ASICS Metaspeed Sky vs Saucony Endorphin Elite 3: Which Top-Tier Marathon Shoe Should You Race In?

Two Supershoes, One Decision

Choosing a marathon race day shoe at the very top of the market comes down to fine margins. The ASICS Metaspeed Sky and the Saucony Endorphin Elite 3 are each brand’s peak racing offering, and both sit at the top tier on price as well as performance, with the ASICS at $300 and the Saucony at $290. They share a lot: extreme softness, big bounce, and an underfoot feel you have to be ready for. What separates them is weight, stability, and the kind of runner each one rewards.

Foam Feel: The Softest Rides We Have Tested

Both midsoles are arguably the softest we have run in. The Metaspeed Sky uses a full midsole of FF Blast, the same foam family seen in the top layer of the Superblast, and it is squishy in the best sense. That softness raised durability concerns at first, but a 100-mile test showed the foam holding up well. It gets wrinkly looking over time, yet performance stayed consistent, and the shoe actually grew more enjoyable the more it was run in.

The Endorphin Elite 3 feels softer and bouncier than its predecessor, the Endorphin Elite 2, which many runners loved as a long-run trainer that left legs feeling fresh. The Elite 3 gets a more aggressive toe spring, and the cutout on the medial side of the previous model has been filled in for supposedly more stability. In practice, the bounce is huge, but the ride can feel a little squirrely at high speed, with a strange, gelatinous sensation on landing that is fun but not always as dialed in as you want on race day.

Weight: Where the ASICS Pulls Away

This is the biggest difference between the two. The Metaspeed Sky is absurdly light: a women’s size 7.5 came in at 3.8 oz, and a men’s size 10.5 sits in the low five-ounce range. Holding it in your hand, it feels like almost nothing. That weight saving comes largely from a barely there upper, which sounds risky but actually keeps the foot in place well.

The Saucony Endorphin Elite 3 is also genuinely light at 6.5 oz in a women’s size 7.5, which is traditionally race day light. It is just nowhere near the ASICS. The Saucony makes up for the extra weight with midsole bounce and a toe spring that encourages a quick turnover.

Stability and the Upper

Neither shoe offers much support, and both reward strong ankles and runners who do not need corrective help underfoot. The Metaspeed Sky felt slightly more stable underfoot despite its soft, lightweight build. The Endorphin Elite 3 is so bouncy in every direction that fast paces and cornering can feel a bit unpredictable.

Where the Saucony clearly wins is the upper. It is one of the best race day uppers around: easy to get on, comfortable, and offering more structure and support than the Metaspeed Sky’s minimal mesh. If you want to feel cradled rather than perched on foam, that matters.

Specs and Pricing

Both shoes sit right at the legal stack height limit of 39.5 mm in the heel. The Metaspeed Sky runs a 5 mm drop, while the Endorphin Elite 3 uses an 8 mm drop. On price, they are nearly identical: $300 for the ASICS and $290 for the Saucony. This is premium race day territory, and you are paying it whichever way you go.

Which One Should You Race In?

If you are lining up to compete and chase your best possible time, the ASICS Metaspeed Sky is the pick. The more aggressive pop underfoot, the slightly better stability, and the insanely lightweight build make it feel like the sharper racing tool. That was the consensus even for runners who loved the Saucony’s ride.

If you are running a marathon more for the experience than the clock, or you expect to be out there a long time, the Saucony Endorphin Elite 3 makes a strong case. Its generous cushioning should leave your legs feeling fresher afterward, which matters more the longer you are on the course. As a rough guide: targeting a faster time, go Metaspeed Sky; running 3:30 and above or prioritizing comfort, lean Saucony.

Conclusion

Both of these are fun, extremely soft, and genuinely interesting underfoot, and neither suits runners who need support. The ASICS Metaspeed Sky edges it for racing, thanks to its mind-bending weight and aggressive pop, while the Saucony Endorphin Elite 3 is the more cushioned companion for long days out. Match the shoe to your race goal and both will reward the effort you put into the stride.