Wondering if the Asics Megablast is the cushioned training shoe you've been looking for?

This comprehensive Asics Megablast review covers everything from its incredibly bouncy ride to how it stacks up against other premium training shoes like the Nike Zoom Fly 6.

As a 31-minute 10k runner with over 20 years of running experience, elite competitor, and UESCA-certified running coach, I'm excited to share my hands-on experience with what might be Asics' most unique training shoe to date.

Key Takeaways

• The Asics Megablast is a premium daily training shoe designed for runners seeking exceptional cushioning and a bouncy ride for easy runs, steady sessions, and long runs.
• It features innovative FF TURBO SQUARED foam technology that delivers incredible bounce and energy return without the need for a carbon plate.
• At $225, it positions itself as a premium training shoe that offers a unique ride experience unlike any traditional super shoe or trainer.
• The shoe is incredibly lightweight despite its high stack height and soft cushioning, making it perfect for keeping legs fresh across various training paces.

Asics Megablast Review: What is the Megablast?

The Asics Megablast is a high-performance daily training shoe that represents Asics' commitment to creating an incredibly bouncy and cushioned running experience.

Released in September 2025, this shoe has quickly gained attention in the running community for its unique characteristics that set it apart from both traditional trainers and carbon-plated super shoes.

What makes the Megablast special is its FF TURBO SQUARED foam. This creates an exceptionally soft ride for easy runs while still responding well when you add power for faster efforts.

In my opinion, this shoe will suit runners looking for a cushioned training shoe that keeps legs feeling fresh while handling everything from easy recovery runs to steady-paced long runs and even tempo work.

Who Created The Megablast?

The Megablast was created by Asics, a brand renowned for its innovation in running shoe technology and commitment to the running community.

This particular model represents Asics' exploration into maximum cushioning without relying on carbon plate technology, offering runners a different approach to daily training shoes.

The development of the Megablast showcases Asics' understanding of what training runners need: a shoe that provides incredible energy return and bounce while maintaining the durability and versatility required for high-mileage weeks.

Top Benefits Of The Asics Megablast

Exceptional bounce and energy return: The FF TURBO SQUARED foam delivers an incredibly bouncy, responsive sensation that provides unique energy return. 

Ultra-lightweight construction: The Megablast is remarkably light despite its high stack height (45mm heel, 37mm forefoot), contributing significantly to the feeling of effortless running during easy and steady paces.

Versatile performance across training paces: The shoe excels at easy runs for me this is (6:00-7:30 per mile pace) and steady runs, offering soft cushioning for recovery while still responding well when you increase power and effort.

Keeps legs feeling fresh: The unique soft foam creates a different sensation than carbon-plated shoes, with a slight lag between landing and push-off that I found perfect for training days when you want to save your legs for harder workouts or races.

The Best Features of The Asics Megablast

Midsole Technology

The FF TURBO SQUARED foam is the star of the show, providing a lighter, softer, and bouncier sensation than any previous Asics foam. This technology creates a unique running experience that's distinctly different from carbon-plated shoes, offering exceptional cushioning for daily training while maintaining responsiveness.

What sets this foam apart is its ability to deliver incredible bounce without the aggressive propulsion of a carbon plate. 

No Carbon Plate Design

This design choice creates a more forgiving ride that's perfect for daily training, allowing your feet and legs to work naturally while still benefiting from the exceptional foam technology.

Upper Construction

The engineered woven upper is both lightweight and breathable, keeping feet cool during training sessions. The material delivers excellent flexibility and an adaptive fit that accommodates various foot shapes without creating pressure points.

I did find I needed to adjust the heel collar a few times to achieve the same secure feeling I get from other shoes in my rotation.

Outsole Traction

The ASICSGRIP outsole enhances traction and control, performing very well in wet weather conditions.

While the high stack height (45mm heel) requires some awareness during cornering, the shoe feels surprisingly stable despite sitting on top of substantial foam. The wide platform contributes to this stability, making descents and climbs feel secure.

