ASICS Mega Blast vs Nike Zoom Fly 6: Which Super Trainer Deserves Your Money?

Introduction

The ASICS Mega Blast and Nike Zoom Fly 6 both sit firmly in the super trainer category: shoes fast enough for workouts and racing, but comfortable and durable enough for everyday training. Neither is an all-out racing shoe, and that is exactly why both have earned a place in so many rotations.

After well over a hundred kilometres in each, the picture is clear: these are two exceptionally versatile shoes that excel at the same things, and the deciding factor turns out to be price as much as performance.

Specs at a Glance

The Mega Blast is the lighter shoe at 241 g (8.9 oz) in a UK 9, against 266 g (9.4 oz) for the Zoom Fly 6 in the same size. Both run an 8 mm drop.

The Mega Blast also stacks higher, with 46 mm at the heel and 38 mm at the forefoot, compared to 42/34 mm on the Zoom Fly 6.

Price is where the gap really opens up. The Mega Blast costs £210 or $225, while the Zoom Fly 6 lands at £155 or $170, making it one of the more reasonably priced super trainers available.

Design and Construction

The Zoom Fly 6 uses a dual-layer mesh upper that is fairly thick, especially around the forefoot, with generous padding at the heel and a little on the tongue. Its midsole is dual density: a top layer of bouncy, propulsive ZoomX foam over a bottom layer of SR2 carrier foam that adds stability and durability. A full-length carbon plate sits in the midsole, though it is more flexible than the plates in Nike’s racing shoes. The outsole has thick rubber coverage over the forefoot and heel, with no visible wear after about 140 km.

The Mega Blast counters with an engineered woven mesh upper that feels thinner and more breathable around the forefoot, with slightly less heel padding but still a comfortable amount at the back. Its midsole is entirely FF Turbo Squared foam, the most energy-returning foam in ASICS’ range, delivering a resilient, very bouncy ride. There is no plate, yet the shoe remains stiff, roughly matching or even exceeding the Zoom Fly 6 in stiffness. The ASICS grip outsole has minimal coverage with plenty of exposed foam, but that has not caused any durability concerns after around 160 km of testing.

Fit and Sizing

Both shoes run true to your usual running shoe size, with a good amount of toe room and a secure hold through the heel and midfoot.

Neither shoe caused lace bite, hot spots or rubbing on long runs, and the slip-in comfort is solid in both. For shoes capable of fast running and even racing, both are impressively well balanced on the fit and comfort front.

Ride Feel and Performance

These are genuinely versatile shoes. Both deliver plenty of comfort at easy paces while staying quick when you push on. Short rep sessions at 1k or mile pace, long tempo runs, relaxed recovery runs: both handle the full spectrum, and both stand out in the wider market for doing it all.

The Zoom Fly 6 is a revelation compared to recent Zoom Fly models. It does every kind of run well, holding fast paces comfortably while cruising smoothly at relaxed speeds. Even with a plate in the midsole, it never feels stiff or uncomfortable, and it stays stable despite a narrow, non-stability-focused design.

The Mega Blast shares the same all-round character but brings a slightly softer, springier feel and a bit more width. Despite being a big shoe, it moves well at pace and is excellent for sustaining fast paces, with the bounce of FF Turbo Squared really coming alive as you roll onto your forefoot. The lack of a plate does not hurt it at all. In a head-to-head tempo run, both held pace equally well, but the Mega Blast felt livelier: bouncier off the toes, softer at heel strike, and just a touch more impressive at every pace.

Verdict: Which One Should You Buy?

Both are superb all-rounders you could use for virtually all your running, or pair with a dedicated carbon racing shoe to carry the bulk of your training. But because they excel in the same areas, buying both for one rotation makes little sense.

On pure ride feel, the Mega Blast is the better shoe: a more vibrant, exciting ride, more bounce, and a lighter weight that costs it nothing on easy runs. But the performance gap is not massive, while the price gap is. The £55/$55 difference is enough to get you halfway towards another excellent running shoe, and that is before any sales on the Nike.

If money is no object, the Mega Blast is fantastic. For most buyers judging on price as well as performance, the Zoom Fly 6 is the smarter purchase: a lot cheaper, and a shoe so good you would never worry about what you might be missing.

Conclusion

The ASICS Mega Blast takes the win on ride quality and lightness, while the Nike Zoom Fly 6 wins on value and remains an outstanding super trainer in its own right. Choose the Mega Blast if you want the very best feel and budget is secondary; choose the Zoom Fly 6 if you want nearly the same performance for significantly less.