ASICS Magic Speed 5 running shoe review – opinion, price, comparison, who it is recommended for

Who the ASICS Magic Speed 5 running shoe is recommended for

• Recommended if you are looking for a lightweight carbon-plated shoe for fast tempo runs.
• Recommended if you are looking for a dynamic model for 5-10 km races or half marathons.
• Recommended if you like a firmer, more direct ground feel.
• Recommended if stable, precise foot lockdown is important to you when running fast.
• Recommended if you are looking for a more durable training-racing hybrid alongside / instead of more expensive race shoes.

Who the ASICS Magic Speed 5 running shoe is NOT recommended for

• Not recommended if you are looking for a soft, highly cushioned running shoe.
• Not recommended if you are mainly looking for a running shoe for slow or recovery runs
• Not recommended if you have wide feet and prefer a roomy upper.
• Not recommended if you are looking for a comfortable long-run shoe for marathon training.
• Not recommended if you are a beginner runner and are still just getting familiar with running

ASICS Magic Speed 5 running shoe upper

The Magic Speed 5 is not trying to be cosy; it wants to be fast

The ASICS Magic Speed 5 running shoe upper is made from a mesh material with very good breathability. Its good breathability is not due to the material being thin, but to the loose weave, which creates a large number of ventilation holes. The material itself is thicker and stiffer, but it softens slightly with use. The upper cannot really be called stretchy, but this makes it possible to hold the foot well even without adding separate reinforcements. The tongue of the shoe is thin and has no padding, although it is not as thin as the tongues on the ASICS Metaspeed shoes. The tongue is not gusseted, which is probably for weight-saving reasons, although it would be useful, since tongues this thin are more likely to move and slide to the side during running. The heel collar also has low padding and is flexible, so it can wrap around the foot well. The upper is clearly optimized for performance; alongside secure foot lockdown, weight reduction plays the main role. The construction of the upper is not as thin as on shoes optimized purely for racing, but the forefoot is pointed, which can cause issues for wider feet. In terms of length, it is borderline, perhaps precisely because of this pointed forefoot, so it is worth trying on a size larger as well, because that may fit better. The very thin insole is removable and is not glued into the shoe.

ASICS Magic Speed 5 running shoe midsole

A particularly enjoyable and explosive running shoe up to half marathon distance.

The ASICS Magic Speed 5 running shoe midsole consists of 3 layers. At the top is ASICS’ premium foam, FlyteFoam Leap, a lightweight, dynamic, soft A-TPU foam. The same foam is used in ASICS’ racing shoes, the Metaspeed Tokyo series (Sky, Edge, Ray). Underneath is a firmer, stiffer foam, FlyteFoam Blast Plus. This foam makes the shoe more stable and durable, and improves its cushioning. Between the two foams there is a Y-shaped, fork-like carbon plate. Since the plate splits into two branches in the forefoot, the torsional stiffness of the shoe is not compromised, and it is not as stiff as a running shoe designed for marathon racing. The three layers create an explosive, fast midsole. At lower intensity it feels firm and stiff, but once you speed up, it shows a completely different character: bouncy, springy, with a relatively greater ground feel.

This shoe shows its true character at fast paces.

Compared with previous Magic Speed running shoes, the midsole of the Magic Speed 5 represents a completely different direction and a completely different feel. The previous version had a midsole higher than 40 mm and was primarily intended for marathon race preparation. They did not try to comply with FIA rules with it; its midsole was illegally high, and it was heavier as well. By comparison, the Magic Speed 5 has a legal midsole height, is lightweight, and is more suited to shorter fast runs and 5-10 km races. If you are looking for a shoe with a character similar to the Magic Speed 4 running shoe, choose the ASICS Sonicblast instead; it is closer to the Magic Speed 4 than the Magic Speed 5 is.

Because of its firm character, it is too hard for slow runs.

ASICS Magic Speed 5 running shoe outsole

One of the best ASICS tempo shoes of recent years.

The ASICS Magic Speed 5 running shoe outsole is made from ASICSGRIP rubber compound, the brand’s most advanced outsole rubber compound, the same material ASICS uses for its top racing shoe series. The difference between the outsoles of the racing shoes and the outsole of the Magic Speed 5 is that it covers a larger surface area of the midsole and is also thicker. ASICSGRIP is a rubber compound with better-than-average durability, but also better-than-average grip. This grip is further enhanced by the outsole pattern. The lugs are slightly deeper and the outsole has received an additional diamond-shaped pattern, which improves grip in every direction. It grips better than average on both wet and dry surfaces, but of course it is not a spiked shoe, so we should not expect miracles from it; it cannot go beyond the limits of physics.

What is it like to run in the ASICS Magic Speed 5 running shoe?

