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ASICS Superblast v3 vs ASICS Megablast v1

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

ASICS Superblast v3 ASICS Megablast v1
Stack (heel / forefoot) 46.0 / 38.0 mm 45.0 / 37.0 mm
Drop 8.0 mm 8.0 mm
Weight (men's 9) 8.1 oz (230g) 7.8 oz (221g)
Midsole FF LEAP (PEBA) + FF BLAST PLUS (EVA/OBC bio-based blend) FF BLAST MAX (supercritical EVA)
Plate none none
Upper Recycled polyester mesh Engineered mesh
MSRP $210.00 $225.00

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 Superblast v3

A softer, bouncier evolution that excels from easy runs through marathon pace, though some testers flag it as a step too far in cushioning for faster work or those preferring the Superblast 2's structure.

ASICS Megablast v1

A versatile max-stack super trainer that excels from easy miles through marathon pace with lively bounce and responsive energy return, though its narrow forefoot and steep $225 price tag give some pause.

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.

Megablast uses FF Turbo Squared ATPU, feels more aggressive, lower to the ground, faster and less soft; better as a dedicated long run shoe in a rotation; Superblast 3 is more cushioned and better as a single do-it-all shoe; Megablast is pricier at $225.

— Kofuzi on the ASICS Superblast v3, source

Softer, higher stack, and less racy than the Megablast; reviewer prefers Megablast for marathon-pace long runs

— FORDY RUNS on the ASICS Superblast v3, source

Reviewer feels Megablast should have been the true Superblast 3

— FORDY RUNS on the ASICS Superblast v3, source

Softer and bouncier, better for easy runs and comfort; less responsive for speed work.

— The Run Testers on the ASICS Superblast v3, source

Superblast 3 better as a cruising/lock-in-pace shoe

— Believe in the Run on the ASICS Superblast v3, source

Megablast is poppier and bouncier; reviewer's new one-shoe pick over Superblast 3.

— Run Moore on the ASICS Superblast v3, source

Megablast is more versatile at the faster end (speed sessions, racing) with a quicker, more responsive foam; Superblast 3 is better for easy runs and long consistent pacing.

— The Run Testers on the ASICS Superblast v3, source

Megablast fills the faster-end role the Superblast 3 moved away from.

— The Run Testers on the ASICS Superblast v3, source

Megablast feels firmer, racier and faster underfoot; Superblast 3 is softer and bouncier but less suited to marathon-goal-pace work

— FORDY RUNS on the ASICS Superblast v3, source

Megablast is snappier and more performance-oriented for uptempo long efforts.

— Doctors of Running on the ASICS Superblast v3, source

Megablast is a single-foam, lighter, more race-leaning shoe that comes alive at faster paces but feels wobbly/less comfortable at slow paces; Superblast 3 covers a wider pace range and is more protective and stable for long runs.

— Doctors of Running on the ASICS Superblast v3, source

Megablast is nippier and more responsive, better for faster sessions; Superblast 3 skews easier.

— The Run Testers on the ASICS Superblast v3, source

Megablast is lighter and bouncier with more wild bounce and better at pace; SB3 is softer with better impact protection for steady efforts

— EDDBUD on the ASICS Superblast v3, source

David prefers Megablast's full-length FF Turbo Plus for a more performance-oriented feel that matches his natural pacing

— Doctors of Running on the ASICS Superblast v3, source

Comparable performance but different ride — Megablast is the firmer counterpart; pick based on whether you prefer softer/bouncier or firmer

— The Run Testers on the ASICS Superblast v3, source

Mega Blast feels nothing like the Superblast; Superblast has a more protective, guided, stable ride while Mega Blast is more untamed and energetic

— Doctors of Running on the ASICS Megablast v1, source

Builds on the Superblast with more lightness, energy and raciness

— The Run Testers on the ASICS Megablast v1, source

Builds on the Superblast with added lightness, raciness and marathon/half marathon potential

— The Run Testers on the ASICS Megablast v1, source

Megablast is lighter, bouncier, more energetic and usable out of the box; Super Blast 2 has a more structured upper

— EDDBUD on the ASICS Megablast v1, source

Megablast is more versatile with a lighter, more energetic feel that works better for faster sessions.

— The Run Testers on the ASICS Megablast v1, source

Megablast is about 4 oz lighter, has a better bevel and less clunky ride, and Matt prefers it; Superblast 2 has more aggressive sidewalls for mild guidance

— Doctors of Running on the ASICS Megablast v1, source

Megablast preferred; Superblast 3 a softer alternative if Megablast feels firm

— FORDY RUNS on the ASICS Megablast v1, source

Firmer and more responsive; better for speed and intervals but less forgiving on easy runs.

— The Run Testers on the ASICS Megablast v1, source

Lighter, softer, bouncier, and more versatile across paces with more pop off the forefoot, but less stable and snugger in the forefoot.

— The Run Testers on the ASICS Megablast v1, source

Lighter and livelier with quicker pickup and more versatility for intervals and shorter racing while keeping the cruising smoothness.

— The Run Testers on the ASICS Megablast v1, source

Lighter and spritelier, with more versatility at speed.

