ASICS Sonicblast vs Nike Zoom Fly 6
A side-by-side comparison grounded in verdicts from 5 reviewers with every source linked. We don't invent quotes; every claim below is attributed.
Specs at a glance
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.
Sonicblast is more stacked and slightly more stable but firmer, less responsive, and less versatile across paces than the lighter Zoom Fly 6
Nick prefers the Zoom Fly 6 over the Sonicblast, and it is cheaper
Cheaper, softer out of the box and lighter
Lower stack but softer and more fun out of the box, and £30 cheaper
Zoom Fly 6 is one of the strong plated trainers with a better ride feel out of the box than Sonic Blast
Softer, bouncier, lighter and cheaper; Mike prefers it for all-round plated training
Closest competitor — Sonicblast has a similar firmer, race-day-leaning feel with a touch of Novablast influence
Both are carbon plate training shoes
Zoom Fly 6 is about 20g lighter, more responsive via its carbon plate, grippier waffle outsole, better across varied paces, though less stacked and slightly less stable
Both are carbon plate trainers in a declining category
ASICS Sonicblast — what reviewers say
Ride profile: maximal cushion , neutral stability .
-
EDDBUD found the Sonicblast surprisingly rigid with foam that feels distinct from other ASICS models using the same stated materials, suiting runners who prefer a firmer, more resilient midsole.
Ride:Quite rigid; foam feels very different to other ASICS shoes despite claiming FF Turbo Squared; lots of stack; more resilient midsole feel than expected
In their words: "quite rigid" · "a very different shoe"
-
A tempo shoe with a plastic plate for rigidity that Kofuzi is not a huge fan of, though it serves its intended role for intense interval workouts; he notes it actually works better for heel strikers despite being in the Blast lineup.
In their words: "not a huge fan of this plastic plate" · "switched at the hospital" · "works a lot better for heel strikers"
-
A cracking lightweight, responsive shoe with stiffness and pop and a rapid-returning rocket ride; strikes a near-perfect balance of spring and energy with cushion and control, though too firm for those wanting softness.
In their words: "stiffness and pop" · "snappy ride" · "cushioned and energetic"
-
The reviewer finds the Sonicblast excels at faster paces with an impressively bouncy and snappy forefoot, but notes the heel-to-midfoot transition is somewhat rigid and jarring at easy paces, suggesting refinements could be made to the bevel and plate length.
Ride:Very bouncy and snappy off the forefoot thanks to the Flight Foam Turbo Squared and 3/4-length Astro plate. Trampoline-like effect from midfoot forward at faster paces. Heel-to-midfoot transition can feel rigid and slappy at slower paces due to the plate and high stack. Reviewer suggests a half-length plate and larger lateral heel bevel could improve slow-pace transitions.
Fit:Thinner, more performance-oriented upper with good breathability. Normal width through heel and midfoot, slightly wide forefoot. Semi-rigid heel counter with less padding than the Novablast 5. Good lockdown despite thinner construction.
In their words: "likes to go fast" · "bouncy, snappy forefoot" · "trampoline effect"
Nike Zoom Fly 6 — what reviewers say
Ride profile: high cushion , neutral stability .
-
EDDBUD acknowledges the Zoom Fly 6 as a lighter, more propulsive trainer but notes that carbon plate trainers as a category are declining as brands shift to plateless designs relying on foam rigidity.
Ride:Touch lighter than Nike daily shoes; more propulsive with a narrower footbed; carbon plate stabilizes the materials; this category of carbon plate trainers is declining as brands shift to plateless foam-first designs
In their words: "a bit more up for it than the daily shoes" · "this type of shoe seems to be in decline now"
-
#1 tempo shoe. Best Zoom Fly ever made — fun for daily training and excellent at going fast. Comfortable, peppy, lightweight.
In their words: "comfortable. it's peppy. it's lightweight" · "everything that i want in a tempo shoe"
-
Fordy says the Zoom Fly 6 is a great shoe but skews toward race-day rather than versatile training; would like Nike to make it less firm and more exciting.
