ASICS Metaspeed Sky Tokyo vs Saucony Endorphin Elite v2

Ride profile: maximal cushion , neutral stability .

• Both reviewers consider the Metaspeed Sky Tokyo one of the top two to three carbon plate racing shoes currently available, praising the improved FF Leap foam for delivering a lighter, bouncier, and more responsive ride than the already-excellent Sky Paris predecessor. Minor downsides include reduced stability compared to the Paris and typical ASICS outsole durability concerns.

  Ride:Dual-layer FF Leap and FF Turbo Plus midsole provides a soft, bouncy, and highly responsive ride with excellent energy return. Lighter and bouncier than the Metaspeed Sky Paris predecessor. Plate engagement is easy and provides strong propulsion off the toes. Not the most stable shoe due to the soft foam wedge at the heel, but not a major concern for most runners.

  Fit:True to size for both reviewers. Good room around the toes and forefoot, slightly more snug than ASICS training shoes like the Nimbus. Comfortable lightweight Motion Wrap upper with good heel and midfoot lockdown. Midfoot has a bit more give than typical race shoes.

  In their words: "great compact race shoe" · "really fast, really fun" · "not a particularly stable shoe"

  — The Run Testers , 87 mi tested , source

• Kofuzi considers the Metaspeed Sky Tokyo an excellent marathon racer that combines cushion and speed effectively, holding up well through 100 miles with consistent ride quality and plenty of life remaining.

  Ride:Two-foam setup (FF Turbo Plus on top, aliphatic TPU on bottom) delivers excellent impact absorption with strong snapback. Good balance of softness and bounciness that has remained consistent through 100 miles. Feels light and fast without sacrificing cushion.

  Fit:Upper feels comfortable for long durations while maintaining a snug, locked-in feel. Most comfortable racing upper from ASICS yet. Slight curling of heel collar edge material but no functional wear.

  In their words: "lightweight and fast yet cushioned racing shoe" · "great combination of cushion and speed" · "balance of softness and bounciness"

  — Kofuzi , 100 mi tested , source

• An ultralight, wildly bouncy racer best suited to lighter runners with good form retention; the reviewer personally would pick it over the Pro 5 given his light build and the shoe's dramatic weight savings.

  Ride:Wild, exciting trampoline-like bounce from compressive, squashy Flight Foam Leap under a flatter plate; bounce engages more with harder foot strikes. Ride is unpredictable and not all that consistent across the foot.

  Fit:Very minimal upper with thin materials, especially on the tongue; no sidewalls and no overlays in the toe box. Narrow shoe, especially in the heel. Serrated laces come as stock and are needed to dial in lockdown. No heel slip.

  In their words: "wild and exciting bounce" · "It's almost like a trampoline" · "much narrower shoe from AS6"

  — EDDBUD , source

• The faster of the two Metaspeed shoes for the reviewer — a genuinely racy, responsive shoe best suited to shorter race distances from 5K up to half marathon.

  Ride:Massive slab of the new ATPU Leap Foam makes it feel extremely bouncy, responsive, light, and fast — designed for stride runners with a flat plate situated higher in the midsole. The more aggressively the reviewer ran, the more the shoe responded.

  In their words: "felt a lot more racy than the Edge" · "faster shoe out of these two"

  — FORDY RUNS , source

Ride profile: high cushion , soft_plush feel , high energy return , neutral stability .

• No-brainer winner over the Endorphin Pro 5 — the Pro 5 foam isn't great, heavier, doesn't have race-day dynamic feel. Elite 2 foam is bouncy, spongy, fun — Thomas's favorite from last year. Can be squirly under foot but very fun.

  In their words: "I love this shoe for long runs" · "foam is bouncy, spongy" · "really fun and bouncy"

  — Believe in the Run , source

• #3 long-run pick (not used as a race shoe). Mushy — great compression but slow decompression. Ideal for 20-mile steady with marathon-effort miles.

  In their words: "a little bit too mushy" · "great compression, but not enough decompression" · "an expensive way to do a long run"

  — Kofuzi , source

• #6. Swap the stretchy socky laces for serrated and it'd crack #5.

  Ride:Soft, fun, resilient foam that retains properties over time (unusually good midsole durability for this class). Good grip, low weight (lighter than upcoming Endorphin Pro 5). Futuristic look.

  In their words: "Soft and fun" · "looks like it's come from the future" · "really resilient foam"

  — EDDBUD , source

• An ultra-soft, bouncy super shoe that requires very good ankle and hip stability; better suited to longer efforts than short fast racing, and not stable enough for the reviewer to race in.

  Ride:Softest midsole ever felt; firms up slightly after break-in and becomes more responsive; wobbly and unstable; low toe spring with stiff carbon plate; does not turn over quickly at 5k pace

  Fit:Narrower toe box than v1 due to toe guard; midfoot has some stretch; no heel counter but holds the heel well; chafing possible on longer runs

  In their words: "softest thing on the market" · "like running on a soft unstable cloud" · "narrower feet, you're going to like this shoe"

  — Doctors of Running , 100 mi tested , source