ASICS Megablast Review
By Nathan Brown
ASICS MegablastPrice: $225 at Running Warehouse
Weight: 7.9 oz, 224g (men's size 9)
Stack Height: 45 mm heel / 37 mm forefoot
Drop: 8 mm
Shoe Purpose: Daily Trainer/Performance Trainer/Casual Racer
Pros: Lightweight, Responsive, Fun, Cushioned
Cons: Snug Fit in Forefoot, Not the most stable
RUNNING SHOE SUMMARY
The Megablast enters the "Blast" family as the most performance-oriented, lightweight, and "unleashed" experience. It has a full midsole of FF Turbo², an ATPU blend, providing a ton of responsiveness and a geometry that allows it to perform at varying paces and efforts. The FF Turbo², while responsive, it less compliant than their other new foam, FF Leap, and is more geared for training and some uptempo efforts. The shoe is a step up in performance from the more tamed Superblast, with a dialed-down fit and a more responsive and rockered platform.
SIMILAR SHOES: A much lighter HOKA Skyward X
PAST MODEL: New Model
FIT
(To learn how a shoe should fit, check out our full podcast on fit by Matt Klein.)
Nathan: The Megablast uses a woven upper that is very thin and has a synthetic-type feel. It is translucent in the forefoot, where there is a lower volume and a tapered toe box. It certainly has a "dialed-in" fit that isn't very accommodating and fits slightly short. However, I have taken it on a two-hour run without any blistering or discomfort from the upper. There is a semistructured heel counter with a mild amount of padding that locks the heel in well. The tongue is quite thin and has ribbed laces that hold really well and do not irritate the top of the foot. In all, you get a very lightweight and snug upper that runs slightly on the short side. However, I personally would not size up. It's a performance-ready upper that handled daily training and long runs well.
Typical Size: Men's US Size 9
Shoes that have fit Nathan well: Topo Phantom 3, Saucony Endorphin Speed 4, ASICS Novablast 4
Shoes that have fit snug: HOKA Mach 6, Puma Deviate 3, New Balance Rebel v3
Shoes that have fit large: Saucony Triumph 22, Brooks Launch 9 (length)
Matt: The ASICS Megablast fits me true to size in my normal Men's US size 10. The fit initially felt slightly close on my medial toes but this has opened with time. The light mesh upper is normal to slightly snug in width but has a bit of extra volume to offset this. Early on this made the upper feel weirdly baggy but snug, but as it has broken in, the upper feels light and disappears as soon as the run begins. The toe box is a little tapered and the toe guard sits a little low across the toes. This does open up into a forefoot that is normal in width but has a little extra volume. This continues into a normal-width midfoot with a thinner but gusseted tongue. It was easy to secure the midfoot, but one must take care as tightening the laces too much easily causes lace bit across the top of the foot. There is padding in the tongue at the top most portion, so tightening the laces up higher was a better option. This is how I secured the upper and fortunately, I had no heel slippage or security issues after doing that. The heel fits normal in width with a ton of padding around the heel in front of the heel counter. The heel counter is flexible but the incredible amount of padding made me not notice it and has been awesome for my currently irritated heel. I have not had issues even on long runs with this shoe, so those with irritable Haglund deformities should be fine. While the heel padding is comfortable, the rest of the inner liner of the shoe is a bit scratchy. This is great for security, but requires socks and I have not been able to tolerate sockless running at all. So while the upper fits a little weird (baggy but snug performance?) at first, it is light, breaks in well, and is easily secured.
Typical Size: Men's US Size 10
Shoes that have fit Matt well: On Cloudboom Strike, Asics Gel-Nimbus 27, Xero HFS, Topo Cyclone 3, Adidas Adizero Evo SL
Shoes that have fit snug: Hoka Arahi 7, Brooks Launch 11, Diadora Mythos Vigore 3
Shoes that have fit large: Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 2, Adidas Agravic Speed Ultra
Doctors of Running Checklist
Is This a Good Shoe for Walking: No
Is This a Good Shoe for Standing: No
Is the Forefoot Flexible: Not really (very mild)
How Flexible is the Shoe: Mild
Is This a Good Heel Bevel: Yes
Recommended for Haglunds: Yes
Is This Shoe Orthotic Friendly: No
Recommended for Sockless: No
Durability Expectation: Normal
PERFORMANCE
Nathan: This has genuinely been one of the most fun trainers that I've tested in a long time. The combination of cushion, bounce, and geometry hit the sweet spot for many aspects of my training. At slower paces, the foam feels peppy, yet tamed, and the shoe operates on an overall moderate rocker. The rocker starts early enough that it transitions smoothly, and it's easy to get up on the toes. There is no plate, but that doesn't stop this shoe from being more rigid through the forefoot. I didn't feel a lot of flex through the forefoot during toe off, and it truly operates on the rocker profile. The most notable "feeling" when running in this shoe was how light it was. The weight ASICS provided was 8.1oz, but mine measure 7.9 oz on my scale and it feels even a bit lighter than that at all paces. What was most fun was when pushing the pace down to my 10K effort, the foam really popped back with the additional force put into it, making it feel more responsive when picking up the pace. Given its response to change in pace, it makes the shoe very versatile.
