ASICS Superblast 3 review – opinion, price, comparison, who it’s for

What is it like to run in the ASICS Superblast 3?

Cushioning and midsole

The ASICS Superblast 3 running shoe features a very high midsole, measuring 46.5 mm at the heel, providing excellent shock absorption. The midsole consists of two foam layers: on top there is a soft, lightweight, dynamic FlyteFoam Leap foam, while underneath there is a firmer, more rigid foam that improves the shoe’s stability. Together, these two foams support both faster and longer runs, but since the midsole remains comfortable and flexible, longer or lower-intensity runs are also very comfortable in the shoe.

Stability and ride

Of the two midsole foams, the upper FF Leap is a softer and less stable compound, which is why ASICS uses a slightly firmer and more rigid FF Blast+ foam as the base layer. On the medial side, this firmer foam also creates a supportive platform to enhance stability. The midsole sidewalls rise high onto the upper, further improving secure foot hold. The midsole is noticeably rockered both at the forefoot and the heel, guiding the foot smoothly through transitions. Due to the high stack height, these rockers are quite pronounced, but since they do not start too early, they don’t feel aggressive.

Upper and comfort

The upper of the ASICS Superblast 3 running shoe is both lightweight and comfortable, offering secure lockdown for faster runs. The heel collar is moderately rigid and moderately padded. The midsole wraps high around the heel, resulting in a more stable rearfoot hold. The tongue is thin and gusseted on both sides, preventing it from sliding during runs. The upper fits true to size, has a medium width, and offers generous room in the toe box.

Ground contact and grip

Although the midsole is rockered at both the forefoot and heel, the rocker does not start early, so a significant portion of the midsole remains in contact with the ground. This primarily serves to improve stability. With its average drop and rockered geometry at both ends, the ASICS Superblast 3 running shoe is a good option for both heel strikers and forefoot strikers. The outsole uses two different rubber compounds: at the forefoot there is ASICSGRIP rubber, which delivers above-average traction. At the heel, the AHAR LO compound offers slightly less grip than the forefoot rubber, but it is still above average and lighter in weight.

Pace and responsiveness

The ASICS Superblast 3 running shoe is a versatile model, meaning it is suitable for both fast, high-intensity sessions and slower, lower-intensity runs. Its light weight and energy-returning midsole foam support faster efforts, while the relatively non-rigid midsole ensures that slower, easy runs do not feel overly firm. The forefoot and heel rockers create slightly quicker and smoother transitions than average. However, due to the large midsole volume, it reacts a bit slower to sudden pace changes and accelerations.

Long runs vs tempo vs training

The ASICS Superblast 3 running shoe was specifically developed for long runs. It offers good responsiveness, high cushioning, decent flexibility, and a comfortable upper. For short, fast sessions it may not be the absolute best choice, but during longer, faster efforts its advantages become clearly noticeable, making it particularly strong in this category. It is primarily designed as a daily trainer, but many runners also race in it over longer or ultra distances, because while it may not be the absolute fastest shoe, it is one of the fastest comfortable running shoes available.

Who is the ASICS Superblast 3 for – and who is it not for?

Since the Superblast 3 is a versatile running shoe, it can be recommended for almost any type of run or runner, with some exceptions. Due to its high price, it only makes sense to buy it if you can take advantage of its strengths, meaning you run longer distances (above half marathon) or regularly do fast, high-intensity workouts. It is suitable for beginner runners as well, but it may be unnecessarily expensive for them. Because most of the midsole consists of a softer foam, it may not be the best option for heavier runners, although this is not an absolute exclusion. There are better choices for short, fast runs, but if you do not want a separate shoe for those sessions, you can still perform well in the Superblast 3. It is suitable for walking, but I would not use this shoe primarily for that purpose.

What has changed compared to the previous version? ASICS Superblast 3 vs ASICS Superblast 2

The ASICS Superblast 3 running shoe has changed significantly compared to the previous version, partly because the brand now positions the Superblast line slightly differently. When it launched, the Superblast 2 was aimed at fast, long runs for runners who wanted to run fast over longer distances without using a carbon-plated shoe. Since then, the ASICS Megablast has been introduced, positioned similarly for fast and long runs, but it is slightly more aggressive, firmer, lighter, and closer in feel to race-day shoes. With the Megablast filling that role, the Superblast line can now move more toward a lighter, more comfortable, long-distance-focused position.

ASICS Superblast 3

The upper feels similar to the previous version, but it has become wider and taller to accommodate more runners comfortably. The engineered knit mesh has been updated with more reinforcements and denser woven sections. The heel pull tab has been removed, and the lacing system has been slightly redesigned to allow better lockdown of the wider upper.

