ASICS Superblast 3 Review
By Andrea Myers and Matthew Klein
ASICS Superblast 3Price: $200 at Running Warehouse (March 2026)
Weight: 8.4oz, 239g (men's size 9), oz, g (women's size 8)
Stack Height: 46.5 mm heel / 38.5 mm forefoot
Drop: 8 mm
Shoe Purpose: Maximal trainer
Pros: Roomier toe box as compared to v2, smoother heel transition than previous, responsive midsole, great durability
Cons: High stack, soft forefoot feels unstable, more lateral sole flare than necessary
RUNNING SHOE SUMMARY
The ASICS Superblast 3 is a super trainer with an incredibly soft and bouncy ride underfoot thanks to a ton of new FF Leap foam. An even taller midsole sits underneath with a FF Leap/FF Blast Plus combination, creating a soft but responsive ride in the heel and forefoot. A new upper fit from the engineered mesh creates a normal to slightly wider fit, fixing the cramped toe box of prior versions. A responsive ride that works best for uptempo efforts and longer workouts will be best for those wanting a super daily trainer up to a marathon shoe as long as you have neutral mechanics. The ASICS Superblast 3 continues the legacy of the Superblast series but moves in a neutral direction away from prior stable neutral versions.
SIMILAR SHOES: Mizuno Neo Vista 2
PAST MODEL: ASICS Superblast 2
FIT
(To learn how a shoe should fit, check out our full podcast on fit by Matt Klein.)
Matt: The ASICS Superblast 3 fits me true to size in my normal US men's size 10. The upper is an engineered woven mesh, which is stiffer and surprisingly structured due to tons of interwoven overlays. The fit is wider the prior versions and is slightly higher volume. The toe box is normal width with only a slight taper. This continues into a normal to slightly wider forefoot/midfoot. The tongue is thin with padding on the side and is strongly gusseted. I did have to tie the laces down to get a secure fit but once tightened they are secure. The instep is fairly normal in height and should not be a major issue for those with a normal to higher instep. The heel has a larger amount of padding which thins out as it gets to the counter. There is a large, stiff heel counter with only padding at the heel tab. Those with sensitive heels may notice this, although the rounded nature was less noticeable. Those with high sensitivities (irritable haglund deformity or insertional tendinopathies) will not do well. The overall security is quite good given the thicker upper, although thicker socks are recommended as the upper can be a little harsh. Running sockless is not suggested, and optimal socks are a must.
Typical Size: Men's US Size 10
Shoes that have fit Matt well: On Cloudboom Strike, Hoka Gaviota 6, Xero HFS, Topo Cyclone 3, Saucony Azura, Salomon Aero Glide 3
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
Andrea: The ASICS Superblast 3 fits true to size in my usual women's 9.5. I have nearly a full thumb's width from the end of the shoe to the end of my big toe. There is more width and volume in the toe box as compared to version 2, which results in a much more comfortable fit for me. The midfoot has more volume than average, but it transitions into a snug fitting rearfoot as a result of ample heel collar padding that extends all the way to the top row of eyelets. There is a small, rigid heel counter that provides additional rearfoot security. The heel collar angles away from the Achilles and I did not experience any friction or discomfort from the heel design. The thin tongue is gusseted and is further held in place by a lace loop. Despite the thin tongue, I did not experience any discomfort from the laces. It is easy to lock the laces down and I did not have to stop for any mid-run adjustments. The upper is a thin, engineered woven material that is smooth interiorly, so I think this would work well for sockless running. Overall, I found the fit to be comfortable, secure, and an improvement over the narrower toe box of Superblast 2.
