The Asics Superblast 3 is one of the best super trainers around right now, and in our view the most accomplished shoe in the Blast line. The Asics Sonicblast 2 is the first plated shoe in that line, built to pick up the pace in training. Two complementary approaches, and a small price gap: the Superblast is a bit pricier, $20 more.
The Superblast 3 pairs FF Leap A-TPU, the brand’s fastest foam, with a layer of FF Blast+ underneath, and no plate. The feel is very well balanced and leans plush, with an airy, smooth and less demanding ride.
The Sonicblast 2 stacks FF Turbo² over FF Blast Max, with a fork-shaped Pebax plate between the two: the feel is balanced with a touch of firmness and a more aggressive ride.
The dimensions are the same, with an identical standard drop, and both show the same weight on the scale. The choice comes down more to the ride.
Responsiveness is very good on both sides. The Superblast 3 has excellent pop even without a plate: tempo workouts are a blast and it is outstanding for working marathon pace into a long run. The lack of a plate and the plush feel can hold it back on sharp accelerations like 400 m repeats. It is also pleasant at easier paces (easy base miles, for instance).
The Sonicblast 2, on the other hand, is built above all for harder paces, with propulsion that gets close to the Metaspeed. It works particularly well on those short repeats.
Both uppers show what Asics can do. The woven engineered mesh on the Superblast 3 offers excellent step-in comfort and breathability. The engineered mesh on the Sonicblast 2 breathes very well, with excellent comfort for a speed shoe, maybe a step below the Superblast 3. Go with your usual size in both cases (half a size down is possible on the Superblast 3 if you have narrow feet).
In use, both let you go long, up to the marathon. The Superblast 3 stays far more forgiving than the carbon rockets, beginners included. The Sonicblast 2 is not the shoe to start running in.
Sonicblast 2 vs Superblast 3: Which Should You Choose?
For most runners, the Superblast 3: plusher, more versatile, and the best there is without a plate for the marathon.
The Sonicblast 2 is a good pick if you want the plate and a firmer feel for your fast workouts.
