Tuesday, May 23, 2023

ASICS Magic Speed 3 Multi Tester Review: An Amazing Shoe for the Money! 8 Comparisons

Article by Ryan Eiler, Sally Reiley, Peter Stuart and Sam Winebaum

ASICS Magic Speed 3 ($160)


Introduction

Sam: The Magic Speed 3 is a road racer/trainer with super shoe features and tech at a reasonable $160 price, about $100 less than the top end  “elite” shoes such as ASICS own Metaspeeds.


This beauty of a racer/trainer has everything its elite race cousin Metaspeeds have with the only major difference being the substitution of non-supercritical FlyteFoam Blast Plus for supercritical FlyteFoam Turbo. 


Blast + is a little heavier and as a result the Magic weighs a quite minor 10-15g more than the Metaspeeds in my US8.5 men’s  7.4 oz / 210g. While we’re talking weight it drops 0.55 oz or 15g  compared to the Magic Speed 2. It even gets the Motion Wrap upper of the original Metaspeed Sky super shoe.


The Magic Speed 2 was a top RTR (and my) favorite as a tempo workouts shoe as it was high performing, forgiving and had a not overly aggressive TPU carbon plate that allowed for smooth rolls at a variety of training and racing paces. For sure I was very curious to see how the new all Blast+ foam and all carbon plate might affect the Magic Speed 2’s friendly fast ride. 


Pros:

Good value at $160 for a lightweight shoe with a full length carbon plate that is race day worthy. Sally/Sam/Ryan/Peter

Less aggressive than full on elite Metaspeed so friendlier for training and slower paced racers: Sam

0.5 oz / 14g weight drop in a US8.5: Sam

Aesthetically a great looking shoe: clean and classic looking (white colorway with black and pinky red). Sally/Sam/Peter/Sam

Light and highly breathable upper with a race like fit (very similar to Metaspeed Sky/Edge). Sally/Sam/Ryan/Peter

Two layers of Flytefoam Blast Plus result in a softer and more responsive ride than V2. Sally/Ryan


Cons:

Similar to the original Metaspeed Sky, runs short in length by a half size for me: Sally / Ryan

Leans more racing and faster paces than v1, would have preferred ASICS stay with TPU/carbon plate: Sam/Peter

Not well suited to high-mileage or casual paces: Ryan/Sam/Sally/Peter


Stats

Official Weight: men's 7.7 oz  / 220g (US9), women's 6.5 oz / 186g  

  Samples: men’s  7.4 oz / 210g US 8.5 (v1: 7.95 oz / 225g), 8.0 oz/ 227g US 9.5

                  women’s 6.4 oz / 184 g US 8  (v2: 6.9 oz / 198 g)

Stack Height: 

men’s:      36mm heel / 29mm forefoot, 7mm drop

women’s:  35mm heel / 28 mm forefoot, 7mm drop

$160. Available now including at our partners at the end of the article.



First Impressions, Fit and Upper

Ryan: I appreciated the previous version of the Magicspeed (V2) for its approachable performance at a reasonable price. It felt 80% of the way to super-shoe territory, but spared you the cringe-worthy thought of blowing through a pair of $250 shoes. 


My biggest gripe with the previous iteration was its harshness – the midsole was reactive and stable, but not quite as kind on the legs once the mileage began to stack up. So I was glad to see that the midsole in this version is entirely Blast+, both above and below the plate. Clocking in under 8 oz., it is eminently apparent that this shoe is ready and capable of clocking some fast splits.

The upper of the MagicSpeed V3 is nearly identical to that of V1 of the Metaspeed Sky – which is a compliment. 

There is slightly more padding in the tongue here, and the material itself is slightly different, but overall this upper performs at a super-shoe level. 

The fit is snug, especially in the forefoot, but yields nicely to the shape of the foot. I found it to provide lockdown superior to that of most of its competitors in this high-performance category. Higher stacked shoes built for marathoning tend to have a wider, baggier toe box to allow for swelling and comfort, but that’s not the case here. For a <8oz shoe, the heel cup is surprisingly solid and performs well, with a friendly roll of padding adorning the collar.

