Asics Superblast 2 Introduction
I believe 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 should you have been ready for it to go on low cost, you’ll have been met with disappointment as a result of it’s excluded from promotions.
There are a number of predominant explanation why the Superblast is such a profitable collection.
- It’s a comparatively light-weight & secure coach for its gigantic 45.5/37.5 mm midsole stack peak.
- 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 an especially versatile journey character which excels at most varieties of runs and paces.
When it was launched 2 years in the past, the Superblast rapidly turned certainly one of my favorite ASICS trainers. I beloved how a lot cushioning it had and the way light-weight it felt. It additionally felt comfy doing simple paces as a result of it didn’t have a stiff carbon plate. It was a really distinctive providing.
Operating shoe costs hardly ever lower: the Superblast launched at a worth of $220 however after a number of months, the value got here right down to $200 resulting from an absence of gross sales. $200 was the candy spot and the Superblast has bought like scorching truffles ever since.
This 12 months, 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 nice information. The unhealthy 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 peak 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, secure and really well-cushioned.
Probably the most noticeable enchancment was the brand new higher which felt way more comfy. The true-to-size size and width have been excellent.
The journey was similar to model 1 and I used to be disenchanted 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 mentioned 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 suits higher and it feels higher ventilated. The mesh on the highest of the toe-box allows extra air, as do the facet 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 inside 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 circumstances.
It suits true to measurement nevertheless it has a slender, cosy forefoot and toe-box. It’s finest suited to slender, low-volume ft. 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 peak and the absence of a plate in its midsole.
A lot of the different trainers/racers with midsoles above 40 mm in stack peak have a plate or different stiffener of their midsole to create construction in an effort to improve the steadiness of the tall midsole.
The Superblast’s midsole shouldn’t be squishy or extraordinarily mushy, so it doesn’t want a plate. It additionally has a broad base, so it’s already a really secure shoe and it offers 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 brisker for longer. Its mild forefoot rocker eases you thru transitions and helps you save vitality.
The Superblast 2 is an extremely versatile coach. Gradual paces above 6 minutes per kilometre really feel nice, as do uptempo paces beneath 4:30 per kilometre (7:15 per mile). Marathon tempo feels comfy 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 laborious 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 be respectable on moist surfaces now. There aren’t any extra holes within the outsole so stones don’t get trapped anymore.
Outsole sturdiness is above common. I haven’t seen a lot put on on my pair after 80 kilometres even with my heavy heel-striking type.
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 resembling consolation and traction, this new model isn’t a major replace. It’s a reduction that they haven’t messed it up although. So you probably have model 1, you don’t have to get model 2. Model 1 feels quicker as a result of it’s lighter.
The Superblast 2 is among the most versatile trainers to be launched this 12 months. It has loads of cushioning for distances above 30 kilometres, it has a secure journey and its forefoot rocker makes it energy-saving. It additionally has a surprisingly low weight for such a tall midsole which provides it the power to effortlessly choose up the tempo.
If I used to be requested to advocate a racer with no carbon plate (for a non-elite runner), I might advocate the Superblast 2 as a result of it has a racing foam and it appears like a brilliant shoe. Its $200 price ticket shouldn’t 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 might 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 largest competitor and it’s encroaching within the Superblast 2’s house.
The Novablast 4 has seen a midsole stack peak enhance of two mm and is now additionally above 40 mm in stack peak. It doesn’t really feel as quick because the Superblast 2 (resulting from 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.