Asics Megablast vs Kiprun Kipstorm Tempo: Which Super Trainer Deserves Your Money?

Introduction

The high-stack, plate-free super trainer has become one of the most popular categories in running, and two of the most interesting examples right now are the Asics Megablast and the Kiprun Kipstorm Tempo. The Megablast follows the widely loved Superblast and Superblast 2 and positions itself as a more versatile evolution. The Kipstorm Tempo is a performance-focused shoe aimed at tempo training and racing up to half marathon distance.

On paper they are close: both have an 8 mm drop, both weigh in the region of 225 to 232 g in a men’s size 8, and both are built as do-it-all trainers. The big difference is price. The Megablast costs £210 or $225, while the Kipstorm Tempo sits at £119.99, and is often reduced to around £100 in the UK. That gap shapes the whole comparison.

Asics Megablast: The Premium All-Rounder

The Megablast uses an FF Turbo Squared midsole designed to balance a cushioned, smooth ride with high energy return on every step. The Asics Grip outsole is built to enhance traction and control, supporting smooth acceleration and efficient energy use, while the engineered woven upper is lightweight and breathable enough to keep feet cool when the pace rises.

In testing, it proved the more accomplished of the two. The foam feels slightly bouncier and more energetic, and it has a touch more pickup, which makes it the better choice if you skew toward faster sessions like intervals. A 16:30 parkrun, short reps, long workouts and a 3:30-pace marathon were all handled comfortably. Around 210 km in, the thick exposed rubber on the outsole showed no problems, though the large exposed midsole section may wear down over time.

Fit is true to size with a roomy, airy forefoot and generous toe splay room. That spaciousness is excellent for long-haul comfort, but it makes the shoe feel slightly less agile than its rival, and at the very slowest paces there can be a hint of digging out of the midsole.

Kiprun Kipstorm Tempo: The Value Contender

The Kipstorm Tempo uses a dual-density midsole that combines Fast Tech Plus foam, which delivers responsive cushioning and energy return, with a CMEVA outer layer. That outer layer acts as a pseudo plate, adding stiffness and structure without a carbon plate, balancing efficiency with comfort over longer efforts.

The upper features a tongue-free sock-fit design that wraps closely around the foot, with breathable knitted material and a reinforced heel counter for rearfoot support. The outsole carries a durable layer of thick rubber with a comparable level of exposed midsole, and grip is on par with the Megablast. Around 85 km in, it held up well.

On the run it feels slightly firmer, crisper and snappier. The more pronounced rocker rolls you from landing through to toe-off quickly, with less sink into the foam. It is a bit lighter than the Megablast, feels impressively fast in 60-second reps, and is arguably the more stable shoe thanks to that firmer platform.

Fit and Sizing

The Megablast runs true to size, at least in UK terms, with lots of room at the end of the toe box and good midfoot lockdown. Some may find it a little too airy and consider going half a size down, but for long runs and time on feet, staying true to size works best.

The Kipstorm Tempo runs a touch long, so half a size down is the safer bet for most runners. The fit is more race-like and closes in more snugly across the toes, the padded tongue-free setup clamps down very well in the midfoot, and the medium-padded heel collar holds securely. Some runners find the upper a bit fussy and harder to get into than the Asics, but it settles into a comfortable, forgiving fit once dialed in.

How the Rides Differ

In a side-by-side run, the similarities stood out first: both offer a fairly wide forefoot platform, a good landing zone, and a weight on foot that feels nearly identical once moving.

The differences come down to feel. The Megablast is the softer, bouncier, more cushioned shoe, with a slightly delayed bounce that returns after a bit of sink. The Kipstorm Tempo is firmer, with less sink and a more immediate return, plus a stronger rocker that rolls you out the door faster. Heel strikers get more protection from the Megablast’s slightly bulkier heel, while the Tempo’s narrower heel keeps everything more compact and agile.

Outsole, Grip and Durability

Both outsoles use similar thick rubber with some exposed midsole. The Megablast has a big exposed section but very thick rubber front and back, and roughly 120 km in, it looked fine. The Kipstorm Tempo simply has a bit more rubber coverage in places. Grip is genuinely good on both, and neither showed durability issues during testing.

Which Should You Buy?

If money were no object, the Megablast is the slightly better shoe. The FF Turbo Squared foam is bouncier, the pickup is a touch quicker, and it handles faster sessions with a bit more energy return.

But price matters. With roughly a £100 gap in the UK, and the Kipstorm Tempo often available for under £100, the value case is overwhelming: you could buy two Tempos for the price of one Megablast without losing much performance. In the US the gap narrows to something like 30 to 40 dollars, so US runners might consider the upgrade if the cost does not sting, though the Kiprun is arguably still good enough that it is not necessary.

Neither shoe is the best choice for very easy recovery runs or all-out short intervals, but both excel at everything above an easy pace: daily sessions, 10K and beyond, marathon-pace long runs, and racing at consistent paces.

Conclusion

Both are among the best do-it-all super trainers available right now. The Megablast is the more cushioned, bouncier and slightly more accomplished shoe, and a favourite for good reason. The Kiprun Kipstorm Tempo delivers nearly the same versatility, a snappier and more stable ride, and a fit many will prefer, at less than half the price in the UK. If you want the best regardless of cost, pick the Megablast. If you want the smarter purchase, the Kipstorm Tempo wins on overall value.