Asics Metaspeed Ray Tokyo Review (2025): The Impossible Shoe!

Running shoes with a stack of 40 mm and a weight of 4.3 oz/121 g? The bet seemed impossible a few years ago, and yet here we are.

This is exactly what I had the chance to test with the new Asics Mestaspeed Ray Tokyo, the lightest shoes in the world.

Adidas had already made a strong impression with its Adios Evo Pro (139 g), but with a much higher price tag and relatively low durability.

The Ray pushes the boundaries of what’s possible, but is it a good choice for you? How does it compare to the competition and other Metaspeed models (Sky and Edge)?

This is what you will discover with my in-depth review.

Our Verdict

Cushioning

The midsole of the Asics Metaspeed Ray Tokyo uses the brand-new foam: FlyteFoam Leap. It is made of A-TPU (aliphatic thermoplastic polyurethane), a foam that is definitely more performant than Peba.

According to the brand, it is 13.7% more responsive, 15% lighter, and 30% softer than the previous FlyteFoam Turbo+ foam. The figures are difficult to verify, but there is no doubt it is better.

We also find the famous carbon fiber plate in the shape of a drop, but it is partial and present only on the midfoot and forefoot.

The message is clear: the Ray is intended for fast runners who have this foot strike.

Heel strikers will not benefit from the plate and should turn to the Sky or Edge models, the public versions of the Metaspeed.

Feel

With maximum dimensions of 39.5 mm under the heel and 34.5 mm under the metatarsal, a significant cushioning can be confirmed. Shock absorption is impressive, especially for such a lightweight shoe.

As with some competitors, some runners note that the shoe may lack protection for heavier runners.

As for me, I have no doubt that I will wear it in my next marathon.

The soft feel surprised me a lot and ensures great running pleasure in addition to the dynamism. I have read some feedback or tests that talk about firmness — in my opinion, they did not have the shoe on their foot.

Indeed, the feel is almost as soft as the Saucony Endorphin Elite 2, which uses the same foam material. Some even found it too soft, but I don’t think that’s the case with the Ray, which should suit the vast majority of runners.

Finally, I really appreciated the 5 mm drop, as it offers more protection on the forefoot. However, it may require some adaptation time for those who are not used to it.

Energy Return

I could write whole pages on the shoe’s weight.

Two years ago, on a previous rocket, I said something like: “releasing a shoe with 40 mm stack under 200 g (7 oz) is an incredible feat, we’ve reached the achievable limit.”

I weighed the shoe: 113 g (4 oz) for my 41.5 model.

The Ray is therefore officially the lightest shoe on the market, and I still can’t believe it even while holding it.

It feels like it weighs nothing in hand, and it’s the same when running with it: the sensation of being barefoot is quite unbelievable.

The energy return is similar to what I find on the Adidas Adios Pro and the Saucony Endorphin Elite 2, the leaders in the category. But the Ray is much lighter, which gives it even more dynamism — simply the most reactive shoe today.

Finally, the aggressive rocker and the curved sole ensure very smooth and fast heel-to-toe transitions.

Support and Stability

I had to think a lot before rating this point.

I finally decided to give a rating relative to the intended audience of the shoe rather than an absolute assessment. Indeed, if I had rated stability for heel strikers, I would have gone even lower.

The absence of a plate at the back and the softness of the foam result in some instability.

I had no issues with my midfoot strike, except at lower speeds where the bounce can cause some imbalances.

This model is for neutral stride.

Foot Lockdown

The weight-shedding endeavor also focused on the upper — one of the thinnest in the world. Despite this, it is very comfortable and high-end.

Asics’ stroke of genius is to use Matryx technology from the trail world. These aramid fibers are very robust and prevent premature wear — very impressive with such lightness!

Breathability is obviously optimal. The upper is so breathable that you must choose your sock color wisely.

Conversely, the coverage in cold weather is rather limited, but it’s not its purpose: this model is for race day!

There are no lateral reinforcements, but the heel area is very well constructed with a very classic semi-rigid counter (there’s even slight padding). In short, heel locking is very good.