Cushioning and midsole

Even though the 37.5 mm midsole height at the heel cannot be called high, the midsole of the ASICS Magic Speed 5 running shoe provides good cushioning. Despite its strong impact protection, it is recommended primarily not for long runs, but rather for faster runs up to half marathon distance. It has an explosive, dynamic midsole with strong energy return. Although it contains a carbon plate, it does not feel as stiff as most carbon-plated running shoes, mainly because the carbon plate splits into two fork-like branches at the front.

Stability and guidance

The Magic Speed 5 running shoe has two sides in terms of stability. It has become wider and lower at the front, which has improved stability, but at the heel it is narrower and the midsole is less stable. Its drop has also been reduced to 7 mm, which is a clear sign that the shoe is recommended more for runners who land on the midfoot or forefoot. This is also supported by the outsole coverage, which is concentrated in the forefoot. Most runners load more towards the front during faster runs, which also indicates that the shoe was designed for faster running.

Upper and comfort

The upper has clearly been optimized for performance and not for comfort. This does not mean that the ASICS Magic Speed 5 is uncomfortable, but that, in the interest of weight reduction, neither the heel collar nor the tongue is heavily padded. The mesh material of the upper is rougher and stiffer, and it holds the foot more tightly so that it performs well during fast runs.

Foot strike and grip

The midsole of the ASICS Magic Speed 5 running shoe has a 7 mm drop, and the midsole geometry and outsole are designed primarily to encourage landing on the midfoot or forefoot. You can also use it if you heel strike, but it is somewhat less stable there and wears faster. The grip of the outsole is above average on both dry and wet asphalt. For trail running or running on loose ground, it does not have enough traction; this shoe was not designed for that.

Pace and dynamics

The ASICS Magic Speed 5 running shoe is designed for fast runs. The foams used in its midsole have strong energy return. Its dynamism is further improved by the Y-shaped carbon plate in the midsole. Since its midsole is lower, it is recommended primarily for fast runs up to half marathon distance, or even for racing. Although it is not as stiff as most carbon-plated shoes, it can be too stiff for lower-intensity runs.

Long run vs tempo vs training

The ASICS Magic Speed 5 running shoe is made for fast workouts or racing up to half marathon distance. For longer races or training runs, it may not be enough; there are better running shoes for that. It is moderately durable, so it will not wear out as quickly as a shoe designed for racing, which makes it worth using for your workouts as well, and it can also be a good race-preparation running shoe.

Who is the ASICS Magic Speed 5 running shoe recommended for – and who is it not for?

The ASICS Magic Speed 5 is recommended primarily for runners looking for a lightweight, carbon-plated, neutral running shoe for fast workouts and races up to half marathon distance. If performance and pace are more important to you than maximum cushioning and comfort, the Magic Speed 5 running shoe can be a good choice.

The ASICS Magic Speed 5 running shoe is not recommended if you are looking for a highly cushioned, comfortable running shoe. It is not a good choice for lower-intensity runs, because it can feel too stiff for that. It is not recommended if you are a heel striker looking for a running shoe with high stability.

What has changed compared with the previous version? ASICS Magic Speed 5 running shoe vs ASICS Magic Speed 4.

The concept of the Magic Speed 5 has changed completely, and so has the shoe. The Magic Speed 4 had a midsole height that was illegal under racing regulations and was intended for runners who wanted more cushioning for their race preparation. The Magic Speed is also suitable for race preparation, but it is better for shorter runs, up to half marathon distance. Since it has become lighter, it may now even be suitable for racing.

The upper has become lighter, more similar to the uppers of racing shoes, slightly narrower, with less padding, and the tongue is not gusseted.

The midsole has become lower by 6 mm at the heel and by 5 mm at the forefoot. Its drop has decreased from 8 mm to 7 mm. It has received completely new foams, which is not surprising, because the Magic Speed line always receives ASICS’ most advanced midsole foam. But the difference is not only the significant 6 mm change in midsole height. The geometry is also different: the Magic Speed 5 is wider at the front and narrower at the heel, which, combined with the lower midsole height, results in somewhat better stability. The lower midsole has not made the cushioning worse, while the energy return is noticeably better, and it feels noticeably less stiff than the Magic Speed 4.

The outsole of the new version remains ASICSGRIP, but with slightly less coverage and a deeper tread pattern, so neither grip nor durability has worsened; the two are nearly identical.

Alternatives to the ASICS Magic Speed 5 running shoe – comparison

If you are looking for a running shoe similar to the ASICS Magic Speed 5 running shoe, or if you simply want to compare possible alternatives, it is worth comparing it with the following shoes:

Is there a difference between the men’s and women’s ASICS Magic Speed 5 running shoe?

This is a unisex running shoe, so there is no separate men’s and women’s ASICS Magic Speed 5 running shoe.