Asics Sonicblast Review: Squared Up and Plated, Ready to Serve

Introduction to the Asics Sonicblast

MEG: We’d been hearing whispers about two new Asics models, the Megablast and the Sonicblast, and honestly, I thought it was a joke. Those names sound more like a Saturday morning cartoon hero than a shoe. But nope, they’re real, they’ve joined the “Blast”” family, and I don’t think anyone’s going to complain about them. Today, we’ll focus on the Sonicblast, possibly my favorite of the two.

The Sonicblast slots in above the Novablast in Asics’ lineup, sharing a similar geometry but with a more refined build. The upper is a lightweight jacquard mesh, well-padded in the right spots,  with a straightforward flat, stretchy lacing system.

Underfoot, you’ve got a brand-new FF Turbo Squared foam (an ATPU compound), sitting above a layer of FF Blast Max– the same foam found in the Novablast 5. Sandwiched between them is Asics’ Astroplate, a Pebax plate for added snap. With a big ol’ stack height of 46 mm in the heel and 38 mm in the forefoot, you’re getting a serious helping of bouncy cushioning. Rounding it out is AsicsGrip on the outsole for traction.

Specs are great on paper, but the real question is: how does it run? I’ve logged plenty of miles to find out.

THOMAS: The Sonicblast is the shoe that Asics has been missing. The Magic Speed flirted with this space but fell short. Now, Asics has delivered its first truly plated super trainer, and it’s better than I imagined. I know, bold claim for the opening line. But the Sonicblast earns it. This isn’t a Novablast with a Pebax plate tossed in for flash. It’s a new design from the ground up. A whole new tiger.

My size US M10.5 weighs 9.9 oz. (282 g) and fits true to size.

What we like about the Asics Sonicblast

MEG: The Asics Sonicblast landed on my doorstep one evening while I was enjoying a cocktail on the couch. Curious, I slipped them on and did a few laps around the kitchen island. The nearly all-white colorway instantly (obviously) won me over. It’s crisp and clean and the patterned logo along the side added a nice touch without feeling overdesigned.

The step-in feel was great, the fit was true to size, and the stretchy laces provided a snug, secure lockdown without any pressure points. The upper felt light yet still offered welcome padding around the collar and heel for comfort.

Once I hit the road, the Sonicblast really came alive. The FF Turbo Squared underfoot delivered a soft yet springy ride, while the Pebax plate injected a noticeable pop into every stride. The combination had me running faster than I’d planned on more than one occasion. In fact, the experience reminded me a lot of the Saucony Endorphin Speed. However, here the midsole feels a bit more refined: softer, bouncier, and dare I say– more fun.

The shoes are also relatively light. My W7.5 came in at 7.4oz (207g).

THOMAS: The Sonicblast is a complete package. Its jacquard mesh upper breathes easily and fits snug without squeezing, with enough give for most foot widths. The gusseted tongue, lightly padded collar, and heel counter strike a middle ground between a stripped-down racer and a cushioned daily trainer.

Asics stacked their best foams into a thoughtful midsole build. Closest to your foot is FF Turbo Squared—dense, springy, and eager to push you forward. Beneath it, a Pebax plate adds snap, like running off a diving board. Under that sits FF Blast Max, smoothing out the ride and keeping you steady. The outsole is AsicsGrip rubber. Even with plenty of exposed foam, 30-plus miles into my testing, it had only light scuffs and some dirt.

What I liked most was the feel. The ride has that hard-to-define “fun” quality: lively but not sloppy, cushioned without being soft. It’s light enough for any pace. Easy runs rolled by smoothly, tempos had extra pop. For a high-stack shoe, it feels planted. I’m not calling it a stability shoe, but it’s far from wobbly, especially in comparison to something like the Novablast. On a recent 10-miler, I started slow and finished fast, and it felt right at every speed.

I wouldn’t label it a marathon shoe or a race-day shoe, but I’d happily use it for both. The Sonicblast is a shoe that can do it all.

What we don’t like about the Asics Sonicblast

MEG: I did find the Sonicblast to feel just a touch snug through the forefoot. To be fair, I have bunions on both feet, so that could certainly play a role – but it’s still something worth flagging for the wide-footed crowd. I also noticed that the upper has a tendency to hold onto moisture. While it’s soft, comfortable, and well-constructed, it did seem to collect more sweat than I’d like during longer runs.

THOMAS: I can’t make up any nit-picky stuff for the Sonicblast. I like this one the way it is. Time will tell if the exposed FF Blast Max will become an issue, but so far, that even seems to be fine.

Final thoughts on the Asics Sonicblast

MEG: The Asics Sonicblast has quickly earned a spot among my favorite super trainers. It strikes a near-perfect balance– plenty of bounce and pop when you want to push the pace, yet sturdy enough to handle the grind of daily miles. The Asics Superblast has long been my go-to in this category, but the Sonicblast might just be poised to steal the crown. For now… 

THOMAS: I can’t say it any better than Meg did. I look forward to hearing what die-hard Saucony Endorphin Speed fans will say. For me, this has that little bit of magic I was missing from the Endorphin Speed.

You can pick up the Asics Sonicblast for $180 on September 1 (pre-order available now) from Running Warehouse (featuring free shipping and 90-day returns) by using the buttons below.