Article by Courtney Kelly
ASICS Sonicblast ($180)
IntroductionThe Sonicblast is a new max cushion super trainer with underfoot ASICS new A-TPU FF Blast Squared foam which is 32% bouncier, 9.6% softer, 2.8% lighter than FF Turbo, a fiberglass/nylon plate with below a layer of stabilizing FF Blast Max. It sits in ASICS "Bounce" class along with the new Megablast (Comparison Review) and Novablast.
Pros:
Versatile plated super trainer: broad range of paces and distances as well as racing: Sam
Ride: Darn pleasant to run: Sam/Sally/Courtney
Upper: Superbly fitting, light and supportive: Sam/Sally/Courtney
Midsole: Highly cushioned, soft, bouncy and moderately responsive: Sam/Sally/Courtney
Stable: even at its giant 46mm / 38mm stack height: Sam/Sally/Courtney
Notably smooth rolling, well integrated, non harsh plastic plate and near rigid rocker geometry, never “out of control, overly springy or hard to move, and regardless of pace: Sam
Cons:
A bit long and pointy but true to size for narrower to medium feet: Sam
Did not enjoy the shoe as much at slower paces, but it’s also not a super lightweight trainer: Courtney
Stats
Approx. Weight: men's 9.05 oz / 257g US9 women’s 7.7 oz / 218 g US8
Sample Weights:
men’s 8.82 oz / 250g US 8.5
women’s 7.7 oz / 218 g US W8
Stack Height: 46 mm heel / 38 mm forefoot, 8mm drop
Platform Width: 90 mm heel / 70 mm midfoot / 105 mm forefoot US M8.5
Releasing September 2025
Most comparable shoes
ASICS Magic Speed 4 (RTR Review)
Brooks Hyperion Max 3 (RTR Review)
New Balance SC Trainer (RTR Review)
Nike Zoom Fly 6 (RTR Review)
On Cloudboom Max (RTR Review)
Saucony Endorphin Speed (RTR Review)
Also see Sam’s Sonicblast to Megablast in depth Comparison Review
First Impressions, Fit and Upper
Courtney: Out of the box, the Sonicblast looks like a serious, performance driven shoe. The thin perforated upper and minimally padded heel collar are features reminiscent of a race shoe. The predominantly white color way with small purple and neon red race like detailing on the ASICS logot overlay add to the overall visual appeal.
Fit through the shoe is executed nicely, with the midfoot giving a secure hold and enough room at the forefoot for some wiggle room. There is about 3/4 of a thumb's length from my big toe to the toe bumper. Volume is good in the toe box as well, but those with extra volume may see their toes pushing up the mesh upper.
As we look at the tongue, it has large perforations and I noticed plenty of ventilation on my runs. The thicker dual sided elastic gusset adds a secure lockdown to the platform of the shoe while also ensuring a smoothed tongue surface with no bumps. Adding to this streamlined design are the lay-flat laces and slight padding on the tongue. I experienced no irritation here.
Lockdown is good in the Sonic, but I noticed the collar rides low around the ankle and I felt it necessary to use the second race eyelet for more support through the ankle. After this adjustment I felt quite stable throughout my runs.
Midsole & Platform
The top foam layer is FF Turbo Squared A-TPU which is 32% bouncier, 9.6% softer, 2.8% lighter than FF Turbo. It is a training focused flavor of the Leap foam found in the 2025 ASICS Tokyo racers. Below the plate is a 10-15mm layer of stabilizing FF Blast Max foam, the same EVA blend foam as the entire midsole of the Novablast. .
Courtney: The Sonic is built on a sky high 46mm/ 38mm responsive midsole, but ASICS balances this with a controlled geometry providing solid stability and cushioning throughout.
On my first run I immediately noticed the energetic new FF Turbo Squared foam. Though it is cushioned and compliant underfoot, the combination of foams along with the Astroplate provide a firm enough landing and energetic response.
The nylon/fiberglass plate gives more rigidity and propulsiveness than a nylon plate but is less harsh than a carbon fiber plate. This combination goes well with the FF Turbo Squared delivering a controllable ride.
There is plenty of cushion and pop especially in the forefoot where we see the Astroplate riding well below the FF Squared along with a pronounced toe spring and rocker up front.
