ASICS Sonicblast 2 running shoe review – verdict, price, comparison and who it’s for

ASICS Sonicblast 2 running shoe upper

The ASICS Sonicblast 2 running shoe upper is made from a thin engineered mesh with excellent breathability. The material is strong and hard-wearing, yet almost see-through across much of the upper.

The upper is narrower than average, but the toe box is rounded rather than pointed, so it does not squeeze the toes together. It fits true to size in length and does not run short.

The tongue is thin and unpadded, but provides good protection from lace pressure; the laces themselves are flat and soft. The tongue is gusseted on both sides, so it does not slide sideways during a run.

The lacing system is conventional, with slightly serrated laces that can be tightened securely. It provides excellent foot lockdown, which is important for faster running.

The heel collar has minimal padding. It is soft at the sides, with some reinforcement at the back, although this is not particularly rigid either, so it wraps around the ankle very well. The collar rises high at the back but flexes out of the way, so it does not irritate the Achilles tendon.

The sockliner is 5,5 mm thick, comfortable and not glued into the shoe.

From the midfoot through to the heel, the midsole sidewalls rise high around the upper, providing an even more stable hold on the foot. The upper is clearly optimised for performance rather than comfort, but it does not feel uncomfortable even during extended wear.

ASICS Sonicblast 2 running shoe midsole

The ASICS Sonicblast 2 running shoe midsole consists of three layers. The top layer uses FlyteFoam Turbo² foam, a lightweight, highly responsive, bouncy ATPU (aliphatic TPU) foam. It is one of Asics’ most advanced foams, with high energy return, and makes up the entire midsole of the Asics Megablast running shoe and part of the midsole of the Asics Novablast 6 running shoe. Underneath is another responsive foam, FlyteFoam Max Blast+, which Asics uses in most of its advanced running shoes. Between the two foam layers sits a fork-shaped plastic plate called Astroplate. This plate contributes not only to responsiveness but also to midsole stability. The two soft foams would be less stable without the plate. The 3 layers are not simply stacked one on top of another. In the forefoot, the upper FF Turbo² layer extends down between the arms of the fork in a large diamond shape and makes direct ground contact through a separate outsole section. This significantly boosts propulsion at toe-off. Because it is located in the forefoot, runners who land on this part of the foot will benefit most, as they make ground contact directly over it.

The midsole dimensions are extreme: it stands 46 mm tall at the heel and 38 mm at the forefoot, with an 8 mm drop. Its width is average: according to my own measurements, it is 93 mm at the heel, 117 mm at the forefoot and 77 mm at the midfoot. This extreme height is therefore paired with an average width, so it would be less stable without the plate. The plate makes the midsole quite rigid: it is very difficult to bend or twist by hand, although it is not as stiff as the previous version. You can also feel this stiffness while running. It is less comfortable at low intensities, but its benefits become apparent at faster paces. At the same time, this rigidity gives the shoe above-average stability. The fork-shaped plate also has an extension on each side, visible on both sides of the shoe, which further improves stability in both directions.

This midsole construction is clearly intended for fast running, while the high level of cushioning also helps make the shoe suitable for longer runs

ASICS Sonicblast 2 running shoe outsole

The ASICS Sonicblast 2 running shoe outsole is made from ASICSGRIP, ASICS’ most advanced outsole rubber compound, which provides excellent traction. This strong grip is paired with good abrasion resistance, and the outsole is also relatively thick, making its durability particularly good.

The outsole does not cover the entire midsole, which saves the shoe a considerable amount of weight. Since the midsole design primarily benefits forefoot strikers, the outsole is also designed to provide greater traction for runners landing in this area. The downward-extending, diamond-shaped section of FF Turbo² has its own outsole section so that it can move and compress independently. This separate outsole section therefore contributes to a more propulsive toe-off. There are only two smaller outsole patches at the heel, protecting the midsole foam from premature wear.

What is it like to run in the ASICS Sonicblast 2 running shoe?

