ASICS Sonicblast Review
By David Salas
ASICS SonicblastPrice: $180 at Running Warehouse
Weight: 9 oz, 255g (men's size 9), 223oz, g (women's size 8)
Stack Height: 46mm heel / 38mm forefoot M, 45mm heel / 37mm forefoot W
Drop: 8 mm
Shoe Purpose: Lightweight trainer, super trainer
Pros: Really responsive and lively forefoot, good fit/lockdown while comfortable
Cons: Clunky heel and overly stiff midfoot for easy paces
RUNNING SHOE SUMMARY
The ASICS Sonicblast is a lightweight neutral training shoe that is aimed at giving a more responsive and lively experience than the Novablast. The Sonicblast was built off of the Novablast platform and introduces FlyteFoam Turbo² (an ATPU based midsole) and a Pebax plate that ASICS is calling Astroplate. The plate will be a 3/4 length plate. The shoe provides a very bouncy and lively forefoot that is accompanied with a sharper forefoot rocker as well. At 45mm of stack height, the Sonicblast is meant to be a training companion or racer for those that want a little more spark in the Novablast.
SIMILAR SHOES: ASICS Magic Speed 4 (forefoot), Brooks Hyperion Max 3
PAST MODEL: New Model
FIT
(To learn how a shoe should fit, check out our full podcast on fit by Matt Klein.)
David: The ASICS Sonicblast fits true to size in my men's 9.5. The general feeling on the foot is a performance oriented feel that is still training friendly. The jacquard mesh is surprisingly soft for how airy it is. The mesh is on the thinner side, and there is a perforated finish that helps with even more breathability. The heel collar does not have much padding, but the contours are done well and I had no irritation with pressure on my heel. The gusseted tongue is gently padded and I did not have any issues with lacing. In general, most of the things in this upper are pretty streamlined, without sacrificing comfort. For those that want it compared to the Novablast, this upper is definitely lighter and more airy than that. It is less plush and soft though. The width throughout the platform is normal in the heel and midfoot, with a slightly wider forefoot. There is a good amount of volume through the forefoot as well for foot swelling. In general, I do feel like this is one of the better uppers that I have used for a lightweight trainer.
David's Typical Size: Men's US Size 9.5
Shoes that have fit David well: Nike Vomero 17, Saucony Ride 16, Puma Velocity Nitro 3
Shoes that have fit snug: HOKA Arahi 7
Shoes that have fit large: Salomon Aero Glide
Nathan: The Sonicblast fits true to size in my men's 9.5. As an uptempo companion to the Novablast, I think these fits are quite similar, with the mesh upper the Sonicblast being slightly more dialed in and thinner for a slightly more performance fit. Despite the more performance fit, the upper is still soft and comfortable for training. The heel has mild padding, and the gusseted tongue holds down well. There are some overlays that provide a bit of structure, and the lacing system is simple and effective. This is one of those uppers and fits where there isn't too much to report. It's simple and effective, with features like the perforations that allow it to have a performance feel to it.
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)
Doctors of Running Checklist
Is This a Good Shoe for Walking: No
Is This a Good Shoe for Standing: No, Mildly
Is the Forefoot Flexible: No
How Flexible is the Shoe: Stiff
Is This a Good Heel Bevel: Average, could be improved
Recommended for Haglunds: No
Is This Shoe Orthotic Friendly: No
Recommended for Sockless: No
Durability Expectation: Above Average
PERFORMANCE
David: The ASICS Sonicblast is a lightweight training shoe that is geared towards having a responsive and lively forefoot, without sacrificing maximum cushioning. The ASICS Sonicblast is debuting FlyteFoam Turbo² and ATPU based midsole that is a geared a little more towards training type experiences, versus the ATPU sibling of FF Leap in the racing models. The platfrom does use a dual density midsole, divided by a 3/4 length pebax plate. The top layer uses FF Turbo², with the bottom layer using FF Blast Max. The shoe has 46mm of stack height and follows a traditionally neutral design. The plate is spooned out aggressively in the forefoot, giving a pretty sharp forefoot rocker as well. ASICS also updated the outsole material and pattern. The shoe does use a more grippy and high abrasion rubber to give a more sticky and grippy experience.
I really like the Sonicblast for a specific use. The shoe feels great at controlled uptempo and faster efforts, but does seem to fall short during easier efforts. The shoe has an average heel bevel, but it feels like it is not rounded enough for how much stack height is on the shoe. Because of this, the initial contact can feel a bit bumpy at easier efforts. The 3/4 length Pebax Astroplate is also very stiff. This makes the midfoot feel really rigid as well when you transition off of the already bumpy heel. However, that goes away at quicker paces. This shoe reaalllly likes to move quickly. When going quicker, you can feel a larger give in the FF Turbo² foam and a massive bounce coming off of the forefoot. The rounded forefoot does feel nice at all paces. Those that like a stiffer and more rounded forefoot will feel like you are just rolling right into the next step with this one. When going faster you will have a good size bounce accompanied by that.
