ASICS Superblast 3 vs HOKA Skyward X
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.
Superblast 3 is softer/less stable; Skyward X 2 is more rockered and stable
Superblast is ~70g lighter, more breathable, more versatile, more forgiving foam without the plate; Ed picks the Superblast over Skyward X if he could only have one.
Reviewer rejects the framing that Skyward X competes with Superblast — Skyward X is not a versatile fast cruiser.
Superblast 2 is much lighter, more breathable, more versatile and runner-driven; Skyward X is heavier and more 'controlling' via its carbon plate rocker — Ed prefers the Superblast 2 for almost everything.
Similar overall stack height but Superblast doesn't feel as tall walking around as the Skyward X does.
ASICS Superblast 3 — what reviewers say
Ride profile: maximal cushion , soft_plush feel , high energy return , neutral stability , moderate rocker.
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One of the best long-run shoes on the market thanks to its soft FF Blast foam and great lockdown, though this version's outsole durability is a step down from the Superblast 2.
Ride:Super soft, lightweight, and comfortable for 20K-30K long runs; can feel a little unstable at faster paces/tight corners.
In their words: "amazing for those long runs" · "a real shame about the durability"
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A soft, comfortable shoe Fordy still takes out for 12-15 mile runs, but which he doesn't consider suited to his very longest long-run mileage.
Ride:Soft, cushioned ride; comfortable for mid-length runs but not rated for his very longest miles.
In their words: "if you like a soft shoe"
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An impressively light max-cushion trainer that shines on long, steady marathon-pace efforts, but several testers found it softer and 'mushier' than expected, less specialized than the Superblast 2, and not clearly worth its higher price over the Novablast 6.
Ride:Softer, more compressive, and more consistent underfoot than the Novablast 6 thanks to the full-length FF Leap top layer, giving a smooth heel-to-toe roll well suited to marathon-pace long runs — but a couple of testers found it 'mushy' at slower paces and less versatile for faster work than the previous Superblast 2.
Fit:True to size with a roomy toe box, though slightly less heel-collar padding than the Novablast 6.
In their words: "much softer, more compressive, more highly cushioned" · "a little bit mushy" · "lost some of its upper pace edge"
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Kofuzi calls the Superblast 3 one of the best shoes in its class -- lighter than the Neo Vista 3, capable of both daily training and picking up the pace -- and says it's his preferred option overall despite the $210 price.
Ride:Squishier, airier, bouncier FF Blast top foam evened out by a firmer daily-training bottom layer; noticeably lighter than the Neo Vista 3 and better at picking up the pace.
In their words: "one of the best in its class" · "relatively feather weight"
HOKA Skyward X — what reviewers say
Ride profile: maximal cushion , neutral stability .
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Retrospective: a comfortable cushioned shoe that was too big, too heavy, and too expensive to earn a regular slot in his rotation.
Ride:Comfortable and bouncy in retrospective wear-test, but heavy and clunky enough that Nick never made it a rotation mainstay; even on easy days it felt like 'a lot of shoe' under foot.
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The biggest, most extreme stack on the list — bulky but really fun, with a plate that lets it pick up the pace better than the other max-stack shoes; a fan favorite of his channel.
Ride:Massive 48mm stack with soft squishy PEBA + supercritical EVA, but the carbon plate adds enough stiffness to keep it stable and bouncy at marathon and half-marathon paces, unlike the squishier-only options on this list. Heaviest shoe Ben has ever tested.
Fit:True to size with good lockdown.
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A genuine love-hate relationship after 266 miles and a marathon — Steve calls it one of his top 2-3 favorites of 2024 for effortless long miles, but the narrow stiff toe box hurts his feet and the outsole has worn faster than peers at the price point.
Ride:Effortless protection — bounces along on PEBA + EVA + carbon plate without ever feeling the ground. Stiff through the toe box. Best go-to when legs are already beat up. Outsole has worn down faster than competitors at the same mileage on similar terrain.
Fit:Stiff narrow toe box that aggravates bunions and width-sensitive feet — gets slightly wider with break-in but never fully resolves; foot soreness later in the day is a regular tradeoff. Hip wear-and-tear noted from Steve's tendency to supinate in this shoe.
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An expensive luxury cushion shoe that Ed sold on — the foam is good but the heft makes it strictly a recovery-day option, and even there he prefers the lighter Superblast 2.
Ride:Cushion is nice but the carbon plate dictates a heel-to-toe rocker rather than letting the runner drive the shoe. The 5mm drop felt like an attempt to stabilize a very tall stack — Ed thinks 8mm with less midfoot foam would have made the shoe more aggressive. Far too heavy for him as a lighter-framed runner — strictly a recovery option in his rotation.
Fit:Plush, padded tongue and heel collar; similar forefoot/heel widths to the Superblast 2.
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 3 if
- 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
- Marathon racing alternative for runners who can't gel with carbon-plated super shoes — the lightest of this super-trainer group — Doctors of Running
- Long runs and recovery runs for high-mileage runners needing leg protection — Ben Is Running
- Runners wanting a max-cushion shoe that also handles daily training, picking up the pace, and works as a non-plated race-day option. — Kofuzi
Consider the HOKA Skyward X if
- Half/full marathon training when leg protection is the priority — recovery runs and long runs. — EDDBUD
- Marathoners or road-ultra runners who want maximum cushion for long-distance training and racing. — Doctors of Running
- Heavier runners or runners who want max-stack cushion that scales up to half/marathon racing thanks to the plate. — Ben Parkes
- Slow recovery and long-mileage time-on-feet days for runners getting ready for ultra-distance or marathon-distance races. — Run Moore
- Runners who want a tall, plush, controlled cushioned shoe for easy and long runs. — Kofuzi
- Pure long runs and cushy easy runs only — not a versatile trainer. — The Run Testers
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between the ASICS Superblast 3 and the HOKA Skyward X?
The ASICS Superblast 3 is a daily trainer and the HOKA Skyward X is a long run. By the numbers, the ASICS Superblast 3 weighs 230g, has a 46mm heel stack and an 8mm drop, while the HOKA Skyward X weighs 306g, has a 49mm heel stack and a 5mm drop. The HOKA Skyward X has a curved carbon fiber plate; the ASICS Superblast 3 has none. MSRP is $210 for the ASICS Superblast 3 and $225 for the HOKA Skyward X.
Should I buy the ASICS Superblast 3 or the HOKA Skyward X?
FORDY RUNS on the ASICS Superblast 3: Runners finding the Megablast too firm. EDDBUD on the HOKA Skyward X: Half/full marathon training when leg protection is the priority — recovery runs and long runs.
Per FORDY RUNS, EDDBUD.
Has anyone reviewed both the ASICS Superblast 3 and the HOKA Skyward X?
Yes — Doctors of Running, EDDBUD, Kofuzi, and Ben Parkes directly compared the ASICS Superblast 3 and the HOKA Skyward X in their reviews.
Per Doctors of Running, EDDBUD, Kofuzi, Ben Parkes.
Which is lighter, the ASICS Superblast 3 or the HOKA Skyward X?
The ASICS Superblast 3 is lighter, at 230g versus 306g (men's 9) — about 76g less.
Which is more cushioned, the ASICS Superblast 3 or the HOKA Skyward X?
Measured by stack height, the HOKA Skyward X has more underfoot foam — 49mm at the heel versus 46mm.