Review: ASICS Metaspeed Edge
There’s no doubting the impact that the super shoe revolution has had on performance. We’ve seen records tumble and incredible depth in the results across every distance from 5km to marathons. All the major brands have embraced the advances and created their own version of high-end, technology driven footwear that’s made purely for speed. ASICS has become one of the frontrunners in the category, with their Metaspeed Edge proving its pedigree in road races across the globe. They’re the sister shoe to the ASICS Metaspeed Sky, the first of their carbon plated offerings. The difference between the two is that the Sky is designed for runners who increase their stride length when picking up the pace, while the Edge is for those that up the cadence. Having the two options is one of the key differences that ASICS offers compared to their rivals.
When unboxing the Edge, straight out of the packaging they immediately feel, and look, fast. The colourway lends to the idea that ‘red goes faster’ and at 187 grams, it’s one of the lightest of the super shoes in the market. So in the hand they’re quite impressive in both look and feel. The porous engineered mesh upper make them highly breathable, and has an air of quality about it. It hugs your foot to provide a snug fit that’s reassuring hen running at speed. It seems the only thing that harks back to traditional running shoes of the past are the cotton shoelaces.
The midsole is made from ASICS’ most advanced foam, Flytefoam Blast Turbo. At 29mm in the heel and 21mm at the toe, the 8mm drop is kind to the calves. The ultra-lightweight cushioning and full-length carbon plate work together to create dynamic forward momentum. However, it’s not as aggressive a feel as you get from the Sky. The thick midsole provides shock-absorbing compression and thanks to the energy return of both the foam and carbon plate, there’s a snappy sensation to toe-off which enhances running efficiency. At the bottom of the shoe is AsicsGrip rubber, which gives you ample traction for road racing in any conditions. Compared to some of the other super shoes, the outsole has a bit more to it, which means you’ll get more racing mileage out of them.
Overall, these are a great racing or speed session shoe. Thanks to the less aggressive midsole, they’re probably a safer option for people new to the high stack height world of super shoes. Plus the build quality means you’ll get bang for your buck.