— The Run Testers on the ASICS Megablast v1, source

Superblast is better for recovery/max cushion use; Megablast is lighter and better for speed.

— Kofuzi on the ASICS Megablast v1, source

Megablast is lighter, bouncier, and more race-ready but less stable and less versatile as a daily trainer.

— Doctors of Running on the ASICS Megablast v1, source

Megablast is firmer and racier; Superblast 3 is softer and bouncier

— FORDY RUNS on the ASICS Megablast v1, source

Megablast fits narrower and feels lighter and faster; both firm long-run shoes

— FORDY RUNS on the ASICS Megablast v1, source

Very similar experience — both high-stack, lightweight, firm and responsive but stiff and slightly blocky; Megablast has an even higher stack and is more expensive

— The Run Testers on the ASICS Megablast v1, source

Megablast feels springier out of the box and doesn't require the 50-60 mile break-in period the Superblast 2 needs; durability appears on par so far

— FORDY RUNS on the ASICS Megablast v1, source

Megablast durability is far better — Superblast 1 was noted as a bad-wearing shoe with gaps in the midsole

— FORDY RUNS on the ASICS Megablast v1, source

Megablast is lighter and sprightlier than the Superblast, a step on for racing potential

— The Run Testers on the ASICS Megablast v1, source

Megablast is lighter with a bouncier, less firm midsole and could replace the Superblast 2 for many runners

— EDDBUD on the ASICS Megablast v1, source

Megablast is lighter and more bouncy, better at pace; SB3 has more exposed outsole coverage and better grip for non-road surfaces

— EDDBUD on the ASICS Megablast v1, source

Firmer, lower stack, racier; preferred over Superblast 3 for marathon-pace long runs

— FORDY RUNS on the ASICS Megablast v1, source

Does everything the Superblast 2 does but better in its weak spots; lighter (250g vs 264g) and bouncier.

— FORDY RUNS on the ASICS Megablast v1, source

Megablast is a step faster and lighter, more rhythmic, and positioned as a faster option in the Blast lineup

— Doctors of Running on the ASICS Megablast v1, source

Similar concept but Megablast is more versatile and better at shorter/faster distances.

— The Run Testers on the ASICS Megablast v1, source

Megablast is lighter and bouncier, less clunky at easy paces while matching Superblast at goal pace.

— FORDY RUNS on the ASICS Megablast v1, source

Similar purpose and wide platform, but Megablast is lighter with more aggressive bounce and pop

— Believe in the Run on the ASICS Megablast v1, source

Megablast has a smoother heel transition, wider/lower-volume forefoot, slightly bouncier forefoot; Super Blast 2 has more accommodating stretch in the upper and proven stability/durability.

— Doctors of Running on the ASICS Megablast v1, source

Megablast is ~1.5 oz lighter with a softer, bouncier midsole and better lockdown; Superblast 2 is denser and slightly more stable

— EDDBUD on the ASICS Megablast v1, source

Lighter (250g vs 264g), softer, bouncier, and more forgiving at slower paces; handles the full range of paces better

— FORDY RUNS on the ASICS Megablast v1, source

ASICS Superblast v3 — what reviewers say

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

  • A softer, bouncier, more versatile super-trainer that does everything the Novablast 5 does and then some; two testers strongly prefer it despite the higher price, though one feels it has drifted from the v2's tempo specialism into a jack-of-all-trades.

    Ride:FF Blast foam (as seen in Metaspeed Sky) delivers a softer, bouncier, more energetic ride than the Novablast 5. Lighter than Novablast 5 despite more stack; not notably less stable. Softer than Superblast 2, so better for easy runs but less optimal for the smooth tempo/cruise pace the v2 excelled at. Good grip and durability impressed testers.

    Fit:True to size; slightly roomier than Novablast 5 with a bit more space before the big toe and a slightly higher toe box

    In their words: "a softer, bouncier ride" · "responds better at faster speeds" · "gone a little too soft for my liking"

    — The Run Testers , 40 mi tested , source

  • David ranks it his #3 of 2026 so far — a soft, bouncy, rhythmic trainer that settles into easy miles, though the soft heel and forefoot may not suit runners who prefer firmer midsoles.

    Ride:Flight Foam Leap topsole is very soft, bouncy, and rhythmic; Blast Plus underneath with a small arch chassis for stability. David found the heel a touch too soft and preferred Megablast's full-length FF Turbo Plus for his pacing.

    In their words: "soft, it's bouncy, it's rhythmic" · "settle into an easy rhythm" · "a little soft for me in the heel"

    — Doctors of Running , 21 mi tested , source

  • The Superblast 3 is the king of forgiving cushion without the weight, making it a versatile high-mileage trainer and an appealing unplated marathon option for runners who want softness and pop without a brick-like plated shoe.

    Ride:Much softer than the Superblast 2 out of the box with no break-in needed; forgiving cushion with a fun toe-off sensation

    Fit:Lace loops improve wrap around the foot; no heel slip with a runner's knot

    In their words: "doesn't need that breakin time" · "forgiving cushion but without the weight" · "much much softer"

    — EDDBUD , source

  • A versatile do-it-all shoe that continues the Superblast tradition — excels from recovery pace through marathon effort, with the FF Leap upgrade making it especially rewarding at faster paces, though $210 is pricey.

