Asics Superblast 2 Introduction
I feel even ASICS underestimated how profitable the Superblast was going to be.
For the previous 2 years, the Superblast has been one of many tough trainers to buy. Colourway after colourway, it has bought out and when you had been ready for it to go on low cost, you’d have been met with disappointment as a result of it’s excluded from promotions.
There are a number of primary explanation why the Superblast is such a profitable collection.
- It’s a comparatively light-weight & steady coach for its gigantic 45.5/37.5 mm midsole stack top.
- It has the identical midsole foam because the flagship Metaspeed racing collection so that you’re getting ASICS’ most superior tremendous foam for $50 lower than the Metaspeed collection.
- It has a particularly versatile journey character which excels at most sorts of runs and paces.
When it was launched 2 years in the past, the Superblast rapidly grew to become one among my favorite ASICS trainers. I cherished how a lot cushioning it had and the way light-weight it felt. It additionally felt snug doing straightforward paces as a result of it didn’t have a stiff carbon plate. It was a really distinctive providing.
Working shoe costs hardly ever lower: the Superblast launched at a value of $220 however after a number of months, the worth got here all the way down to $200 as a consequence of an absence of gross sales. $200 was the candy spot and the Superblast has bought like sizzling desserts ever since.
This yr, the Superblast 2 bought out on-line and in shops on the day it launched right here in Malaysia. ASICS restricted inventory for the primary model however not for the second. Even with the rise in provide of v2, it nonetheless bought out and not one of the retailers have restocked but.
The Superblast 2 maintains its $200 price ticket which is sweet information. The dangerous information is that it now weighs 8.8 oz (250 g), which is 0.4 oz (11 g) heavier than model 1.
It has the identical stack top as v1 and though it seems similar to its predecessor, it has a brand new outsole, midsole and higher.
Asics Superblast 2 First Impressions
My first run within the Superblast 2 was a 20 kilometre restoration run. Similar to the primary model, it was clean, steady and really well-cushioned.
Probably the most noticeable enchancment was the brand new higher which felt rather more snug. The true-to-size size and width had been good.
The journey was similar to model 1 and I used to be dissatisfied that it didn’t ship extra vitality return contemplating it has FF Turbo+, the brand new premium tremendous foam.
Probably the most related journey to the Superblast 2 is the Novablast 4. I stated in my evaluate of the unique Superblast that it may have been named the “Novablast Professional” or the “Novablast Elite”.
The Superblast 2 felt just like the Novablast 4 however barely lighter and with extra cushioning.
Asics Superblast 2 Higher
The higher of the Superblast 2 is an enchancment over the primary model. It matches higher and it feels higher ventilated. The mesh on the highest of the toe-box permits extra air, as do the aspect panels, so breathability is significantly better.
The flat tongue is semi-gusseted and it doesn’t slide round. Foot lockdown is great and there’s an inner heel counter for assist within the rear of the shoe. It has reflective Superblast wording on the heel pull tab for security in low mild situations.
It matches true to dimension nevertheless it has a slender, cosy forefoot and toe-box. It’s greatest suited to slender, low-volume toes. Sadly it doesn’t are available a large model, in contrast to ASICS’ older trainers such because the Nimbus and Cumulus.
Asics Superblast 2 Sole Unit
The Superblast 2 is a uncommon working shoe as a result of it appears like a brilliant shoe nevertheless it doesn’t have a plate in it. It’s light-weight, snappy, very cushioned and has a responsive journey.
What units the Superblast other than the group is its excessive stack top and the absence of a plate in its midsole.
A lot of the different trainers/racers with midsoles above 40 mm in stack top have a plate or different stiffener of their midsole to create construction in an effort to improve the soundness of the tall midsole.
The Superblast’s midsole will not be squishy or extraordinarily tender, so it doesn’t want a plate. It additionally has a broad base, so it’s already a really steady shoe and it supplies loads of assist.
Lengthy runs are the Superblast 2’s speciality. It has sufficient cushioning for a full marathon and its light-weight construct (for a coach) permits your legs to stay more energizing for longer. Its light forefoot rocker eases you thru transitions and helps you save vitality.
The Superblast 2 is an extremely versatile coach. Sluggish paces above 6 minutes per kilometre really feel nice, as do uptempo paces under 4:30 per kilometre (7:15 per mile). Marathon tempo feels snug however I discover that after I push it to my threshold tempo (4 minutes per km/6:26 per mile) or quicker, it struggles a bit to carry it there.
The brand new FF Turbo+ foam mixed with the brand new FF Blast+ Eco foam in its midsole really feel very related in softness to the final model. Even carrying one model on every foot on the similar time, it’s exhausting to inform the distinction. It’s a medium-firm journey which feels balanced and excellent.
The outsole is the most important enchancment. It now has ridges on the rubber lugs so there’s extra chew upon contact with the bottom. Grip can also be first rate on moist surfaces now. There are not any extra holes within the outsole so stones don’t get trapped anymore.
Outsole sturdiness is above common. I haven’t observed a lot put on on my pair after 80 kilometres even with my heavy heel-striking kind.
Asics Superblast 2 Conclusions
It’s been 2 years that we’ve needed to watch for the Superblast 2 and whereas there are some small developments reminiscent of consolation and traction, this new model isn’t a big replace. It’s a aid that they haven’t messed it up although. So when you’ve got model 1, you don’t must get model 2. Model 1 feels quicker as a result of it’s lighter.
The Superblast 2 is without doubt one of the most versatile trainers to be launched this yr. It has loads of cushioning for distances above 30 kilometres, it has a steady journey and its forefoot rocker makes it energy-saving. It additionally has a surprisingly low weight for such a tall midsole which supplies it the flexibility to effortlessly choose up the tempo.
If I used to be requested to suggest a racer with no carbon plate (for a non-elite runner), I’d suggest the Superblast 2 as a result of it has a racing foam and it appears like a brilliant shoe. Its $200 price ticket will not be extreme contemplating the Metaspeed collection is $250 and also you’re getting extra FF Turbo+ foam within the Superblast 2.
The one factor I’d change is so as to add a deep decoupled groove beneath the shoe, just like the Novablast 1. This may enhance the trampoline impact (extra bounce and vitality return) and would lower the burden.
The Novablast is the Superblast’s greatest competitor and it’s encroaching within the Superblast 2’s house.
The Novablast 4 has seen a midsole stack top enhance of two mm and is now additionally above 40 mm in stack top. It doesn’t really feel as quick because the Superblast 2 (as a consequence of its coaching midsole foam) nevertheless it’s $60 cheaper and is significantly better worth for cash. It’s additionally a lot simpler to purchase than the Superblast 2.
