ASICS Megablast review
The top of ASICS’s Blast family: a tall slab of FF Turbo Squared foam, no plate, and a weight that most testers find hard to believe for this much cushioning.
- Drop
- 8 mm
- Heel stack
- 45 mm
- Forefoot
- 37 mm
- Weight
- 230 g
- Support
- Neutral
- Plate
- None
Our verdict
Big bounce, light on its feet, snug up front.
The Megablast pairs a 45 mm heel with the weight of a lean trainer and some of the highest energy return RunRepeat has measured. It suits neutral runners who want one shoe for long runs, tempo and marathon day. A low, slightly tapered toe box and a stability debate are the trade-offs.
Strong points
- Very high energy return: 73.0 percent at the heel in RunRepeat’s lab
- Light for its height: about 224 g listed for a men’s US 9, 218 g on RunRepeat’s scale
- Versatile from easy miles to marathon pace, per every test we read
- Excellent grip: 0.96 in RunRepeat’s traction test
- Outsole that barely wears: 0.9 mm lost in RunRepeat’s abrasion test
Weak points
- Low toe box: 24.2 mm high in RunRepeat’s lab, and shallow for Believe in the Run
- Only one width
- Tall and soft enough to feel unsteady at slow paces for RTINGS
- Upper wore through fast at the toe in RunRepeat’s durability test
Who it fits
- You want one shoe for many paces
- You like super foam without a plate
- You find the Superblast heavy or flat
- Your feet are average or slim
Who should skip it
- Your foot rolls in and you want help
- Your feet are wide or your toes are tall
- You run mostly slow and want calm
Shoe profile
Where the Megablast sits among the 395 shoes in our catalogue, and what changed from the Superblast 2.
| Axis | Megablast | Superblast 2 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cushioning | 90 | 90 | = |
| Lightness | 78 | 65 | +13 |
| Stability | 30 | 30 | = |
| Drop | 45 | 45 | = |
| Response | 40 | 20 | +20 |
Fig. 1 · How to read it. Each axis runs from 0 at the centre to 100 at the edge. Cushioning, lightness and drop are the shoe’s rank in the catalogue from listed figures; stability and response are scored from the support type, the plate, the rocker and the intended use. The dotted grey line is the catalogue median. Source: Strideprint catalogue (cat).
Where it sits in the catalogue
Weight230 g, lighter than 75% of shoes
Drop8 mm, higher than 45% of shoes
Heel stack45 mm, higher than 90% of shoes
Forefoot stack37 mm, higher than 86% of shoes
How it feels
Written from 5 published tests. We quote measurements, not impressions we did not have.
Deep, soft and protective. A 45 mm heel of soft FF Turbo Squared foam: 30.8 AC and 160 SA of heel shock absorption in RunRepeat’s lab.
Neutral, and the debate is real. No support system: a wide, rigid base steadies it for some testers, while RTINGS and Runpack found it wobbly at slow paces and in corners.
The bounciest Blast. Energy return of 73.0 percent at the heel and 73.8 at the forefoot in RunRepeat’s lab, with a stiff, rockered forefoot and no plate.
Deep, soft and protective. The whole midsole is FF Turbo Squared, a foam built on A-TPU. Doctors of Running list 45 mm at the heel and 37 mm at the forefoot, and RunRepeat measured 45.1 mm and 35.2 mm. Only 14 of the 183 neutral road shoes in our catalogue list a taller heel.
RunRepeat measured 30.8 on the AC scale, softer than average, and heel shock absorption of 160 SA against an average of 131. RTINGS rates the cushioning 9.3 out of 10 and finds it holds up over long distances.
Neutral, and the debate is real. There is no support system. Stability comes from a wide platform, 117.9 mm at the forefoot and 95.4 mm at the heel in RunRepeat’s measurements, and a very rigid base at 20.7 Nm in torsion.
That is enough for Believe in the Run, who found it surprisingly stable for its height. RTINGS rates stability 6.7 and found the soft platform wobbly at easy paces, and Runpack felt it in corners. If your foot rolls in, look elsewhere.
The bounciest Blast. RunRepeat measured 73.0 percent energy return at the heel and 73.8 percent at the forefoot, far above the 61.4 percent average. RTINGS scores energy return 8.3 out of 10.
There is no plate, but the forefoot is stiff: 18.8 N in RunRepeat’s bending test. Doctors of Running credit the tall forefoot and thick outsole for that snap, with a rocker that rolls smoothly. At about 230 g listed, it ranks 42nd lightest of the 149 neutral road shoes weighed in a men’s US 9 in our catalogue.
Read more
Deep, soft and protective. The whole midsole is FF Turbo Squared, a foam built on A-TPU. Doctors of Running list 45 mm at the heel and 37 mm at the forefoot, and RunRepeat measured 45.1 mm and 35.2 mm. Only 14 of the 183 neutral road shoes in our catalogue list a taller heel.