Cushioning and midsole

The Asics Sonicblast midsole has extreme geometry, standing 46 mm tall at the heel and 38 mm at the forefoot. A plastic plate is built into the midsole to keep this tall platform stable. In an unusual design, the foams are not simply stacked one above the other: the lightweight, responsive upper foam extends down between the arms of the fork-shaped plate into the space occupied by the lower layer, making ground contact through a separate outsole section. This design noticeably boosts the shoe’s responsiveness. The Sonicblast 2 combines a high level of cushioning with particularly good stability.

Stability and guidance

The plastic plate in the Asics Sonicblast 2 midsole makes it rigid, which helps with stability. For a neutral running shoe with an extremely tall midsole, it is particularly stable. The 8 mm drop accommodates both heel and forefoot strikers, but the forefoot also contains a responsive FlyteFoam Turbo² foam layer, making the shoe much more responsive when you land and push off in this area.

Upper and comfort

The Asics Sonicblast 2 running shoe upper is optimised for performance, but that does not mean it is uncomfortable. The upper uses a strong but thin material and fits more snugly than average to keep the foot secure at faster paces. Padding is minimal: neither the heel collar nor the tongue has thick layers of padding, keeping the weight down. Even so, it does not become uncomfortable during extended wear.

Foot strike and traction

The Asics Sonicblast 2 running shoe midsole has a heel-to-toe drop of 8 mm, accommodating both heel and forefoot strikers. However, the additional FF Turbo² insert in the forefoot means it is primarily recommended for runners who land in this area. Traction comes from ASICSGRIP, ASICS’ most advanced outsole rubber compound, which ASICS also uses in its racing shoes.

Pace and responsiveness

The Asics Sonicblast 2 running shoe clearly shows what it can do on faster, uptempo runs. Its firm, rigid midsole can be uncomfortable on longer, lower-intensity runs, but once you pick up the pace, you can take advantage of the responsiveness provided by the advanced foam and plate. The forefoot FF Turbo² insert delivers the greatest additional responsiveness for midfoot and forefoot strikers.

Long runs vs tempo runs vs training

The tall midsole of the Asics Sonicblast 2 running shoe provides plenty of cushioning, making it suitable for longer runs for those who are comfortable in a shoe with a stiffer, firmer midsole. The Sonicblast 2 is primarily intended for race preparation, but it can also be a good choice for longer races, although there are better running shoes for that purpose. The Sonicblast 2 works best at fast paces; on slow runs, its stiffness is a drawback.

Who is the ASICS Sonicblast 2 running shoe recommended for – and who should avoid it?

The ASICS Sonicblast 2 running shoe is recommended for runners who want the feel of a racing shoe in a more durable shoe for training. It suits runners looking for a lightweight, highly breathable running shoe for faster runs, including longer efforts.

The ASICS Sonicblast 2 running shoe is not recommended if you are looking for a highly cushioned, comfortable running shoe for lower-intensity runs. It is not recommended if your feet do not tolerate stiffer running shoes well and you are looking for a supple, flexible shoe.

What has changed from the previous version? ASICS Sonicblast 2 running shoe vs ASICS Sonicblast.

The Asics Sonicblast 2 has changed significantly from the previous version, resulting in a weight reduction of 30 grams. The upper is thinner and lighter, and breathability has improved considerably. Although the materials remain the same, the midsole construction has been completely redesigned. The upper FF Turbo² layer has become narrower, but an additional insert in the forefoot extends all the way to the bottom of the shoe, making this area much more responsive. The full plastic plate has been replaced by a fork-shaped plate, so the midsole is not as stiff as in the original ASICS Sonicblast running shoe. The outsole has more substantial, deeper tread, improving grip.

Alternatives to the ASICS Sonicblast 2 running shoe – comparison

Is there a difference between the men’s and women’s ASICS Sonicblast 2 running shoe?

There is no structural difference between the men’s and women’s ASICS Sonicblast 2 running shoe: both use the same materials in the same configuration. However, the women’s version has a midsole that is 1 mm lower and a narrower fit. The men’s standard width is D, while the women’s standard width is B. These differences make the women’s ASICS Sonicblast 2 running shoe 30 grams lighter than the men’s version.