When it comes to clocking high mileage (cough cough Comrades training) shoes become super important. Trust me, I’d know. And, after 270 kilometres of testing I can confidently say that the ASICS Superblast is made to go the distance. So much so that I’ve selected them as my race day shoe for The Ultimate Human Race. Here’s why…
Versatility at it’s best:
The build-up to any race requires a variety of runs; such as hill training, speed work, threshold training and of course your bread and butter: long runs. As such I’ve been tackling many types of workouts in this shoe, not to mention different weather conditions too. I’ve run through cold and wet mornings (thanks Cape Town), and tested them on some warmer sunny days too. The shoe performed well in both, wicking moisture on the wet days and offering breathability on the warmer ones. The grip was impressive on wet roads too, making me confident to take on any conditions Durban may present come race day.
Need for speed (and comfort + stability):
During this training block my pace has ranged from easy to tempo, and I was very happy with the responsiveness in the shoe across this range. As a tall guy, carrying weight of 87kg, it’s so important for me to have a shoe that can support my build but of course having a shoe that provides this AND SPEED is the real winner. A dream shoe if you will. And that’s what I have with the ASICS Superblast.
Weight matters:
Let’s talk weight. Carry 5kgs one kilometre and you may not think it much. But carry it 90kms and well it becomes a great deal heavy. The same can be said for shoes. While not kilograms heavy, grams do add up. The Superblast is impressively light and weighs 290g in my size, this being yet another win for the shoe in my books.
A non-carbon plated race day shoe?
For a non-carbon plate shoe it is highly responsive and the midsole is a mix of the ASICS FF Blast Plus & FF Turbo. Think of the Novablast 4/Gel Nimbus 26 and Metaspeed Sky Plus combined. Realistically, carbon-plate shoes are not for everyone, and this shoe gives you many of the benefits without the potential drawbacks. I always try to land on my midfoot and forefoot, but I know when I start feeling fatigue in my legs, I tend to heel strike more and this shoe supports that so well. It is highly responsive, and it will give you the speed you need for any session or race. It has perfect cushioning for me and I feel my joints including my ankles are well supported and the toe box is nice and wide and fits my feet perfectly.
To conclude:
Too long, didn’t read? It’s a great all-rounder shoe that you quite honestly can’t go wrong with.
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