Andrea's Typical Size: Women's US Size 9.5
Shoes that have fit Andrea well: Brooks Hyperion Max 1 and 2, Topo Cyclone 2, Nike Vaporfly 3, ASICS Novablast 4 and 5, PUMA MagMax Nitro
Shoes that have fit snug: Altra Escalante 4 (toe box width and volume), Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro 2 and 3 (length), Saucony Endorphin Speed and Pro 1-4 (length)
Shoes that have fit large: Adidas Boston 12 (length), Adidas Adios 8 (length)
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: Not Flexible
Is This a Good Heel Bevel: No
Recommended for Haglunds: Yes
Is This Shoe Orthotic Friendly: Yes
Recommended for Sockless: Yes
Durability Expectation: Average
PERFORMANCE
Matt: The ASICS Superblast 3 is a massive, maximal stack, non-plated, but still stiff super trainer. The midsole features a top layer of FF Leap with a bottom layer of FF Blast Plus. The FF Leap is the most noticeable, providing a responsive and soft feel underfoot thanks to the massive amount of it. This takes about 20-30 miles to experience, as the stiffness of the shoe masks some of the softness until it breaks in. There is an 8mm heel drop that feels slightly higher initially due to the large posterior flare but then evens out and feels lower when the foam gets softer and compresses more (again after 20-30 miles). There is a large heel bevel with the posterior flare, so the heel transition isn't as clunky after the break-in. The forefoot transition is also stiff initially but after 50 miles the FF Leap begins to flex. The forefoot rocker is a little late, which adds to the responsive feel with additional snappiness. Both the heel and forefoot are quite soft, with underfoot feels that are both compliant and resilient, thanks to the bounce back.
Purpose-wise, the ASICS Superblast 3 works best for long runs, easy runs, uptempo runs and workouts. It shines best at uptempo efforts over long runs where bouncing along and maintaining efficiency is most important. The shoe can go fast and can tolerate tempo runs but is too large and doesn't respond quite fast enough for shorter intervals. Once it breaks in, it can handle easy runs but can feel a little stiff for those initially.
Surface-wise, I have kept this shoe for road and track. There is mostly exposed FF Blast Plus on the bottom with strategic placement of ASICSGRIP and RF AHAR Lo. On dry and wet road it has been fine but the smooth surface does not have good traction on trail. I have 50 miles on my pair and am beginning to see a little wear on the posterolateral heel and lateral forefoot. It is mild, but I am only expecting average to slightly above average durability out of the outsole of this shoe due to that. The midsole I expect to last an above-average number of miles due to its volume and prior long-term results with FF Leap.
Andrea: The ASICS Superblast 3 is a maximal stack, non-plated training shoe that ASICS says is designed for distance running. I did not get to test the original Superblast and found the toe box of Superblast 2 to be too narrow for me to run in. I was thrilled when version 3 arrived and I saw that the toe box was wider and higher volume than v2. The shoe features a FF LEAP top layer and a FF BLAST PLUS bottom layer, with ASCIS stating that the FF LEAP in the Superblast 3 is the same ATPU material that is used in their Metaspeed Sky, Edge, and Ray racing shoes. The midsole feels highly compliant to me, particularly in the forefoot. It also has a nice bounce to it, even at slower recovery paces. The forefoot features a large lateral sole flare, which provides a noticeable feeling of being pushed medially. I normally like shoes with this feature, but the combination of the medial bias and the compliant midsole made me feel like I was getting a little caught up in the medial forefoot, instead of pushing off smoothly. I thought this feeling might improve at faster paces, but it remained present even down to threshold pace. I also noticed some ITB soreness after running in the shoe, which I attribute to the medial forefoot bias and soft midsole feel.
The shoe feels a little higher than its stated 8mm drop due to the large posterior sole flare and stiff platform, which make the heel feel a little clunky for midfoot landings. The forefoot rocker starts relatively late and may be part of the reason why push off does not feel smooth for me. I tested the shoe at paces ranging from recovery pace down to threshold pace and found it most comfortable for normal easy runs. At slower recovery paces and anything faster than easy, I felt bogged down by the compliant midsole.
All of my test runs have been roads covered in salt, sand, snow, and water. The ASICSGRIP and AHARLO outsole provided good traction in these conditions. I have 20 miles on my pair and there is already some visible wear on the areas of exposed midsole and on the rubber outsole. I would expect average durability from the outsole.
VIDEO REVIEW
STABILITY
(Learn more about stability in our full guide)
Matt: The ASICS Superblast 3 is a neutral shoe with some stable elements and some biases. There are several guidance elements, including large sidewalls in the heel and midfoot, a wider sole and significant torsional stiffness. While these do keep the foot centered, they are offset by far more lateral than medial sole flare. This is most significant in the forefoot, which creates a strong medial bias with the softer FF Leap. The heel is not quite as significant as the flare is more centered, but posterior flare and the softer FF Leap does offset the sidewalls and wider sole. Shorter to moderate miles feel fine in this shoe, but the neutral aspect becomes more apparent for me on longer runs that previously felt fine in prior versions. Thus, those with lateral guidance needs at the forefoot and incredibly mild guidance needs at the midfoot/heel (really neutral mechanics) at the rearfoot will do best with the Superblast 3.
