New Balance SC Trainer V2 vs ASICS Superblast: Two Do-It-All Trainers Compared

Introduction

Some running shoes are easy to compare and some are genuinely hard. The New Balance SC Trainer V2 and the ASICS Superblast fall into the second category. Both sit in that neutral daily trainer space, but they behave more like super trainers: shoes with race-day qualities that you can still run in every day without watching them fall apart after 100 to 200 miles.

These are two of the most enjoyable shoes in this class right now, and choosing between them is not obvious. Here is how they stack up.

Why Super Daily Trainers Exist

Race-day shoes are fun, but they are not durable. Using one for daily training wastes the shoe. That gap is exactly where this category lives: you get the lively, exciting ride of a race shoe with the mileage capacity of a proper trainer.

Both shoes here deliver that balance, which is why they keep earning miles long after a typical review cycle ends.

ASICS Superblast: Big Stack, Two Foams

The Superblast took a little while to win people over. It runs firmer than the “high stack fun cushion” description suggests. The midsole uses two foams: FF Turbo, the nylon-based, PEBAX-like explosive foam from the Metaspeed race shoes, and FF Blast Plus, the softer, more cushioned foam found in the Nimbus. Together they store and return energy while keeping the ride comfortable.

There is a lot of foam underfoot: 45.5 mm in the heel and 37.5 mm in the forefoot for an 8 mm drop. Despite all that material, it is extremely light. A women’s size 7.5 came in at 7.4 oz, and a men’s size 10.5 at 8.7 oz, right in line with a normal daily trainer.

There is no plate, but the foam is firm enough that the shoe does not flex like a typical trainer, so it does not feel like it needs one. The result is long-lasting comfort that feels lighter on the foot than it should. It shines on long-distance runs, but it works for almost anything: recovery runs, everyday miles, even a full marathon.

At $200 it is not cheap, but you are getting premium race foam in a shoe that can handle all of your runs. The main complaint is the upper: it works and holds the foot in place with a gusseted tongue, but it feels simple and unremarkable rather than specifically designed for the shoe.

New Balance SC Trainer V2: Lower Stack, Sharper Ride

The SC Trainer V2 arrives with a completely revamped upper. The previous version had a sock-like fit with some issues around the ankle, and the new upper addresses that. The stack has been lowered too: from roughly Superblast-level height down to about 40 mm in the heel and 34 mm in the forefoot, for a 6 mm drop.

The lowered stack raised some concerns, because the original was spongy, fun, and uniquely cushioned, if a little unstable for some runners. The new foam calmed those worries. The FuelCell is brand-new material, less dense and lighter, so the shoe lost almost an ounce. The squishy sinking feeling is gone, but the ride still has great bounce.

Like the Superblast, this is a shoe that can do just about anything. A full carbon plate lets you pick up the pace, the lighter weight helps, and the comfort makes it viable for easy daily runs. It is still not the lightest shoe: around 10.4 to 10.7 oz in a men’s size 10.5. The foam and plate combination, along with the energy arc, deliver a quick-turnover feeling that makes up for the weight.

At $180 it sits $20 below the Superblast, and you get a full carbon fiber plate plus racing-shoe qualities with more durability. Expect tons of miles out of it.

Which One Should You Buy?

If the choice comes down to general ride, pop, and pure enjoyment, the SC Trainer V2 edges ahead. Both shoes are genuinely fun to run in, but the carbon plate adds propulsion and rewards faster pacing in a way the Superblast’s flatter ride does not.

If you had to pack a single shoe for a week-long trip, the Superblast wins on looks with its standout colorway, but the SC Trainer still makes a strong case as the one shoe to do all your running in. For racing specifically, the SC Trainer V2 is the pick again: the plate and bounce reward the effort, while the Superblast stays level and flat.

Durability feels about equal between the two, and the $20 price difference favors the SC Trainer V2 as well. That makes it our pick, though honestly, you cannot go wrong with either.

Conclusion

The New Balance SC Trainer V2 and the ASICS Superblast are two of the most compelling super trainers available, and both are easy to keep lacing up mile after mile. If ride enjoyment, a carbon plate, and price matter most, go SC Trainer V2. If you want maximum cushion in a lighter package with a great look, the Superblast is an excellent choice. Ideally, try both on and let the ride decide.