Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris & Edge Paris Reviews: Similar, Yet So Different

What You Need To Know

Introduction to the Asics Metaspeed Sky/Edge Paris

We kind of outlined the two shoes in the First Thoughts post we did on these two shoes, but we’ll repeat ourselves here: 

It’s an Olympic year, which means the hottest marathon shoes are dropping left and right in anticipation of the games. In the past couple months, we’ve seen the releases of the Nike Alphafly 3, Saucony Endorphin Pro 4, Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 2, New Balance SC Elite v4, and the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1. But Asics was the one major player that had yet to reveal their hand, even though the shoe was revealed on the feet of Clayton Young during the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials as he locked down a spot for Paris 2024. That shoe, of course, is actually those shoes: the Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris and Metaspeed Edge Paris.

Let’s get the naming convention out of the way. It seems a bit wacky at first glance, but it follows a trend of Asics mixing it up when it comes to their marathon shoes. After all, this is the fourth naming convention in five years for Asics’ race day models: Metaracer Tokyo, Metaspeed Sky, Metaspeed Sky+/Edge+, Metaspeed Sky Paris/Edge Paris. There’s no rhyme, but there is reason behind this newest version– in Olympic years, Asics would name their signature models after the event, which is how we ended up with shoes like the Mexico 66 (which debuted at the ‘68 Olympics) and the aforementioned Metaracer Tokyo.

Of course, that still leaves us with two options for race day. The question is: How have they improved and which one is best for you? That’s what we’ll try to figure out in the following sections as we compare the shoe and our preferences for each.

First, How to Tell Them Apart

At first glance, or during a race, the shoes look identical. Ember neon red upper, black tiger stripes, a bit of neon yellow and black on the midsole.

Get into their guts and they’re two very different shoes. 

But first– if you’re not familiar with the Metaspeed Sky and Edge, let’s dial it back. In 2021, Asics released both the Sky and Edge, specifically designed with two distinct running styles in mind. Most runners are “stride” runners, which means they have a longer gait with longer periods in the air. The Metaspeed Sky was designed for them. But then there are “cadence” runners, who increase their speed by both extending their stride length and increasing the number of steps they take in a minute. The Metaspeed Edge was designed for them.

The same theory essentially applies to the newest duo, though instead of putting you inside a certain box based on your run style, Asics wants you to run in what feels best under your own foot. That said, the baseline remains– if you’re more of a stride runner, you should run in the Metaspeed Sky Paris, if you’re more of a cadence runner, you should run in the Metaspeed Edge Paris.

When attempting to differentiate the shoes on foot, just look at the color blocking section in the forefoot on the midsole. The line between the black and neon yellow is where the plate comes through. On the Sky Paris, the curved plate sits higher and is closer to the foot, while on the Edge Paris, the plate has a more aggressive scoop in the forefoot, sitting lower in the shoe. 

What’s New in the Shoes

There’s a lot to cover here across both models, so I’ll do my best to get through it quickly. I could type out all the specs, but instead, I’ll just include the following visual.

The most notable changes across both models are the weight savings, midsole material, and upgraded upper.

Let’s talk about the weight savings first. As it stands, both the Sky Paris and Edge Paris are the lightest marathon shoes on the market aside from the ultra-premium and impossible-to-get Adios Pro Evo 1. They even beat out the Vaporfly 3 by a good third of an ounce. They shaved off about 10% of their weight from the previous versions. That’s significant.

Most exciting is Asics’ own recipe of a PEBA-style foam in the Flytefoam Turbo Plus (Pebax is a proprietary blend and PEBA is the generic term, much like Kleenex vs. facial tissue). This foam is a significant update, making both softer but bouncier, with a goal of saving the legs over longer distances. According to Asics, Turbo Plus offers an 8% greater energy return over Turbo, while it’s 6% softer and 8% lighter.

They both also feature a Motionwrap 2.0 upper which is even more breathable and flexible than the Metaspeed Sky+/Edge+ (one of the weak parts of those shoes), but offers better security. They also both come in at the same stack height and drop (39.5 mm in the heel/34.5 in the forefoot, 5 mm drop).

A new last also provides better arch support and a more stable platform in the forefoot. Lastly, the ASICSGRIP outsole (one of the grippier rubbers out there) has been updated with a lower density, likely to cut weight. It still provides superb traction with the rubber strategically placed in key areas underfoot.

Edge Paris (left) vs. Edge Sky (right)

> Metaspeed Sky Paris

In this specific model, a full-length carbon plate is positioned closer to the foot and is wider in the forefoot (12% wider, to be precise), as you can see in the above comparison chart. The goal is to provide a better bounce out of the foam, while the extended medial edge provides a bit more stability.

> Metaspeed Edge Paris

In the Edge Paris, the full-length carbon fiber plate is a spoon-shaped geometry, with the goal of providing increased forward propulsion. The forefoot also features a 3 mm increase in stack height, which of course means more foam which translates to greater cushion (20% larger returnable volume, to be precise).