The MagicSpeed fits into the category of a high-performance trainer that’s talented enough to be used for racing. I pushed these around the track through a series of 65 second one lap intervals, and they felt right at home.


Like the original Metaspeed, the sizing runs about a half size short lengthwise. If you’re on the edge, you might want to consider sizing up.


Sam: Ryan describes the vibe and upper well.  The simple and starkly contrasting colorway here is stunning and really stands out without being overbearing. 

I like that the black Tiger logo bands have irregular slashes of white towards the front softening the look and conveying forward motion. Looking at them carefully they are actually small windows through the overlays which I think help with flex of the upper.


The new upper is clearly race worthy for its performance fit, lightweight and breathability. And more so than the somewhat thicker, softer and more easy going v1’s upper. I am a bit torn on the upper, as maybe ASICS is on the overall purpose of the shoe. Is it a budget near super shoe racer or more an uptempo trainer? With its carbon plate and this new upper it clearly leans more racer than before.


The lace up and hold is impeccable for fast going with no awkwardness of hold at the rear as super shoes often have, but never ASICS. 

The tongue now has some small pads but is very similar to v2 retaining the stretch gusset which is now a bit thinner.


I agree with Ryan and Sally that they run a bit short. I was OK at true-to-size with thin race socks but the non-stretch, pointy front of the toe box needs a bit more “roundness” in shaping at the very front. The v2 had a similar fit in length but its mesh was a touch more forgiving with a bit more give, its toe box higher and a bit more rounded up front.

The rear hold is just right. A bit less padding than v2 and my sense is that the collar is a bit higher at the achilles. Again the race focus.


Sally: The first two versions of the Magic Speed have reputedly been polarizing, but I personally have been a fan and have enjoyed the shoe immensely as an uptempo trainer. My chief complaint has been a somewhat harsh ride, so I was excited to see what magic ASICS has done with the Magic Speed 3. 


This latest version is the best looking yet with very clean and classic lines and an admittedly race day vibe. 


The incredibly light, breathable, and racelike upper looks very similar to the Metaspeed Sky, which as Ryan points out can be taken as a compliment. 


The fit right out of the box is comfortable with nice padding around the ankle collar and a Goldilocks padded gusseted tongue that functions well. 

The length feels a bit short, fitting exactly the way the original Metaspeed Sky did with minimal room at the front (but resolved with Sky+). The shoe felt okay during short runs but my big toenails were screaming at the end of a longer 13 mile run. 

If you value toenails, I recommend sizing up one half size. I have a narrow foot and the hold was race like and secure with no heel slippage whatsoever. All in all a beautiful upper in a lightweight package.


Peter: Shockingly they feel true-to-size for me! I love, love the upper and appreciate the slight increase of padding on the tongue. My foot felt swaddled like a baby–a very comfortable upper. It’s also a really good looking shoe. They’ve felt terrific at tempo/speed paces and pretty good at slower speeds. I did a moderate 10 miler straight out of the box and they were great. Interesting to see how the change in the plate material affects the overall ride and feel. 


Midsole

Sam: The midsole is made up of two layers of FlyteFoam Blast + with a carbon plate sandwiched between the two layers. There are 3 key changes from the Magic Speed 2: 


  • All FlyteFoam Blast+ midsole whereas before we had FlyteFoam Blast + as the top layer and a firmer layer of regular FlyteFoam from the heel to midfoot. The rear feel is now softer and bouncier and less flat,  if maybe a tiny touch less stable. 


  • The plate changes from a carbon infused TPU plastic to a full carbon plate. The result for me is a snappier toe off and a bit firmer feeling forefoot than Magic Speed 2. The plate itself is not as aggressive as ASICS Metaspeeds and easier to roll through. While I appreciate the new softer heel clearly felt during my A/B test run I prefer the more easy going forefoot of the v2 for training where I would use the shoe.

  • The midsole geometry changes with on the underside a deeper carve out which I think is to both reduce weight and assist transitions and we have a slightly wider rear platform. I measure a couple millimeters wider. To compensate for the softer foam and the carve out and I think so as to maintain rear stability ASICS extends the outsole coverage on both sides more continuously.  I found them a tiny touch less rear stable than v2 but no issues.


