ASICS SuperBlast 2 - Release in December

This post is dedicated purely to those who just want to share their new purchases or shoe collections without needing to give any comments about them.

Photo upload has been enabled in the comments.

Happy weekend!

This is our weekend post where you can give your reviews, tell us what you hated/loved, comparisons between versions, share photos, or ask questions below for other brands that don't have their own post!

Happy weekend!

This is our weekend post where you can give your reviews, tell us what you hated/loved, comparisons between versions, share photos, or ask questions below for everything Hoka!

Happy weekend!

This is our weekend post where you can give your reviews, tell us what you hated/loved, comparisons between versions, share photos, or ask questions below for everything Saucony!

Happy weekend!

This is our weekend post where you can give your reviews, tell us what you hated/loved, comparisons between versions, share photos, or ask questions below for everything Asics!

Happy weekend!

This is our weekend post where you can give your reviews, tell us what you hated/loved, comparisons between versions, share photos, or ask questions below for everything Brooks!

Happy weekend!

This is our weekend post where you can give your reviews, tell us what you hated/loved, comparisons between versions, share photos, or ask questions below for everything New Balance!

Happy weekend!

This is our weekend post where you can give your reviews, tell us what you hated/loved, comparisons between versions, share photos, or ask questions below for everything Adidas!

Happy weekend!

This is our weekend post where you can give your reviews, tell us what you hated/loved, comparisons between versions, share photos, or ask questions below for everything Nike!

This post is dedicated purely to those who just want to share their new purchases or shoe collections without needing to give any comments about them.

Photo upload has been enabled in the comments.

A bit less showy than the original (and some of the new Alphafly colourways):

https://www.asics.com/jp/ja-jp/metaspeed-sky-paris/p/1013A123-401.html

https://www.asics.com/jp/ja-jp/metaspeed-edge-paris/p/1013A124-401.html

I was lucky enough to get a pair of the Zoom Fly 6s from a local running shop and had my first run with them today. I've been currently running in a rotation of Zoom Fly 5, Vaporfly 3, and Hoka Mach 5 (treadmill only) for the better part of the past year and wanted to give the comparison impressions between the 5 and the 6.

I'm 6'1'', 190lbs, and a mid-forefoot striker for what it matters. Fit feels exactly the same to me as the 5 and you can definitely tell right away when you put the 6's on they are a different shoe than the 5 - way more bounce and softness to the shoe just even standing in place. I will say that each pair of ZF5's I had all acted differently - some softer, some harder, all likely due to the recycled zoomx. The 6 exhibits none of this and feels like a much taller VF3 off the bat.

My initial run was supposed to be a simple Z2 4-5mile run but that quickly got shot down from the start of the run - these things want to move! They feel very similar to the VF3 in that they want you to up the pace a lot more than the ZF5 ever did. They feel much lighter on your foot and the energy return is greater as well - I felt like I was being propelled the way my VF3s do as well, just not quite as much pop as the VF3 though. Stack height is a little higher which initially made me feel weary of corners, but they remained planted for me as I made turns. Grip felt the same as the VF3 (which to me is a good thing) as I ran over grass, leaves, pavement, etc. Also, bonus points for being quieter than the ZF5.

Having lost my initial pace to start, I figured I would just try some difference paces out and the shoes responded extremely well to tempo, threshold, sprints, etc. I still found it hard to keep them in the slower paces but its also new shoe day so maybe a few more runs and the excitement will die down and I can focus on pace more.

I don't have experience with the older ZF line as I was a Newton runner up until maybe 2 years ago or so but I will say these have been the most fun I've had in a shoe next to the VF3. I tried the Boston 12, the Hoka Carbon X3, the Mach X, and probably a few others and at the time nothing else felt 'great' compared to the ZF5 for me and the ZF6 totally blows the ZF5 out of the water.

Hopefully Nike can convert some people back because I think they did a great job here.

A weird trend is emerging amongst some shoe retailers where they've stopped making their premium models (racers and super trainers) in sizes bigger than a US men's 13. ASICS is the standout example - the Metaspeed Edge+ and Sky+ both went up to a 14 (and in some colours a 15), but the Metaspeed Edge Paris and Sky Paris stop at a 13. The Superblast (versions 1 and 2) also stops at a 13, as does their new trail supershoe (the Metafuji Trail).

This might be an Australia-specific issue as I believe these brands sell 14s and 15s in the US, but I've also had trouble getting bigger than a 13 in Adidas shoes (Adios Pro 3 and 4, Adizero Evo SL, Prime X, and Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra) and Puma (Deviate Nitro Elite 3). Even Nike has only had two colours of Alphafly 3 (Proto and Volt) go past a 13, with several other colourways stopping at a 11 or 12.

