn2nd if they are over 40mm then yes but it's only a rule for the Pro's who are competing for prize money, records, competition etc It's not a thing for recreational runners.

[@popitn2nd]

@@run-are oh ok. So i can still use this for Marathon race day. For sure i’m not a Pro runner. Thanks

[@run-are]

@@popitn2nd you sure can!

[@dnice362]

Magic speed is far far superior

[@run-are]

@@dnice362 thanks for the comment

[@johnsonch7292]

Wondering if you would go for a jog say 10 times how Many times will you pick up neo Vista vs endorphin pro 4 vs superblast 2?

[@run-are]

@@johnsonch7292 If I didn't have to test different shoes I would be running in the Neo Vista over every other running shoe! I haven't come across a more enjoyable ride.

[@apollocreed3263]

​@@run-arethankyou for testing shoes , really value your opinion(s)

[@run-are]

@@apollocreed3263 thanks!

[@johnsonch7292]

@@run-are thats a good reply. To the point