Ride:Reviewer calls it a great shoe but more towards a race-day shoe — a toned-down race-day shoe from Nike — and feels it's a bit firm; wishes Nike would inject more excitement and innovation into it
-
An excellent versatile super-trainer that does every kind of run well; not quite as lively as the Megablast but a fantastic shoe at a much lower price, making it the value pick.
Ride:Comfortable at easy paces yet capable of fast running; slightly firmer at the heel than the Megablast which makes it feel more stable there for some runners; not as flat-out fast or as bouncy as the Megablast but still moves well at pace
Fit:Comfortable upper with thick dual-layer mesh, generous heel padding; true-to-size fit with secure heel and midfoot lockdown and adequate toe room
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 Sonicblast if
- Heavier built runners or those wanting a stable, firm max-stack plated trainer at cruising pace — EDDBUD
- Heavier runners who benefit from a firmer, stable super-trainer ride. — FORDY RUNS
- Workouts, intervals (200s/400s/800s), 5K/10K, and potentially marathon racing for those wanting a smoother, faster but not overly cushioned ride — Run Moore
- Runners who want a slightly firmer, plated uptempo trainer that can stand in as a non-carbon marathon option. — Run Moore
- Nova Blast fans who want a snappier, plated daily trainer with some structure, or runners wanting to experiment with plates before going carbon. — Doctors of Running
- Uptempo long runs and speed training where a bouncy, snappy forefoot feel is desired — Doctors of Running
Consider the Nike Zoom Fly 6 if
- Versatile do-everything carbon-plate trainer for runners on a budget vs the Speed 5. — EDDBUD
- A versatile, responsive plated daily trainer across all paces short of extreme long runs, at the cheapest price point in the group — EDDBUD
- Marathon-block long runs and longer tempo efforts where a plush, rhythmic, road-mile-eating super-trainer is preferred — Doctors of Running
- Workout/tempo days plus daily training in a single shoe — pairs well with a race-day Vaporfly. — Kofuzi
- Versatile super-trainer that can handle every kind of run — easy, long, tempo, intervals — and even race day, at a much more reasonable price than rivals — The Run Testers
- Engaging, propulsive plated tempo trainer that EDDBUD calls the best Nike shoe in a long time — EDDBUD
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between the ASICS Sonicblast and the Nike Zoom Fly 6?
The ASICS Sonicblast is a speed trainer and the Nike Zoom Fly 6 is a speed trainer. By the numbers, the ASICS Sonicblast weighs 255g, has a 45mm heel stack and an 8mm drop, while the Nike Zoom Fly 6 weighs 244g, has a 40mm heel stack and an 8mm drop. MSRP is $180 for the ASICS Sonicblast and $170 for the Nike Zoom Fly 6.
Should I buy the ASICS Sonicblast or the Nike Zoom Fly 6?
EDDBUD on the ASICS Sonicblast: Heavier built runners or those wanting a stable, firm max-stack plated trainer at cruising pace. EDDBUD on the Nike Zoom Fly 6: Versatile do-everything carbon-plate trainer for runners on a budget vs the Speed 5.
Per EDDBUD.
Has anyone reviewed both the ASICS Sonicblast and the Nike Zoom Fly 6?
Yes — EDDBUD, The Run Testers, and FORDY RUNS directly compared the ASICS Sonicblast and the Nike Zoom Fly 6 in their reviews.
Per EDDBUD, The Run Testers, FORDY RUNS.
Which is lighter, the ASICS Sonicblast or the Nike Zoom Fly 6?
The Nike Zoom Fly 6 is lighter, at 244g versus 255g (men's 9) — about 11g less.
Which is more cushioned, the ASICS Sonicblast or the Nike Zoom Fly 6?
Measured by stack height, the ASICS Sonicblast has more underfoot foam — 45mm at the heel versus 40mm.