I found interval training to be pleasant in the shoe, particularly running at my 10k pace to half marathon pace (6:10-6:25 min/miles).My strides felt longer and vertical oscillation was higher than average. I had to encourage and focus on forward movement rather than upward lift as it was a bouncy ride! I noticed that at faster paces I had to think less about the upward bounce that was occurring, likely I was driving into the soft foam and flexing the plate more. In general, recovery paces (7:30-8:30) weren't quite as pleasant as heel landings felt overly rigid and didn’t roll me forward as smoothly.
Outsole
Courtney: The Outsole has plenty of forefoot rubber coverage with less at the heel. The forefoot rubber comes up over the toe for plenty of coverage for those aggressive toe offs and adds to the stable feel of the shoe. The lower FF Blast Max foam is mostly exposed at the heel and I can see some initial wear beginning on the exposed medial heel. ASICS states it is designed for varied terrain. I took the Sonic over a gravel surface and it performed well. The feel underfoot was grippy and from what I’ve seen thus far is quite durable.
Ride, Conclusions and Recommendations
Courtney: The Sonicblast’s introduction of FF Turbo Squared is an incredible move forward for the brand bringing the advances of their latest race shoes, tuned for their training line. I think we will continue to see great things in the coming iterations.
With some slight changes (like a wider cutout towards the rear of the shoe) and maybe thinner rubber coverage, the Sonic could achieve a lower weight while maintaining its stable ride.
I think the Sonic is a good choice for runners who incorporate speedwork into their training and can use the benefits of the well developed forefoot. It provides an aggressive and super fun foam but is complimented by a stable geometry that allows the runner to feel in control while training for their goal race.
I would caution runners that it's not going to be your lightest training companion, nor most comfortable at slower paces. It worked best for me during 1 mile and 1k intervals with standing recoveries.
Overall Score: 8.88 / 10
Ride (50%): 8.75, Fit (30%): 9, Value (15%): 9, Style (5%):9
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4 Comparisons
Brooks Hyperion Max 3 (RTR Review)
Courtney:The Hyperion Max is less propulsive than the Sonicblast. It feels higher stack to me at 46/40 (same heel, 2mm more upfront than Sonic) and has more of a rolling forward sensation compared to the bounciness of FF Turbo Squared foam. The Max works well at slower paces where the Sonic is better suited for speedwork. The upper on the Sonic is more streamlined and ready for faster speeds, and the Hyperion Max is more about comfort, recovery and consistency.
On Cloudboom Max (RTR Review)
Courtney: For me, the new Cloudboom Max is a trainer meant for longer miles and is less speed driven than the Sonicblast. Both shoes feature a fiberglass composite plate that allows flexibility and less harshness than a traditional carbon plate and you certainly feel this underfoot. The Cloudboom feels very natural and rolls you forward more easily than the Sonic, even at slower paces.
ASICS Megablast (RTR Comparisons Review)
Sam: The Mega has an all FF Turbo Squared midsole with no plate. Its upper is near race in materials and more minimal if generous in fit and not quite as secure as the Sonic’s. It is a big 33g lighter at 7.89 oz / 224g US9 with a very bouncy, fun and energetic ride but one less stable and straight tracking than the Sonic which for me ends up a more versatile trainer, and a $45 less expensive one.
Endorphin Speed 5 (RTR Review)
Courtney: At almost exactly the same weight, the Sonicblast and Speed 5 have similar purposes. They are both looking to achieve the speedier training sessions but with a more gentle and supportive experience by using alternatives to the carbon plates in race shoes. I would say FF turbo squared is a better energetic foam overall and the fiberglass plate in the ASICS Sonicblast is stiffer for a more propulsive, spring-loaded toe off.
Also see Sam’s Sonicblast to Megablast in depth Comparison Review
Index to all RTR reviews: HERE
The Sonicblast will release September 2025
Tester Profiles
Courtney Kelly, age 37 is a college lacrosse player turned avid runner. She lives in Manchester, MA with her husband and two daughters ages 4 and 8. Courtney signed up for her first 1/2 marathon the morning of the race in 2022, winning second place in a time of 1:26. She decided to take running a bit more seriously, joining Wicked Running Club and trying some training plans. She ran her first marathon this fall in 3:04:27. In addition, she holds a half marathon PR of 1:25, a 5 mile PR 30:17, and a 5k PR of 18:20. She looks forward to getting some more strength and speed under her belt this next season, before taking a crack at the marathon again. She is 5’4”, 110 lbs.Off the roads, Courtney is a painter and loving mother to her girls.
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