ASICS Metaspeed Sky Tokyo

Best for: Runners who want a softer, trampoline-like heel feel and prefer to settle into rhythm at half marathon and marathon paces.

Didn't make top 5 — EDDBUD found it too soft in the heel this year. Missing the tennis-ball bounce of the previous Sky Paris due to FF Leap placement.

A very soft, bouncy racer that rewards mid to forefoot landings and longer strides, but the amplified FlightFoam Leap may be too soft for many runners.

Best for: Racers who lengthen their stride at faster paces, land mid to forefoot, and want an all-out soft, bouncy super shoe.

A softer, compression-driven marathon racer best for stride-focused runners, though the reviewer found it less effective than the prior Sky at the half-marathon distance.

Best for: Half marathon to marathon racing for stride-oriented runners wanting late-race impact protection

Lighter and softer but less responsive than the Hyperwarp Elite; exposed foam outsole is wearing quickly.

Best for: Half marathon effort for mid/forefoot strikers wanting soft cushioning

A drastic shift from the Paris — now a softer, more forgiving marathon-focused super shoe that loses some of the propulsive, responsive DNA of its predecessor, and may not suit lighter or wider-footed runners.

Best for: Half and full marathon efforts, particularly for runners wanting a softer, more forgiving super shoe.

Kofuzi's marathon pick. Sentimental — has PRs in the Sky Plus. The aliphatic TPU addition brings back snappiness that felt missing in the Sky Paris while keeping cushion for 26.2.

Both reviewers preferred this over the Alphafly 3, calling it the superior carbon plate racer with lighter weight, more responsive foam technology, and a nippier feel, while still providing enough cushioning for marathon distance.

Best for: Races from 5K to marathon for runners who prefer a light, responsive, and poppy carbon plate shoe

Both reviewers preferred the Metaspeed Sky Tokyo over the Adios Pro 4, citing a faster, poppier, more aggressive ride with superior energy return and lighter weight. One reviewer used it for a half marathon PB and a 2:24 marathon, calling it the superior racing package overall.

Best for: Race day shoe for any distance from 5K to marathon, especially suited for stride-lengthening runners who want maximum forefoot pop and energy return.

Nick's top race pick — runs-in-training + race-day-comfort makes it his preferred marathon racer.

Best for: Marathon racing — top alternative to the Fast-R 3

Reviewer ran a 2:24:25 marathon PB at Loch Ness in the Metaspeed Sky Tokyo and calls it a slightly better, bouncier, lighter shoe than the Sky Paris, though on courses with long steep downhills he would consider the Alphafly or New Balance SC Elite v4 for more cushioning.

Best for: Marathon racing on flatter courses when not chasing an outright time; reviewer already PB'd a half marathon in it and rates it slightly better than the Sky Paris

Tom found it one of his favorite current race shoes, performing excellently over 10K and minimally different from the previous Metaspeed Sky.

Best for: 10K racing and potentially marathon distance

The biggest leap in the Metaspeed Sky line yet — a versatile, bouncy, energy-returning carbon racer that works from 5K to marathon and is the clear winner over the Vaporfly 4.

Best for: Racing from 5K up to the marathon

One of the top two carbon racing shoes on the market: softer, springier and more forgiving than the Puma, and the reviewer's pick for marathon distance.

Best for: Marathon racing and any distance where a softer, bouncier carbon-plated feel is preferred, especially on undulating courses.

A strict upgrade on the Sky Paris for this reviewer: slightly lighter and bouncier with a soft rear wedge, though softer runners may still prefer the firmer Paris platform. Outsole durability is a mild concern for heel strikers.

Best for: Half marathon and marathon racing on undulating courses