RunRepeat measured 30.8 on the AC scale, softer than average, and heel shock absorption of 160 SA against an average of 131. RTINGS rates the cushioning 9.3 out of 10 and finds it holds up over long distances.
Neutral, and the debate is real. There is no support system. Stability comes from a wide platform, 117.9 mm at the forefoot and 95.4 mm at the heel in RunRepeat’s measurements, and a very rigid base at 20.7 Nm in torsion.
That is enough for Believe in the Run, who found it surprisingly stable for its height. RTINGS rates stability 6.7 and found the soft platform wobbly at easy paces, and Runpack felt it in corners. If your foot rolls in, look elsewhere.
The bounciest Blast. RunRepeat measured 73.0 percent energy return at the heel and 73.8 percent at the forefoot, far above the 61.4 percent average. RTINGS scores energy return 8.3 out of 10.
There is no plate, but the forefoot is stiff: 18.8 N in RunRepeat’s bending test. Doctors of Running credit the tall forefoot and thick outsole for that snap, with a rocker that rolls smoothly. At about 230 g listed, it ranks 42nd lightest of the 149 neutral road shoes weighed in a men’s US 9 in our catalogue.
Which runs it’s for
| Run | Fit | Why | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long runs | Made for it | Its best use for most testers: cushioning that holds up and a bounce that keeps you moving. | Doctors of Running, RTINGS, Running Warehouse |
| Tempo | Made for it | Lively at threshold and tempo efforts, scored 95 for tempo by RunRepeat. | Doctors of Running, RunRepeat, Runpack |
| Marathon race | Made for it | RTINGS scores it 8.1 for marathon racing; Doctors of Running suggest it for recreational marathoners. | Doctors of Running, RTINGS |
| Half marathon race | Made for it | Doctors of Running list half marathon racing among its uses. | Doctors of Running |
| Easy runs | Can do | Fun and peppy for Doctors of Running, but RTINGS found it less steady at slow paces. | Doctors of Running, RTINGS |
| Intervals | Can do | Runpack used it for short repeats; Doctors of Running find it less suited to fast track work. | Doctors of Running, Runpack |
| Walking | Not for it | Doctors of Running do not recommend it for walking or standing. | Doctors of Running |
Source: Doctors of Running, RTINGS, Running Warehouse, RunRepeat, Runpack
What the tests say
The tests agree on a shoe that is light for its stack, very bouncy and versatile. They part ways on stability and on sizing, and nearly all flag a low front of the shoe.
| Test | Type | Our reading | In one sentence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Doctors of Running | Review | Positive | Doctors of Running grade performance A for both testers and call it one of the most fun ASICS trainers, with fit and stability as the weak spots. | Read |
| RunRepeat | Lab | Positive | RunRepeat scores it 95 out of 100, a top all-rounder for daily runs, tempo and racing. | Read |
| RTINGS | Lab | Positive | RTINGS gives 8.1 out of 10: a lively, heavily cushioned all-rounder, held back by a wobbly feel at slow paces. | Read |
| Believe in the Run | Review | Positive | Believe in the Run place it in their A tier, with an S for performance and a B for value. | Read |
| Runpack | Review | Positive | Runpack rate comfort 9 and cushioning 10 out of 10, but stability only 7 and value 6. | Read |
They agree
- Light for the cushioningRunRepeat weighed 218 g and RTINGS 229.9 g for a men’s US 9, under most max-cushion trainers. Believe in the Run and Running Warehouse call it light for what it offers.
- Lively, bouncy rideRunRepeat measured 73.0 percent energy return at the heel, and every test describes a responsive, fun ride at most paces.
- Snug or shallow toe boxDoctors of Running describe a tapered, low-volume forefoot, Believe in the Run a shallow toe box, and RunRepeat measured 24.2 mm of height against an average of 27.0 mm.
- Neutral shoeDoctors of Running, Running Warehouse and Fleet Feet all class it as neutral, with no added support.
They split
- How stable is it?Believe in the Run found it surprisingly stable for its height, and one Doctors of Running tester saw mild guidance from the wide base. RTINGS rates stability 6.7 and calls it wobbly at easy paces, and Runpack found it unsteady in corners.
- True to size or small?RunRepeat’s readers, RTINGS and Running Warehouse report a true-to-size fit. One Doctors of Running tester found it slightly short without sizing up, and the Runpack tester went up a full size.
- Soft or firm underfootRunRepeat measured the foam at 30.8 AC, softer than average, and RTINGS rates the heel and forefoot as soft. One Believe in the Run tester found the foam firm and quick to load rather than plush.
How it’s built
A single slab of FF Turbo Squared foam with no plate, a light woven upper with a thin gusseted tongue, and ASICSGRIP rubber under a rockered sole.