The stack height for the men’s version is 36mm at the heel, 29mm at the forefoot with a 7mm drop (unchanged) so a bit lower than than many current super marathon race shoes which get up to the 40mm max. 

I don’t miss yet more heel cushion and especially not more forefoot stack or a lower drop which tends, in combination with the plates, to make shoes harder to roll through requiring a consistent midfoot to forefoot strike to work well. 


Happy medium here with plenty of energetic cushion, plate spring and stability without over prescribing a certain way of striking and with enough drop for the “occasional” heel strike.


Ryan: I largely agree with Sam’s take, in that this grade of Blast+ foam seems to work well at this stack height. You don’t feel like you’re towering above the ground or struggling to transition the shoe through a deep sea of foam. There’s enough forgiving stack at the rear to handle some hard heel hits, while the forefoot seems to focus on responsiveness. 


This grade of foam has a lively amount of rebound, although I think ASICS was careful as to not step on the toes of its premier ‘FF Turbo’ foam. In judging purely on energy return, the Metaspeed line wins, although not by a huge margin, and I wouldn’t be surprised if many prefer the MagicSpeed’s more manageable nature (and price tag!).


The MagicSpeed feels relatively low to the ground, making for a stable and confidence inspiring experience. However, there is still a full-length plate underfoot which eliminates the majority of road feedback. The plate’s feel here isn’t quite as stiff as the Metaspeed’s, which expands the MagicSpeed’s versatility and makes it a more approachable shoe overall.

As for its shortcomings, there aren’t many, but I will say that for my longer runs I’ll still reach for something with more cushion. These days, there are so many high-stacked options for high-mileage runners to help prevent injury and cushion from the miles, and the MagicSpeed isn’t quite as friendly after 90+ minutes as some others. It also isn’t as suitable for mellow recovery runs, as the stiffness of the midsole can be nettlesome when you want to clock more casual mileage.


Sally: Sam summarizes the midsole very well. The change to two layers of FlyteFoam Blast + makes for a bit softer and more responsive feel, and the change to a full length carbon plate makes for a bouncier or snappier toe off. 


I had zero issues with stability. I did feel relatively low to the ground (it seems I have been doing alot of miles in higher stack trainers and race shoes lately). 


I did a 13 mile run in these and thoroughly appreciated the uptempo tendencies of this shoe, but I would want more cushion underfoot for anything longer than that. Bear in mind I am not 25 years old, haha. The drop in my women’s 8 is the same as the men’s shoe at 7mm, but somehow it felt like more than that. And as Sam and Ryan said above, this shoe responds best to a quicker tempo and is less suited for slower easy paced runs as the full length carbon plate is conducive to more aggressive paces. 


Peter: The midsole/plate combination feels a bit stiffer/harsher to me. V2 had a ‘just right’ amount of forefoot cushioning and I feel like V3 trades a snappier toe-off for a slightly harsher ride. The shoe performs best for me on tempo intervals. Snappy, turns over well, comfortable. 


Outsole

Ryan: ASICS have been smart to stick to a good thing with the design of this outsole. It’s only somewhat changed from the previous version of the MagicSpeed, or even from their flagship Metaspeed line. There’s a generous swatch of rubber running continuously from the forefoot, splitting out around the midfoot cutout, and continuing to the rear on both sides of the shoe.

 In my opinion, this seamless type of outsoledesign enhances the fluidity of the shoe’s ride. The perforated pattern of the rubber prevents it from feeling too harsh underfoot, yet maintains exceptional grip. I’ve put the nearly identical outsole of my Metaspeed Sky V1 through several hundred miles of fast running, and I still haven’t blown through the rubber.


Sam: Very extensive and expected durable coverage for a sub 8 oz shoe here. 

The key change from v2’s outsole is that it now has fully extended from heel to front coverage on the medial side. I assume this is to provide a touch of stability around the new big midfoot cutout. 


