Our verdict: The ASICS Superblast 3 sits in a unique category — not quite a race shoe, not quite a standard trainer, but a high-performance long run shoe that comfortably handles tempo efforts. It keeps your legs fresh across big mileage weeks while still feeling fast enough for steady running, making it one of the most versatile trainers currently available for marathon training blocks.
| Specification | ASICS Superblast 3 |
| Midsole foam | FF Leap (the race-day compound from the Metaspeed range) over a 10mm layer of FF Blast+ |
| Plate | None — unplated |
| Claimed ride | 15% bouncier than the Superblast 2 (ASICS claim) |
| Best for | Long runs, steady and tempo efforts, marathon training blocks |
First Impressions: Out of the Box
Right out of the box, the colorway makes a statement. The blue/coral/aurora gradient with the iridescent FF Leap branding on the midsole is genuinely striking — these are shoes that turn heads at the start line. The upper is a soft engineered mesh that feels immediately comfortable, with coral lace loops adding a premium touch throughout.
The stack height is unmistakably large, but the shoe is lighter in hand than you'd expect. That contrast — big foam, low weight — is the Superblast's signature trick.
The Midsole: FF Leap Changes Everything
The headline upgrade over previous versions is the new FF Leap midsole foam — the exact same race-day compound found in ASICS' Metaspeed racing shoes. The midsole is predominantly FF Leap, with a 10mm layer of FF Blast+ closer to the ground for durability and structure.
The result underfoot is genuinely special. It's plush without being mushy — soft on landing, snappy on toe-off. ASICS claims a 15% bouncier ride over the Superblast 2, and you feel it on your very first stride.
Critically, the bounce doesn't force your stride the way carbon-plated shoes often do. It amplifies your mechanics rather than dictating them — which makes this shoe far more accessible across a range of paces.
A tempo-friendly trainer that will shine on long runs
I recently took the ASICS Superblast out for a tempo run to see how it behaves when the pace lifts. The result was impressive — it feels surprisingly lively for such a high-stack shoe.
The first thing you notice is the massive slab of FF Blast Turbo foam, the same material used in ASICS' race shoes. That gives the Superblast a soft landing but a quick rebound when you push the pace.
On this run the shoe felt:
stable even at tempo pace
light for the stack height
extremely protective underfoot
It encourages a smooth rolling stride, making it easy to hold rhythm without feeling overly aggressive like a plated racing shoe.
How it feels at tempo pace
For a tempo run, the Superblast performs better than expected for a max-cushion trainer.
The bounce from the midsole gives a noticeable energy return, but without forcing your stride the way carbon shoes often do.
This makes it ideal for sessions like:
steady state efforts
marathon pace runs
progression long runs
You get enough responsiveness to move quickly, while still feeling comfortable and relaxed.
Long-run testing takes fuel
Every test session behind this review was fuelled with FTP Energy Pastilles — 30g of carbs per 2 pastilles.
Where this shoe will really shine
While it handles tempo running well, the real strength of the Superblast will likely be long aerobic runs.
The large foam platform provides:
excellent fatigue reduction
soft landings late into long runs
protection over 20–30 km efforts
For marathon training this makes it a strong option for long runs where comfort matters but you still want some pace.
Fuelling compatibility
One of the interesting aspects of using the Superblast during training is how well it works when you're fuelling mid-run.
Because the ride is smooth and stable, it's easy to:
reach into a pocket
grab a chew
keep running without breaking stride
For long runs I typically carry chewable carbohydrates rather than gels, which are easier to eat while moving. A soft chew like FTP Energy Pastilles works particularly well here because you can eat them gradually without needing water immediately.
This combination works especially well for marathon training where fuelling consistency matters as much as pace. For longer efforts I pair chews with a carbohydrate electrolyte drink mix to maintain steady energy intake.
Pros
Huge energy return for a non-plated shoe
Extremely protective cushioning
Stable platform for a high-stack shoe
Works for both tempo and long runs
Stunning colorway — the aurora iridescent finish is genuinely beautiful
Cons
Expensive compared to most trainers
Large stack height may feel bulky for some runners
Not ideal for very fast intervals
Common Questions
Is the ASICS Superblast 3 carbon plated?
No. The Superblast 3 is unplated — its energy return comes from the FF Leap midsole foam rather than a carbon plate. That means the bounce amplifies your own mechanics instead of forcing your stride the way plated racing shoes often do.
Is the Superblast 3 good for marathons?
It is an excellent marathon training shoe. The large foam platform reduces fatigue and keeps landings soft over 20–30 km efforts, and it comfortably handles steady state, marathon-pace and progression long runs — though it sits closer to a high-performance trainer than a dedicated race-day shoe.
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A full training block of chewable carbs in one pack.
£42.99
SHOP PASTILLES
Verdict
The ASICS Superblast sits in a unique category — it's not quite a race shoe and not quite a standard trainer.
Instead it's a high-performance long run shoe that can comfortably handle tempo efforts, making it a very strong option for marathon training blocks.
If you want a shoe that keeps your legs fresh on big mileage weeks but still feels fast enough for steady running, the Superblast is one of the most versatile trainers currently available.
The ASICS Superblast 3 is one of the most complete training shoes available right now. It keeps your legs fresh across big mileage weeks, handles tempo efforts with surprising ease, and looks exceptional while doing it. For marathon training blocks, it's hard to argue against.
Rating: 9.5/10
For race training I usually use a complete marathon fuelling bundle so I have both carbs and hydration covered.
At FTP Endurance Fuel we test nutrition products during real training runs to understand what works under race conditions. You can read more running gear reviews in the FTP Endurance Gear Lab.
Products used during this run
ASICS Superblast
FTP Energy Pastilles
FTP Power Fluids
More from the FTP Gear Lab: Nike Alphafly 3 review, ASICS Novablast 5 review and Nike Vomero Plus review. Getting ready to race? Read our marathon fuelling guide and what to eat during a marathon.
