Asics Superblast 2 Review: The Do-It-All Super Trainer Still Sets the Bar

Introduction

The Asics Superblast 2 carries a lot of expectations. Its predecessor became one of the most loved all-round trainers in recent memory, and Asics has deliberately kept changes restrained. At $200, 259 g (9.1 oz) in a men’s US size 8, and an 8 mm drop, this is a premium max-cushion super trainer that asks a serious amount of money. After testing it across easy runs, 10Ks, intervals and even a wet club race, the short version is this: it still delivers on the super trainer promise better than almost anything else on the market.

Who This Shoe Is For

The Superblast 2 is built for runners who want one shoe that can genuinely do everything: easy cruising, long marathon-training efforts, tempo work, fartlek sessions and even the occasional race. It suits runners who favour max-cushion shoes but dislike the heavy, cumbersome feel many of them bring.

If you already own the original Superblast and have plenty of miles left in it, there is not enough new here to justify an immediate upgrade. If you are starting fresh and want a fast all-rounder, this should be near the top of your list.

Main Strengths

The headline change is the dual-layer midsole. A new FF Blast Turbo Plus foam sits in the top layer for a lightweight, bouncy and responsive feel, while a thinner FF Blast Plus Eco layer underneath adds daily-trainer cushioning and softness. The two work together very well, and the dual-layer concept that worked in the original carries over successfully here. The ride feels slightly poppier and a touch faster than the original, though the difference is subtle rather than dramatic.

Despite having no plate, the shoe is surprisingly rigid thanks to that firmer top foam layer, which guides the foot nicely through the gait cycle. It never feels squishy, turnover is smooth, and when you pick up the pace it glides forward with a satisfying pop. The heel feels firmer than the forefoot, but not uncomfortably so, and the forefoot softens up nicely when you rock onto your toes.

The new engineered woven upper improves comfort and breathability. The fit in a UK size 8 was true to size, with generous wiggle room at the toes and around the sides of the foot, plenty of volume for long runs, and a midfoot that narrows slightly with a Metaspeed-style ventilation feel. Heel lockdown needed only a minor fix: using the first eyelet resolved the small heel slip issues encountered early on.

Where the Superblast 2 truly shines is pace flexibility. Many super trainers favour either fast or slow running and feel awkward at the other end. This one handles both, including easing off mid-run without feeling clunky. Compared with rivals like the Adidas Prime X 2.0 Strung or the Hoka Skyward X, it offers a better balance: lighter than most, fast enough for racing, and genuinely pleasant on slow days.

Things to Consider Before Buying

Price is the main obstacle. At $200, you could instead buy two cheaper shoes that split the workload between slow recovery runs and faster efforts. It is also not the softest easy-day shoe out there; the midsole leans firmer than some super trainers, so it skews towards faster efforts and consistent-pace long runs rather than plush recovery jogging.

The outsole has slightly less rubber than the original to keep weight down, but the tested sample actually weighed about 10 g more than the tester’s Superblast 1, which is an odd result given the design intent. Grip has held up well, including in a very wet race with plenty of twisting and turning, but durability is best judged with more miles before drawing firm conclusions.

Buying Advice

Stick with your usual running shoe size; Asics shoes generally run true to size and this one is no exception. If you own the original Superblast with life left in it, run it into the ground first. If you are new to the Superblast line and willing to pay for a genuinely excellent do-it-all super trainer, the Superblast 2 is the one to beat. Without a plate, it still rides like a fast trainer, and for a mix of paces in a single run it outperforms most rivals tested alongside it.

Conclusion

The Asics Superblast 2 is a careful, well-executed refresh of an already great shoe. The dual-layer midsole brings a slightly smoother, bouncier ride, the new upper is comfortable and well-fitted, and the overall experience is one of a lightweight, responsive, max-cushion trainer that can race, cruise and do everything in between. It is expensive, but it earns it.