ASICS Megablast

Klein and Solless prefer it over the Super Blast 2 for its better heel transition, forefoot fit and slightly livelier foam; Nathan still picks the Super Blast 2 for its proven stability and durability.

Best for: Long easy-day training shoe that can pick up the pace a little.

Nathan calls the Mega Blast a blast to run in, highlighting crazy energy return, ultralight weight (~230g), and a rhythmic ride from easy miles up to half-marathon pace.

Best for: Runners who want the most bounce in a true daily trainer; can also serve as a long-run or race shoe for efficient runners.

A livelier, lighter, more race-ready sibling to the Superblast 2 that differentiates itself through a bouncier ride, though durability of the new foam is still unproven.

Best for: Half-marathon to marathon racing and harder/longer efforts for neutral runners who don't need a true super shoe.

One of Matt's shoes of the year — a simple, durable, lightweight super trainer with a versatile slightly-firm-but-bouncy midsole that excels at long runs and serves as a great marathon racer for most runners.

Best for: Most runners looking for a super trainer that doubles as a marathon racer — long runs, uptempo long runs, and easy miles on smooth road surfaces.

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.

Best for: Faster pace sections within longer runs on road and pavement

#4. Real leg saver on longer efforts.

A significantly improved, very light max-stack trainer that is more versatile and faster than the Nimbus, though some runners will find it too soft and unpredictable in the heel.

Best for: Versatile non-plated max-stack option that can handle fast running up to marathon distance

A versatile, well-cushioned trainer with a faultless upper, bouncier midsole and grippier outsole than the Evo SL — the reviewer sees clear advantages that may justify the higher price for marathon trainees.

Best for: Half and full marathon training; versatile daily trainer

A bouncy, breathable max trainer that edges out the Hyperboost Edge on fit and weight.

A master-of-versatility max-stack shoe that feels lighter, livelier, and more fun than the Superblast 2, and is a potential shoe of the year.

Best for: Versatile max-stack shoe that can handle racing, tempo, daily training, and long runs in warm climates

A versatile, bouncy max-cushion trainer that is lighter and more fun than the Super Blast 2; a contender for shoe of the year if you can find stock.

Best for: Long runs and daily training, especially for heavier runners wanting a lighter, livelier max-cushion ride

A versatile, max-cushioned super trainer with a very bouncy new FlightFoam Turbo Squared midsole; lighter than the Superblast 2 and one of the best shoes of the year, though the $225 price will put some people off.

Best for: Versatile super trainer for easy to half marathon paced efforts, long runs with pace, and tempo training

Fordy's top non-plated race day pick; lightweight, versatile, handles long and fast with great outsole.

Best for: Runners wanting a non-plated, versatile marathon race day shoe

After 100 miles, the Megablast is holding up excellently with no foam degradation and minimal outsole wear — a strong 9/10 for performance and 8/10 for durability, positioned as the one shoe that can replace an entire marathon training rotation.

Best for: Marathon trainees who want a single shoe that can handle everything from easy miles to 20+ mile long runs at goal pace, and even slower races.

The reviewer's current pick over the Superblast 3 for paced long runs — a firmer, racier, extremely durable long-run trainer that has taken over the Superblast 2's role in his rotation.

Best for: Runners who want a firmer, fast-feeling long-run shoe they can take into marathon goal pace or even race day, and who don't need a soft ride.

FORDY's pick of the two for marathon training: firmer, more racing-flat-like feel that works better at his 7:30 marathon target pace and late in long runs.

Best for: Marathon training long runs and goal-pace work for runners who want a firmer, faster-feeling max-stack shoe

A phenomenal, versatile do-it-all trainer-racer that improves on the Superblast 2 in every way — albeit at a steep price.

Best for: High-volume half/marathon runners wanting a single shoe that handles all training and race day.

A do-it-all non-plated trainer that combines the Super Blast's long-run prowess with better easy-pace manners and tempo versatility; expensive but genuinely versatile.

Best for: Versatile one-shoe rotation for runners wanting a non-plated do-it-all trainer that can also race.

The new king of the do-it-all category — does everything the Superblast 2 does but also excels at the slower paces where the Superblast 2 falls short. Worth the price bump despite being expensive.

Best for: A true do-it-all shoe handling every pace and effort, from easy runs to marathon pace

A fun, light, bouncy daily trainer that excels at long runs and uptempo work, holding up exceptionally well at 100 miles despite a steep $225 price.

Best for: Long runs, medium-long runs with uptempo miles, and daily training up to marathon pace.

Kofuzi enthusiastically recommends the Megablast as the lightest and bounciest shoe in the Blast family, an ideal long-run shoe that revives the peppy feel of the original Super Blast v1.

Best for: Long runs with workout miles at half marathon, marathon, or uptempo effort, or as a comfort-prioritized racing option.

A plush, ultralight unplated max-cushion trainer that's almost too bouncy — fun for long runs but Steve reaches for it when he wants a cushioned experience rather than speed.

