Asics Superblast 2 Introduction
I believe even ASICS underestimated how profitable the Superblast was going to be.
For the previous 2 years, the Superblast has been one of many tough trainers to buy. Colourway after colourway, it has offered out and in the event you have been ready for it to go on low cost, you’d have been met with disappointment as a result of it’s excluded from promotions.
There are a number of major explanation why the Superblast is such a profitable sequence.
- It’s a comparatively light-weight & secure coach for its gigantic 45.5/37.5 mm midsole stack top.
- It has the identical midsole foam because the flagship Metaspeed racing sequence so that you’re getting ASICS’ most superior tremendous foam for $50 lower than the Metaspeed sequence.
- It has a particularly versatile experience character which excels at most sorts of runs and paces.
When it was launched 2 years in the past, the Superblast rapidly turned one in all my favorite ASICS trainers. I beloved how a lot cushioning it had and the way light-weight it felt. It additionally felt comfy doing simple paces as a result of it didn’t have a stiff carbon plate. It was a really distinctive providing.
Operating shoe costs not often lower: the Superblast launched at a worth of $220 however after a number of months, the worth got here right down to $200 as a consequence of a scarcity of gross sales. $200 was the candy spot and the Superblast has offered like sizzling muffins ever since.
This yr, the Superblast 2 offered out on-line and in shops on the day it launched right here in Malaysia. ASICS restricted inventory for the primary model however not for the second. Even with the rise in provide of v2, it nonetheless offered out and not one of the retailers have restocked but.
The Superblast 2 maintains its $200 price ticket which is sweet information. The unhealthy information is that it now weighs 8.8 oz (250 g), which is 0.4 oz (11 g) heavier than model 1.
It has the identical stack top as v1 and though it appears to be like similar to its predecessor, it has a brand new outsole, midsole and higher.
Asics Superblast 2 First Impressions
My first run within the Superblast 2 was a 20 kilometre restoration run. Similar to the primary model, it was easy, secure and really well-cushioned.
Essentially the most noticeable enchancment was the brand new higher which felt rather more comfy. The true-to-size size and width have been good.
The experience was similar to model 1 and I used to be dissatisfied that it didn’t ship extra power return contemplating it has FF Turbo+, the brand new premium tremendous foam.
Essentially the most related experience to the Superblast 2 is the Novablast 4. I stated in my assessment of the unique Superblast that it might have been named the “Novablast Professional” or the “Novablast Elite”.
The Superblast 2 felt much like the Novablast 4 however barely lighter and with extra cushioning.
Asics Superblast 2 Higher
The higher of the Superblast 2 is an enchancment over the primary model. It matches higher and it feels higher ventilated. The mesh on the highest of the toe-box permits extra air, as do the facet panels, so breathability is a lot better.
The flat tongue is semi-gusseted and it doesn’t slide round. Foot lockdown is excellent and there’s an inner heel counter for assist within the rear of the shoe. It has reflective Superblast wording on the heel pull tab for security in low gentle circumstances.
It matches true to measurement nevertheless it has a slender, cosy forefoot and toe-box. It’s greatest suited to slender, low-volume toes. Sadly it doesn’t are available a large model, not like ASICS’ older trainers such because the Nimbus and Cumulus.
Asics Superblast 2 Sole Unit
The Superblast 2 is a uncommon operating shoe as a result of it appears like an excellent shoe nevertheless it doesn’t have a plate in it. It’s light-weight, snappy, very cushioned and has a responsive experience.
What units the Superblast aside from the group is its excessive stack top and the absence of a plate in its midsole.
A lot of the different trainers/racers with midsoles above 40 mm in stack top have a plate or different stiffener of their midsole to create construction with a view to improve the soundness of the tall midsole.
The Superblast’s midsole isn’t squishy or extraordinarily smooth, so it doesn’t want a plate. It additionally has a broad base, so it’s already a really secure shoe and it supplies loads of assist.
Lengthy runs are the Superblast 2’s speciality. It has sufficient cushioning for a full marathon and its light-weight construct (for a coach) permits your legs to stay more energizing for longer. Its light forefoot rocker eases you thru transitions and helps you save power.
The Superblast 2 is an extremely versatile coach. Gradual paces above 6 minutes per kilometre really feel nice, as do uptempo paces under 4:30 per kilometre (7:15 per mile). Marathon tempo feels comfy however I discover that after I push it to my threshold tempo (4 minutes per km/6:26 per mile) or quicker, it struggles a bit to carry it there.
The brand new FF Turbo+ foam mixed with the brand new FF Blast+ Eco foam in its midsole really feel very related in softness to the final model. Even sporting one model on every foot on the similar time, it’s laborious to inform the distinction. It’s a medium-firm experience which feels balanced and excellent.
The outsole is the most important enchancment. It now has ridges on the rubber lugs so there’s extra chew upon contact with the bottom. Grip can also be first rate on moist surfaces now. There are not any extra holes within the outsole so stones don’t get trapped anymore.
Outsole sturdiness is above common. I haven’t observed a lot put on on my pair after 80 kilometres even with my heavy heel-striking type.
Asics Superblast 2 Conclusions
It’s been 2 years that we’ve needed to look forward to the Superblast 2 and whereas there are some small developments resembling consolation and traction, this new model isn’t a big replace. It’s a reduction that they haven’t messed it up although. So if in case you have model 1, you don’t must get model 2. Model 1 feels quicker as a result of it’s lighter.
The Superblast 2 is among the most versatile trainers to be launched this yr. It has loads of cushioning for distances above 30 kilometres, it has a secure experience and its forefoot rocker makes it energy-saving. It additionally has a surprisingly low weight for such a tall midsole which supplies it the flexibility to effortlessly choose up the tempo.
If I used to be requested to advocate a racer with no carbon plate (for a non-elite runner), I might advocate the Superblast 2 as a result of it has a racing foam and it appears like an excellent shoe. Its $200 price ticket isn’t extreme contemplating the Metaspeed sequence is $250 and also you’re getting extra FF Turbo+ foam within the Superblast 2.
The one factor I might change is so as to add a deep decoupled groove beneath the shoe, much like the Novablast 1. This may enhance the trampoline impact (extra bounce and power return) and would lower the burden.
The Novablast is the Superblast’s greatest competitor and it’s encroaching within the Superblast 2’s area.
The Novablast 4 has seen a midsole stack top enhance of two mm and is now additionally above 40 mm in stack top. It doesn’t really feel as quick because the Superblast 2 (as a consequence of its coaching midsole foam) nevertheless it’s $60 cheaper and is a lot better worth for cash. It’s additionally a lot simpler to purchase than the Superblast 2.