Sally: This outsole is very similar to the Metaspeed Sky and only minimally changed from the V2. I am relieved that ASICS takes the approach that if it ain't broke, don’t fix it. The traction is great, durability excellent, and road contact consistent and smooth. It is not the quietest outsole, but perhaps that is my post Boston Marathon laziness that I hear.


Peter: Traction is excellent and I think the outsole will last for a good number of miles. The cutout reminds me of the NB Energy Arc. It looks significant, but the shoe doesn’t suffer any instability. 


Ride

Ryan: The Magic Speed’s especially neutral ride will appeal to a broad base of runners. The plate, in conjunction with the 7mm drop, noticeably helps in snapping you forward onto the grippy patch of forefoot rubber. As mentioned earlier, the plate isn’t as fierce as the one found in the Metaspeed line, although I found it snappier than the one found in the Puma Deviate Nitro 2. 


Its sub-8oz weight is delightful on foot, and when you open things up a bit, its lack of mass definitely helps with turnover. The midsole’s uncomplicated design and well-behaved rebound works with the outsole’s grippy, flexible rubber to generate a silky smooth transition. To me, it’s a great choice for short-to-mid distance workouts, where you want a shoe that turns over quickly and provides protection without imposing its own views on your gait.


Sam: Ryan has it right. The Magic Speed 3 ride does not “impose” but it does require you move along as it is not a slow paces kind of shoe. While not as friendly as the v2’s plate, the new full carbon does not require as much of a powerful mid foot strike as ASICS Metaspeed Sky and is closer in action to their Edge, so more roll than vertical impulse.The plate and ride has flatter feel than full race shoes with no prominent plate “hump” at to get through if you aren’t a consistent mid to forefoot striker. Run one on each foot with v2,  the earlier Speed felt slightly flatter and firmer at the heel but easier to roll at slower paces while the v3 was clearly snappier and quicker in turnover as the pace picked up.  


The ride is clearly fast training and racing focused, and more so than v2 for me,  which has a slightly more easy going vibe despite being firmer at the heel. I think what changed the ride most is the shift to full carbon. Quite frankly, I am not sure such a rigid plate is needed in training unless that is if your focus for the shoe is race day and you tend to train at faster paces as Ryan does. In any case it is not a shoe for easy paces. I found it most effective and worked best for me at faster paces. 

Sally: I really enjoy running in this shoe. I have a tendency to do my training runs too fast (around 8:10 per mile pace), and this shoe makes that easy. It feels light on foot and smooth and snappy without being aggressive, encouraging a quicker cadence. This is not the bouncy feel-like-you-are-flying type of ride, but more of a smooth keep-the-legs-churning ride that responds best to faster tempos.


Peter: Bring back the TPU! The MagicSpeed 3 disappears at fast tempos. The ride is easy, light, snappy and works well with my body to stay aligned. I miss the slightly softer feel of the MS 2, but prefer the new upper. 


Conclusions and Recommendations


Ryan: The beauty is in the simplicity here. The MagicSpeed is a nicely balanced, affordable, and very approachable shoe that won’t give you an excuse to miss your workout goals. 


Its upper provides tons of comfortable lockdown with a performance-oriented fit. The midsole is a smart blend of softness and snappiness, holding up to any pace short of an all-out sprint, and the outsole delivers both grip and durability. I think of MagicSpeed as a budget-friendly workout shoe that doesn’t sacrifice performance. The length might run a touch short, so consider sizing up if you’re in between sizes.


Ryan’s Score: 9.4/10 

(deductions for limited versatility for long or casual running; fit is a bit short) 

Smiles Score: 😊😊😊1/2


Sam: It all depends on your pace. As an older now slower runner (1:40’s halves these days) as a faster training shoe it is a bit too aggressive for me, sharper and requiring quicker turnover than I prefer I think due to the new full carbon plate. I agree with Ryan that versatility is somewhat limited to faster and shorter runs. Even if firmer at the heel I still prefer the slightly more mellow riding Speed 2 with its plastic plate. 


The upper is superb in fit and comfort if a touch short for me at my true to size with thin socks.. As a shoe I will use for shorter, faster workouts the fit is fine but if I was to race a half or above in them I likely would size up half a size.


