ASICS Superblast v2 vs HOKA Skyward X v1

Ride profile: maximal cushion , soft_plush feel , neutral stability .

• The Superblast 2 remains a great option for runners wanting a stable and predictable ride, though it lacks the overt toe-off feel of the new version.

  Ride:Consistent, resilient underfoot feel with a firmer, less wild sensation; requires break-in time

  Fit:Traditional upper with full eyelet usage; no need for a runner's knot

  In their words: "a little bit more stable and predictable" · "loved the nice consistent underfoot feel" · "lacking in that avert sort of toe off"

  — EDDBUD , source

• Steve calls the Superblast 2 the most versatile shoe in the Blast family, combining elements of every other Blast shoe into a balanced, fast, cushioned unisex trainer.

  Ride:Combines Novablast-like forefoot launchpad with a wider forefoot fit; not overly bouncy, keeps you moving forward with nice cushion

  Fit:Fits wider in the forefoot; true to size

  In their words: "the most versatile of all of them" · "balanced, grounded, fast, it's light" · "it fits wide"

  — Run Moore , source

• Nathan's pick over the Megablast for proven stability and durability; Klein and Solless find the forefoot taper and heel transition hold it back vs the newer Megablast.

  Ride:Firmer, more structured, stable-neutral ride; heel transition feels a little shanky off the back but settles in for long mileage.

  Fit:Narrower tapered toe box that can feel short; accommodating stretch in the upper helps once broken in after ~75-80 miles.

  In their words: "more accommodating stretch" · "more stable neutral" · "true neutral shoe"

  — Doctors of Running , 80 mi tested , source

• About as close as you'll get to a one-shoe marathon rotation — handles the full training block and can race the marathon. Expensive but worth it.

  Ride:Big stack that doesn't weigh like one. Soft and bouncy without being soggy, wide platform for stability and leg-sparing energy at most paces. Excellent padded heel collars and roomy toe box. Feeds back energy when you put it in; looks after you when intensity dips.

  In their words: "one of the most versatile going" · "big cushion comfort that's soft and bouncy" · "surprisingly light for its overall bulkiness"

  — The Run Testers , source

Ride profile: maximal cushion , neutral stability .

• Despite a hefty ~13oz weight and a price he calls steep, Ben rates this as the best HOKA on the market right now and a top-tier long-run cruiser — bouncy, smooth, and comfortable, but pace-limited.

  Ride:Crazy bouncy energy-saving PEBA foam over supercritical EVA, gets even livelier after about 20km of break-in. Aggressive rocker enables silky transitions. Plate is for stability rather than propulsion. Heavy and bulky on foot but very fun and comfortable at relaxed paces; works hard if pushed faster than marathon pace.

  Fit:Sock-like flat-knit upper with good breathability; secure midfoot lockdown via internal strap; lovely tongue padding; no heel slip (a fix vs the old Bondi X); no wide widths available, narrow-to-regular footed runners only.

  — Ben Parkes , source

• A genuine love-hate relationship after 266 miles and a marathon — Steve calls it one of his top 2-3 favorites of 2024 for effortless long miles, but the narrow stiff toe box hurts his feet and the outsole has worn faster than peers at the price point.

  Ride:Effortless protection — bounces along on PEBA + EVA + carbon plate without ever feeling the ground. Stiff through the toe box. Best go-to when legs are already beat up. Outsole has worn down faster than competitors at the same mileage on similar terrain.

  Fit:Stiff narrow toe box that aggravates bunions and width-sensitive feet — gets slightly wider with break-in but never fully resolves; foot soreness later in the day is a regular tradeoff. Hip wear-and-tear noted from Steve's tendency to supinate in this shoe.

  — Run Moore , 266 mi tested , source

• An exciting spec sheet (PEBA + supercritical EVA + Double-H carbon plate at 48mm stack) that is executed as a muted, controlled cushioned cruiser; Kofuzi calls it a 'spruce goose' that feels like a Bondi-class shoe at a $225 price he considers too high.

  Ride:Tall, comfortable and controlled, but the squishy materials are stabilized to the point that the experience feels muted. Carbon plate is a stabilizer/roller rather than propulsive, similar to NB SC Trainer v2 or Mizuno Wave Rebellion convex plates. Reviewer compares the overall feel to a 'Bondi X2'.

  Fit:Wide footprint, comfortable padded heel collar with rigid plastic flare, moderately padded tongue (concern in heat).

  — Kofuzi , source

• A soft, max-cushioned, stable-neutral super trainer better suited to relaxed long-run miles than fast workouts; the cushier and more centered of the two compared shoes.

  Ride:Softer of the two compared shoes — Matt's first impression was 'wow this is definitely soft.' Tall stack with smooth aggressive rocker, very stable neutral with wide midfoot-filled base. Done one workout in it; works well for training miles, long runs, light uptempo, but not the fastest.

  Fit:Lower-volume knit upper that sits low on the foot, slightly tapered toe box that widens, stiff heel counter, very tall noticeable sidewalls. Better for normal-to-narrow feet.

  — Doctors of Running , 20 mi tested , source