ASICS Metaspeed Sky Paris Review
By Matthew Klein & David Salas
The original ASICS Metaspeed Sky Tokyo was fantastic. Despite some sizing issues, it was one of the first times a brand other than Nike debuted a truly bouncy super shoe. Version two, the "plus" was actually a minus. While the upper finally fit true to size, the midsole felt firm, not responsive and disappointing. My focus went to the Edge Plus and I did not get more miles on the Sky Plus. Seeing prototypes with the special forefoot stripe had my hopes up that something special was coming. After some clear lessons from the Plus, the Sky Paris moves back toward the magic of the original. A flat plate and FF Turbo+ PEBA midsole give it a distinct ride from the Edge Paris that may be best for those who land farther forward and run faster speeds.
Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris
Price: $249.95 at Running Warehouse
Weight: 6.4 oz, 183 g (men's size 9/women's size 10.5)
Stack Height: 39 mm / 34 mm
Drop: 5 mm
Shoe Purpose: Super Racing Shoe
Pros: Lightest Super Shoe on the Market, Light Breathable Upper, Responsive Forefoot
Cons: Only Engages Well at Faster Speeds and With Certain Biomechanics
RUNNING SHOE SUMMARY
The ASISC Metaspeed Sky Paris is ASICS's newest super racing shoe along with the Edge Paris. Featuring a new FF Turbo+ PEBA midsole combined with a smooth geometry and flatter plate, this shoe is best for those who want a bouncy and propulsive forefoot. The new midsole and plate combine for a smooth transition that works best for either short faster efforts or moderate paced longer efforts. A new incredibly light upper keeps the foot cool and secure. Now one of the lightest super shoes on the market, the Sky Paris is a highly competitive model for those who want great performance.
SIMILAR SHOES: Nike Vaporfly 3
PAST MODEL: ASICS Metaspeed Sky Plus
FIT
(To learn how a shoe should fit, check out our full podcast on fit by Matt Klein.)
Matt: The ASICS Metaspeed Sky Paris fits me true to size in my normal US men's 10. The upper fits slightly snug, albeit normal for a racing shoe. The material is a lightweight, breathable mesh (Motionwrap 2.0) that has a nice balance of slight stretch while being secure. The forefoot features a little extra volume height wise for those who want to wiggle their toes without being sloppy. This transitions into a snug midfoot with a thin non-gusseted tongue. The tongue does do its job protecting the top of my foot from the laces but I had to put some extra effort every time I put this shoe on to make sure it laid flat and didn't bunch up. The heel fits snug with a flexible heel counter and mild heel collar cushioning.
Like the Metaspeed Edge Paris, those with haglund deformities should be fine as the counter is mild but still provides some rearfoot structure. The midfoot and forefoot do not have a ton of structure but the ribbed laces allow for some mild customization with security. Running in straight lines with normal turns is fine and I did not have to lace lock the shoe. However, quick turns may be an issue so I would highly suggest this shoe be kept to roads. The upper is comfortable enough to be worn sockless for those with experience doing this. I have run 7 miles in this shoe sans socks and had no issues. However, I prefer wearing socks as the fit is more secure, but this shoe is also breathable enough to go either way.
Matt's Typical Size: Men's US Size 10
Shoes that have fit Matt well: Saucony Guide 17, ASICS Kayano 30, Hoka Gaviota 5, Saucony Endorphin Elite, Nike Ultrafly
Shoes that have fit snug: Hoka Arahi 7, Saucony Kinvara 14
Shoes that have fit large: Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 2, Altra Timp 5
David: The ASICS Metaspeed Sky Paris fits true to size in my Men's 9.5. The width in the heel and midfoot are normal, with a slightly wide and more volume in the forefoot. The engineered mesh is very breathable, thin, and consistent with most racing shoes. The tongue is also very thin, though does do a good job of preventing any biting from the laces. I would get a little early heel rise, but once I locked the laces down from the midfoot up this fixed that. There is a flexible heel counter that does a good job of holding the foot in place without being intrusive. Compared to the Metaspeed Edge Paris this model does have a little bit more width and volume through the forefoot, but a pretty comparable fit overall. Because of the additional volume in the forefoot the material can feel a tad scrunchy in that region, though nothing problematic.
Doctors of Running Checklist
Is This a Good Shoe for Walking: No
Is This a Good Shoe for Standing: No
Is the Forefoot Flexible: No
How Flexible is the Shoe: Stiff
Is This a Good Heel Bevel: Yes
Recommended for Haglunds: Yes (mostly)
Recommended for Sockless: Yes (but should have experience)
Durability Expectation: Average
PERFORMANCE
Matt: The ASICS Metaspeed Sky Paris is a super racing shoe for those who want a fast, bouncy shoe that works well for fast efforts. The geometry of the Sky Paris is meant for those who have a longer stride and put a ton of force into the ground. The new FF Turbo+ midsole is PEBA which provides a noticeable bounce. This is not a mushy bounce but a snappy fast rebound. Combined with the Sky Paris being the lightest super shoe on the market at 6.4 oz (men's size 9), it feels incredibly nimble on foot. The same 5mm drop as the prior version is still there and combined with the flatter plate, it feels low drop. Despite much of the design being tailored toward those who land or load the front of the shoe, the heel bevel is smooth and provides an easy transition at the rearfoot. The shoe does not have any flexibility thanks to the stiff plate, although the late forefoot rocker has not bothered me and feels fairly smooth.
