Article by Sam Winebaum
ASICS Megablast ($225) and ASICS Sonicblast ($180)
Introduction
Hot on the heels of their very popular unplated super max cushion Superblast, last year’s Magic Speed 4 of course the latest Metaspeed Tokyo racing shoes, ASICS doubles down on “big” and lighter weights by leveraging state of the art new foam Releasing September are two new super trainers: Sonicblast and Megablast.
Both are equipped with a new A-TPU foam, FF Turbo Squared, derived from the FF Leap foam in the Tokyo racers. Turbo Squared foam is said to be 32.5% bouncier, 9.6% softer, and 2.8% lighter than the original FF Turbo foam
The Megablast is all Squared foam with no plate while the Sonicblast has a deep top layer of Squared, a ¾ plastic Astroplate, and a lower FF Blast Max layer.
Both are at super max stack height platforms with 45mm / 37mm for the Megablast and 46mm / 38mm for the Sonicblast, yet they differ considerably in weight.
The Mega comes in at an incredible 7.89 oz / 224g men’s US9 and Sonic at a still very respectable 9.05 oz / 257g men’s US9.
Both sit on broad but not crazy broad platforms with the Mega 90 mm heel / 85 mm midfoot / 110 mm forefoot and Sonic at 90 mm heel / 70 mm midfoot / 105 mm forefoot.
Not to get into the weeds yet, but note it looks to me like ASICS broadened the midfoot platform of the plateless Mega (85mm vs.70mm) to provide some stability whereas with the Sonic given the plate the platform could be made narrower there to reduce weight and increase agility.
I have now run each 3 times (5-6 miles per run) at varying paces from around 8 minutes per mile to 10:30 per mile and ahead of our multi tester reviews, wanted to share my initial reviews,
So what is the ASICS pitch?
Megablast is intended to be their lightest bounciest super trainer and one with no plate, all dynamic foam. It features a very light ASICS race shoe inspired woven mesh upper. In my testing. It’s been a super fun to run trainer that prioritizes very light weight and a neutral well aligned stride.
Sonicblast is intended to be a longer run uptempo g super trainer with plate propulsion of the more moderate variety than say Magic Speed 4. It has additional stability compared to the Megablast from the plate and lower denser FF Blast Max.
In my Sonic testing that is exactly what I have experienced with a surprisingly wide pace range and consistent soft yet propulsive feel from the plate) feel. Its upper is thin, very supportive and one might say more training focused plush than the Megablast’s.
Wait.. What about ASICS Superblast and Magic Speed?
In their current iterations the Mega is “similar” to the Super and the Sonic is a more mellow (non carbon plate and new foam) take on the Magic Speed.
What we don’t know yet is where those two models will head next but ASICS is sure to differentiate them from the new Blasts here. My guess might be lower stack variants of the current versions, and as with these two here, with the new foams in the mix
As far as the current Novablast 5 it is lower stack at 41.5 mm heel / 32.5 forefoot and with its all FF Blast Max foam midsole heavier at 8.75 oz / 247g US9 but far less expensive at $150. Might we see at least a layer of Squared in a next Novablast while still maintaining its lower pricing?
Uppers
The Megablast has a very thin single layer engineered woven upper similar to the Superblast and ASICS race shoes. It has proven highly breathable and extremely comfortable. Volume overall is generous, maybe a bit too generous given the light materials and big soft stack height.
The fit is true to size without issues in terms of length for my narrow to medium volume feet.
The very thin leatherette top of the tongue with dual lace up pads then becomes aerated suede further forward .
There is a gusset strap that also extends towards the back. I wish it was broader given the upper material and platform. Along with the “krinkle” cut laces I got a very good and comfortable lockdown even with the laces cinched tight which I had to do.
ASICS made no compromises at the heel counter and ankle collars to save weight. It is substantial, rigid and deeply padded. Essential in such a light upper.
Overall one fine upper that prioritizes light weight, decently roomy volume and comfort over a more performance/ race type fit which I think the soft high platform might call for more of.
The Sonicblast takes a different approach with a more substantial softer supportive Jacquard mesh upper, noting that it is still a very thin upper. Its overall volume is lower and its support superior to the Mega’s, if not with quite the airy light whisper thin feel of that upper.
The fit is true to size and hold front to back is solid with no issues.
The midfoot has a similar material tongue to the Mega but with a wider slightly thicker gusset to the midsole. The wider strap is effective and more effective in securing the foot to the platform than the Mega’s and I think it should also be incorporated into the Mega’s construction.
The rear collars are more conventional in padding if thinner in depth than Mega’s while the heel counter is not quite as rigid with the heel sitting deeper into the rear beveled midsole than in the Mega
One of the finest 2025 uppers for me. Comfort, lockdown, decently light.