FF Turbo Squared from heel to toe, no plate, a thin woven upper and a 3.0 mm ASICSGRIP outsole that barely wears in RunRepeat’s test.
| # | Part | Measure |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | UpperEngineered woven mesh | Breathability 4 / 5 |
| 2 | Tongue | 0.9 mm |
| 3 | Heel | Stiffness 3 / 5 |
| 4 | MidsoleFF Turbo Squared | Hardness 30.8 AC |
| 5 | Insole | 4.4 mm |
| 6 | OutsoleASICSGRIP | 3.0 mm |
Fig. 3 · Side profile. Stack heights to scale (listed: 45 mm heel, 37 mm forefoot; measured: 3 mm outsole); the split between the two foams is not measured and is drawn at mid-height. Dashed: insole, hidden. Sources: Doctors of Running, RunRepeat, Running Warehouse, Believe in the Run, Runpack.
Upper. Thin, light and breathable: 4 out of 5 for breathability in RunRepeat’s test. Running Warehouse found it slightly stiffer than knit uppers, and RunRepeat rated toe box durability only 1 out of 5.
Tongue. Very thin, 0.9 mm in RunRepeat’s lab, and gusseted on both sides. A Doctors of Running tester got lace bite when lacing tight and fixed it by lacing higher.
Heel. A semi-structured counter, 3 out of 5 in RunRepeat’s test, with generous padding. Doctors of Running found heel lockdown good; one Believe in the Run tester found the ankle less secure.
Midsole. Full-length A-TPU foam, measured at 30.8 AC by RunRepeat. No plate: the rigidity, 20.7 Nm in torsion, comes from the tall stack and the outsole, as Doctors of Running explain.
Insole. Removable, 4.4 mm thick, average for RunRepeat. Doctors of Running do not rate the shoe orthotic friendly.
Outsole. Placed in zones, 3.0 mm thick, with 0.96 in RunRepeat’s traction test. Doctors of Running found it grippy in the wet, while Runpack rated wet grip only correct.
Read more
A single slab of FF Turbo Squared foam with no plate, a light woven upper with a thin gusseted tongue, and ASICSGRIP rubber under a rockered sole.
1. Upper. Thin, light and breathable: 4 out of 5 for breathability in RunRepeat’s test. Running Warehouse found it slightly stiffer than knit uppers, and RunRepeat rated toe box durability only 1 out of 5.
2. Tongue. Very thin, 0.9 mm in RunRepeat’s lab, and gusseted on both sides. A Doctors of Running tester got lace bite when lacing tight and fixed it by lacing higher.
3. Heel. A semi-structured counter, 3 out of 5 in RunRepeat’s test, with generous padding. Doctors of Running found heel lockdown good; one Believe in the Run tester found the ankle less secure.
4. Midsole. Full-length A-TPU foam, measured at 30.8 AC by RunRepeat. No plate: the rigidity, 20.7 Nm in torsion, comes from the tall stack and the outsole, as Doctors of Running explain.
5. Insole. Removable, 4.4 mm thick, average for RunRepeat. Doctors of Running do not rate the shoe orthotic friendly.
6. Outsole. Placed in zones, 3.0 mm thick, with 0.96 in RunRepeat’s traction test. Doctors of Running found it grippy in the wet, while Runpack rated wet grip only correct.
Durability. Mixed. The outsole lost only 0.9 mm in RunRepeat’s abrasion test and a Doctors of Running tester saw light wear after about 105 miles. The upper is the weak point: 1 out of 5 for toe box durability at RunRepeat.
Durability. Mixed. The outsole lost only 0.9 mm in RunRepeat’s abrasion test and a Doctors of Running tester saw light wear after about 105 miles. The upper is the weak point: 1 out of 5 for toe box durability at RunRepeat.
Specs, listed and measured
Every figure carries its source.
Drop, mm
Heel stack, mm
Forefoot stack, mm
Weight (men’s), g
| Spec | Listed | Measured |
|---|---|---|
| Drop |
|
|
| Heel stack |
|
|
| Forefoot stack |
|
|
| Weight, US M9 |
|
|
| Support |
| – |
| Plate |
| – |
| Surface |
| – |
Fig. 4 · Listed vs measured. Bars start at zero. Sources: Doctors of Running, RunRepeat, RTINGS, Fleet Feet, Believe in the Run.
Lab measurements
| Spec | Measured |
|---|---|
| Midsole hardness |
|
| Energy return (heel) |
|
| Torsional rigidity |
|
| Heel counter stiffness |
|
| Traction coefficient |
|
| Breathability |
|
| Spec | Measured |
|---|---|
| Toe box width |
|
| Toe box height |
|
| Outsole thickness |
|
| Insole thickness |
|
| Tongue thickness |
|
| Flex force |
|
Sizing and fit
Take your usual size, but check toe height: the front of the shoe is low.
