Magic Speed 2 Asics Review

[Othon Sdcd]

SilkeWith that bright yellow upper, that fire orange outsole and midsole part, the MAGIC SPEED 4 has an aggressive racer look. Instantly, I thought of the Metaspeed Paris series when I saw it. I would say the fit is true to size. However, it is on the narrower side and harder to get on foot. That is a bit annoying when you are wearing thick socks.The tongue has a tendency to slide forward and needs to be readjusted to secure the fit. Speaking of the tongue, it is gusseted with just a tiny amount of padding, placed where you tie the laces to relieve pressure on the top of the foot.

The engineered mesh upper feels comfortable and breathable and it dried very quickly. However, there are parts of the upper which I believe could be thinner. The printed overlays in the midfoot work quite nicely and the stripped back collar and heel really add to the racer feel of the shoe.

Ivan: I agree with Silke that this shoe is quite challenging to put on and the curved and fairly rigid heel counter also puts some pressure on the achilles for me. Once in the MAGIC SPEED 4, I find it quite voluminous, with too much space in the midfoot for my liking. This makes it hard to get a really good midfoot wrap. The heel is decently padded for an uptempo shoe, and despite a tiny bit of movement, I get a decent lockdown in the heel. The forefoot tapers for an average fit at the front.

Silke: ASICS have chosen to upgrade the midsole with an insert of FF TURBO. They have also increased the stack height so that the MAGIC SPEED 4 now joins the league of super trainers. In contrast to the other ASICS super trainer, the Superblast, it is equipped with a carbon plate. It is of course designed to help improve stability and propel your foot forward. Thankfully, the MAGIC SPEED 4 propels me forward in a delightful way.

Ivan: Having been a big fan of the second version of the ASICS MAGIC SPEED, I was curious to see how a higher stacked version would perform. Although it is a complete departure from the nimble third version, it visually resembles the earlier version that I logged over 800 km in.

While it is now thicker stacked, this latest version shares some similarities with the previous models, particularly in its break-in period. The foam is not initially soft and compliant. It feels more dampening and somewhat rigid. However, after some time, especially in warmer temperatures, it loosens up and feels less stiff. The rocker is not as pronounced in this version. As Silke mentioned, it seems designed to encourage landing more towards the front, where the puck of FF Turbo is placed. I find that area firmer than the rest of the midsole. However, it adds some nice responsiveness that becomes more noticeable when picking up the pace.

So if you are in search of a new training companion with a lightweight midsole and a responsive ride you should keep an eye on the MAGIC SPEED 4. Looking for a do-it-all shoe without a plate? You might want to try the ASICS Superblast. Yes it comes with a higher price, but it can really do it all. If you are more into a soft and squishy, cushioned ride with a tighter budget, the Mizuno Neo Vista should be on your list.

Meta Endurance is the unique all-in-one platform designed to help runners achieve their best. From comprehensive training programs to in-depth reviews on the latest shoes, you will be able to find everything you need to take your performance to the next level.

ASICS is back again with a new carbon plated racing shoe to add to the arms race that has become "super shoes". The ASICS Magic Speed is one of several carbon plated racing shoes to come to the market and features their traditional Flytefoam Blast midsole. The series of racing shoes is designed to cater to different stride patterns and strategies reflected in ASICS' research. An example would be using a hip versus and ankle strategy, or using a higher cadence versus a lower cadence. The series will feature the Magic Speed, Metaspeed Sky, and the Metaspeed Edge. The midsole of the Metaspeed Sky is updated and will feature Flytefoam Turbo.

RUNNING SHOE SUMMARY

Matt: The ASICS Magic Speed is a long distance racer and lightweight trainer for those who love GUIDESOLE technology but want a little more aggressive ride. A carbon fiber plate sits in the forefoot along with aggressive toe spring that rolls you forward quickly. The Flytefoam Blast is mildly soft, protective but thanks to the plate remains stable particularly at the forefoot. The upper is thin, slightly narrow and structured at the heel. So those with medium to narrow feet looking for a performance fit will find the ASICS Magic Speed great as a lightweight trainer, long distance racing shoe or workout shoe.

David: The ASICS Magic Speed is a long distance racing shoe for those looking to utilize the GUIDESOLE like sensation seen in the EvoRide 2 or the Noosa Tri 13. The GUIDESOLE is an exaggerated toe spring to help with toe off and unload the calf musculature. The result is a fast transitioning feel up front with a softer and more protected heel. The FlyteFoam Blast is soft, bouncy, and protective, but still carries an aspect of firmness and structure to it. This is especially noted in the forefoot. Essentially this shoe is definitely protective enough for long workouts or racing but is not overly plush or unstable in any way. This is a plated racing shoe for those that like some bounce but still enjoy a firmer ride.

