ASICS Sonicblast Quick Specs
Surface: Road
Cushion: High (not really)
Heel Stack: 46mm ( I measured them and they are around 45-46mm)
Drop: 8mm
Weight: Men 256g / 9oz, Women 223g / 7.9oz
Support: Neutral
Midsole: FF BLAST™ MAX + FF TURBO²™ foam ( polyolefin elastomer (POE)‑type foam and ATPU/PEBA‑type foam)
Plate: Yes, ASTROPLATE™
Upper: Breathable, secure fit
After many years away from ASICS, I came back to the brand in December 2023 with the Novablast 4 and absolutely loved that shoe. Unfortunately, when I later tried the Novablast 5 and Superblast 2, I simply could not run in either of them. Because of that, I was waiting for ASICS to introduce something new that would work for me.
I was very excited to try the Sonicblast. On paper, it sounded like exactly what I was looking for, a shoe for everyday runs at a medium pace that is not too soft or plush and not aggressive. I really wanted to love them, but in reality the foam just felt a bit dead. The shoes felt high, without much bounce or cushioning, and very unstable.
Still, I kept running in them almost every day at different paces, because sometimes shoes need time to break in before you start loving them. The more I ran in them, the less I understood why this shoes exists. They are high but not soft, high with a nylon plate, not truly responsive and at the same time very unstable. After around 380 km (roughly 236 miles), I noticed the shoes starting to look worn out, but the ride still felt very firm and still very unstable, so when the pavement not ideal, like everywhere I run, I feel how hard to run in them than on smooth roads. . The foam never became bouncy or responsive even not springy, and the shoes do not push you forward in any way.
I do not really understand the idea of a firm and high shoe, especially when it is also quite heavy. My legs often felt beat up after runs in them. For me, it is important to engage my feet during the running process, and I simply cannot do that in a shoe that feels this firm and disconnected from the ground. Also I see point when it is very light foam and very pushy plus plate to help push foam better, but here no point of pate either.
On the positive side, sizing is true to size. The upper is very good and breathable and never felt hot. The fit is very secure in the heel and ankle area, and the lacing system is tight and comfortable without creating pressure. Some shoes tend to feel loose around the collar or top of the foot once laced, but this shoe keeps the ankle and heel locked in throughout the run. I do actually like the fit, even some people hate it.
As we don not really know or can say what types foams are those, for now I only can say that they are not really working like they placed them.
I am not keeping those shoes because I do not see any point to have them.
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