ASICS Metaspeed Edge Tokyo vs Nike Alphafly 3

Ride profile: maximal cushion , neutral stability .

• A top-tier carbon racing shoe that improves on its predecessor with better stability, lighter weight, and bouncier cushioning from the FF Leap foam layer. All testers found it fast and efficient, with one placing it in his top three to five carbon racers, though one tester still preferred the Sky Tokyo's snappier ride feel.

  Ride:Springy and bouncy with a compress-and-bounce trampoline feel rather than a snappy slingshot. The FF Leap top layer provides soft cushioning and energy return while the FF Blast Turbo Plus bottom layer adds stability and control. More controlled and stable than previous Edge versions. Smooth heel-to-toe transition with good energy at the midfoot. Felt fast at lower heart rates than expected. More forgiving than the Sky Tokyo at slower paces and deeper into longer races.

  Fit:True to size across all testers. Narrow around the heel collar and midfoot but opens up well in the forefoot. Very light and breathable racing upper with thin tongue and minimal heel padding. Laces require a bit of work to get good lockdown but hold well once set. Heel counter is one of the more structured areas of the upper.

  In their words: "It almost vanishes on the foot" · "highly cushioned with lots of bounce and energy" · "save for race day"

  — The Run Testers , 62 mi tested , source

• After a slow start requiring 40-50 miles of break-in, the Metaspeed Edge Tokyo became one of the reviewer's top racing shoes of 2025. The midsole gets bouncier and more responsive with wear, outsole durability is excellent at 100 miles, but the upper lacks security and can be harsh on skin without proper socks. Best suited for 5K to half marathon distances.

  Ride:Midsole takes 40-50 miles to break in but becomes significantly bouncier and more responsive afterward. FlyteFoam Leap layer compresses over time making the drop feel slightly higher and improving stability. Forefoot rocker is excellent once broken in. Snaps off the forefoot nicely at faster paces. More stable than expected after break-in due to heel flare in the Turbo Plus layer. Not the most comfortable at very slow paces but excels at tempo and faster.

  Fit:High volume but slightly snug upper with thin tongue. Not very secure and can cause blisters without good socks. Harsh knit material against bare skin. Needs careful lacing to avoid pinching the top of the foot. Heel counter is flexible. Upper durability has been good over 100 miles.

  In their words: "stupidly light" · "took a while to break in" · "max out this shoe at a half marathon"

  — Doctors of Running , 100 mi tested , source

• #7. Softer/more forgiving ride, less dependent on foot strike. Works for both cadence and stride runners. Upper is a bit generous — could lose weight there.

  In their words: "a slightly softer, more forgiving ride" · "the upper is really quite generous"

  — EDDBUD , source

• A still-very-fast racer that the reviewer currently favors as his Chicago Marathon shoe because the Turbo Plus heel feels more stable and forgiving as fatigue sets in, pending half marathon heat-spot testing.

  Ride:Has only a sliver of the new Leap foam on top and a bigger slab of Turbo Plus in the heel, making it feel less racy than the Sky but more stable and forgiving when the runner moves back onto the heel late in a marathon. Marketed for cadence runners with a more curved plate situated lower in the midsole.

  Fit:On the previous version the reviewer developed a heat spot under the forefoot before the London Marathon due to toe curling; needs half marathon testing to see if it recurs in this model

  In their words: "more going to be marathon focused" · "still a very fast shoe"

  — FORDY RUNS , source

Ride profile: high cushion , balanced feel , high energy return , neutral stability , moderate rocker.

• Both reviewers consider it an excellent carbon plate racer that remains one of the best marathon options for its cushioning and protection, but agree it has been surpassed by the lighter, more responsive Metaspeed Sky Tokyo. Still a strong choice for runners who prioritize cushy protection over lightweight agility.

  Ride:Cushier and more protective feeling than the Metaspeed Sky Tokyo, especially at the heel. Provides a stable and safe landing with a wider base. Air Zoom pods under the forefoot deliver punch off the toes. Feels like it protects legs well over marathon distance. Great for locking into a pace and holding it, with a slightly cruisier ride character.

  Fit:True to size but a more restrictive fit than the Metaspeed Sky Tokyo. Booty-style upper can be hard to get on. Midfoot runs lean and snug; runners with wider feet should take note. One reviewer had zero complaints; the other noted the tighter midfoot.

  In their words: "cushier feeling at the back of the shoe" · "feels like it's built like a tank"

  — The Run Testers , 99 mi tested , source

• WINNER of Megan's knockout race-day bracket — her ultimate race-day shoe.

  Ride:Forefoot Air Zoom pods give it the edge over the Vaporfly 4. Megan's race-day pick regardless of distance (except Vaporfly 2 which she disliked). Comfortable upper. Heavier than the Metaspeed Ray but worth it. Feels great in the late miles of a marathon.

  — Believe in the Run , source

• A slightly better trainer and long-distance marathon option than the Fast-R 3 thanks to its wider platform and heel stability, though it loses to the Puma on outright speed at 5K/10K.

  Ride:Wider landing platform than Fast-R 3 with substantial heel width and more aggressive air units; better trainer and long-distance option among the two

  In their words: "very, very durable" · "the most durable yet" · "slightly better trainer and long distance option"

  — EDDBUD , source

• The fastest shoe in the world by many accounts; unique Air Zoom + ZoomX combo.

  Ride:Combination of ZoomX foam plus very different (larger) Air Zoom units than Pegasus is what makes the Alphafly so unique and fun.

  — Kofuzi , source