Asics Magic Speed 4 Review: Successful Max Cushion Turn?

Julien Guyod

Published on 03/05/2025

More and more brands are offering shoes with carbon plates, to the point where it’s not easy to find your way around. Asics is no exception, but it does so coherently and clearly, with a progressive series.

The Magic Speed is the brand’s most accessible carbon plate model. The brand is looking to give this series an identity, which is certainly why the first three versions were quite different from one another.

This new version also has its share of changes, and we’ll be taking a look at them in this test. Are the Asics Magic Speed 4 suitable for your runner profile and goals? Read on to find out.

What You Need to Know

Cushioning

To say the least, it’s not easy to find a common thread for the Magic Speed series, except that these are fast trainers with a carbon plate.

Still sandwiched in the midsole between two layers of FF Blast Plus foam, it now comes with a block of FlyteFoam Turbo at the front, the same as on the Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris.

However, there’s not much of it, and the feel will depend more on the first foam, even if Turbo adds softness to the forefoot.

In terms of differences with its big sister, the full-length carbon plate is softer and more curved for greater flexibility.

As with other speed models with dual-layer foams, the secondary layer is denser for greater stability. However, with the extra stack height of the outsole, it’s fair to say that the feel is pretty firm.

This is the main point of concern raised by runners. If you’re looking for a soft feel, the Magic Speed 4 is not for you. Nevertheless, I found the ride to be very balanced and no firmer than on its direct competitors.

The dimensions are impressive, with a stack height of 42.5 mm in the heel and 35.5 mm in the forefoot.

This new configuration is surprisingly different from v3. You can feel the brand’s determination to move fully into the super-shoe category for daily training.

It’s also worth noting that we’re beyond the official 40-mm regulation for official races.

In any case, the gamble paid off: shock absorption is impressive, and you can tackle any distance.

The heel-to-toe drop of 7 mm is classic and shouldn’t be a problem.

Energy return

Weighing in at 231 g/8.1 oz in EU size 42/US size 9, the shoe remains lightweight but heavier than the v3. This is understandable given the shoe’s dimensions, but some runners regret this.

On the other hand, the FlyteFoam Turbo foam insert gives more bounce. Although not at the same level as the elite models, I found it excellent. Moreover, the difference will be minimal for most runners – the shoe will be ideal for fast sessions and competition.

Finally, the rocker delivers smooth, efficient heel-to-toe transitions.

Support and stability

The upper fits snugly and the shoe is firm and responsive. Even though the platform is not wide, these features give the shoe good stability.

This is a neutral model (no support for overpronation).

Foot Lockdown

The other major change is in the upper. Gone is the Motion Wrap, replaced by Engineered Mesh.

It’s multidirectional to provide extra support in strategic areas. The result is a closer, more stretchy fit that provides a good foot lockdown.

Some testers miss the previous upper, but I don’t: I prefer the space available in this new version, which provides more airflow.

The size is classic; the shoe fits normally.

The space between the fibers is greater to reduce the weight of the upper and improve breathability, which I found excellent.

The seamless design contributes to comfort.

The heel construction is the same as on the Metaspeed, with a rigid, lightly padded heel counter. The lacing system is classic, and the gusseted tongue, thinner than before, is very effective in supporting the foot’s movement.

The upper is a success: comfortable with good lockdown.

Traction

The brand relies again on ASICSGRIP rubber over a large part of the outsole, with a large central groove that leaves the plate visible, ensuring good flexibility.

Traction is very good, as is grip on wet surfaces – I didn’t notice any slippage during my test sessions.

Finally, you can use these road shoes on easy trails, but avoiding technical terrain is better.

Use

The Propulsion is very good but much less impressive than on the Metaspeed.

This has the advantage of making the shoe more affordable (especially as it’s less expensive). Also, the max cushion provides great shock absorption for long distances, regardless of the user’s profile in terms of weight and experience.

In short, the Magic Speed 4 has become a super-shoe for daily training. All scenarios are on the table, from threshold sessions to tempo runs.

Unsurprisingly, fundamental endurance training is not necessarily pleasant at low pace – but that’s logical as these are speed shoes.

In competition, the MS4 is also a good choice for all distances.

Quality and Durability

ASICSGRIP offers excellent quality, and the mesh shows no signs of early wear. The foams are fairly dense and will retain their cushioning properties well over time.

All these elements ensure good durability, giving the shoe good value for money.

The shoe’s primary upper material is made from 50% recycled materials to reduce waste and CO2 emissions. The solution dyeing process used to manufacture the insole reduces water consumption by around 33% and CO2 emissions by 45% compared to conventional dyeing.

The Magic Speed 4 are vegan running shoes.

Conclusion

The Asics Magic Speed 4 is almost a category-change from V3, with a maximal stack that positions it as a super-shoe for fast-paced training. In our opinion, it’s one of the best!

Its excellent shock absorption and affordability make it a great option for marathon racing at a lower cost than the elite versions.

Facts

Technical Specs

Cushioning

Technologies

Use