However, I think it is perfect for runs where there is a variety of paces that are going to happen so that you can take advantage of the pop when you pick up the pace. The best runs I can imagine in this would be a long run with a workout embedded. If I were going on an easy long run, I'd probably still lean Superblast, given that it is a bit more controlled and stable (more on that later). In addition to training, this shoe could be great for long-distance racing for those who don't want something as aggressive as a super shoe.
I also need to mention the outsole, which uses ASICSGRIP. This was a remarkably sticky outsole given the material and the ribbed design. It gripped so well on the boardwalks on our trails that it would sound like a basketball shoe on the court when slowing down or turning. The shoe is incredibly grippy and felt secure in wet conditions.
Matt: The ASICS Megablast is a maximal stack height super trainer. Although there is no plate in this shoe, the ride is stiff and the full-length ATPU FF Turbo Squared provides a highly responsive ride. The FF Turbo Squared is bouncy, responsive and well-balanced between firm and soft regardless of the pace. At slower paces I have found it to be comfortable, bouncy, but controlled. At faster paces I have found the Megablast to be responsive and consistent. This consistency is especially good on long runs, although I have found the Megablast to work for a variety of paces. The lighter weight (lightest of the Blast shoes), good heel bevel, slightly stiffer but responsive ride give this shoe pace versatility into faster efforts. I have used this shoe for easy runs, the majority of my recent long runs, track intervals, road intervals and tempo runs. I found it to do especially well during easy runs, tempo runs and long runs. The shoe is a little big for really fast efforts like track intervals but it still has the capacity to do them. It really excels at uptempo or longer efforts, making it an excellent longer work and distance race shoe. This is a great example of a half/full marathon racing shoe that most recreational runners should consider over super racing shoes.
The transitions are smooth despite the taller stack height and stiffer ride. There is a good heel bevel that has a slight posteriolateral curve. The midfoot is stable and transitions quickly into a snappy forefoot. The forefoot does flex a tiny bit with additional miles, so those with mild toe mobility issues will be fine but those who need a completely stiff immobile forefoot may not do as well with higher miles. I currently have 105 miles on my pair and while the forefoot has a tiny bit of flex now, the midsole and outsole have remained the same. I have a tiny bit of wear in my normal posterolateral and lateral midfoot on my left shoe. The midsole has remained bouncy and similar even with the longer efforts I have used them for. Although the durability has been good, this is a shoe meant for road and human-made surfaces. The traction is decent but not enough for trail and the exposed midsole on the bottom will get torn up by rocks. As long as you stay on road type surfaces, this is an excellent, light super trainer that excels at a variety of paces, including longer race efforts for recreational runners.
STABILITY
(Learn more about stability in our full guide)
Nathan: The Megablast is a neutral, max cushioned trainer. Given the liveliness of the foam and compliance, it has a bit of a "wiggle" to is until you get in rhythm. This was fine for me, but those who like some structure and stability will want to look elsewhere for their trainer, or get this shoe more for workouts and racing. There is a wider base and beveling that helps stabilize it a bit, which keeps it from becoming too unstable. There are also some mild sidewalls, but they aren't large enough to make a meaningful contribution to stability, particularly on the medial side. Those with higher stability needs will not find enough, but those with mild guidance needs will do fine throughout the length of the shoe.
Matt: The ASICS Megablast is a stable neutral shoe. While there is no traditional methods of stability, the sole is quite wide, there is torsional rigidity and there are mild sidewalls. The mild sidewalls on both the medial and lateral sides of the heel and midfoot add a tiny bit of resistance to side to side motion. The wider sole with decent sole flare is the most prominent stable features. There is more medial heel and forefoot sole flare than lateral, which for me made the shoe feel a bit more stable. The midfoot is also filled in and does not narrow on the medial side. While not the most stable shoe out there, it has done fine for me on long runs up to 15 miles, which is one of the best tests for me to see how stable a shoe is.