The Magic Speed 3 is.. a speed shoe and yet more so than its predecessor. In terms of performance and weight to cushion ratio it approaches super race shoes but does so at a significantly lower price point than most. If you are on a budget and seek a 5K to up to half marathon shoe it is a great option. If you have your race super shoes and need a faster days moderate distance speedster it can be a durable and consistent companion.

Sam’s Score: 9.24 /10

Ride: 9.1 Fit: 9.3 Value: 9.4 Looks: 9.8

😊😊😊


Sally: This is the best version of the Magic Speed yet, and will soon prove its versatility. It will excel as a performance fit uptempo trainer, as well as a race day shoe for distances up to a half marathon for those who want a carbon plated shoe on a budget. It is lightweight, classic looking, and secure fitting with a smooth responsive ride. I would recommend sizing up half a size because it runs short in length (especially felt after 10 miles or so). This is not your highly cushioned high stack trainer and it doesn't pretend to be, so enjoy this shoe for your faster paced short to mid training runs. You will enjoy your runs in this Magic Speed.

Sally’s score: 9.3 / 10.0

(deductions for tender toenails at true to size, ie, fit runs short; limited use for longer runs)

Smile score: 😊😊😊😊


Peter: The MagicSpeed is a great little gem in the middle of Asics collection. It’s got super-shoe qualities but comes in at an easier price point. It’s fast, snappy, comfortable and, unfortunately, just slightly too firm to put it into the WOW category for me. A really good choice for a tempo shoe. 

Peter’s Score 9.2/10

Smile score: 😊😊😊😊



8 Comparisons

Index to all RTR reviews: HERE


ASICS Magic Speed 2 (RTR Review)

Ryan (M9.5): The biggest difference for me was the softer but improved ride quality, and to a lesser degree, the shoe’s upper. While V2 could begin to feel a little harsh after a couple miles of a workout, I didn’t experience that same in V3. Incorporating Blast+ both above and below the plate in this latest iteration seems to have been the right move, as the shoe is still plenty stable at speed. While V2 had a more mesh-like upper, this updated Metaspeed-like material wields plenty of power to contain the foot, while remaining comfortable and shedding a few grams. I prefer it over the previous version. The outsole is largely unchanged aside from a new midfoot cutout to expose the plate, which doesn’t seem to alter the ride. If you liked the previous version, my bet is that you’ll enjoy the softer cushion and lower inertia of V3 even more.

Sally (W8): I was a fan of the earlier version(s) for uptempo training runs, but I am even more of a fan of V3. The upper is much improved, and the ride a bit softer and more responsive. The toe-off is firmer, but that seems well suited to a shoe that could be used for racing by those who only want to spend $160 for a carbon plated shoe. I will go with the new V3 anyday, but I will size up to save my toenails.

Sam: Covered in the review. The Magic Speed now leans more racing than training due to its snappier and more rigid carbon plate and full race upper. I still prefer the slightly more mellow flowing if firmer at the heel Speed 2. 


ASICS Metaspeed Sky (RTR Review) or Metaspeed Sky+ (RTR Review)

Sally (W8 in both): In my mind, the Magic Speed is the trainer to Metaspeed Sky + the racer. The MS Sky + is easily one of my all-time favorites and excels as a fast, comfortable, energetic shoe that results in unexpectedly fast paces for the perceived effort and a smile on your face. Its abundant cushioning combined with performance make the Sky +  an obvious choice for all distances including marathons, whereas the less-cushioned Speed is more oriented to uptempo shorter runs. I would always pick the Sky + over the Magic Speed, but not everyone wants to pay the additional Benjamin ($100). The Magic Speed is an amazing shoe for the money, but the Sky + takes it to another level.