Best for: Runners who want a plush, fun, high-cushion long-distance go-fast shoe where feeling-the-ground isn't the point.

The Megablast is a top pick for road ultras thanks to its all-round versatility, bouncy and consistent Flight Foam Squared midsole, wide platform, and roomy breathable upper — with the slight caveat that it can feel a touch soft at very slow paces.

Best for: Road ultra runners wanting a versatile cushioned shoe that works at marathon pace and slower with lots of forefoot protection.

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.

Best for: Versatile super trainer for runners who want one shoe that handles easy miles, long runs, tempos, and faster sessions up to 5k pace

Top super trainer pick despite an eye-watering price — a non-plated all-rounder with FF Turbo+ foam that mixes bouncy energy with a smooth rocker, with a clear marathon-pace sweet spot.

Nick's top pick for marathon-training versatility. Silly expensive but the shoe that 'just feels so good' across the full pace range.

Best for: Top do-it-all marathon training and racing pick (eye-watering price tag aside).

Best for: Marathon-leaning super trainer for runners willing to pay the premium price.

Best for: Marathon distance and daily training where comfort over a wide range matters.

The better shoe of the two with a livelier, bouncier ride and lighter weight, but the price premium is too large to justify for most runners.

Best for: Premium versatile super-trainer for runners who want maximum bounce and liveliness across all paces from easy to race day

An exceptionally versatile super trainer that delivers reliable energy, light feel and cushioned comfort across every training pace and even racing, justifying the premium price.

Best for: Versatile super trainer for marathon training across the pace range, from easy runs to tempos and intervals.

The more versatile and responsive of the two, preferred by the reviewer as a single-shoe choice that covers daily miles through speed work and racing.

Best for: Marathon trainers chasing faster paces who want one shoe for tempo, intervals, and race-day-adjacent training.

A more versatile, lighter, and bouncier evolution of the Superblast formula that excels at marathon pace and adds fun to easy runs, though it trades some stability and has a snugger forefoot that may not suit wide feet.

Best for: Versatile lightweight super-trainer for marathon-pace work, tempo runs, and faster sessions when you want bounce and energy return.

Tom cruised a 3:34 marathon in the Megablast with no rubbing and feet still comfortable at the finish; he considers it a far superior choice for sub-elite marathon pace than a plated alternative like the On Cloudboom Max.

Best for: Marathon runners not chasing PBs who want a comfortable, fun, non-plated cruising shoe; reviewer rates it superior to the On Cloudboom Max for 4-hour marathon pace

Testers' favourite of the two: an exceptionally versatile high-stack super trainer that excels at speed work while remaining comfortable for easy runs and even a marathon.

Best for: Versatile performance training partner to a plated race shoe for tempos, intervals and long marathon workouts.

An exceptionally versatile, lightweight super trainer that excels from intervals to marathon pace and is worth the high price for runners who want one shoe to do almost everything.

Best for: Versatile super trainer for marathon-paced long runs, tempo work, intervals, and even non-plated marathon racing

A versatile, very well-cushioned trainer that improves on the Super Blast with a lighter, more energetic feel and excels across easy runs through fast marathon-paced sessions, though its high price is the main drawback.

Best for: A well-rounded high-stack trainer that handles easy runs, long runs at marathon pace, and tempo efforts with strong cushioning and stability.

A very effective, versatile high-stack super trainer with a firm, punchy ride that shines at faster paces, but it's expensive, not especially nimble, and feels quite similar to the Superblast.

Best for: Versatile high-stack super trainer for runners wanting a durable, responsive shoe across a wide range of paces, especially tempo and faster efforts

The Run Testers find the Megablast a versatile, bouncy super-trainer that improves on the Super Blast 2 with a lighter, poppier ride and smoother heel transition, shining at marathon pace — but its high price and narrow forefoot temper the recommendation, and one tester finds it too soft and wobbly at slow and very fast paces.

Best for: Versatile marathon and half-marathon training at steady to tempo paces for neutral runners who like a soft, bouncy, high-stack ride

A versatile, bouncy, lightweight max-stack trainer that two of three testers prefer overall; excels at cruising marathon and half-marathon paces and can even be raced, though price is a drawback.

Best for: Versatile cruising from easy long runs to marathon and half-marathon pace for runners who love big, bouncy cushion.

Reviewers see the Megablast as a lighter, livelier evolution of the Superblast 2 that excels as a cushioned all-rounder around marathon to half marathon pace, but its high price and softness at slow/very fast paces hold it back versus the cheaper Speed 5.

Best for: Big-stack super-trainer for marathon training and long runs for runners who love bouncy, soft, energetic rides.

The reviewers call the Megablast a slightly more accomplished, bouncier super trainer than the Kipstorm Tempo, but its steep price makes it harder to justify versus the cheaper rival.

Best for: Versatile daily training, long runs and marathon-pace efforts for runners wanting a cushioned, springy super trainer.