Length
True to size
Widths
standard
Toe room
Width is fine, height is not. RunRepeat measured 74.3 mm across the toe box, slightly above average, but only 24.2 mm of height against an average of 27.0 mm, which matches Believe in the Run’s shallow toe box.
RunRepeat, Believe in the Run
Full sizing notes from testers
RunRepeat’s readers (148 votes), RTINGS, Running Warehouse and one Believe in the Run tester report a true-to-size fit. One Doctors of Running tester found it slightly short but kept his size, and the Runpack tester went up a full size.
Volume is the real question. Doctors of Running describe a dialed-in fit with a tapered, low-volume forefoot; a second tester found the forefoot close at first, then easing with wear. Believe in the Run found toes touching the upper on long runs.
There is a single standard width. RunRepeat, RTINGS and Fleet Feet list no wide version.
Doctors of Running, RunRepeat, RTINGS, Believe in the Run, Running Warehouse, Runpack, Fleet Feet
Vs Superblast 2
The Megablast is a first edition, not a new version. The shoe runners weigh it against is the Superblast 2: same family, same 8 mm drop, a different foam and character.
| Megablast | Superblast 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Support | Neutral | Neutral |
| Drop | 8 mm | 8 mm |
| Heel stack | 45 mm | 45 mm |
| Forefoot | 37 mm | 37 mm |
| Weight | 230 g | 247 g |
Pick the Superblast 2 if you want a steadier, more controlled ride for easy and long runs: both Doctors of Running testers found it the better choice there, and Running Warehouse rate it firmer and more stable. Pick the Megablast if you want less weight and more bounce: Running Warehouse put it about an ounce lighter, and one Believe in the Run tester expects Superblast 2 fans to prefer it.
Listed figures. Source: Strideprint catalogue (cat).
Alternatives compared
Each one fixes one thing the Megablast does not do.
| ASICS Megablast |  ASICS Superblast 3 |  ASICS Sonicblast 2 |  Adidas Adizero Evo SL |  Nike Vomero Plus | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pick it for | This page | More stable | Firmer | Less cushion | Higher drop |
| Drop | 8 mm | 8 mm | 8 mm | 7 mm | 10 mm |
| Heel stack | 45 mm | 47 mm | 46 mm | 37 mm | 43 mm |
| Weight | 230 g | 238 g | 238 g | 230 g | 292 g |
| Support | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
Questions runners ask
Does the ASICS Megablast run true to size?
For most testers, yes: RunRepeat’s readers, RTINGS and Running Warehouse report a true-to-size fit. One Doctors of Running tester found it slightly short and one Runpack tester went up a size, so if you are between sizes or have tall toes, the larger size is the safer bet.
Megablast or Superblast: which should I choose?
The Megablast is lighter and bouncier, per Believe in the Run and Running Warehouse. The Superblast is steadier and, for Doctors of Running, better for easy, long running and for runners who want more control.
Is the Megablast good for a marathon?
Testers think so for recreational runners. RTINGS scores it 8.1 for half and full marathon racing, and Doctors of Running suggest it for those races. Runners chasing every second may still prefer a plated racer.
Does the Megablast come in wide?
No. RunRepeat, RTINGS and Fleet Feet list a single standard width, and the toe box is low. Wide feet should try it on before committing.
Is the Megablast stable enough if my foot rolls in?
It is a neutral shoe with no support system. RunRepeat warns that runners with a mild inward roll may lack support, and RTINGS found it wobbly at slow paces. Check how your foot actually moves before choosing a neutral shoe this tall.
How durable is the Megablast?
The sole holds up well: 0.9 mm lost in RunRepeat’s abrasion test and light wear after about 105 miles for Doctors of Running. The upper is weaker at the toe, rated 1 out of 5 for toe box durability by RunRepeat.
Sources
- Doctors of Running, ASICS Megablast Review (Nathan Brown, Matt Klein, August 2025). Accessed Oct 13, 2026.
- RunRepeat, ASICS Megablast lab review. Accessed Oct 13, 2026.
- RTINGS, ASICS MEGABLAST review. Accessed Oct 13, 2026.
- Believe in the Run, ASICS Megablast Review. Accessed Oct 13, 2026.
- Running Warehouse, ASICS Megablast review. Accessed Oct 13, 2026.
- Runpack, Notre test de la Asics Megablast. Accessed Oct 13, 2026.
- Fleet Feet, ASICS Megablast. Accessed Oct 13, 2026.
- Strideprint, Strideprint running shoe catalogue (ranks computed on 2026-10-13). Accessed Oct 13, 2026.
- i-run.fr · Surface, listed
- cat: Strideprint catalogue, 395 shoes
How we review. We read published tests, brand and retailer pages and lab measurements, cross-check the figures and flag where they disagree. We did not test this shoe ourselves. Last updated October 13, 2026.