ASICS Sonicblast vs Nike Zoom Fly 6
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
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
Both are carbon plate trainers in a declining category
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
ASICS Sonicblast — what reviewers say
Ride profile: maximal cushion , neutral stability .
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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"
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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"
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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"
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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 .
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Ed Bud sees the Zoom Fly 6 as a decent but aging shoe — denser and about 1.5oz heavier than the SC Rebel, with a rigid carbon plate and a ride that reads more trainer than racer, though he still rates the outsole grip highly and says it's not a bad buy at a discount.
Ride:Denser underfoot with a ZoomX-and-SR02 foam combination and a comparatively rigid carbon plate; feels more like a trainer than a racer and some may find the ride a little dense.
Fit:Similar forefoot and heel width to the SC Rebel.
In their words: "beginning to kind of show its age" · "ready for an upgrade" · "one of my favorites"
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Ben still rates the Zoom Fly 6 highly, especially at a discounted price, though he now considers the SC Rebel the slightly better all-round pick for its more stable, nimble ride.
Ride:Much softer and less stable than the SC Rebel, with excellent outsole durability and better wet-weather grip thanks to its thicker waffle outsole.
In their words: "a real classic in the sector" · "fantastic shoe for that price"
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A versatile, forgiving super trainer that's a good entry point into carbon-plated shoes for training and racing.
In their words: "a bit of a bargain" · "really nice versatile running shoe"
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#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"
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
- Versatile plated super trainer at an aggressive price point; from 10K through marathon distances; great winter shoe due to outsole grip — EDDBUD
- Runners who want a versatile lightweight trainer that handles easy days well, with a wider anatomic toe box and neutral guidance — and an alternative to aggressive super shoes — Doctors of Running
- Runners wanting a Nike trainer with strong outsole grip, particularly at a discount. — EDDBUD
- Tempo and race-day work for runners who want a toned-down Nike racer — FORDY RUNS
- Marathon training — long runs, tempos, and intervals; great value plated trainer that can also race a marathon — 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.