Article by Courtney Kelly, Sally Reiley and Michael Ellenberger
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/Michael
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/Michael
Cons:
A bit long and pointy but true to size for narrower to medium feet: Sam/Michael
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.
Michael: Out of the box, the Sonicblast definitely looks the part: sharp, race-oriented design, thin perforated upper, and a stripped-down heel collar that reminds me of ASICS’ faster models.
The upper itself is light, breathable, and supportive, with a secure midfoot wrap and just enough forefoot space. That said, they do fit a little long, which took away from my total enjoyment. I think you could consider lacing up into the last eyelet, as others have suggested, though I didn’t end up doing so myself as it often creates that extra pressure atop the shoe. There isn’t a red flag issue here, but the long fit makes the shoe a little fussier than it needs to be.
Sally: When I first read that Asics was releasing two new supertrainers in the Blast family, joining the very popular Superblast and the Novablast, my initial reaction was wow, there are already too many models of shoes and runners/consumers will be overwhelmed with choices. Do we really need yet even more options in the Asics lineup?
I love the Superblast 2 for my long cushioned training runs, and the Novablast 5 for a versatile daily trainer. I also love the Magic Speed 4 for uptempo workouts, and I am REALLY loving the Metaspeed Sky Tokyo as a race day shoe (even leaning toward wearing that for the upcoming Berlin and New York Marathons). But once I tried the Sonicblast, I realized it fills a niche in the lineup as a more speed-focused daily trainer, a blend between a plated Novablast and a Magic Speed.
I find it comfortable right out of the box with a well-fitting soft and supportive upper. I did not find the fit to be long, and actually welcome the length at the toes that is lacking for me in the same size Megablast.
The lockdown is solid with the nicely gusseted tongue and secure lay flat laces. I personally like the look of this shoe, very performance-oriented yet comfort focused and in a consistent Tokyo colorway of whites and pinks and purples that matches the others in the family.
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.
Michael: Obviously, the midsole is where the new Sonicblast really defines itself; it needs to stand out from its other Blast siblings. The shoe sits high at 46 mm in the heel and 38 mm in the forefoot (I love that 8mm drop for a shoe like this), with ASICS’ new FF Turbo Squared foam serving as the top layer. That foam is bouncier, softer, and lighter than the original FF Turbo - and that’s noticeable underfoot, especially if you’re familiar with ASICS’ recent offerings.. Paired with the Astroplate (a nylon/fiberglass blend), it delivers a ride that’s energetic without being overly springy or harsh.
But here’s where my personal impression comes in: while it’s cushioned, it doesn’t have the forgiving, sink-in plush feel I’ve come to expect from other Blast shoes. It’s firmer, more controlled. I wouldn’t quite call it harsh, but it’s not a “soft pillow” either.
On easy runs, the heel can feel a bit rigid, and it doesn’t roll me forward quite as smoothly as I’d like. At moderate to faster paces, though, the shoe really shines. It feels stable and snappy, with enough bounce to be fun but not so much that it gets in the way. It’s a great workout and long run shoe, for sure (though, frankly, a lot of that can be said for Nova or Superblast).
For me, the Sonicblast works across nearly any pace range that I’d use something like the Adidas SL, though this one has a plate, and the SL doesn’t. Interval training felt especially good, with the forefoot’s rocker and plate giving me a longer, quicker stride. Recovery runs? Usable, but not quite as pleasant as some softer trainers.
Sally: The new FF Turbo Squared foam is noticeably bouncy and light and makes for an immediately great first impression underfoot. I tend to love the plastic plated trainers (Saucony Endorphin Speed has been my shoe of the year in the past) because they bridge the gap between a carbon-plated race day shoe and an unplated trainer, even serving as a “gateway drug” introducing new runners to plated shoes.
As a midfoot striker, I find the ride bouncy and energetic and smooth with nice responsiveness at a range of paces. The more I pick up the pace (I am slower than Courtney and Michael - also much older haha - and train mostly at 8:00 - 8:45 min/mi) Slow recovery mile paces (9:30 min/mi and above) did not feel natural, leading me to believe heel strikers might not get along as well with this geometry. But for most paces, the bouncy and responsive ride is delightfully quick and comfortable and stable to boot.
