Imagine two things:
The first thing is the worst pain in your thighs, lungs, and ankles you can imagine, while your arms and even your teeth buzz with what can only be described as symptoms of complete exhaustion. Where you're genuinely afraid your vision might give up, while your cold hands press against the leaves to relieve the legs that will soon run your next hill interval.
The second thing is the feeling of legs rolling. Imagine days where you check the time for the first time and are surprised to see you've already covered five kilometers. Days where you've dressed just right: maybe shielding from the winter cold with a neck gaiter, or feeling the summer sun give you tan lines above your favorite socks.
Both feelings are something I chase with running. And both feelings I've experienced within the three months I've tested the shoe, in ASICS Sonicblast.
ASICS is fully established in the market of shoes focusing on intensity without sacrificing comfort. They call the series BLAST. Sonicblast has the highest midsole in the series, introduces a PEBAX plate, yet keeps the price lower than the series' other shoes.
- Primary function: Interval training
- Weight: 256g (US9), 223g (US7.5)
- Heel drop: 8mm
- Midsole material: FF TURBO2, FF BLAST MAX
ASICS Sonicblast – Experienced and pleasant
For me to recommend a shoe, comfort must be in order. There mustn't be the slightest irritation around toes or Achilles tendon. Even small issues can cause serious problems on long runs, which must be avoided to maintain consistent training.
And although I can't guarantee the same for you, I'm comfortable saying that ASICS' upper accommodates most feet. Also in Sonicblast. It's not for nothing that the Japanese brand is among the world's largest when it comes to running shoes.
You only stay there by mastering the most important thing: that the shoes feel fantastic from the first time you step into them until you retire them.
Sonicblast fits snugly around my ankle and allows my toes to follow the terrain in my stride. Additionally, the upper is clearly breathable, as it's perforated. Not something I've really needed, as I've mainly trained in the shoe when it's been cold, but a detail that's absolutely necessary when spring hits again.
ASICS Sonicblast – Supersoft foam squared
A lot of the positive feedback for this shoe I attribute to the dual midsole. The top layer of FF TURBO2 superfoam delivers what I'd call a pop not found in other super trainers I've tried this year.
Often, comfort is overdone in super trainers, and speed takes second place. Not here. Here, you have a shoe that can keep you going during sprints and hill intervals, which is remarkable given the shoe's high midsole. The foam returns your energy to such a degree that you must hold back on easy runs.
Underneath is a layer of FF BLAST MAX, the same foam found in the sister shoe Novablast 5. Both shoes are the cheapest in the BLAST series, which might be why they're so popular: You get an absurd amount of shoe for the money.
In the slightly more expensive Sonicblast, you also get, besides the superfoam, a PEBAX plate, which is a milder version of the popular energy-returning carbon plates. The effect of the plate, which really shows in Sonicblast, is increased stability.
Despite the lightweight upper allowing ample comfortable flex in the ankle and around the foot, the platform under your foot is stable, almost regardless of what position your ankle lands in.
It's a detail I've noticed, especially on days when the legs just rolled. Sure, a fast shoe helps, but it often compromises stability. And if you constantly worry about your ankles surviving the next step, I wouldn't call it rolling legs.
I would actually go so far as to say, that the plate's effect also makes the shoe relevant for those looking for a mileage trainer. I'd stress the importance of running the majority of your kilometers in a shoe without a plate.
Novablast's use of FF BLAST MAX foam excited my colleague Jakob, as it delivers the soft feel that lets you continue kilometer after kilometer. Similarly, I find Sonicblast quite comfortable for my long runs.
ASICS Sonicblast – Dominate leaves and hills
Another upgrade compared to Novablast 5 is the outsole, ASICSGRIP. The first thing I asked you to imagine, the immense pain everywhere, isn't just a feeling I described. It's a feeling I had during a hill session deep in the fall.
The session was run in a Danish forest with autumn colors all around us, also on the path where leaves covered the asphalt. Something that could have easily stopped the intensity for fear of twisting an ankle.
During the session, I might have been happy not to gasp for air as much, but in hindsight, I'm glad I could complete the session despite the slippery leaves.
The outsole is sparingly distributed in strategic zones to keep the weight, which might be the shoe's only 'but', low. Despite being the heaviest in the BLAST series, it's still down to 223 grams for a women's size US 7.5 and only 256 grams for a men's US 9.
Which runner is Sonicblast for?
It's not often that I can recommend a running shoe for almost every runner, but Sonicblast is one of them. Whether you're running easy, at steady intensity, or pushing yourself to the limits, Sonicblast just works.
The shoe is for those starting a shoe rotation, but also for those with an existing rotation. The shoes fill many gaps at once. Considering your first interval running shoe, Sonicblast is a fantastic choice.
More inspiration?
Find more articles in our inspiration universe right here:
Inspiration and articles - click here