Thoughts as a DPT: What's a Plate Got to Do With It?
By Nathan Brown
To this day, plates get a lot of attention. Unless you dive into the literature, it's easy to assume that energy return comes from the presence and appropriate flex and rebound from a plate. However, this isn't quite the whole story. What matters more is the overall collection of features that allow a shoe to perform at its best for its intended purpose. Not every shoe needs, or should have, a plate. Even the fastest shoes on the market aren't fast because they have a plate alone. It's a cocktail of the right foam, geometry, and plate that make it all work.
RECOMMENDATIONS AND WHO IS THIS SHOE FOR
Nathan: The Megablast could fill a lot of places in a person's shoe quiver. For some, it could be their long run, workout, and racing shoe. For others, a do-it-all shoe. It's got the versatility. I think it'll come down to if you want such a high stacked shoe that is truly neutral, or if you want a bit more ground contact feel (meaning you should look elsewhere). Sitting beside the Superblast, I'd be leaning toward the Megablast for my next long-distance race. I don't think there's anything that this shoe would hold me back from during my efforts on a half marathon or marathon distance (my PR for a half is around 1:30 and marathon is 3:30). I would lean more to the Superblast for a workhorse trainer for more easy and long runs (while still being versatile). The Superblast is a bit more controlled and stable, while the Megablast is a bit more responsive and "untamed."
I overall appreciated that this shoe feels differentiated from the Superblast,
and I hope they continue to create this Blast family in a way that
provides quite distinct differences. I would love to see the forefoot
volume opened up slightly, which would make it even more accommodating
for training miles.
Matt: The ASICS Megablast is my favorite of all the Blast shoes I have tried. It is even better than the Superblast 2 due to better durability, a better heel transition, a better forefoot fit and a lighter ride (all things I was hoping the Superblast 2 would have but didn't). It is impressive this shoe is this good on its first version. I hope ASICS has learned their lesson with the Superblast as version 2 wasn't quite the update I was hoping for. Version 2 of this shoe should honestly focus on refining the upper just slightly while keeping weight low. For me, everything is comfortable except for the slight bagginess/extra volume. Refining the fit in the forefoot a tad is the ONLY change I would really suggest, and even then I probably wouldn't change it. This is already the running for shoe of the year, so ASICS I would encourage you do less and let this shoe cook.
The ASICS Megablast is a super trainer for those who want a great trainer/workout shoe/long run/possible distance racer. The FF Turbo Square is responsive without being mushy and versatile at a variety of paces. The upper has a performance edge without being too snug and allows some room for foot swelling. This is an excellent training and long run shoe, while being responsive enough to easily handle longer workouts. This is a perfect example (as mentioned above) of what most recreational runners should be looking for in a marathon racer. It is stable neutral without being overcorrecting. It is light and responsive without being too aggressive. The midsole is bouncy while still being consistent regardless of how far you are going. Plus, it is durable, allowing for extensive training miles to get used to it. The price tag is certainly high, but the amount of miles and training you will get out of a possible trainer/racer is actually worth it. Most racing shoes typically have the durability only for occassional workouts and races, whereas this thing can do everything for many people. Therefore, the cost is justified (I'd still like to see a $200 price tag) especially with the durability. It differentiates itself easily from the Superblast given the better fit, lighter ride and better transition. However, the Superblast 2 is more stable, so those who really need the aggressive sidewalls may do better there. Regardless, the Megablast is a great shoe that should many should consider for both training AND recreational racing needs.
GRADES
Nathan
Fit: B+ (Nice lock-down, a little snug and short)
Performance: A (Incredibly fun ride)
Stability: B (True neutral shoe)
Value: B+/A- ($225 is a lot, but like the Superblast in my opinion, I think it'll give you what you pay for)
Personal: A (Most fun shoe of the year so far)
Overall Design: A-
Matt
Fit: B+ (Good lock down, secure tongue, a little baggy at forefoot but overall good. Careful with lace bite)
Performance: A (Fun versatile and bouncy ride that works well for daily training to long runs to uptempo workouts)
Stability: A- [Stable Neutral] (Mild sidewalls, wide sole and medial sole flare make this a stable neutral shoe with mild guidance)
Value: B+ (An expensive shoe but the durability and versatility justify the price. You get what you pay for)
Personal: A (My shoe of the year so far. I keep reaching for this for long runs, easy runs and uptempo efforts when my wife starts pushing the pace)
Overall Design: A-
SHOP | SUPPORT DORASICS MegablastPrice: $225 at Running Warehouse
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FURTHER READING
ASICS new performance trainer.
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