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.
Michael: Plenty of rubber up front and slightly less at the heel makes for a good balance between grip and weight. The forefoot coverage extends over the toe, which adds to stability on toe-off. The exposed FF Blast Max foam at the heel shows some early wear, but so far, grip has been excellent even on hard-packed dirt. No issues here.
Sally: This outsole checks all the boxes for me: plenty of rubber for good grippy traction even on wet surfaces, seemingly decent (but as of yet not proven) durability, no gravel catching crevasses, and relatively quiet underfoot. No issues here!
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
😊😊😊😊
Michael: The Sonicblast is a very good shoe - just perhaps not the slam-dunk, home-run, knockout punch that I thought it might be (“a plated Superblast? A Metaspeed light?!”). Against the backdrop of the Megablast and Superblast, it feels a little less special - but only against that backdrop, because I think we all have to agree that ASICS is absolutely crushing it over the last few iterations of shoes here.
In the Sonicblast, the firmer ride and longer fit kept it from being an automatic favorite, though I still find myself reaching for it often because it’s versatile, stable, and fun at a range of paces. I think this is a shoe that works extremely well if you have a running shoe rotation (as I suspect most of our readers do!) but, just to put it clearly, I think the Megablast can probably do more, even if not quite as well. It’s a question of specialization vs. range.
In the end, I think of the Sonicblast as a “controlled Blast.” Not wild, not hyper squishy, not unstable - just a well-contained, firmer take on the existing -Blast DNA. For runners who want a plated trainer that isn’t overly aggressive or harsh, it’s a strong option, probably one of the best on the market. ASICS is being held to perhaps the highest standard in the game right now.
Sally: We see here Asics expanding their already extensive family of shoe models and now offering the everyday runner a training shoe featuring the same advanced shoe technology found in the performance race shoes… and I think it is a big win for all.
The Sonicblast joins the Blast family as the speed focused super trainer with the all new FF Turbo Squared softer, lighter, and bouncier foam below a very comfortable, supportive and well-fitting jacquard mesh upper. The popular Novablast 5 will be your versatile daily trainer (FF Blast Max), and the Superblast 2 will remain your long distance well cushioned max trainer (FF Turbo Plus), and the new Megablast (100% FF Turbo Squared) will be the lightweight ultrabounce energetic super trainer (or even racer).
I am enjoying the Sonicblast as a versatile peppy happiest-when-the-pace-picks-up trainer that is bouncy and quick and downright FUN to run in. The upper fits my foot like a dream and is comfortable and secure without too much fuss. The ride combines the best of the Magic Speed (firmer and quick) and the Novablast (reliable and responsive) and adds a plastic plate to make it possibly a contender for some runners as a race day shoe. I find it light, quick, comfortable, and versatile. I know I will be keeping it in my rotation as I train for Berlin, NYC, Tokyo, and Boston Marathons this year!
Sally’s score: 9.33 / 10.0
Ride (50%): 9.2 Fit (30%): 9.7 Value (15%): 9 Style (5%): 9.5
😊😊😊😊1/2
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.
Sally: (W8 in both) The Metablast has been an awesome choice for my weekend long runs as the bounce and responsiveness of the FF Turbo Squared has been invigorating and energizing. I have however found the Megablast upper to be a bit problematic - it is more of an engineered woven race day upper that does not give at the end of my big toe and has caused toenail pain on these long runs. I also wish the minimal tongue had a bit more padding on it in the Megablast to prevent the lace bite I continually experience. So while the super bouncy ride of the Megablast makes me smile, the upper of the Sonicblast makes my feet happier. As Michael points out, the Sonicblast is definitely a more versatile trainer for a windsor range of paces.
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.
Sally: Ah, my beloved Endorphin Speeds… and I really like the Endorphin Speed 5. BUT the Sonicblast may have just dethroned it! The FF Turbo Squared foam is really something special: bouncier and livelier in an equally comfortable package. Both so similar in their function as a plastic-plated uptempo daily trainer.
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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