Asics Superblast 2

The biggest change is in the midsole. The FlyteFoam Turbo Plus foam used in the Superblast 2, which made up 75% of the midsole, has been replaced with an A-TPU foam called FlyteFoam Leap. This foam is softer and lighter than FF Turbo+, but less stable. The same foam is used in ASICS’ top marathon racing shoes, the Metaspeed Sky Tokyo and Edge Tokyo, where the carbon plate compensates for the softness of FF Leap. The midsole is now 1.5 mm higher, measuring 46.5 mm at the heel and 38.5 mm at the forefoot.

The outsole has not changed much; it remains segmented and made from the same named materials, although ASICS revealed that the ASICSGRIP compound at the forefoot has been slightly updated.

Thanks to these changes, the Superblast 3 is surprisingly 10 grams lighter than the Superblast 2, primarily due to the lighter midsole foam.

ASICS Superblast 3 alternatives – comparison

For two reasons, it is difficult to name a true alternative to the ASICS Superblast 3 running shoe. First, the Superblast 3 is so versatile that it depends on which aspect you want the alternative to match: weight, cushioning, softness, responsiveness? Second, if you are looking for something truly similar, there is hardly anything quite like it. Many consider the Nike Vomero Plus or the Puma Magnify Nitro 2 as alternatives. While both feature similarly high stack heights, they have more padded uppers and are significantly heavier (the Vomero Plus by 53 grams, the Magnify Nitro 2 by 45 grams).

The ASICS Megablast could also be considered an alternative, but the Superblast 3 is more comfortable, softer, and offers a different ride feel.

In my opinion, there are very few shoes that are lightweight, non-carbon-plated, high-stacked, comfortable in the upper, and built from premium materials.

ASICS Superblast 3 upper

The ASICS Superblast 3 upper is made of an engineered knit mesh with varying thickness. Thanks to this variable structure, it holds the foot securely while maintaining good breathability. The upper is medium width, forgiving in the toe box, and comfortable even for runners with slightly wider feet. It fits true to size. The tongue is thin and gusseted on both sides, wrapping the foot well. The lacing system is unconventional: a cord runs along the lower section instead of traditional eyelets for the first two rows; the next two loops pass through both eyelets and the cord, while at the top the lace goes through single eyelets only. The heel collar is moderately padded and moderately rigid, providing secure rearfoot hold. The midsole sidewalls extend onto the upper, offering stable foot containment even during sharper turns or sudden movements. The insole is thicker than average and not glued in, so it can be removed or replaced.

ASICS Superblast 3 midsole

The ASICS Superblast 3 midsole is made from two different foams. On top there is a softer, more dynamic and lighter A-TPU foam called FlyteFoam Leap, which is also used in ASICS’ top-tier racing shoe, the ASICS Metaspeed Sky Tokyo. The FlyteFoam Blast Plus layer is also soft, but firmer and more rigid than the upper layer, providing greater stability. This foam can also be found in models such as the ASICS Gel-Nimbus 28. The coloring of the midsole does not clearly show it, but the lower layer is thinner, roughly 1 cm high, and on the medial side there is a supportive section, primarily necessary because the FF Leap foam is very soft and less stable (in the Metaspeed shoes, the carbon plate contributes to stability):

The two foams with different properties complement each other perfectly, making the midsole suitable for virtually all types of runs. It is flexible and soft enough for lower-intensity sessions. The 46.5 mm stack height provides sufficient energy return and cushioning for longer runs. The dynamism of the FF Leap foam supports faster efforts. The midsole is rockered at both the heel and forefoot, and due to the high stack, this is clearly noticeable during transitions; however, because the midsole is softer and the rocker does not start too early, it does not feel aggressive. One of the weaker aspects of the midsole is that it is less explosive during pace changes. During acceleration, due to its softness and height, it reacts slightly slower, although this cannot be described as poor performance. Another slightly weaker characteristic is stability. At the heel, the midsole sidewalls wrap high around the upper, improving rearfoot stability; in the midfoot, the higher medial FF Blast+ support enhances stability; but at the forefoot there is no additional structure to improve stability, so runners who are sensitive to this may notice the lack of support.

ASICS Superblast 3 outsole

The ASICS Superblast 3 outsole is made from two different rubber compounds. At the forefoot, the outsole uses ASICSGRIP rubber for enhanced traction, while at the heel it features the lighter AHAR LO compound. The outsole is segmented, with a large transverse cut that allows the midsole to flex more easily, and a longitudinal cut at the front that splits into two, increasing torsional flexibility. As part of the Blast family, it also features the forefoot trampoline effect section that assists with toe-off. This part of the outsole not only enhances grip during direction changes but also helps generate a more powerful push-off.