The Asics Sonicblast 2 and the Asics Megablast sit at the top of the Blast line with two complementary approaches: the Megablast is certainly one of the best plateless shoes around today, the Sonicblast is the first plated shoe in the line. The budget gap matters: the Megablast is pricier, $35 more.
The Megablast runs a single block of FF Turbo² A-TPU, with no plate and a very pronounced rocker that gives it a strong roll. The feel is very well balanced and leans just a touch plush.
The Sonicblast 2 combines the same FF Turbo² foam with a layer of FF Blast Max, with a fork-shaped Pebax plate between the two: the feel is balanced with a touch of firmness, for a more aggressive ride.
The dimensions are nearly identical, with the same standard drop, and both models show the same weight on the scale. The difference comes down mostly to how they feel on the run.
Responsiveness is very good on both sides, without matching the carbon rockets. The Megablast covers every pace easily and stays pleasant on recovery runs, but it makes less sense on sharp accelerations like 400 m repeats.
The Sonicblast 2 excels the moment you pick up the pace, with impressive propulsion that makes it a strong choice for short repeats. It is less enjoyable on slow easy runs.
On the upper, the Megablast sits very close to the foot, with a very light engineered mesh and a shallow toe box: the fit did not work for all of our testers (half a size up may be needed if you like room for your toes). The Sonicblast 2 is not minimal at all, with plenty of padding and sizing that is completely standard, even if a few runners with wide feet would have liked more room in the forefoot.
Day to day, both handle any distance up to the marathon. The Megablast is an excellent racing choice if you do not want a plate. The Sonicblast 2 is a good pick if you want a bit more responsiveness without going carbon.
The Megablast is more forgiving, but overall we would not recommend either of these two to start running in, because of their aggressive rocker.
Sonicblast 2 vs Megablast: Which Should You Choose?
The Megablast if the budget allows: it is the more versatile of the two, including for racing without a plate.
The Sonicblast 2 if you want the propulsion of a plate for your fast training workouts (it also has the advantage of being cheaper).
