After loving the Asics so much, I decided to try the Asics Magic Speed. Having the name is “Magic” in it, you know it’s going to be good. At least we hope so, that’s a bold statement and big-name shoes to fill.
Asics Magic Speed Quick Facts:
Weight: 8 oz
Heel to Toe Drop: 5 mm
Price: $150
Asics Magic Speed Intro:
At $150 and having a carbon plate, you have to wonder, what is wrong with the Asics Magic Speed? Is it durable? Is it fast? Can I race in it? I had so many questions, which is why I wanted to check it out early. Already the fun green color sold me. I haven’t had a green shoe in a while, so I was excited for a change.
Asics Magic Speed Fit:
In the upper, the Asics Magic Speed uses “multi-directional mesh material.” this is designed to be light and improve ventilation and stability. I’ve found this to be of the thinnest and breathable meshes from Asics to date. It’s not heavy, and it breathes well in the summer.
Maybe the thing I like best about the upper is that it’s minimal. There is no extra stuff in the Asics Magic Speed. It isn’t extremely padded or bulky. It’s minimal, breathes well, and you don’t notice it with blisters or hot spots. The tongue isn’t annoying, and I don’t get irritation in the heels. It just goes on, and you don’t notice it.
As far as fit, typically, in running shoes, I wear between a women’s size 10-11 wide. In Asics, I usually migrate towards the size 11, and I’ve found the women’s size 11 to be the best for me in the Asics Magic Speed. It fits well.
Asics is built from a more narrow last, so it hugs the midfoot well without suffocating my foot.
Asics Magic Speed Ride:
The Magic Speed is far more responsive than most Asics brands. You aren’t going to find a soft and cushioned shoe like the Novablast, but you also aren’t going to find a tank of a shoe like the Asics Kayano or Nimbus.
The FlyteFoam Blast midsole in the Magic Speed makes it a firm ride that makes you feel like you are propelling forward. That is partially because there is a half carbon plate in the forefoot.
The Magic Speed also uses Guidesole technology which helps give the shoe a nice rocker feeling. In more detail, the curved sole design and stiff forefoot of Guidesole technology reduce ankle flexion. This lessens the fatigue to other leg muscles and can increase runner efficiency.
Traction: As mentioned in other reviews, I don’t deal with a lot of rain right now, but I do deal with needing traction on sandy trails. The Asics Magic Speed uses “ASICSGRIP AHAR® Outsole. AHAR simply means “high abrasion rubber.” The AHAR is put into critical contact areas to give the Magic Speed more grip and more durability. For me, this gives it plenty of traction, and I don’t feel like rolling down a side of a sand dune.
Usually, shoes either have a carbon plate or a good amount of traction, but the Asics Magic Speed has both. Plus, I’ve already run nearly 100 miles, and it looks like it will live a fairly decent life.
I’ve run several different types of runs in the Asics Magic Speed, including long runs, easy runs, and faster tempo style runs. For me, it fits into a faster tempo-style run. I prefer more shoes on a recovery day and a faster shoe (like the Metaspeed Sky) on race day. It’s nearly perfect for me for workouts (I do not say that a lot…the only other “perfect” shoe on race days for me is the New Balance Fuelcell TC).
Asics Magic Speed Conclusion:
If you are looking for a workout shoe or trying and carbon plated shoe without the price, I suggest the Asics Magic Speed. It’s one of my more favorite workout shoes recently. I don’t have a lot of negative to say about it, and it does exactly what it said. It’s a great workout shoe with a carbon plate. At $150, it’s one of the cheapest carbon plated shoes.
My Current Shoe Rotation:
Easy/Daily Runs Brooks Aurora, Diadora Mythos Blushield Volo, Brooks Ricochet 3, New Balance 1080 v11, Hoka Bondi 7,
Speed Work: Asics Magic Speed, Nike Tempo Next%, New Balance Fuelcell TC Shoe Review, Reebok Float Ride Run fast Pro,
Long Runs: Hoka Clifton Edge, Under Armour Sonic HOVR 3
Trail Running/Hiking: Hoka Torrent 2, Saucony Peregrine 11, North Face Flight VECTIV
Races: Asics Metaspeed Sky, Hoka One One Rocket X, adidas Adizero Pro, New Balance Fuelcell 5280, Nike Next%, Saucony Endorphin Pro, New Balance fuelcell TC, Reebok Run fast Pro
You Can See All Current Shoe Reviews Here.
Looking to learn more about running shoes? I talk about why you need a good running shoe, a shoe’s anatomy, neutral vs. stable, and even myths of running shoes in my ebook.
Questions for you:
Have you tried the Asics Magic Speed?
What is your current favorite running shoe?