Ryan (V1, M9.5): As the uppers in the Metaspeed Sky V1 and MagicSpeed 3 are nearly identical, the main differences between these two shoes are apparent in the midsole. While they both share a very fluid transition and a natural ride, the FF Blast foam of the Metaspeed is a bit more energetic and eager to rebound. Perhaps the most notable difference, however, is in the relative softness in the forefoot of each shoe. Since the Metaspeed is specifically designed for marathon-type efforts, the higher forefoot stack is much more noticeable. It takes a bit longer to load the midsole and snap off of the toe, whereas Magicspeed is much quicker to turn over given its lower, firmer stack up front. I would venture to say that the Metaspeed feels a bit less well behaved than the Magicspeed. Also worth noting is that the plate of the Metaspeed is noticeably stiffer than that of the Magicspeed, and makes for a more aggressive feel. The Magicspeed is an excellent choice for fast workouts of up to a medium length, whereas the Metaspeed is purpose built to return energy and reduce leg fatigue over longer efforts.


Saucony RC Elite v1 (RTR Review)

Ryan: The biggest difference here is in the firmness of the midsole. The marquee marathoning shoes in the NB line have always been toward the softest end of the spectrum, and that trend seems to have started with the RC Elite V1. By comparison, the Magicspeed feels more stable and in touch with the ground, and as it is relatively firmer, it makes for a quicker transition through your stride. 


The lower forefoot stack in the Magicspeed makes it noticeably less forgiving for mid/forefoot strikers than the midsole of the NB. 


One of the greatest aspects of the RC Elite was its versatility, as its soft midsole seemed to marry beautifully with the stiffness and shape of its carbon plate. I think the NB remains the more versatile shoe because of this.Both shoes feel very agile and have a low inertia on foot, although the NB is a shade lighter. 


The Dynaride outsole in the forefoot of the NB was one of my favorites, and I was sorry to see it go (it was allegedly way too expensive to make). Lockdown in the Magicspeed is considerably stronger, as the NB’s upper, while supremely comfortable, could feel a bit baggy during hard efforts.

The Magicspeed runs about ½ size shorter than the RC Elite.


Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 (RTR Review)

Sally (W8 in both): Not a fair competition here: the Endorphin Speed has been my favorite trainer of the year for several iterations now with the ES3 being the best yet. The Saucony ES3 is more versatile than the Magic Speed with its incredible cushioned comfort combined with performance. I keep lacing up the ES3 for a reason. Magic Speed might appeal more to runners who want a lightweight fast tempo trainer that can double as a more affordable carbon plated race day shoe for 10K up to a Half.

Sam: Considerably softer riding and less rigid due to their plastic more flexible plate the Endo Speed leans more training than racing for me but..I took them for a fast hilly half last year and was delighted. They are a more pleasant riding and versatile shoe, fine at all paces and distance for me,  while the Magic Speed leans towards racing, fast paces and shorter distances. The ASICS clearly wins on upper support as the Endo while more comfortable is not as well locked down if truer to size in length at the toe box.


Hoka Mach 4 or 5 (RTR Review)

Peter. The Mach 5 is a better choice for longer runs and non-tempo workout days. It’s softer, rolls down the road and doesn’t leave me feeling beat up. The MagicSpeed 3 can get a little harsh as the miles pile up. 


Puma Deviate Nitro 2 (RTR Review)

Ryan (M9.5): This is as close of a competitor to the MagicSpeed as I’ve worn. The Puma shares many of characteristics with the MagicSpeed: a moderately stiff plate, surrounded by forgiving but energetic midsole foam, a superbly crafted upper with great lockdown, and a sensational amount of outsole grip. These two shoes certainly target the same market, and perhaps not so coincidentally come in at the same $160 price point. 


Despite their similarities, the ASICS is the more tenacious of the two. The MagicSpeed is a bit over an ounce lighter, and does indeed feel like a lower inertia shoe. The Puma, however, provides a more plush fit that was one of the reasons I chose it as my favorite all-around shoe of 2022. The PumaGrip outsole is among the best on the market, and is a bit thicker than that on the ASICS. 


The ride of the Deviate Nitro is more casual and feels like it provides slightly more cushion. Its plate is also more flexible, making the Puma capable of handling fairly casual runs, all the way up to tempo workouts. 


Choose the Puma if you value comfort and versatility, and don’t care about an extra ounce. Choose the ASICS if you want a shoe that focuses more heavily on performance and turnover. The ASICS runs a bit shorter in the toe than the Puma.