    Ride:Soft and springy with an emphasized forefoot bounce pod in both the FF Leap top layer and FF Blast Plus bottom layer; shines when picking up the pace to steady or marathon effort.

    Fit:Fits similarly to Superblast 2; slightly roomy with a bit more volume on top of the foot; cord lacing system claims dynamic fit but feels the same as traditional eyelets to the reviewer.

    In their words: "ultimate doit all kind of shoe" · "really excellent marathon shoe" · "speedy long runs"

    — Kofuzi , source

ASICS Megablast v1 — what reviewers say

Ride profile: maximal cushion , neutral stability .

  • A truly great, highly versatile super trainer that delivers lively, energetic performance at all paces — the reviewers' pick over the Hyperboost Edge despite the higher price.

    Ride:Big stack with lots of road protection yet feels connected compared to the Hyperboost Edge. Bouncy, responsive, energetic ride with a marathon/tempo pace sweet spot; runs well across all paces. Can feel a bit soggy at the slowest paces and slightly less stable than the Hyperboost Edge but stable enough for daily training.

    Fit:True to size with a roomy toe box that tapers slightly but has no restriction; internal heel pads hold well with no slipping. Simple, unfussy, comfortable fit.

    In their words: "bouncier, more responsive, more energetic" · "marathon pace sweet spot" · "more immediate for me"

    — The Run Testers , 130 mi tested , source

  • Nate found the Megablast extremely lightweight and smooth across a wide pace range, with increasing responsiveness at faster efforts. He sees it as a versatile workout-to-racing option that slots in faster and lighter than the Superblast.

    Ride:Smooth heel-to-forefoot transition with a moderate early-stage rocker. Felt firmer at slower paces (around 9 min/mi) and became progressively more responsive and bouncy at faster efforts (down to 6:30 pace). Very stiff underfoot suggesting a possible embedded plate.

    Fit:Snug around the forefoot with excellent lockdown throughout. Upper is very thin — you can see your sock through it. Not uncomfortable but definitely a locked-down feel.

    In their words: "extremely lightweight on foot" · "really responsive" · "smooth throughout"

    — Doctors of Running , 5 mi tested , source

  • The lightest ASICS trainer with a wild, bouncy ride that excels at pace, though the upper lockdown and minimal outsole coverage make it less versatile than the Superblast 3.

    Ride:More wild bounce versus the Superblast 3; feels closer to a 10mm drop than 8mm; encourages mid- to forefoot landing

    Fit:Thinner upper material especially in the toe box; even with serrated laces, the reviewer had to stop and retighten a few times to get proper lockdown

    In their words: "more Wild Bounce in the Mega Blast" · "more like a crazy horse" · "works a little bit better for me"

    — EDDBUD , 62 mi tested , source

  • Steve finds the Megablast extraordinarily bouncy and light with the most cushion of the family, best for easy/long runs but almost too bouncy to control at faster paces.

    Ride:Bounciest shoe in the Blast family, single-material midsole, very airy and light, but bounce feels vertical and harder to control at speed

    Fit:Wide and forgiving; upper feels somewhat bunchy

    In their words: "for me, it's almost too bouncy" · "very cushy, very wide, forgiving" · "an unbelievably cushion experience"

    — Run Moore , source

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 Superblast v3 if

  • Speedy long runs and marathon-effort miles, while also serving as a comfortable max-cushion or daily trainer. — Kofuzi
  • Runners who like a softer, higher-stack daily trainer at easy paces — FORDY RUNS
  • Runners finding the Megablast too firm — FORDY RUNS
  • Long-range daily miles with a bouncier, more fun ride than v2 — EDDBUD
  • Leisurely midweek miles replacing the role of the Vomero Premium — FORDY RUNS
  • High-mileage runners who want one comfortable, bouncy shoe for easy runs through tempo and slower marathon racing. — The Run Testers

Consider the ASICS Megablast v1 if

  • Easy long runs where you want maximum cushion and softness — Run Moore
  • Runners who want the most bounce in a true daily trainer; can also serve as a long-run or race shoe for efficient runners. — Doctors of Running
  • Versatile super trainer for marathon training across the pace range, from easy runs to tempos and intervals. — The Run Testers
  • Versatile super trainer for marathon-paced long runs, tempo work, intervals, and even non-plated marathon racing — The Run Testers
  • Long runs and daily training, especially for heavier runners wanting a lighter, livelier max-cushion ride — EDDBUD
  • A well-rounded high-stack trainer that handles easy runs, long runs at marathon pace, and tempo efforts with strong cushioning and stability. — The Run Testers
Methodology. Specs come from manufacturer data and authoritative third-party catalogs. Reviewer verdicts are summarized, not copied verbatim, and each links to its source. We weight reviewer voices differently based on testing methodology and credentials — clinical and lab-verified sources carry more weight than community commentary — but the specific weights stay internal. Never sponsored, never paid placement.