ASICS Magic Speed 4 vs Magic Speed 3: Which One Should You Buy?

Introduction

The ASICS Magic Speed 3 was the first version of the series that really clicked. Earlier versions never impressed much, but version 3 arrived with bouncy FF Blast Plus foam and a plate setup that made it a genuinely good racing and workout alternative to some of the super shoes on the market. It was a shoe many runners used for fast, fun workouts.

The Magic Speed 4 changes the formula significantly. It is no longer that racing and workout shoe; it is now a plated performance trainer. That makes choosing between the two less about which is better overall and more about which role you need the shoe to fill. Here is how they compare.

Specs: Weight, Stack, and Drop

The Magic Speed 3 comes in at about 7.8 oz (220 g) for a men’s size 9 / women’s size 10. Version 4 is heavier at 8.5 oz (242 g) in the same sizing. Stack height tells a similar story of change: version 3 sits at 36 mm in the heel and 29 mm in the forefoot for a 7 mm drop, while version 4 climbs to 43.5 mm in the heel and 35.5 mm in the forefoot for an 8 mm drop.

That is a much higher stack and a noticeably heavier shoe, and it fundamentally changes the ride.

Ride and Midsole Feel

The Magic Speed 4 now features FF Blast Turbo foam, and the ride brings to mind the Meta Speed Edge Plus but with a way higher stack height underfoot and more weight. It has a slightly firmer, bouncier feel once broken in, not the bounciest on the market, and combined with the plate it feels pretty stiff at first. That stiffness eases up with break-in, and it ends up capable of handling both workouts and easier runs, which is exactly the plated trainer role.

The Magic Speed 3 uses FF Blast Plus, which is softer, paired with a plate that made it feel really snappy. Combined with its low 7.8 oz weight, it felt very good at faster paces. It was less versatile as a trainer because the contrast between the softer foam and the plate made it feel quite stiff off the forefoot, so it performed best when pushed.

Stability and Transition

Both shoes have nicely beveled heels, but the Magic Speed 3 wins on transition because its heel sits slightly more posterolateral. Version 4 is very centered, and its lateral flare at the heel caused a bit of suddenness in the roll for some testers. If you need true stability, version 3 may do a little better.

From a support standpoint, both shoes have midsole sidewalls in the midfoot on the medial and lateral sides, though neither is a stability shoe because of a slight cutout in that area. The Magic Speed 3 again does slightly better here: its platform is wider and lower, while the taller, slightly narrowed platform of version 4 gives it a bit more medial bias. Neither is a stability shoe, but version 3 is a touch more guided.

Forefoot Stiffness and Pacing

The Magic Speed 3 feels like the stiffer of the two at the forefoot, thanks to that foam-and-plate contrast. Version 4 starts stiff and then eases up to the point where it feels genuinely good on easier runs and uptempo workouts. However, version 4 struggles going really fast; it works well for 5K-style efforts but shines more at 10K to half marathon effort. It is not the pick for a full marathon because of the midfoot. Version 3, on the other hand, can comfortably cover your 5K and 10K racing needs.

Fit and Upper

The uppers are totally different. The Magic Speed 3 feels like a racing flat: snug, with a pretty tapered forefoot, and it took a while to break in. Version 4 does not feel like that. There is more room and definitely more volume, so you do not get that crushed-toes feeling. The forefoot is still slightly tapered, and it is not the widest shoe on the market, but the extra volume makes it better suited to longer efforts and daily training. If you want a close, racing-flat feel, version 3 is the better fit. If you want more room in a plated shoe with Turbo foam, version 4 is the one.

Overall Buying Advice

If you want a shoe that is faster and more of a true racing shoe, the Magic Speed 3 is the clear choice. If you want more versatility for longer efforts, daily training, long runs, and potentially half marathon and marathon use, the Magic Speed 4 is the better option, or at least the better potential option. These are very different shoes despite the shared name, so match the shoe to the job you need done.

Conclusion

The Magic Speed 4 and Magic Speed 3 are not really two versions of the same shoe. Version 3 remains a lightweight, snappy racer for fast days and shorter races, while version 4 has grown into a taller, plusher plated trainer for everyday miles and longer efforts. Decide which role matters more in your rotation, and the right pick becomes obvious.