From a sensation standpoint, FF Turbo² does feel like a nice foam. It is less compliant than some of the other really soft ATPU's out there, but still holds a good amount of bounce. For those curious as to how it feels compared to FF Turbo +, this foam has just a little more compliancy to it and a touch more bounce when loaded. I think the Sonicblast has a lot of potential to be one of the big performance trainers on the market, but cleaning up the heel geometry is probably needed first. This is not a bad option for those looking to have a workout shoe or long distance racing option.
Nathan: Everyone has shoes that work for them and those that don't. The Sonicblast is a shoe that didn't work for me from a performance and ride side of things. There is a dual-density midsole with FF Blast Max on the bottom and the new FF Turbo Squared on top (which is over half the midsole). Between the two is a partial-length Pebax plate that adds some rigidity to the forefoot, but there is still some flexibility. Given the plate and FF Blast Max, this shoe runs a bit on the firmer end of things (especially when compared to the other shoe debuing from ASICS this fall, the Megablast). This firmer underfoot feel also messed a bit with the transitions. There is a bevel, but not quite enough for a smooth transition for me at the heel. Additionally, there is a later-stage rocker and some notable toe spring in the forefoot. Combining those together made for some clunky transitions at most daily training paces for me. It felt like my foot was pitched back by the toe spring and my foot would slap down pretty loudly from the lack of bevel. This again was particularly true at more casual paces.
If I was dipping down to 10K effort (for me between 6:30-6:45 pace), it really smoothed out. It also would smooth out a bit if I landed farther forward. So for those who have different mechanics than me, I could see this workout out much better for you. I also need to state that the forefoot cushioning feel is fantastic. The "trampoline pod" design that I've come to expect from the Novablast is carried through here, but instead of just a centered cushion/bounce, the whole forefoot is very cushioned and responsive. There's definitely something there to continue growing in the future.
STABILITY
(Learn more about stability in our full guide)
David: The ASICS Sonicblast is not meant to be a stability shoe, but for being at 46mm of stack it does pretty well. This shoe is still very neutral by nature, but does not feel unstable. The shoe does have a winged stiffening agent that is accompanied by a pretty resilient foam. It feels cushioned, but not mushy. The outsole coverage is also pretty thick in the areas where it is and feels like it firms up the platform pretty well. Upper lockdown is also good throughout and I had no issues with foot slippage or translation. The platform width is pretty standard and runs very neutral. There is not too much involvement from sole flare or sidewalls either in this model. I am not sure I would say this is "stable neutral", rather just not unstable. It is a pretty standard neutral shoe, that does a decent job of stability given the stack height.
Nathan: Given how high stacked this shoe is, there are some inherent ways that it fights against being stable. However, there are elements that keep this shoe being truly neutral to even slightly structured. Compared to the new Megablast, this is definitely your more stable option. The three elements that help with stabilizing the platform are the plate that spans the width of the forefoot, the side walls, and the dual density midsole. Unfortunately, the lack of smooth transitions removes some stability as well, but the elements are there to keep this shoe stable to mildly structured.
Thoughts as a DPT: Got Bevel? And other considerations.
By David Salas, PT, DPT, CSCS
When looking at the foot and ankle, it is important to look at the areas that have the largest facilitation of movement. When we step, our feet go through several "rocker" points that help ease movement and make it less jarring. You can get complex, but traditionally you can look at three different areas, being the heel, ankle, and forefoot. At the heel, our calcaneus (heel bone) has a natural curving to it. This helps give us a literal rolling sensation and guidance for our first point of contact into the ground. In gait, we call this initial contact and loading response. As you move into the stance phases, you begin to get a forward translation of your weight and the force of your body begins to transition over your foot and ankle (the ankle rocker). The final stage comes is where you roll off of the front of your foot and lever off of your great toe. Everything in your leg (not just your foot and ankle) work together to make sure that this can go off smoothly with each step.
Shoes try to mimic these rockers to make movement more natural feeling for us. This is incorporating (you guessed it) rockers. The heel and the forefoot normally have a rounding to them to help ease and facilitate movement as well. Shoes have an interesting component that our feet don't have though. That is stack height. It may seem minimal, but with increasing stack heights, the difference in between your foot and the ground is starting to get quite noticeable. I am not a physicist or a biomechanist, but the basics of torque and lever arms can still apply here. When something is further from you, the amount of torque needed to maintain a stable position at the base goes up.