The tongue is a more delicate point. Without gusset, it folds when putting on and takes a little time to flatten it. But once tightened with the serrated laces, I had no issues afterward. However, I imagine it could be more complicated for slim feet.

There is also a very comfortable foam insole that ensures good moisture management.

Fit and Size

Don’t expect the luxury of a Nimbus 27.

The upper is very flexible, too much for some who talk about a lack of support. I even read an American test describing “a loose upper with a weak connection between the foot and the midsole.”

I smiled reading this because it reminded me of the critiques that could be made to the old competition models (before the carbon era): racing flats. They were often criticized for being too tight and close to the foot.

For my part, I find these critiques very severe because just going down by half a size is enough to get a good hold. The structure is minimalist but comparable to other carbon-plated competition shoes.

This mainly concerns narrow feet that may have a lot of space at the front. For others, you can usually take your usual size in most cases.

Traction

The Ray is characterized by a thin layer of Asics Grip rubber focused on the forefoot. Thus, a large part of foam is exposed at the heel and midfoot.

I was afraid of the outcome, but ultimately the traction is powerful. The grip is also very good on wet surfaces.

Despite the absence of grooves, I found the shoe’s flexibility quite good.

Of course, I recommend using these shoes exclusively on the track and road to avoid damaging the exposed foam.

Use scenarios

Like most carbon-plated rockets, the Asics Metaspeed Ray Tokyo is made for speed and competition.

Given the shoe’s price, it’s best to keep it for race day.

In training, you should reserve it for key sessions before competition. Additionally, such shoes make the effort so much easier that they can hinder your progress if used frequently.

Regarding distance, the answer is less clear-cut and opinions differ depending on runners.

For some, the shoe is too light and thus does not offer the necessary protection for longer distances, especially for heavier runners.

For others, the maximalist cushioning and the soft feel on impact mean there are no limits — the shoe can comfortably take you on a half or full marathon.

I would lean more toward this view. The Metaspeed Ray certainly has limits for the general public, but I think they are more due to stability and support.

Furthermore, even though I don’t like to discuss minimum speeds, it’s clear that the Ray is not as accessible as the Sky or the Edge. The faster you go, the more it reveals its potential.

I believe it’s the best option to date for fast runners looking to break their record from 5 km to marathon, provided they have the right stride for the shoe.

Quality and Durability

Delicate point to address. For comparison, the Adidas Adios Pro Evo 1, sold for 500 euros, has very low durability, barely more than a marathon according to some runners.

With 200 euros less and an equal (at least) level of performance, the Metaspeed Ray Tokyo has durability more comparable to other carbon-plated models (which is not always very high either).

It’s hard to announce mileage as it will depend on usage, terrain, and stride (even more so on this model).

It’s true that the outsole’s rubber is very thin, but I found it surprisingly resistant, and I expect it to last long.

The upper is very thin but also very durable.

The foam is, in my opinion, the part that will last the least. Indeed, it will struggle to maintain its “magic” properties over time, but this is a point that also applies to all its competitors.

The shoe is expensive but in line with market norms and offers comparable durability to similar models for a higher performance level.

Finally, note that this model has few ecological properties (except for the insole) and is vegan (no animal material).

Conclusion

The Asics Metaspeed Ray Tokyo will not be for everyone, but that’s normal as it’s an elite shoe not intended for all runners.

More durable and cheaper than the Adidas Adios Pro Evo 2, it’s simply the fastest shoe shoe currently on the market, provided you have the right stride and find the proper fit.

Facts

Technical Specs

Terrain	Road
Pronation type	Neutral
Drop	5 mm
Heel height	39.5 mm
Forefoot height	34.5 mm
Weight (men)	121 g/4.3 oz
Weight (women)	115 g/4.1 oz
Features	Carbon-fiber plate, Vegan, Rocker
Athletes
Release year	2025
Price	Check prices

Cushioning

Softness	Soft
Responsiveness	Medium

Technologies

Outsole	Asics Grip
Midsole	FF Leap
Upper	Engineered Mesh

Use

Speed	Fast
Distance	Short, 5K, Mid, 10K, Half marathon, Long, Marathon
Workout	Racing

Reference: official site