Super Shoe Showdown: Asics Metaspeed Sky vs Its Biggest 2021 Rivals

Introduction

The Asics Metaspeed Sky arrived in 2021 as one of the most talked-about racing shoes of the season, and it earned its hype. But a shoe this good only makes sense in context, so we lined it up against four of the strongest carbon-plated rivals of the same era: the New Balance RC Elite 2, the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 2, the Puma Deviate Nitro Elite, and the Nike Vaporfly 4% Flyknit.

One pattern is hard to ignore: the Puma and Asics models borrow more than a little from the Vaporfly 4% Flyknit in shape and character. It increasingly looks like the original template, and for many runners the original is still the best.

How We Compared Them

Each pair was judged on midsole feel, outsole grip, upper comfort, stability, and weight. Keep in mind that sizes varied slightly between pairs, so weight comparisons give you the ballpark rather than exact figures. Experiences on foot also differ from runner to runner, so treat these verdicts as one tester’s honest impressions rather than a universal truth.

New Balance RC Elite 2 vs Asics Metaspeed Sky

The RC Elite 2 is clearly the roomier shoe of the two, with more space in the toe box and extra toe box height. It is also far more plush: lots of heel padding and softer materials throughout the upper. That comfort comes at a cost, adding roughly 30 to 35 grams depending on size to this Fuel Cell machine.

On the road, the RC Elite 2 has one of the wider underfoot footprints here, with vastly more surface area in both the forefoot and the heel. It reads more like a trainer-racer hybrid than an all-out pace weapon.

The Metaspeed Sky’s Flight Foam Turbo feels bouncier and slightly less compressive, and it is genuinely a class of its own underfoot. The RC Elite 2’s Fuel Cell compresses noticeably and flattens out a little over time, and it is nowhere near as aggressive as the Asics, or even the original RC Elite. On the outsole, Asics wins decisively: it performs well in all conditions, while the RC Elite 2 left us hesitant on slippery surfaces.

With costs similar, if we could only keep one, it would be the Metaspeed Sky.

Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 2: The Value All-Rounder

A firm favourite, and a close fight. Straight away, there is a big price difference: the Adizero Adios Pro 2 comes in roughly 45 pounds cheaper, which matters when you are deciding how much better the Metaspeed Sky really is.

Adidas’ Lightstrike Pro foam sits closer in character to Flight Foam Turbo than most rivals, though neither feels like ZoomX. Remember there is a lot of extra hardware built into the midsole here: energy rods running across the midfoot add rigidity, and combined with the heel plate the shoe is very stable underfoot. That extra structure also makes it a fair bit heavier.

Like the RC Elite 2, it has a much wider surface area than the Metaspeed Sky, similar in the forefoot but slimmer in the heel, with about half a centimetre more room up front. The Asics’ flatter outsole profile may suit some runners looking for extra stability, though note that two pairs of the Adios Pro 2 in our testing had noticeably different outsole curves, one almost rocker-shaped.

Both shoes feel vibrant, exciting, and extremely forgiving on the legs, keeping them fresh. The Metaspeed Sky has the edge in pure underfoot feel, but the Adidas takes the upper, the price, and the outsole. If we could only keep one, it would be the Adizero Adios Pro 2.

Puma Deviate Nitro Elite: The One You Cannot Buy

The Deviate Nitro Elite always looks lower-stacked than it is, though next to the Metaspeed Sky it almost looks like a race flat. That is more optical illusion than reality.

The Nitro-infused PWRPLATE-equipped midsole is compressive but very resilient, with rebound in a similar fashion to the Metaspeed Sky. On foot it feels a touch less aggressive, more like a training option, which some runners will genuinely enjoy, especially anyone who does not get along with the very rigid super shoe feel that has caused issues for some people. Exactly what makes the Puma work is hard to confirm: the internal plate position has never been publicly cut open, and we were not about to saw into such a hard-to-find pair.

Both the Puma and the Asics have about as minimal a super-light upper as you can get, and the dynamite grip underfoot is shared too. The tragedy is availability: Puma simply could not manufacture enough to meet demand, and you cannot help wondering how many runners opted for other models purely because they could not get hold of this one. At roughly 45 pounds cheaper than the Asics, it would likely be a top seller if you could actually buy it anywhere.

If we could only keep one right now, this is a genuine draw. We really cannot pick.

The Template: Nike Vaporfly 4% Flyknit

Looking back at this classic, there is actually not a lot in it when you compare it against the Metaspeed Sky or the Deviate Nitro Elite. Nearly everything we love about it is present in those two as well. The weight difference is only about 10 grams, and the outsole surface area is almost spot-on too, within about 0.2 of a centimetre in the forefoot and heel.

That all supports the theory that this shoe is the real template Asics and Puma worked from, rather than the next-generation models. It was always exciting to lace up the 4% Flyknit, partly thanks to the more extreme 10 millimetre drop, partly because the plate position was dialed in just right, and partly because the lacing never needed to put pressure on top of the foot.

Overall Buying Advice

If you want the most aggressive underfoot sensation, the Asics Metaspeed Sky is hard to beat. If value, outsole grip, and a stable ride matter more, the Adizero Adios Pro 2 is excellent at roughly 45 pounds less. The RC Elite 2 suits runners who want plush comfort and a roomier fit and do not mind extra weight. The Deviate Nitro Elite is a brilliant, slightly softer alternative, if you can find one in stock. And the Vaporfly 4% Flyknit remains the benchmark that many of these shoes quietly imitate.

Conclusion

The Metaspeed Sky justified its reputation, but it is not a runaway winner. The Adizero Adios Pro 2 takes it on upper, price, and outsole, the Puma Deviate Nitro Elite runs it close enough to call a draw, and the Vaporfly 4% Flyknit still proves the original design has legs. Match the shoe to your priorities: aggression, stability, comfort, or availability, and you will not go far wrong.