A versatile max-cushion trainer that excels at marathon paces and long runs, praised for stability and durability though some find it firm at easy efforts and less lively than newer alternatives.
Ben's favorite running shoe of all time - a hugely versatile daily trainer that spans recovery to marathon pace, with outstanding durability and stability, only held back by the £200 price.
Best for: A single do-everything daily trainer for recovery, long runs, progression runs, and even up to marathon pace
Nathan's pick over the Megablast for proven stability and durability; Klein and Solless find the forefoot taper and heel transition hold it back vs the newer Megablast.
Best for: High-mileage versatile long-run and training shoe for runners who prize stability and proven durability.
A snappy, rigid, stable-neutral trainer-racer that excels at workouts, tempo and marathon pace — Matt's recommended pick for runners who want speed versatility.
Best for: Workout, tempo, long-run and marathon-racing shoe; good alternative for runners who don't get on with the aggressive Metaspeed series.
A more premium, more aggressive-feeling version of the Novablast that handles everything from easy runs to intervals to marathon racing; the marathon shoe for most runners who don't need a plated super-racer.
Best for: Mid-pack marathon runners who want a single shoe for training and racing; long runs and workouts at tempo/threshold
Matt's personal favorite and the go-to long run shoe of the trio — a bouncy, stiff, stable-neutral trainer that doubles as an excellent non-plated marathon or half-marathon racer.
Best for: Long runs, uptempo efforts, and non-plated marathon/half-marathon racing for runners wanting a bouncy, stable-neutral trainer.
A tweaked-not-overhauled update to the Superblast: better upper lockdown, more toe-box volume, slightly more compliant foam, and improved outsole grip all make it an improvement over V1 with the same versatile ride.
Best for: Runners who want a single shoe to do daily training, workouts, and a marathon
An exceptionally versatile, proven stable-neutral high-stack trainer that delivers strong value through durability and breadth of use.
Best for: A highly versatile stable-neutral trainer that handles easy runs, long runs, workouts, and even half-marathon racing at moderate efforts.
The Superblast 2 remains a great option for runners wanting a stable and predictable ride, though it lacks the overt toe-off feel of the new version.
Best for: Runners who want a stable, predictable high-mileage trainer
A firmer, more responsive, more stable shoe than the Novablast 5 that makes the miles disappear at sustained paces — the pick if you want one shoe for tempo and long efforts.
Best for: Sustained efforts, long runs, tempo work, and half/marathon paces
Lives up to much of the hype: an exceptionally versatile max-cushion trainer that is lighter and more stable than comparable cushioned models, with the main downsides being price and UK availability.
Best for: Runners who want one shoe to handle many roles in a marathon build, including recovery, long runs, and marathon-pace work
A good but more niche update to the Superblast - firmer foam and extra stack make it less versatile than V1 and less appealing to forefoot strikers, but outsole grip and durability are notably improved.
Best for: Marathon-focused runners using it as an impact protector on long/slow efforts; heavier runners
Still a great, stable high-mileage option that many runners get 500-600 km out of, but denser and less lively than the Megablast.
Best for: Runners wanting a more conservative, stable max-stack trainer for high mileage
A lighter, more nimble, more versatile shoe that absorbs distance and shifts through paces easily, outperforming the Vomero Plus for a one-shoe rotation.
Best for: Unicorn do-it-all trainer for long runs, daily mileage, and faster intervals
A long-standing favorite of the reviewer for marathon training; a firmer, stable long-run shoe that leans into pace work well, and still worth buying on discount if you dislike the softer Superblast 3.
Best for: Marathon training long runs and goal-pace work where a firmer, stable ride that carries speed is preferred.
Now discounted around £155, the Superblast 2 is a strong buy for long-run specialists who found the SB3 too soft.
Best for: Long runs and marathon training for fans of firmer rides
A long-standing favorite of the reviewer for marathon training; a firmer, stable long-run shoe that leans into pace work well, and still worth buying on discount if you dislike the softer Superblast 3.
Best for: Marathon training long runs and goal-pace work where a firmer, stable ride that carries speed is preferred.
A standout do-it-all long-run shoe that excels at marathon training paces and can even race, with exceptional durability.
Best for: Marathon trainees wanting one shoe to do everything, including race day and very high-mileage durability.
Still an unbelievable shoe that can do almost everything, but feels cumbersome at slower paces and has been surpassed by the Megablast's newer foam.
Best for: Half-marathon to marathon training and longer miles at moderate-to-fast paces
An upgraded long-run shoe with a wider sweet spot than V1 thanks to the FF Turbo Plus over FF Blast Plus Eco stack; excels from easy up to marathon pace but is not meant for sub-half-marathon paces.
Best for: Long runs with some faster work, and easy/recovery miles for neutral runners
Steve calls the Superblast 2 the most versatile shoe in the Blast family, combining elements of every other Blast shoe into a balanced, fast, cushioned unisex trainer.
Best for: The most versatile of the Blast family — long runs, short fast stuff, even lifting/gym use
Steve calls the Superblast 2 the industry standard among max-cushion plateless performance trainers — fast, premium, and widely beloved.
Best for: Marathon racing, tempo workouts, or higher-mileage days for runners wanting a premium max-cushion performance trainer
About as close as you'll get to a one-shoe marathon rotation — handles the full training block and can race the marathon. Expensive but worth it.
Best for: Marathon training and racing across all paces — especially 4+ hour runners
A top-tier versatile daily trainer with exceptional cushioning and bounce for its light weight; the preferred pick for long, slower runs and for runners who want a softer, bouncier ride.
Best for: Runners wanting a cushioned, bouncy all-rounder for long runs and high mileage that still has enough performance to handle faster sessions and racing
An excellent, reliable cushioned all-rounder that excels at long, smooth marathon-pace cruising with a stable wide base, though it's heavier and less versatile at faster paces than the Megablast.
Best for: Long runs and marathon-pace cruising where cushioning, stability, and consistency matter more than bounce.
Compared to other road daily trainer in the same lane.
