Asics Sonic Blast 2 First Run Review: Lighter, Softer, and Bouncier

Introduction

The Asics Sonic Blast 2 is the second version of the brand’s plated super trainer, and it arrives much sooner than the follow-up to its sibling, the Mega Blast. That quick turnaround looks like a deliberate response to the criticisms aimed at the first shoe. The headline changes are simple: this version is lighter, softer, and bouncier than its predecessor.

In the UK it costs £170, and in the US it sells for $190. In UK size 9 (US 10) it weighs 239g, or 8.4 oz, which is roughly 22g lighter than the original Sonic Blast in the same size. Those numbers set the tone for everything that follows.

Specs and Design

The core numbers are an 8mm drop with a very high stack of 46mm at the heel and 38mm at the forefoot. The upper is a new lightweight mesh with light padding around the heel collar and an internal heel counter that keeps the profile lean.

The midsole keeps its two-foam blend: a top layer of FF Turbo Squared, the resilient and energetic foam used for the entire Mega Blast midsole, over a bottom layer of FF Blast Max. Asics says the configuration has been changed to give more of that FF Turbo Squared feeling. The plate is also smaller now. It remains a PEBAX plate, but it is forked at the front with a spike-like shape at the back, so it works more like a shank than a full plate.

The Asics Grip outsole has fairly minimal coverage, with more of a cutout design than the original, which likely helps with the weight reduction. Grip held up fine in early testing, though wet-weather performance and long-term durability still need more miles to judge.

Fit and Sizing

Across testers, the Sonic Blast 2 ran true to size in regular Asics sizing. One tester in UK 8 (US 9) found the fit true to size but on the narrow side, particularly in the forefoot, though the new upper seemed to open things up slightly compared with the original.

Another tester in UK 8.5 (US 9.5) found a generous amount of toe-box clearance that never felt floppy, with room off the top of the toes and no tightness across the toe knuckles. The gusseted tongue is thinner than on some other Blast shoes, which saves weight, and the heel collar uses finer padding than the Super Blast, Mega Blast, or Nova Blast while still offering enough cushioning. Lockdown from the substantial heel counter was secure with no slipping.

A third tester, who has narrow feet, found it roomier than the Mega Blast in the same size and roomier than some of Asics’s more speed-focused shoes like the Meta Speed series. The overall shape still leans narrow, so wide-footed runners should be cautious, but the forefoot has gained a touch of space.

First Impressions: A Step Up From the Original

The obvious comparison is with the first Sonic Blast, and the difference is noticeable from the first minutes. The original was firmer and blockier, with much less give in the midsole. Version 2 moves toward the bouncier, springier side of the Blast family without going too far. It is not as soft or squishy as the Mega Blast or Super Blast, and it sits closer to the firmer end of the scale than those shoes, but it no longer feels stiff or dead.

The shoe also feels more compact than the Mega Blast, which makes it more sprightly and agile. For runners who found the Mega Blast or Super Blast a bit too much shoe, this slimmer, trimmer profile is easier to enjoy. The plate is far less pronounced than in shoes like the Meta Speed line; you can feel it helping with smooth toe-offs, but it never dominates the ride.

Ride Feel Across Paces

Early testing covered an easy-to-steady 60-minute run with strides, a six-mile progression run, a tempo run around 6 to 7 minute mile pace, and a longer interval session at faster paces. Across those runs, the shoe stayed consistent from slow paces right up to faster efforts, which is one of its most appealing traits.

That said, opinions on the energy return split. Some early runs felt the FF Turbo Squared top layer was slightly deadened by the thick FF Blast Max underneath, which muted the ride at faster paces and left faster sections feeling slightly labored rather than flowing. A short direct comparison run against the original confirmed a softer feel and more bounce, and clearly showed the lighter weight as an advantage at faster running, but did not fully overcome the reservations held about the first shoe’s ride character.

The more positive takeaway: the Sonic Blast 2 feels like a shoe built for tempo and faster sessions that can now handle the easier portions of a mixed-pace run far more comfortably than the original. For training runs that mix paces, it accommodates the variety well.

How It Compares in the Blast Family

Within the Blast family, the Sonic Blast 2 now occupies a clearer space. It is firmer and snappier than the Mega Blast, Super Blast, and Nova Blast, but much livelier than the old Sonic Blast. Some testers even preferred it to the Nova Blast 6, finding it less malleable and more dynamic while still being accommodating.

Against other plated trainers, the picture is mixed. The shoe was priced £170 in the UK, roughly £30 more than some popular rivals in the fast trainer space such as the Evo SL or similar options that come in under that mark, though it is cheaper than the original Sonic Blast, so UK buyers get more for less than before. The consensus after early miles is that Asics has clearly listened, kept the good parts of the original, and built a shoe a lot more runners will get on with.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The Sonic Blast 2 is still a narrow-fitting shoe overall, so runners who need forefoot width should try before buying. The ride, while much improved, does not deliver the same lively energy as some plate-free fast trainers or rival plated trainers in this category, and some testers still found the midsole slightly muted at top speeds. Durability and wet-weather grip remain untested after these first runs.

Buying Advice

This is a shoe for runners who want a plated trainer for tempo work and faster sessions, with enough comfort to handle the easier miles in between. If you liked the firm, quick-turnover character of the original Sonic Blast, you will still recognize this shoe, but it now offers more bounce and a more modern feel. If you prefer maximum softness, the Mega Blast or Super Blast remain the softer options in the family.

Conclusion

The Asics Sonic Blast 2 is a clear step forward: lighter by about 22g, softer, and bouncier, with a revised upper and a smaller forked plate that keeps the ride stable and smooth without feeling over-stiff. It is more versatile than the original and more enjoyable across a wider range of paces, even if the ride character will not suit everyone. As a first impression, it is a much nicer Sonic Blast, and one that deserves more attention than the first version received.