Asics Super Blast vs Nike Invincible: Can This Be Your Next Daily Trainer?

Introduction

There is a particular kind of frustration in finding your perfect daily trainer and then discovering you can no longer buy it. That is exactly the situation with the Nike Invincible, a shoe that has carried a lot of easy miles, long runs and steady sessions over the years. With older versions getting harder to find, the hunt for a replacement led to the Asics Super Blast, a shoe that has been quietly earning a serious reputation among runners who stumbled onto it through the GEL Nimbus 25.

Both shoes sit in the same broad category: neutral, max-cushioned trainers for long runs and daily miles. But on the foot they feel surprisingly different, and that difference matters depending on what you want from your rotation.

The Specs: Asics Super Blast vs Nike Invincible

The numbers tell a good part of the story. In a UK size 12, the Super Blast weighs 290 grams, around 90 grams lighter than the Invincible at roughly 380 grams in the same size. The Super Blast runs a 46mm heel and 38mm forefoot for an 8mm drop, while the Invincible sits around 8 or 9mm, so the geometry is broadly similar.

The Super Blast uses a mix of Asics FF Turbo foam and FF Blast Plus with no plate, technically putting it above the legal stack height for racing. The Invincible also plays in max-cushion territory but feels bulkier and softer underfoot. Both are neutral shoes aimed at long runs, tempo work and easy miles, though the Super Blast’s lighter weight makes it far more tempting for proper sessions.

How the Super Blast Feels on the Road

Stability is the first thing that stands out. The foot feels planted through corners and confident in a straight line, and the wider platform is a genuine plus for wider-footed runners. Grip is noticeably better than the Nova Blast 3, thanks to a redesigned outsole that has largely sorted that shoe’s wet-road issues.

The ride itself is smooth from foot strike to toe-off. Despite the big stack height, it never feels mushy or squishy in the way the Invincible can. There is enough softness to protect your legs on long runs, plus enough spring to get you up on your toes for tempo runs, threshold work and reps. It is best understood as a full-on race shoe without the carbon plate, and it recalls the responsiveness of the Pegasus Turbo, only with far more cushion underneath.

Where the Nike Invincible Still Fits

The Invincible earned its loyal following as a do-everything easy-day trainer, and around 5,000 kilometres of running in them says plenty. The trade-offs are real, though: the weight and bulk are noticeable, the outsole wore away noticeably after about 400 kilometres, and version three did not get along with everyone. If you can still find a pair you like in your size, it remains a plush, comfortable cruiser, but availability is becoming a real problem without resorting to second-hand markets.

Durability and Fit

The Super Blast ships with a hard-wearing outsole, which is promising given how quickly the Invincible’s wore down. Fit runs slightly on the wide side, the upper is comfortable with a great lockdown, no bunching in the lacing, no heel slip thanks to a nice pull tab, and no hot spots or blisters over the first 100-plus kilometres. One practical note: sizing ran about half a size large, so consider going down half a size.

Buying Advice

The Super Blast costs £195 at full retail, though discount codes have brought it closer to £165 for some buyers. That price is the biggest sticking point. Think of it as a super shoe without a plate: exceptional, but easier to recommend nearer the £160 to £170 mark.

It suits three kinds of runners particularly well. First, anyone who dislikes carbon shoes but wants maximum speed and responsiveness. Second, runners who want one truly versatile shoe, covering recovery jogs through to racing a 5K, 10K, half marathon or marathon, ideally paired with a carbon-plated race shoe. Third, runners currently in something like the Nova Blast 3 or New Balance 1080 who want a taste of high-end foam without going full carbon racer.

Conclusion

The Super Blast genuinely earns its place in the rotation and is a convincing answer to the Invincible-shaped hole in a daily rotation: lighter, springier, more stable and more versatile. Availability is patchy and it sells out fast, and the full retail price keeps it just short of an unreserved recommendation. Runners who find it in stock, ideally at a discount, are getting one of the best all-round trainers currently available.