Sometimes, I will use an analogy of holding a bowling ball at your chest. When you are holding the bowling ball at your chest, the 10 pound ball does not feel too heavy. However, if you press that same ball out away from your chest and hold it out in front of you with your arms straight, the ball starts to feel much heavier. It's because you increased the lever arm and require more force to keep it put. Movement is beautiful, but it can be quite complex. In a lot of ways it is applied physics and biomechanics. Adding external variables like shoes can make it even more complex.
With the lever arm in mind, it is that much more important to make sure that platform transitions well. If the heel does not have rocker that meets the demand of the step, it can create a really bumpy and jarring sensation. The challenge is even larger when shoes incorporate stiffening agents as well. No matter the situation, it is always good to ask yourself as a consumer if a shoe works well with your own individual biomechanics. If it does not feel right, choose the one that does. What may work really for someone else may not work as well for you and that is okay. Different shoes have different goals, and different mechanical considerations. Every company has teams of people testing and validating shoes, but these variables are... well variable. This is why there are so many different shoes out there.
RECOMMENDATIONS
David: I really like the forefoot experience and the upper in the ASICS Sonicblast, but I do think the heel geometry could be continued to be worked on. The heel bevel is pretty average, but feels insufficient for how much shoe there is, and for how stiff the platform is. It can feel a bit jarring at easier paces. The other thing would be to look into easing that transition from heel into midfoot. The 3/4 length plate makes for a very rigid feeling midfoot. I feel like the shoe could actually feel nicer with a 1/2 length plate, or just a smoother heel transition into the plate.
Nathan: The Sonicblast has an incredibly cushioned forefoot that is fun to get on and off of. What I think this shoe could use is some modifications to improve transitions to get there, and then shaving some weight to make it a little more performance-oriented. Slightly increase the bevel and consider bringing down the toe spring or making the rocker start a bit earlier. This may help with the slappyness of the transitions, smoothen things out, and help it be a bit more versatile. I'd also love to see this shoe come in lighter than it's daily training companion, so finding ways to shave the weight a bit would be great.
WHO IS THIS SHOE FOR?
David: The ASICS Sonicblast is a lightweight training shoe for someone that is looking to have maximum cushioning (46mm heel) and a really snappy forefoot experience. The ASICS Sonicblast has a stiff and large forefoot rocker that is accompanied by the new midsole FlyteFoam Turbo². The heel transition can be a bit jarring at easier paces, but this smoothens out as the pace picks up. The Sonicblast does a great job of moving at controlled uptempo paces to quicker long distance racing type paces. This shoe runs on a very neutral platform without feeling unstable either. For those that are sensitive to massive sole flared shoes or wide platforms and want something more traditional in shaping, this shoe also covers that. The ASICS Sonicblast fits well into the lightweight trainer category for workouts and races.
Nathan: The Sonicblast is going to work best for those who, in my estimation, land a bit more forward and want a shoe that is built for performing at slightly higher efforts. I think this shoe lacks some versatility of others in the same category (like the Endorphin Speed or SC Trainer v3), and someone reaching for this shoe would likely need a shoe rotation with something for easier miles.
GRADES
David
Fit: A (One of the better fitting uppers that I've used for a maximum cushioned shoe that is still trying to be light.)
Performance: B (Very lively forefoot at all paces, heel transitions a bit rugged at easy paces, good weight to stack ratio)
Stability: B (Good stability for the situation. There is not much sole flare or width to the platform, but upper lockdown, outsole grip and thickness, plate involvement all create a decent amount of stability for a neutral shoe this high up.)
Value: B (Great responsiveness, weight, good durability expectations. Not as versatile going slow though as I'd like)
Personal: B (It's the heel. I love the forefoot experience, but I can really only justify using this on workouts or races for me right now.)
Overall Design: B
Nathan
Fit: A (Solid fit, no complaints)
Performance: C- (Quite slappy, tough transitions, nice forefoot feet once on it)
Stability: B/B+ (Stabilized by the plate, side walls, and dual density)
Value: C+/B- (Compared to SC Trainer v3 and Endorphin Speed, this $180 lacks the versatility)
Personal: D (Some shoes just don't work for people. This one didn't for me. Forefoot feel keeps it from worse than a D)
Overall Design: B-
SHOP | SUPPORT DORASICS SonicblastPrice: $180 at Running Warehouse
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FURTHER READING
ASICS UPGRADE to Superblast!?
Find all Shoe Reviews at Doctors of Running here.
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