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| plate setup per asics |
Unlike the Edge Paris, the Sky Paris feels smooth during easy efforts and then shines during really fast efforts. I have struggled to get it to respond as well as the Edge Paris does for me during tempo to longer interval efforts. However, during extremely fast, shorter efforts it does really well as well as uptempo efforts. The faster I can push into and through the forefoot, the faster it goes. The Edge Paris makes me want to run fast right away, whereas the Sky Paris makes me want to keep a consistent easier effort and only really responds when I push it. This may be due to the fact that rather than the shoe matching me, I have to adapt to it to get it to respond. A longer stride does seem to make the Sky Paris respond more, so know that your individual mechanics may alter how the shoe responds to you and vice versa.
Durability-wise, I am beginning to see a little abrasion on the outsole rubber in my usual posterior lateral section after 25 miles of hard use. The outsole is still fully intact, so I expect to get an average to above-average number of miles out of them for a super shoe. Traction-wise these shoes grip especially well at the forefoot on a variety of road surfaces. Wet road has not been an issue despite some downpours in SoCal recently but I would hesitate to use this for any rough terrain as rocks/dirt may tear up the exposed midsole.
David: The ASICS Metaspeed Sky Paris performed well, though with a very specific stride pattern. I found that the shoe either worked really well if you were either running very forward on your toes or really elongating your stride. It did take a little getting used to at faster paces for me. The foam is definitely an upgrade from the "+" models, going from Flytefoam Turbo to Fytefoam Turbo +. This is now a 2 layer Peba based midsole that certainly gives you a solid bounce. The geometry is meant for those that use stride length to pick up speed. The plate design is relatively flat with a late stage rocker at the forefoot. I would say that the design is pretty noticeable, but does feel like I'm either over striding to go fast or really rhythmic at easy paces. I know this will be a favorite for someone out there, but for me I personally align with the other model (Edge Paris). The shoe lost a significant amount of weight and is well under the 7 oz mark at Men's Size 9. The weight, traction, and responsive alone make this shoe a contender amongst the market. The traction underfoot has served me quite well on the road, even in wet conditions. The shoe has a relatively neutral heel and midfoot with a wide forefoot that has some sole flaring built in. Those wanting a wide platform in the forefoot and a late stage rocker will have some fun with this one. Despite the doppelganger look, this is definitely a different shoe from the Edge Paris.
STABILITY
Matt: The ASICS Metaspeed Sky Paris is a neutral racing shoe. There are no traditional methods of stability. The most significant thing is the midsole flare in the forefoot. This extends a decent distance medially and laterally. When the forefoot is loaded (your foot is pushing off), these spread to create a well-guided forefoot. Combined with the stiffness and the slightly later rocker, the forefoot is more rigid and will work great for those who want a stiff forefoot. There is a slightly higher medial arch, mild midfoot sidewall with that arch and a small lateral midfoot sidewall. These provide mild guidance at the midfoot. The heel is neutral thanks to a more narrow platform. The midfoot does narrow quite a bit but is offset slightly by the mild midfoot guidance. Outside of some unique elements in the forefoot, the ASICS Sky Paris is fairly neutral.
David: The ASICS Metaspeed Sky Paris is a neutral racing shoe. I will say the forefoot does have some stability elements that show themselves, but the rest of the shoe is very neutral. The platform through the heel and midfoot is relatively normal to slightly narrow with a wide forefoot up front. The upper lockdown and traction make for a good experience as well. The compliant foam and narrow platform make for a very neutral offering though. Those wanting some cross sectional area under the forefoot though will enjoy how this feels.
Thoughts as a DPT: Clarifying Stride vs Cadence
By Matthew Klein
Unlike prior versions of the Metaspeed series, the Metaspeed Paris shoes are quite similar. Both share almost the same stack height, the same drop, and all the same materials. The variation lies in the plate design and midsole shaping. This is based on ASICS understanding of two different types of ways of acceleration with some runners increasing their speed through cadence and others through stride length. This clarification that ASICS categorized these shoes based on how people increase their speed rather than their normal pace is important to note and something that may have been lost in translation to the public.
Those with a higher cadence tend to have higher leg stiffness and shorter ground contact times compared to increased stride length. There may also be differences in limb acceleration and shock absorption as an increased stride length is known to cause increased tibial acceleration and require higher levels of shock absorption. Cadence and stride length tend to have an inverse relationship, with one generally increasing while the other stays constant or decreases (Anderson et al., 2022). One is not necessarily better than the other, but they are different and impart different stresses on the body. Each person must decide which is most natural and works best for their body, they add the shoe on top to see if it matches that.