Nike Streakfly (RTR Review)

Ryan (M9.5): I count the Streakfly as one of Nike's bigger misses of recent memory. While it feels insanely light for a road shoe and is a ton of fun for ripping short, fast runs, its weak plastic plate left it feeling drastically underpowered. Essentially, the plate couldn't help tame the chunk of ZoomX underfoot, and the more I've run in it, the more I've been frustrated by it.

For that reason, the Magicspeed feels far better behaved and is easier to power off of the toe. A carbon plate in the ASICS makes the Nike's midfoot Pebax 'shank' feel comparatively sloppy.


The upper of the Magicspeed holds the foot in place better, as its extra ounce of weight gives it a more robust structure, especially in the heel.


Both shoes have fantastic forefoot traction, although the extended rubber reaching all the way to the heel of the ASICS wins out. The ZoomX midsole of the Nike is completely exposed to the ground in the midfoot.


The Magicspeed provides a far more approachable, natural feeling ride, whereas the Nike feels more like a fun play toy to take out from time to time. I prefer the ASICS for its stability, ride quality, and traction. The ASICS runs about 1/2 size shorter than the Nike.


Sam: I think of the Streakfly as the lightest trainer on the planet with plenty of cushion and not as a racer although I raced a fine (for me) 10K in them last year. I agree with Ryan it is underpowered upfront but it is softer, more flexible, oh so light, and more forgiving at slower paces. Agree with Ryan on sizing.

The ASICS Magic Speed 3 is available now at our partners:

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Tester Profiles

Ryan Eller A hopeless soccer career led Ryan to take up running, and after taking a decade-long break from competing, he is back racking up mileage whenever he can.  He calls the 2018 Boston Marathon the hardest race of his life, where he finished in 2:40, barely remembering his name at the finish line.  More recently he has solo time trialed the 2020-2021 super shoes, often sub 15 minutes for 5K. Ryan has a PR of 2:19 from the 2022 Maine Marathon.


Sally is a lifelong runner and mother of five who agreed against her better judgment to run her first marathon at age 54; she has since run the past ten Boston Marathons, two NYC Marathons, one Chicago, and one London with the WMM Six Star Medal now in her sights. With a Boston PR of 3:25:55 in 2022 (9th place in AG) and two consecutive 2nd place in Age Group awards in NYC, she competed in the Abbott World Marathon Majors Age Group World Championships at the 2022 London Marathon and ran an all-time PR of 3:24:02, placing 6th in the world in W 60-64.  She also competes in USATF races with the team Greater Lowell Road Runners. To add meaning to her Boston Marathon races she runs with Team Eye and Ear and has raised over $275,000 for Massachusetts Eye and Ear Hospital. Sally is 5’2’’ and 105 pounds and lives in Marblehead, MA, training outdoors year round. She blames her love of skiing out west for any and all Boston Marathon training challenges.


Peter lives in Austin, Texas and has been a sub 3 hour marathoner as well as a 1:21 half marathoner in recent years.


Sam is the Editor and Founder of Road Trail Run. He is 66 with a 2018 3:40 Boston qualifier. 2022 was Sam’s 50th year of running. He has a decades old 2:28 marathon PR. These days he runs halves in the just sub 1:40 range if he gets lucky,, training 30-40 miles per week mostly at moderate paces on the roads and trails of New Hampshire and Utah be it on the run or nordic skis. He is 5’9” tall and weighs about 164 lbs, if he is not enjoying too many fine New England IPA’s.


Samples were provided at no charge for review purposes.RoadTrail Run has affiliate partnerships and may earn commission on products purchased via shopping links in this article. These partnerships do not influence our editorial content. The opinions herein are entirely the authors'.


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2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Your reviews of Magic Speed:
The first version got good reviews.
When you reviewed the second version you wrote that they had fixed the harsh ride of v1.
Now you write that v3 has fixed the harsh ride of v2.

Anonymous said...

Yeah Anonymous, I also remember the review of v2 stating that it wasn't as harsh as v1. I own both and find them both to be stiff and leave my legs sore after a workout. Not sure I'm buying the conclusion for v3. I'll keep using the v1 and v2 for short repetition workouts and pass on this iteration.