Andrea: The ASICS Superblast 3 is a neutral shoe that features significant medial bias in the forefoot and a large posterior sole flare. Forefoot medial bias will work for those with lateral forefoot stability needs (like those with a history of recurrent ankle sprains) but may not work for those who are sensitive to forced medial forefoot motion. I typically like shoes with a medially biased forefoot, but the combination of the medial bias, the compliant forefoot midsole, and the later forefoot rocker result in me feeling bogged down in the forefoot and without a smooth push off. The rearfoot features a large posterior sole flare and a small heel bevel. For rearfoot strikers, this may cause initial contact to occur earlier than normal and with increased dorsiflexion, which may cause the tibialis anterior to work harder to lower the foot to the ground for mid stance, resulting in anterior shin pain.
Thoughts as a DPT: ITB Pain and Running Shoe Design
By Andrea Myers
I rarely experience ITB (iliotibial band) pain when running, but when I do, it is often from running in higher drop shoes with softer midsoles. The ITB is a thick band of fascia that originates from the gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, and tensor fascia latae (TFL) muscles. I did experience mid-portion ITB pain after running in the ASICS Superblast 3, which has an 8mm drop, compliant midsole, and a medially biased forefoot. There are many 8mm drop shoes that I can run comfortably in, but the Superblast features a large posterior flare, which makes the shoe feel like it has a higher drop and makes the rearfoot of the shoe feel like it gets in the way of my preferred midfoot landing pattern. However, the greater contributing factor is likely the combination of the compliant midsole and the medially biased forefoot. I felt like I got bogged down in the medial forefoot, which essentially means that my foot was in pronation longer than I would prefer it to be. A common means of compensation for excessive or prolonged pronation is increased hip internal rotation, which puts increased stress on the ITB.
Running related pain or injuries are often multi-factorial, but shoes can be a contributing factor due to the varied stresses they place on the body. After almost 5 years of testing shoes for DOR, I have identified specific shoe characteristics that tend to work well for me or cause problems for me. I encourage our readers to consider the role that a new pair of shoes may have in how your body feels during and after running. If you need help figuring this out, consult a physical therapist who specializes in running-related injuries.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Matt: ASICS finally fixed the forefoot fit and the less-aggressive taper has made the upper far more comfortable than prior versions. Version 3 fixes the weight increase of v2, bringing things down to 8.4 oz again. The FF Leap is far more responsive than the combination of version 2 and makes the transition smoother. My major suggestions are to modify the shoe geometry. The excessive lateral sole flare in the forefoot and posterior flare take away the shoe's ability to be stable neutral. In such a tall, soft shoe, excessive geometries will only be exacerbated. I would FINALLY reduce the posterior flare for a better bevel that can do its job and reduce the excessive lateral flare in the forefoot. This will bring things back to being more neutral or potentially stable neutral, although I am not sure with the FF Leap softness if that can truly get back to stable neutral.
Andrea: I think many runners will like the compliant, bouncy midsole of Superblast 3, thanks to its updated FF LEAP top layer. However, I think the shoe geometry is going to be a problem for many runners due to the medially biased forefoot and large posterior sole flare as discussed in the stability section. To make the shoe work better for more runners, I would recommend that ASICS balance out the sole flare in the forefoot and reduce the posterior flare to make the shoe closer to stable neutral.
WHO IS THIS SHOE FOR?