FIT (LENGTH / WIDTH / COMFORT)

Matt: The ASICS Magic Speed fit me slightly short in my normal US men's size 10. This may be due to the slightly narrower fit and taper at the toe box. This did break in and as someone who likes a closer fit, I did enjoy this upper once it stretched a bit. The upper security is very high. There is a semi rigid heel counter in the heel that I did notice initially, but did not cause me problems. There is additional cushioning along the inner top part of the heel collar that provides a little space between the Achilles insertion and the counter. For those very sensitive to this, be a little cautious. The fit overall is fairly snug. The heel fit very close and I did not have to lace lock the shoe at all. There is a little more volume in the midfoot, but tying down the laces locked that in. The ASICS logo adds additional reinforcement to the upper at the midfoot, but the upper overall is fairly thin. The tongue is very thin and is free floating. It is locked in with the laces and I did not have a problem with slippage. The forefoot is more narrow and tapers quickly along the lateral aspect. This was very noticeable at first, but has broken in a little over my time running in them (40 miles). This is not a shoe I would wear sockless due to there being a somewhat noticeable toe guard. Overall though if you are wearing socks, this is definitely a more snug fit that should work well for those with medium (if you want snug) to narrow feet.

David: The Magic Speed fits very true to size in my normal 9.5. The shoe has nice security throughout in the heel, midfoot, and forefoot. The midfoot especially has a nice hold from the engineered mesh upper. There is a semi rigid heel counter present that feels like it is two layered. The layer closer to the foot bed feels a little more rigid and padded while the upper layer feels more flexible and adaptable. The mesh almost feels like a breathable stitching where it isn't that soft like most mesh's or knits. The upper is still comfortable, secure, and breathes really well. I had one run in a rain/hail storm and the upper drained pretty well too, not adding too much weight to the shoe. There is a very light toe guard present that provides just enough structure to maintain the build of the shoe but feels nonexistent on foot. The toe box is pretty wide for a racing shoe and and the forefoot has enough room to help accommodate swelling. Overall the upper is very nice and secure and one of the better uppers in the racing world. Lockdown is also great throughout.

PERFORMANCE (RIDE / SPEED)

Matt: The ASICS Magic Speed has a smooth but very rockered ride. The FLYTEFOAM BLAST is soft in the heel and firms up in the forefoot secondary to the plate up front. The ride throughout isn't super bouncy, but is more rolling and efficient. The Magic Speed is fully rockered with a large laterally biased heel bevel. This creates a very smooth heel contact. The toe spring is noticeable very early on and the rocker clearly begins in the midfoot. The transition through the midfoot and forefoot is very quick in the Magic Speed. This again is secondary to the GUIDESOLE design. The toe spring is a bit aggressive as the toes are held in a bit of extension. However, this smooths out as the pace picks up. The ride is protective enough that those used to lighter shoes will be able to use it as a lightweight trainer. I have used this shoe for long runs at easy paces and while it felt a little aggressive at first, the ride broke in well creating an efficient roll. There is a 5mm drop that I almost did not notice. The toe spring and overall rocker reduces a great deal of load through the calves, making for a very efficient ride. For workouts this shoe does very well. It isn't the fastest, but it picks up the pace nicely while still providing some protection. It works well as a workout trainer for intervals, tempo runs and even uptempo long runs for those used to lightweight trainers. The Magic Speed as a racing shoe will vary depending on the runner. Many people may be able to use as a 10k to half marathon. Others used to lightweight trainers may like this up to the marathon. It isn't quite light enough for a 5k, but those used to heavier shoes may look int that direction. The traction and durability are extremely good. The grip is sufficient that I have used this on paved and rocky trails without too much issue. The traction on wet road is phenomenal and very secure. The outsole has zero wear after 40 miles of use and I expect this shoe to last well beyond normal miles for a lightweight trainer. That makes this shoe a steal at $150 for a lightweight shoe with a forefoot carbon plate.

David: The Magic Speed is a really fun shoe. This is one of my personal favorites of 2021 so far, especially for workouts. The FlyteFoam Blast midsole is soft but still maintains its structure pretty well when it is compressed. The result is a bouncy foam that is not overly soft. The forefoot is much more firm than the heel because the toe spring and carbon fiber plate are creating the GUIDESOLE aspect of the ride. The toe spring does not feel as exaggerated as the MetaRacer did, but a lot more fluid and natural at toe off. The heel has a crash pad design with an otherwise full contact outsole. The rubber is grippy multidirectional. The traction is really good on the road even in slick conditions. This is a racing shoe that does not feel overly exaggerated in any specific category. What I mean by this is that it is a little bit of a jack of all trades. The shoe is not nearly as soft as say ZoomX in Nike, Nitro Elite at Puma, or its sister shoe Metaspeed Sky with FlyteFoam Turbo, but it is still pretty soft. The responsiveness is definitely present, but not so much so that you find yourself having to alter your form to run in the shoe more comfortably. The shoe essentially provides a nice rocker like ride with a softer heel and firmer forefoot. Don't get me wrong though. There is definitely some snap to this shoe and you can definitely race in it.

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