The energy, color, and culture of the Japanese metropolis are reflected in the shoes, which ASICS has carefully selected among their most popular mileage trainers and a few fast models. This way, you can join the celebration whether you need stable mileage trainers or interval training shoes.
ASICS also introduces a brand-new shoe, the ASICS SONICBLAST, utilizing ASICS' latest foam material. Read the article to find out which ASICS shoe from The Tokyo Collection fits into your rotation.
ASICS SONICBLAST – High-Intensity Comfort
We have tested the new SONICBLAST, and it is the shoe that makes you want to run every day. The shoe weighs only 240 grams in a men’s size US 9 and uses what can only be described as a brilliant foam composition. At the bottom, you’ll find the durable FF BLAST™ MAX, which is both soft and responsive.
On top of this: the brand-new FF TURBO™ SQUARED foam. It is about 32.5% bouncier compared to FF TURBO™ foam, and for me, it’s close to a perfect foam material: it feels very premium in a porous way, which makes it ridiculously light. You can tell it needs protection, which is why the FF BLAST™ MAX at the bottom is genius. This is a shoe you need to hold back in if you don’t want to pick up the pace.
Between the two foam layers, ASICS has inserted their ASTROPLATE™. This plastic plate contributes to a quick toe-off while also stabilizing the two soft foams underfoot. I especially noticed the stability on a continuous long run at marathon pace, where the shoe supported every step.
All in all, the SONICBLAST makes you want to push harder, and you can safely do so, because the comfort is much higher than in pure racing shoes. Time has been spent on comfort, even though the feel of the SONICBLAST is most comparable to racing shoes, which rarely get comfort right.
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 – Tempo and Mileage Warrior
NOVABLAST 5 is the ideal choice for those looking for their first shoe that's not just an all-around trainer. It's stable and durable like a mileage trainer, with tempo technologies that give it an extra pop.
The wide FF BLAST™ MAX midsole is geometrically designed to create propulsion, and the upper hugs your foot securely.
ASICS GEL-KAYANO 32 – Modern Stability
GEL-KAYANO 32 is the latest edition in ASICS' long-running series of stabilizing shoes. Notably, the latest versions have significantly updated. The way the shoes stabilize the foot is no longer through stiff wedges but through the 3D Guidance System; a responsive foam material returning energy where needed.
Therefore, the shoes are no longer exclusively for pronating runners. They're also for those who want a shoe where comfort is paramount, without worrying about overworking their ankles.
ASICS GT-2000 14 – Stability and Energetic Takeoff
GT-2000 combines details from the two shoes above. Here, you get a lighter shoe with a forward-driving midsole paired with the 3D Guidance System. The shoe fills a much-needed gap in the pronation segment, where speed and propulsion are rarely considered.
The shoe is for those who want a light and fast shoe, without sacrificing stability.
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 – Comfort Above All
A series just as legendary as GEL-KAYANO, with the same focus points: comfort and long distances. Here you get it in a neutral package, making the shoe slightly lighter. The midsole consists of the soft FF Blast+ ECO, and although it's no longer visible in some models, ASICS' popular GEL material is still there, just embedded in the foam.
Therefore, it's not an exaggeration to say the shoe is ideal for all runners looking for a mileage trainer.
ASICS GEL-CUMULUS 27 – Lightweight Little Brother
In GEL-CUMULUS 27, you'll find many of the same qualities as in the big brother GEL-NIMBUS: PureGEL™ and FF BLAST™+ foam. Here, it's just made lighter. This results in a versatile shoe, excellent for progressive runs and easy tempo.
If you're looking for a light training shoe for daily runs that can also be used for intervals, consider GEL-CUMULUS 27.
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