Hoka, On, Saucony, New Balance and Nike for the most part produce 14s and 15s so it's not the end of the world, but it is frustrating and it's a trend I hope doesn't catch on.

Does anyone with more insight into the industry know why 13/14 seems to be a somewhat common cut-off? Is there something about manufacturing or packaging that makes this a logical point to stop to maximise profits?

Since Asics has decided to limit the supply of the Superblast 2, it can be difficult to know which retailer may have stock.

We have decided to make this sticky post so that everyone can share retailers that have stock in their region without making a separate post.

Please do not attempt to post referral links, it will result in a ban.

Thanks

This post is dedicated purely to those who just want to share their new purchases or shoe collections without needing to give any comments about them.

Photo upload has been enabled in the comments.

Photos:

https://preview.redd.it/cs0fp8r444yd1.jpg?width=2822&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cc2a613daa18e671319a20fbe3bc54c99f6e4031

https://preview.redd.it/jmceccs444yd1.jpg?width=2702&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e4da1c1ff955d43c1cc6cbe08b2355dde5a1c9a7

Heel counter structure marked in blue. Works well for my sensitive heels!

Usage info:
Use-case: General-purpose trail shoe
Total distance ran: 300 km, runs up to 40 km
Type of runs: Rooty and technical forest trail runs

Weather ran in: Dry, wet and muddy.

My profile:

Height: 178 cm, Weight: 76 kg

Strike Type: Midfoot striker on flat surfaces

Weekly running volume: ~ 50 km

Positives:

* Outsole: Truly best grip on the planet (Vibram go home!). It's remarkably confidence-inspiring even on very steep rock faces while still being durable.

* Midsole: Responsive, modern supercritical midsole with a mid-level stack (31mm heel / 25 forefoot). This is not the "old VJ" orienteering/OCR shoe with thin and dense EVA. There is a rock plate that works well without being too intrusive. Despite the midsole stack there is still adequate ground feel.

* Fit: The last has a "foot-shaped" toebox, medium-narrow midfoot and heel. The medial "fitlock" reinforcement helps get good lockdown.

* Heel structure: The heel counter is split into two sections on either side of the achilles, ideal for people with heel sensitivities (Haglunds, insertional achilles tendinopathy, calcaneal bursitis)

Negatives:

* Stability could be a bit better for long efforts when fatigue sets in (4+ hours), narrower midfoot profile than some brands

* Upper material is not that well-ventilated, although very suitable for e.g. Scandinavian trails

* The sizing seems to run a full size big, but not an issue once you are aware of it

Worth buying?:

Yes, definitely. There are lots of other good options in this category, but the combination of fit, exciting ride and exceptional grip makes this a good package, at least for me! Availability in physical stores might be poor outside the Nordics, unfortunately. The sizing runs a full size big (also check the RTR review: https://www.roadtrailrun.com/2024/02/vj-shoes-maxx2-multi-tester-review-pure.html)

Bonus:

Studded version: VJ Ice Hero 2

I just bought the studded winter version "VJ Ice Hero 2" early at a race expo, it's mostly the same shoe but with a water-repellent, slightly adjusted upper and studs added to the outsole. Looking forward to trying that out once winter hits.

FF has it listed as releasing today. Also noticeable is that they have it listed below Alphafly retail, at only $260 instead of $285-300

This post is dedicated purely to those who just want to share their new purchases or shoe collections without needing to give any comments about them.

Photo upload has been enabled in the comments.

Won the drawing on the adidas app. Ran 15 miles in them so far. A 5k easy run and a 20k long run.

Fit: I recommend getting your usual running shoes size. The lock down is secure but comfortable. The only small problem I have with these is the tongue can be finicky. But once you have it in place and laced up there are no problem while running.

Upper: is a breathable flexible mesh. It is very comfortable. I especially like the heel areas and toe box. The heel lockdown is great compared to the other “adizero” models. And the toe box is wide enough I can spread my toes around.

Midsole/Foam: I was very impressed with the lightstrike pro in this shoe. It’s soft and absorbs impact well. Apparently it’s a race day quality blend and it’s definitely feels premium. Right out of the box.

Overall: I think adidas nailed it with this shoe. It’s a daily trainer with a racing foam. The cost is perfect at $150. The most notable feature is actually to rocker geometry. It really propels you forward without forcing you into a certain gait. I would recommend this shoe to anyone. And it fits every kind of run. It’s light enough for speed work. Comfortable enough for easy runs, especially because it has no plates or rods. And due to the stack height and impact absorption my legs felt great after a long run. I just hope adidas makes enough of these because I think this will be the shoe of 2025. For beginners looking for one shoe to truly do it all, to advanced and shoe geeks who want to get the latest and greatest.