ASICS Metaspeed Sky Tokyo vs New Balance SC Elite 4
A side-by-side comparison grounded in verdicts from 6 reviewers with every source linked. We don't invent quotes; every claim below is attributed.
Specs at a glance
The consensus read
Each paragraph is a synthesis across every reviewer in our database for that shoe — what they collectively concluded after wear-testing. Not a quote. Not one person's take. The shape of the room.
ASICS Metaspeed Sky Tokyo
A lightweight, bouncy carbon-plate racer that excels from 5K to marathon, praised for its soft, responsive FF Leap foam and easy forefoot pop, though some testers flag reduced stability and narrow fit, particularly in the heel.
Reviewers who wore both
Direct paired observations — reviewers who actually ran in both of these and wrote the contrast. This is the strongest comparative signal on the page.
Mentioned as a cushier alternative that could suit a downhill course like Loch Ness
Metaspeed Tokyo is superior with more bounce, propulsion, and energy return
ASICS Metaspeed Sky Tokyo — what reviewers say
Ride profile: maximal cushion , neutral stability .
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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"
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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"
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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"
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A propulsive, race-ready Metaspeed update — softer FF Leap bottom layer adds late-marathon comfort to the carbon-plated ride while top-tier outsole grip excels in wet cornering. Less stable than the Edge but more comfortable over the full marathon distance.
Ride:Bigger chunk of soft FF Leap foam underneath the carbon plate gives the Sky a softer, more cushioned ride than the Edge. Less stable than the Edge — Robbie called out a heel wobble at easy paces — but once you pick the pace up it 'all comes together.' Plate position closer to the foot delivers a propulsive toe-off. Outsole grip is top-tier in wet cornering.
Fit:Motion Wrap 3.0 upper is super light and breathable with very little structure — runs roomy in the toe box, allows toe splay, but Robbie noted some heel lift that required lacing to the top eyelet. Less constraining than the Adios Pro 4. Some give in the midfoot for runners with wider feet.
In their words: "felt very effortless running faster paces" · "explosive feel off the toe" · "comfort with the speed"
New Balance SC Elite 4 — what reviewers say
Ride profile: high cushion , neutral stability .
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Megan's pick over the Cielo X1 2.0 in bracket round 2 — performance is comparable.
Ride:Megan has run 2-3 marathons in it and felt great the whole time.
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Didn't make top 5 — feels like it could have launched a couple of years earlier. Decent grip and light weight, but narrow in the heel and £260 retail is madness.
In their words: "a nice light shoe" · "narrow in the heel" · "is just madness"
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Best-for-speed pick of the NB lineup; great entry-level all-out carbon racer for someone who hasn't run in a super shoe before.
Ride:Extremely bouncy and poppy without being too stiff; nice rocker; midfoot landing rolls through smoothly.
Fit:Tongue is short, awkward with heel-lock lacing; otherwise no heel slip.
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A smooth-rolling soft racer that excels at easy to marathon paces for long runs and comfortable racing, but lacks the stability or the top-end speed of the Endorphin Pro 4.
Ride:Very soft comfortable PEBA-based midsole with early forefoot rocker for smooth rolling; neutral with no major sidewalls; maxes out around marathon pace
Fit:Good amount of room for average to slightly above-average widths and volumes; larger more flexible heel counter
Who should buy which
Use cases the reviewers above actually call out — one bullet per distinct take, attributed. Where reviewers converge (e.g. "5K to half marathon" appearing across multiple takes) the agreement is a stronger buying signal than any single voice.
Consider the ASICS Metaspeed Sky Tokyo if
- Half marathon to marathon racing for stride-oriented runners wanting late-race impact protection — EDDBUD
- Half marathon effort for mid/forefoot strikers wanting soft cushioning — EDDBUD
- Lighter runners who can maintain form over long races — EDDBUD
- Race day shoe for 5K through marathon distances. Suits stride-lengthening runners especially but works well for all neutral runners seeking a top-tier carbon plate racer. — The Run Testers
- Marathon racing on flatter courses when not chasing an outright time; reviewer already PB'd a half marathon in it and rates it slightly better than the Sky Paris — The Run Testers
- 10K racing and potentially marathon distance — The Run Testers
Consider the New Balance SC Elite 4 if
- Runners who like trampoline-like midsole cutouts and traditional upper — EDDBUD
- Everyday marathoners wanting stability, wide-foot runners, balanced race day pick — FORDY RUNS
- PB attempts and fast-paced racing for runners who want an aggressive carbon plate shoe that is still stable — The Run Testers
- Marathon and half-marathon racing, plus threshold and VO2 workouts — especially for runners wanting a forgiving, accessible super shoe rather than the most aggressive option. — Kofuzi
- Comfortable marathon racing and long runs at easy to marathon effort — Doctors of Running
- Runners who want a versatile carbon race shoe that mixes softness and speed across 5K to marathon distances, with road protection over the long haul — The Run Testers
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between the ASICS Metaspeed Sky Tokyo and the New Balance SC Elite 4?
The ASICS Metaspeed Sky Tokyo is a race shoe and the New Balance SC Elite 4 is a race shoe. By the numbers, the ASICS Metaspeed Sky Tokyo weighs 159g, has a 40mm heel stack and a 5mm drop, while the New Balance SC Elite 4 weighs 201g, has a 40mm heel stack and an 8mm drop. MSRP is $270 for the ASICS Metaspeed Sky Tokyo and $265 for the New Balance SC Elite 4.
Should I buy the ASICS Metaspeed Sky Tokyo or the New Balance SC Elite 4?
EDDBUD on the ASICS Metaspeed Sky Tokyo: Half marathon to marathon racing for stride-oriented runners wanting late-race impact protection. EDDBUD on the New Balance SC Elite 4: Runners who like trampoline-like midsole cutouts and traditional upper.
Per EDDBUD.
Has anyone reviewed both the ASICS Metaspeed Sky Tokyo and the New Balance SC Elite 4?
Yes — The Run Testers directly compared the ASICS Metaspeed Sky Tokyo and the New Balance SC Elite 4 in their reviews.
Per The Run Testers.
Which is lighter, the ASICS Metaspeed Sky Tokyo or the New Balance SC Elite 4?
The ASICS Metaspeed Sky Tokyo is lighter, at 159g versus 201g (men's 9) — about 42g less.
Which is cheaper, the ASICS Metaspeed Sky Tokyo or the New Balance SC Elite 4?
The New Balance SC Elite 4 is cheaper at $265 versus $270 MSRP — about $5 less.