Megablast 1 vs Sonicblast 2

The Asics Megablast is the brand's big, bouncy super trainer: a plateless max-stack running shoe that sits above the Superblast as the softer, taller, more cushioned option in the line. There is no carbon plate here, so the propulsion comes purely from a huge 46mm heel of FF Turbo Squared foam and the shape of the sole. That makes it a versatile do-everything trainer rather than a pure speed tool. It soaks up easy miles, holds a long run together, and still has enough energy return to lift into a steady tempo when you want it. At 230g it is not light for a trainer, and at £229 it is priced like a race shoe, so it asks a lot up front. But if you want one cushioned shoe that covers most of your week without a plate dictating the ride, the Megablast makes a strong case. We rate it as a premium daily-to-long-run trainer with real pop.

The Sonicblast 2 is ASICS building a super trainer for runners who want a bit of race-day energy on an ordinary Tuesday. It pairs FF Turbo Squared foam with an FF Blast Max base and a forked Pebax plate, so you get a bouncy, propulsive running shoe that still carries enough foam for long runs. With a 46mm heel and an 8mm drop it is a lot of shoe, yet at 242g it is light for that much stack. We see it as a do-it-all training partner: tempo sessions, long runs with marathon-pace blocks, and plenty of steady miles in between. The plate is Pebax, not carbon, which keeps the snap more forgiving than a race shoe and makes it easier to live with day to day. If you mostly run easy and want something simpler and cheaper, the Novablast 6 makes more sense. At £170 RRP it isn't cheap, so check the UK prices we track below before you buy.