Midsoles and Platforms
Both shoes feature ASICS new FF Turbo A-TPU foam in healthy doses with the Mega all Squared and the Sonic with 10-15mm of FF Blast Max EVA blend below its plastic plate.
Megablast Midsole and Platform
Given Mega has all Turbo Squared foam with its 32.5% bouncier, 9.6% softer, and 2.8% lighter characteristics (than the original FF Turbo foam), the Mega is one exciting shoe and overall a quite soft ride and softer than Sonic’s or Supeblast and with as promised by ASICS lots of "Bounce"!
It is notably light at under 8 oz for such a huge stack height, has lots of rebound at all paces, and has a super energetic if a bit wild ride. Not “crazy out of control” that is for sure but one that is not as stable and consistent as the Sonic’s more structured geometry. In shades of the very first Novablast, the Mega favors well aligned form.
That said, I had no issues running it at a wide variety of paces although as the pace picked up I had to stay a bit more focused than in the Sonic.
In comparison to the Superblast (RTR Review), I found slower paces and transitions less abrupt and smoother in the Mega, the ride softer and more bouncy, if a bit less stable .
I note that we are also 25g lighter than the Superblast at essentially the same stack heights with a narrower forefoot platform (110mm vs 120mm Superblast) which may help explain, along with being more flexible with the flex point further back, the smoother easier flowing toe offs of the Mega.
Sonicblast Midsole and Platform
Much as with its upper, the Sonic’s platform and midsole is all about consistency and smoothness. As most of the midsole is the new Turbo Squared foam you get all the deep forgiving cushion and rebound one could wish for.
The foam feel underfoot is soft and somewhat bouncy with a progressively firmer feel towards the road as the plate and stabilizing lower denser Blast Max foam comes into play. It has smooth transitions through the entire gait, at any pace beyond very slow where the midfoot hangs up a bit. I think increasing the Max foam depth at the heel would help smooth slower paces transitions.
It has a smoother, more pulled together feel than say the much heavier similar Skyward X and a less aggressive feel than the carbon plated firmer Magic Speed 4. I’d still pick the Magic Speed for faster tempos but for longer runs the Sonic is the way to go between these two for me.
Comparing Megablast and Sonicblast to Superblast
In comparison to the Superblast (RTR Review), I found slower paces and transitions less abrupt and smoother in the Mega, the ride softer and more bouncy if a bit less stable .
I also note that we are also 25g lighter than the Superblast at essentially the same stack heights with a narrower forefoot platform (110mm vs 120mm) for the Megablast which may help, along with being more flexible with the flex point further back help to, explain the smoother toe offs of the Mega.
Comparing the Sonic to the Super you essentially get the benefits of the lower firm foam layer in both, plus a plate and superior softer and more rebounding foam above. The ride is more structured and more forgiving than Superblast.
Megablast and Sonic Blast Outsoles
Outsoles Top: Megablast Bottom: Sonic Blast
The outsoles are quite similar in appearance but with some key differences. To stabilize its all Squared midsole the Megablast (black above) has longer rear to midfoot strips of rubber and its front rubber feels firmer to the touch than the Sonic’s front rubber. Again this is a good idea to help stabilize the platform. That said, at faster pace I felt the Mega’s front stability a bit shaky so a rubber arrangement and shallower front carveouts to the midsole, as the Sonic has, I think would be a good thing for more front stability and more final response.
Conclusions
If I was to pick a one super trainer rotation, a shoe for a wide variety of run types and distances it would be Sonicblast over the Megablast and also over most other current super trainers.
If I wanted the lightest unplated super max with a super fun if a bit wild ride the Megablast which for those with good form and higher volume feet could also double as an excellent “illegal” plateless marathon racer.
If I wanted similar energy but a bit more control and plate propulsion for longer faster runs Sonicblast is the pick.
At $180 vs the Megablast at $225, and despite its greater if still respectable weight, Sonicblast is a better value.
ASICS ' bold move to A-TPU foams with its best of the moment energy and light weight, in both trainers, and with clear differentiation between the 2 shoes at essentially the same stack height, is a power move in the super trainer race and is very well executed.
Megablast and Sonicblast will release September 1
Our full multi tester review of the Sonciblast and Megablast follows soon with more comparisons.
Sam is the Editor and Founder of Road Trail Run. He is in his 60’s with 2025 Sam’s 54th year of running roads and trails. He has a decades old 2:28 marathon PR. These days he runs halves in the just sub 1:43 range if he gets very, very lucky. Sam trains 30-40 miles per week mostly at moderate paces on the roads and trails of New Hampshire and Utah be it on the run, hiking or on nordic skis. He is 5’9” tall and weighs about 160 lbs, if he is not enjoying too many fine New England IPA’s.
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