Comfort and Fit

The Megablast fits true to size and provides excellent comfort, though it took about 3 runs for me to get used to the shoe and really appreciate its benefits. The foot feels nice and secure through the midfoot, while the light tongue design goes completely unnoticed during runs.

The heel collar comfort and security required some adjustment for me—I found the lockdown wasn't quite as immediate as some other shoes in my rotation, but once properly adjusted, it provides adequate security for training runs.

The engineered woven upper delivers exceptional breathability, creating a light and airy feeling that I'm particularly looking forward to testing on longer efforts like 30k runs.

Asics Megablast Review: Pros and Cons

Pros

• Unique bouncy ride characteristics: The FF TURBO SQUARED foam creates an incredibly soft, bouncy sensation that's unlike any other training shoe I have tried, making easy and steady runs feel energizing and comfortable.
• Exceptional lightweight design: At approximately 223g despite the high stack height, it defies expectations and contributes to an effortless running experience.
• Keeps legs fresh: The soft foam without a carbon plate creates a forgiving ride that's perfect for recovery and building mileage while protecting your legs for harder sessions.
• Good wet weather performance: The ASICSGRIP outsole delivers reliable traction in wet conditions, providing confidence during year-round training.
• Versatile training capability: Performs excellently across easy, steady, and long run paces making it a true multi-purpose trainer.
• Stable despite high stack: The wide platform and light weight create surprising stability for such a cushioned shoe, with good performance on both ascents and descents.

Cons

• Heel collar adjustment needed: The lockdown isn't quite as immediate as other shoes, requiring some fine-tuning to achieve optimal security.
• Not ideal for race day: While excellent for training, there are better options available for racing due to the lack of carbon plate propulsion.
• Premium price point: At $225, it represents a significant investment that may be challenging to justify for some runners.
• High stack height considerations: The 45mm heel height requires some awareness during cornering and on uneven surfaces, though stability is generally good.

Asics Megablast Alternatives

If you're considering other options in this category, there are several competitive alternatives:

Nike Zoom Fly 6: Before purchasing the Megablast, I expected it to be similar to the Zoom Fly 6. However, without the carbon plate and with its very soft foam, the Megablast is actually quite unique and offers a different experience focused more on cushioning and bounce rather than propulsion.

Asics Novablast 4: A more affordable option that also focuses on bounce and cushioning.

Saucony Triumph 21: Another cushioned trainer that provides comfort for easy miles, though with a more traditional ride compared to the Megablast's unique bounce.

My Experience Using The Asics Megablast

With my background as a competitive runner (31-minute 10k PB) and UESCA-certified coach with over 20 years of experience, I've tested numerous training shoes throughout my career. The Asics Megablast presented a unique learning curve that distinguished it from other shoes I've used.

My initial testing began with easy and steady runs, where the shoe's incredibly bouncy characteristics became immediately apparent. However, it took about 3 runs for me to fully adapt to this unique ride and really appreciate what the shoe offers.

After 20 kilometers of testing across various paces and conditions, I found the Megablast excels at easy runs for me this is in the 6:00-7:30 per mile range and steady efforts. The soft foam provides exceptional comfort while still responding well when I add power going downhill or during slight pace increases.

What impressed me most was the noticeable difference compared to carbon-plated shoes. There's a slight lag or delay between landing and pushing off, but I found this characteristic perfect for a training shoe. It allows my legs to recover and stay fresh while still providing enough bounce and energy return for productive training sessions.

The lightweight construction is remarkable given the high stack height. Despite sitting on top of substantial foam, the shoe feels nimble and never sluggish, making it enjoyable for longer runs where weight can become a factor.

How Does The Asics Megablast Perform Over Different Conditions?

Easy and Steady Paces: The shoe truly excels at easy runs  and steady-paced efforts. The soft, bouncy foam makes these runs feel energizing and comfortable, perfect for building mileage and recovering between harder sessions.