Napier, C., Cochrane, C. K., Taunton, J. E., & Hunt, M. A. (2015). Gait modifications to change lower extremity gait biomechanics in runners: a systematic review. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 49(21), 1382-1388.
Schubert, A. G., Kempf, J., & Heiderscheit, B. C. (2014). Influence of stride frequency and length on running mechanics: a systematic review. Sports Health, 6(3), 210-217.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Matt: The Metaspeed Sky Paris is a complete overhaul from the prior versions. The upper is lighter and fits well, the new midsole is far bouncier, the geometry is smoother and now this is the lightest super shoe on the market. Although the biomechanics of the shoe don't match up to mine and I have to adapt to the shoe more than it adapts to me, it is a great shoe that will probably work for more elite runners, those who have a long stride and those who really come down hard on the shoe vertically. I do still have some suggestions for this shoe. Like the Edge Paris, I would highly encourage ASICS to consider adding a mild gusset to the tongue. This would help with foot security and keep the tongue flatter. While the tongue bunching isn't a huge inconvenience, it can be a little annoying when putting the shoe on. My second suggestion would be to max out the stack height. I would add that extra 0.5-1 mm of Turbo + like the Edge Paris just to get that much more out of the sole. The shoe is light enough that a 0.5 mm stack height addition of a light foam like Turbo + won't make a huge impact on weight. Outside of those minor suggestions, the Sky Paris and Edge Paris are great fast shoes that are huge leaps from the prior versions in terms of performance.
David: The Metaspeed Sky Paris will definitely work well for some people. The shoe moved in the right direction across almost all platforms. The shoe does feel a tad inconsistent from the heel to forefoot experience though. With how light the shoe is, I would not mind widening the heel or adding some more sidewalls in that region to make for a more stable and guided experience that feels consistent with the forefoot. The weight addition would be close to negligible.
WHO IS THIS SHOE FOR?
Matt: The ASICS Metaspeed Sky Paris is for those who want an extremely light super racing shoe with a flatter plate, a well-fitting upper with a little extra forefoot volume, a great PEBA midsole foam and mechanics that will work for those with a longer stride or who load the forefoot. The light upper fits slightly snug with extra forefoot volume so those with narrow to normal-width feet who want a bit more room up front in a racing shoe will do well here. The midsole and plate combo will work best for those who land with more vertical force, those who really load the forefoot or those who accelerate by lengthening their stride. Those with more stable mechanics or need some forefoot guidance through sole flare will be able to take this for half marathon to full marathon distances. Others may find that it works better at shorter faster efforts like 5k-10k. Which one will depend on your unique biomechanics and response to the shoe. Regardless, it is the lightest super racing shoe on the market and signals massive progress forward for ASICS. Now the exciting part is to see how consumers react to the Sky and Edge Paris. I still suspect that most will prefer the Edge, but time will tell.
David: The ASICS Metaspeed Sky Paris is a racing shoe for those that want a flatter plate design and a shoe that really responds to longer strides. The shoe has a lot of bounce to it through the heel and forefoot with a late stage forefoot rocker. This is a shoe that really responds to how you much you push into the ground. The forefoot also is relatively wide with a decent amount of sole flaring. Those that like that component in shoes will find that here. The heel is very neutral however and may be a tad unstable for some. This is definitely a shoe for all distances 5k-marathon based on its responsiveness and weight. For my own personal mechanics, it feels like I have to over stride some to make the shoe work. Those that really open their stride up though will feel at home with this shoe.
GRADES
Matt
Fit: A- (Extremely light upper with a little extra forefoot volume/wiggle room. Thin tongue that needs to be flattened but laces that lock in well)
Performance: A- (Bouncy, light ride that works best at fast paces and uptempo efforts)
Stability: B/B+ [Neutral] (Stable forefoot due to midsole flaring with neutral heel/midfoot)
Value: B+/A- (Expensive but maintains pricepoint despite massive improvements. Lightest super shoe on the market)
Personal: B+ (I prefer the Edge Paris over this shoe as it matches my mechanics.)
Overall Design: B+/A-
David
Fit: A- (Good lockdown and comfort throughout for racing shoe. I had some heel rise initially so improving volume through midfoot, lockdown of laces, or gusset should help.)
Performance: A- (Definitely a good racing shoe. The shoe really responds to the load that is put into it and to longer stride lengths.)
Stability: B/B+ (Forefoot stability really good, though narrow heel and midfoot make for a neutral overall offering.)
Value: A- (The technology, weight, and usage is consistent with other shoes at the price point.)
Personal: B (Its just my mechanics. I do feel like I have to over stride some to make this shoe work for me. It is really nice at slower paces and controlled efforts, so this may become a long run shoe for me.)
Overall Design: B+/A-
SHOP | SUPPORT DORAsics Metaspeed Sky ParisPrice: $249.95 at Running Warehouse
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FURTHER READING
Check out the counterpart to the Sky!
Old-school trainer with new foam vibes.
Find all Shoe Reviews at Doctors of Running here.
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