Matt: The ASICS Superblast 3 is a soft, highly bouncy super trainer for those who want a highly protective ride for a variety of training efforts and have more neutral mechanics. The upper fit will finally work for those with normal and maybe slightly wider feet thank to a slightly higher volume and a less tapered toe box. The ride will work best for those who want an incredibly tall, bouncy ride that will work for daily training all the way to marathon racing for many. This will still be the go to super trainer for many people and is certainly the most responsive one on the market. However, the softness and medial bias make it far more neutral than prior versions, eliminating the Superblast series as a stable neutral option for long runs and longer racing. It is also extreme, with the extremely tall stack height, incredible amount of super foam, and aggressive rocker. The cost is in line with prior versions, but may not be as worth it due to the more moderate durability compared to the tank-like characteristics of prior versions. The cost is now paying for the incredible bounce underfoot, which may be worth it to some. The Superblast 3 corrects many issues with prior versions and is still a Superblast, but becomes a different shoe functionally, thanks to the change in stability. This will make it work far better for those with neutral mechanics but potentially less well for those with stability needs.
Andrea: The ASICS Superblast 3 is a soft, bouncy super trainer that, in my opinion, will be limited in popularity due to its geometry. Its medially biased forefoot is not going to work for many runners, and for those who get along with medial forefoot bias, the soft midsole may negate most of its benefits. This would be a great shoe if the sole flaring was more balanced medially and laterally and the posterior flare was reduced. I would highly recommend testing this shoe out in a running store before purchasing due to its design.
GRADES
Matt
Fit: A- (Secure, slightly higher volume, normal to slightly wider fii)
Performance: A- (Highly responsive midsole and stiffer rocker that excels at uptempo efforts, workouts and easy runs once it breaks in. A great option for a marathon racer for those wanting maximal protection)
Stability: B [Neutral, Medial Forefoot Bias] (Sidewalls and wider sole but softer FF Leap, posterior heel flare and excessive lateral forefoot flare create more medial bias especially up front)
Value: B (The most responsive super trainer out there but more moderate durability and geometry make this more a value for specific populations than prior versions)
Personal: B+ (I really like the midsole but the geometry limits me from the longer efforts I loved prior versions for)
Overall Design: B+
Andrea
Fit: A (Roomier toe box than v2, secure and comfortable rearfoot, good lace lockdown)
Performance: C+ (Compliant midsole resulted in a bogged down feeling for me in the forefoot, resulting in ITB soreness. I felt like I was working harder to run in the shoe, even at easy paces. Large posterior heel flare makes the midfoot landings feel clunky.)
Stability: [neutral] B- (Maximal shoes need to have balanced geometry to make up for the inherent instability of a tall, soft midsole. The medially biased forefoot and large posterior sole flare force motion in a way that will not work for a lot of runners.)
Value: B- ($200 is a typical price for a maximal trainer, but I would strongly recommend testing the shoe before buying due to its design)
Personal: C (I like the fit, but the ride is not for me.)
Overall Design: B-
SHOP | SUPPORT DORASICS Superblast 3Price: $200 at Running Warehouse (March 2026)
Shop Men | Shop Women
*Using the link to purchase helps support Doctors of Running. Thanks so much!
Check out Gear We Love
Naked Belt The best way to carry your phone and goods on the run. No bounce and various sizes for waist.
Saysky Running Gear: We were really taken aback by this Scandinavian company's ultra-thin, durable performance clothing
Skratch Recovery, Coffee Flavor: Mental and physical boost post run. Coffee flavor is excellent and goes great straight into a fresh brewed cup
goodr Sunglases: Run in style with goodr's super fun sunglasses.
Feetures Socks: Massively grippy socks that will make you feel more one with the shoe
Amphipod Hydraform Handheld Water Bottle: Perfect for long runs when you need hydration in the summer
Trigger Point Foam Roller: Help get those knots out post-run and feel better for tomorrow
Ciele Hat: Our team's favorite running hat of choice!
Fractel Hats: Our team's wider fitting running hat of choice!
FURTHER READING
A lightweight, performance shoe.
The softest Glycerin yet.
Find all Shoe Reviews at Doctors of Running here.
Thanks for reading!
FOLLOW DOCTORS OF RUNNING ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Facebook: Doctors of Running
Youtube Channel: Doctors of Running
Instagram: @doctorsofrunning
LinkedIn: Doctors of Running
Strava: Doctors of Running
Podcast: Virtual Roundtable
PODCAST
Check out the Doctors of Running Podcast to find more reviews, interviews, and running features from the team.
Visit our Podcast Page
Find us on Apple
Find us on Spotify
Contact us at doctorsofrunning@gmail.com
NEXT: Aero Razor
