ASICS Sonic Blast 2 Review: A Faster, Smoother Plated Super Trainer

Introduction

The ASICS Sonic Blast 2 is a plated super trainer that sits within the wider Blast family, updated quickly after the first version to address the most common complaints. The headline changes are straightforward: it is lighter, a bit softer and a bit bouncier than the original. In a UK 9 (US 10) it weighs 239 g or 8.4 oz, a drop of roughly 22 g in that size, with an 8 mm drop and a stack height of 46 mm at the heel and 38 mm at the forefoot. Pricing is set at £170, or £190 in some listings, which places it firmly in premium super trainer territory.

Design and Midsole

The upper is a minimal, lightweight mesh with a little padding around the heel collar but nothing overly plush, plus a thin, structured tongue. Underneath, the midsole keeps the dual-foam layout of the first version. The top layer is FF Turbo Squared, the highly energetic foam used throughout the Megablast midsole and in the Novablast. Beneath it in the forefoot sits FF Blast Max, the classic daily training foam found in shoes like the Nimbus. Between the two layers is a forked plate made from a material ASICS calls an astro plate: it has a spine at the back and forks at the front, so it is not a full plate, adding stiffness and rigidity without making the shoe inflexible.

The outsole is minimal, with a fairly thick layer of ASICS grip rubber where rubber is present, offering good forefoot protection. Bigger cutouts on this new version help reduce weight.

Fit and Sizing

Fit feedback from multiple runners was broadly consistent. Most testers found the Sonic Blast 2 true to size in their usual ASICS running size, with a roomy toe box, average midfoot width and secure lockdown from the lacing and a substantial heel counter. The heel collar uses finer padding than the Superblast, Megablast or Novablast, which saves weight while still offering enough cushioning. One tester in a UK 8 felt the shoe ran slightly long and suggested going down half a size, while others in UK 8.5, UK 9 and US 10 were happy in their regular size. For most runners, sticking with your usual ASICS size is a sensible starting point.

Performance Across Paces

Testers logged between roughly 50k and 70k each, covering easy runs, progression runs, a steady 10k around threshold pace, a track session and a demanding interval session of three times 12 minutes at sub 4:00 per kilometre pace. The pattern that emerged is clear: this is a shoe tuned for picking up the pace. Once you lift the tempo it feels fast, responsive and poppy, with a trampoline-like forefoot design that several testers felt genuinely works. It is firmer than the Megablast and quicker to accelerate than something like the Superblast 3.

At slower paces the picture is more mixed. Some testers found it comfortable enough just above easy pace and appreciated that the dual-foam setup still gives a level of softness, but most agreed it is not an ideal easy-run shoe. Others felt the lower FF Blast Max layer dampens the FF Turbo Squared top layer slightly, dulling the ride and reducing the fluid heel-to-toe transition they want from a plated trainer at faster paces. The consensus: the Sonic Blast 2 excels at faster workouts and interval-style sessions where pace is the priority, but it is not the most exciting ride at either extreme.

Durability, Grip and Outsole

After around 50k of road testing, outsoles looked in good shape with no major signs of wear. Grip on pavement and road was rated good, though it had not been tested in rainy conditions. Testers were comfortable using it on lighter trails or paths into a park, and the thick rubber coverage gives reasonable confidence where it counts.

How It Compares

At £170, the Sonic Blast 2 sits about £30 above shoes like the Adidas Evo SL, Saucony Endorphin Azura and Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite-style competitors that come in under that mark. The Evo SL is probably the closest rival at the faster end. The New Balance SC Rebel v1 is considered a better performer once you push well past marathon pace, with a racier feel, though it costs slightly more. Within the ASICS line, one tester would personally choose the Sonic Blast 2 over the more expensive Megablast, valuing its snappier setup for tempo work, while another saw it as a slightly less versatile Megablast. Compared with the Saucony Endorphin Speed range, it was seen as the superior shoe thanks to its plate and aggressive foam pairing.

Verdict

The Sonic Blast 2 is a genuinely improved shoe: lighter, smoother and more modern than the original, with the midsole tweaks curing much of the blockiness testers criticised first time around. It is best suited to runners who want a plated super trainer skewed towards faster sessions, tempo work and interval days, rather than an all-day easy-mile shoe. The main sticking point is price. At £170 or £190 it is expensive, and several testers felt that dropping it closer to the Evo SL and Azura price bracket would make it a much stronger sell. If you liked the original Sonic Blast, this version will likely win you over further. If you want maximum bounce or a dedicated easy-day shoe, alternatives in the range and beyond may serve you better.