The Case for the Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris

ROBBE: If familiar with my preference in the previous versions of these shoes (let’s be honest, you’re probably not), then you may be surprised to see my name under this section. In the 2022 version of the Metaspeed Sky and Edge, I heavily favored the Edge. Not because it was necessarily a better shoe– I just preferred the feel. It was aggressive, snappy off the toe, and fast. It really was my favorite race day shoe for anything under a half marathon.

Like a shell game at the local carnival, it appears that Asics has made a switcheroo on me. After doing two workouts in each shoe, there’s no doubt I now prefer the Metaspeed Sky. I can only assume it’s due in part to the FF Turbo Plus, the closeness of the plate to the foot, and the incredibly light overall package. It doesn’t feel as harsh as the original Metaspeed Edge, but it feels just as fast and fun. Like you can shift gears quickly and with ease. In many ways, it reminds me of a lighter version of the Nike Vaporfly 3.

The upper is incredible, of course. Ultra breathable and wraps the foot perfectly. No issues with hot spots or lace bite. The ASICSGRIP outsole digs into everything, whether it’s dry or wet.

Now, the reason I’m choosing the Sky Paris over the Edge Paris is because, to me, I feel like the Edge Paris lost that aggressive feel it had in the past version. For some people (like Meg below), this is exactly what they wanted: the more scooped plate style of the Edge, just with 4 mm more of foam. However, I just feel like the Edge Paris is too tame. It’s fast when you get it going, and it certainly has more comfort that will surely be appreciated over the course of a marathon, but it just felt like I was working against it half the time.

Maybe that’s cause my stride sucks– at 165-170 steps per minute, I’m certainly not a cadence runner. So maybe the Edge finally found who it’s meant for. It’s not me, which is why I’m sticking to the Sky Paris. It’s easily in the top three best racing shoes out there for me, especially when it comes to warmer weather.

The Case for the Asics Metaspeed Edge Paris

MEAGHAN: As Robbe noted in the details above, Asics did a flip-flop of sorts with the Metaspeed Edge and Sky. While I used to prefer the Sky, I now prefer the Edge. And it’s mostly because of the carbon plate placement. I love a softer feeling underfoot, which is made possible with the updated foam formulation and the plate sitting further away from the foot.

While I would say that both shoes are solid updates, the firmness of the Sky is the ultimate reason I opted for the Edge. Since I’m typically racing the marathon distance, comfort is a huge factor, especially in the late miles. It’s also nice to know you can run both easy and hard paces comfortably. I used the Edge Paris for an easy longer run and some speed work, and I loved it for both.

What if You Can’t Decide Between the Two?

THOMAS: I kinda wish Asics made the choice for all of us, and honestly, for me– either one would have worked. It is like the difference between Chicago-style pizza and Detroit-style pizza. They’re both pizza, they’re both delicious. Just give me one of them.

The carbon plate is the cheese in this scenario. All the ingredients are the same; it’s the assembly that’s different and it affects the experience. For example, the Edge Paris has the cheese under the sauce. The Edge Paris has more foam on the carbon plate for softer landings and a bouncier toe-off. You can feel a snappier, crispier sensation from the plate in the Sky Paris closer to the foot.

As I write this, I have put 45 miles on the Edge Paris and 40 miles on the Sky Paris, and I like them both. Here is the difference: the Edge Paris is more comfortable and would be my choice for locking into a pace and holding it. The Sky Paris is more aggressive and rewards the runner for leveraging the plate.

I understand why Meg likes the Edge Paris over the Sky Paris. She likes a soft landing. However, the plate over the foam in the Sky Paris mimics the sensation of the Alphafly. You feel the pop of the foam under the plate as you toe off, which is similar to the feeling of the plate over the airpods in the Alphafly. The Edge Paris and Sky Paris weigh the same ridiculously light sub 7 oz. You can’t go wrong with either model. 

I was jogging around my living room with a Sky on one foot and the Edge on the other, trying to pick between the two for my last half marathon. I was having a hard time choosing. I ended up texting a friend who knows both shoes intimately. He asked me about the course. With a reported 800 feet of elevation, he recommended the Edge Paris. Race day went well and the shoes managed the rain and hills well. The softer landings on down hills allowed me to open up my stride and take full advantage of the slope. Traction was not an issue. I would be confident taking on the full in the Edge Paris. 

On the flip side, I wore the Sky Paris for two different double-digit workouts. I loved the way the shoe responded to my hard effort in 800-meter repeats. I would have been good if I had gone with the Sky Paris for the half.

You’re probably wanting me to help you make a choice between the two shoes. I’m probably making things worse. Both Chicago and Detroit pizzas are still pizza, and pizza is good. Both the Edge Paris and Sky Paris are really, really good. I recommend you try both and go with your gut. Running Warehouse will ship them to you, and return the one you like less before you even get your credit card bill.

Hopefully that covers it for you. For those of you who have a hard time ordering a meal at the Cheesecake Factory, we feel for you. But for those of you who want a very specific feel adapted to your running style, then Asics has you covered. The shoe is legit, as we’ve seen from the many athletes who have already been tearing it up in 2024. We expect to see more of the same in Paris.

You can pick-up the Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris and Edge Paris on for $250 by using the shop links below.