Tempo Pace: I'm looking forward to testing the Megablast at tempo paces to see how it performs at higher intensities. The foam responds well to increased power, suggesting it may handle faster efforts better than expected.

Road Surfaces: My testing has been exclusively on roads, where the shoe performs exceptionally. The ASICSGRIP outsole provides reliable traction on both dry and wet surfaces.

Hills: Despite the high stack height (45mm heel), the shoe feels very stable on both ascents and descents. The wide platform and light weight contribute to confidence when climbing and descending, though some awareness is needed with the height when cornering.

Wet Weather: The shoe performed very well in wet conditions, with the ASICSGRIP outsole providing excellent traction. Some thought is required when cornering at speed due to the high stack, but overall grip and stability inspire confidence in challenging weather.

How Does The Asics Megablast Fit Into My Current Shoe Rotation?

The Megablast has earned its place as my primary cushioned training shoe:

Easy Days: This is now my go-to shoe for easy recovery runs, providing exceptional bounce and cushioning that keeps my legs feeling fresh between harder sessions.

Steady Runs: The Megablast excels during steady-paced efforts where I want comfort and bounce without the aggressive propulsion of a carbon-plated shoe.

Long Runs: I'm particularly excited to use this for long runs, including planned 30k efforts, where the lightweight construction and exceptional cushioning should help maintain comfort over extended distances.

Race Day: For racing, I'll continue using shoes with carbon plates like the PUMA Fast-R Nitro Elite 3 or Asics Metaspeed Edge Paris, as these provide the aggressive propulsion needed for personal best performances.

Speed Work: For track sessions and speed work, I prefer the responsiveness of the Asics Metaspeed Edge Paris or Nike Vaporfly 3, saving the Megablast for training days when leg freshness is the priority.

Tempo Work: I'm interested to test the Megablast at tempo pace (5:20-5:30 per mile) to determine if it can handle these faster sustained efforts, though I may ultimately prefer the Nike Zoom Fly 6 for this purpose.

This approach allows me to maximize the benefits of the Megablast's unique cushioning and bounce for daily training while ensuring I have the right tools for race-specific preparation and competition.

Should You Buy The Asics Megablast?

Is the Megablast the right running shoe for you? I highly recommend the Asics Megablast for:

High-mileage runners: If you run a fair few miles each week and want a shoe that keeps your legs feeling fresh, the Megablast's unique cushioning is perfect for building and maintaining volume.

Runners seeking cushioned comfort: Those who appreciate heavily cushioned shoes will love the bouncy, soft ride that makes easy and steady runs feel energizing rather than exhausting.

Training-focused athletes: Runners who want to protect their legs during training while saving carbon-plated shoes exclusively for races and key workouts will find the Megablast fills this role perfectly.

Runners incorporating faster long runs: The shoe's ability to handle a range of paces from easy (6:00-7:30 per mile) to potentially faster tempo efforts makes it ideal for varied training sessions.

Those wanting a unique ride experience: If you're looking for something different from traditional trainers and carbon-plated shoes, the Megablast offers a distinctive bouncy sensation that's truly unique.

However, I would not recommend the Megablast for:

Race day use: There are better race day shoes available with carbon plates that provide more aggressive propulsion for personal best performances.

Budget-conscious runners: At $225, it's a premium investment. If budget is a primary concern, there are more affordable cushioned trainers available.

Low-mileage recreational runners: If you're only running a few times per week at easy paces, the premium price may be difficult to justify when more affordable options would serve your needs equally well.

FAQ

Is the Megablast worth the premium price?

For runners seeking a unique, cushioned training shoe that keeps legs feeling fresh during high-mileage weeks, the $225 investment is justified by the innovative FF TURBO SQUARED foam technology and exceptional ride characteristics. 

How does the Megablast compare to the Nike Zoom Fly 6?

Before purchasing, I expected the Megablast to be similar to the Zoom Fly 6. However, they're actually quite different. The Zoom Fly 6 bridges the gap between training and racing, while the Megablast is purely a training shoe designed to keep legs fresh.