When ASICS introduced their supershoe contender they did so a little differently. The brand launched two models, each with a particular runner in mind
This review is independent and unbiased and based on running real miles in these shoes. This piece contains affiliate links which means we may receive a small commission when you purchase using these links.
Our running shoe guru, Paul Freary has tried both models and gives his thoughts here.
The Metaspeed Sky and Edge were designed for runners who either increased their stride length to go faster or increased their cadence to increase their speed.
Understandably many runners were a little confused as to which model they should choose, after all, most runners would increase both their speed and stride length as their pace quickened.
ASICS Metaspeed Edge Paris
The latest versions of the shoes are the Paris editions. Designed to celebrate the major sporting event taking place in the city this summer, they take styling influence from the colours of the Parisian sky at sunrise and sunset and look rather striking as a result.
Which shoe is best?
I’ve now had a chance to try both shoes and raced over 5km, a half-marathon and the marathon distance in them, so here are my findings.
Both shoes are the same price, £220.00. You can buy them here.
Both shoes weigh the same, at around 185g or 6.5oz, so are one of the lightest racing shoe options on the market.
The latest Metaspeed models are the lightest, softest and ‘springiest’ versions of the shoes to date!
The new FF BLAST TURBO PLUS midsole used in both models feels much softer to the touch than in the previous model and has a springy feel to it that becomes more apparent once you put the shoes on.
A new upper, MOTION WRAP 2.0 is lighter and more breathable, its engineered mesh design allows plenty of air to circulate yet at the same time provides a snug and secure fit around the foot.
Upper-wise, the fit of both the Sky and Edge is superb, reminding me of a track spike with its snug-fitting, wrap-around design. There’s no excess or waste material here, it’s a minimal construction and all the better for it. The open-knit construction of the mesh means it’s one of the most breathable uppers on any shoe on the market.
Both the Metaspeed Sky Paris and Metaspeed Edge Paris running shoes feature a stack height of 39.5mm in the heel, so just under the World Athletics limit of 40mm, with a 5mm drop into the forefoot.
Where the two models vary is in the shape of the full-length carbon plate.
In the Metaspeed Edge (left in the image below) the carbon plate has a much more exaggerated toe-off. The seam between the two layers of the FF Blast Turbo form is visible in the image and shows how there is more of a curved nature to the plate in the Edge.
Metaspeed Edge (left) and Sky (right)
This more aggressively shaped plate is much more evident when running in the shoes that it is in the Metaspeed Sky.
In the Metaspeed Sky version of the shoes, the plate is a little ‘flatter’ and sits almost midway between the two layers of foam.
ASICS Metaspeed Sky Paris
The first of the shoes that I ran in was the Metaspeed Sky Paris. After a short jog in the shoes, they felt good enough to wear for a half-marathon. The cushioning and responsive feel were brilliant and I was so impressed with the shoe that I decided I’d wear them in my next marathon.
Even over the marathon distance and with only a total of 15 miles covered in the shoes, they performed exceptionally well. As before, the cushioning was great and the responsive feel from both the FF Blast Turbo Plus foam and carbon plate felt perfectly tuned in for marathon-pace running.
After being so impressed with the Sky, I still wanted to try the Edge as I felt that the more aggressive rocker in the forefoot would be perfect over a short distance and help me as I tend to be much more of a forefoot running when racing shorter distances.
My first race in the Edge (straight from the box) was a flat 5km. Wow, was I impressed. The shoe lived up to my expectations exactly and, if I’m being honest, it felt a little bit like I wasn’t able to keep up with the shoe to get the best from it.
At under 5min 30sec mile pace, the Metaspeed Edge threw me forward, pushing me up onto my toes and into my next stride. For the full 5km, the shoe felt propulsive every step of the way.
So which is best?
Ideally, I’d love to be able to pick one of the shoes, but in this instance, both the ASICS Metaspeed Sky Paris and Metaspeed Edge Paris are very different shoes that perform very differently.
Of course, this is what the brand says, but it is perhaps a little different for most runners to decide exactly whether they increase their stride or cadence when they increase their speed, as most runners will increase both together.
Over shorter distances, 5km to 10km, I will be sticking with the Metaspeed Edge.
For anything longer, say 10 miles up to the marathon I’ll go with the Metaspeed Sky Paris.
The Edge feels a little more aggressive whereas the Sky has a slightly more relaxed nature about it.
If I have to choose one only, the Metaspeed Sky Paris would get my vote as for most people it is a shoe you can simply pull on and go. With the Edge, you do need to be ‘on your toes’ to get the most from the shoe.
All this said, there isn’t a bad choice to be made here and it’s a case of fine-tuning a shoe to your needs.
Buy the ASICS Metaspeed Edge Paris here.
Buy the ASICS Metaspeed Sky Paris here.
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