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Magic Speed 5
Lightweight carbon-plated tempo and racing shoe with FF Turbo foam.
Today's tracked prices
- 01End Clothing10d ago£85.00£170.00−50%
- 02SportsShoesLIVE£101.99£170.00−40%
- 03Life Style Sports7d ago£105.00£170.00−38%
- 04365RiderLIVE£124.09£170.00−27%
- 05Alpine TrekLIVE£162.95£170.00−4%
- 06Run ActiveLIVE£170.00
- 07DerbyRunner7d ago£170.00
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Price history
Our verdict
The Magic Speed 5 is Asics doing the sensible thing: a carbon-plated running shoe that hands you race-day pop without asking for full super-shoe money. It sits a rung below the Metaspeed Sky racers, so think of it as a carbon tempo shoe and part-time marathon shoe rather than an out-and-out record chaser. At 193g with a 37mm heel and a 7mm drop, it is light and low-slung enough to feel fast, and the FF Turbo foam gives it genuine bounce when you lean into a session. What makes it worth a look is versatility. It will pace a threshold workout on Tuesday, then carry you through a half or a first marathon on Sunday without feeling like overkill. It is not the softest or the most aggressive shoe in its class, but as a one-shoe answer for a runner who wants some carbon assistance across a range of paces, we rate it highly.
Key features
- Carbon plateStiffens through toe-off and adds real snap when you lift the pace, without the harshness of an aggressive racer
- FF Turbo foamGives you a responsive, springy return that comes alive at threshold and race effort
- 193g race weightKeeps the shoe light on your foot so fast turnover feels natural over a half or full marathon
- 37mm heel, 7mm dropCarries enough stack to protect your legs on long efforts while staying low and connected for speed
- Breathable performance mesh upperWraps the foot securely and vents heat so your foot stays locked in and cool when you push
Who it suits
Who should buy it
- Runners who want carbon assistance across tempo, half and marathon paces in one shoe
- Threshold and interval sessions where you need snappy turnover
- First-time marathoners who want a racer that is not intimidatingly aggressive
- Neutral runners with an efficient stride chasing a value carbon option
Who should not buy it
- You need stability or motion control built in
- You have wide feet and want a roomy toe box
- You mainly run easy miles and want a soft, plush ride
- You want the most aggressive, fastest possible race shoe and have the budget for a top-tier racer
Best uses
Extra information
Fit & sizing
The Magic Speed 5 fits true to size for most runners, so order your usual Asics number. The forefoot is on the snugger, performance side rather than roomy, which is what you want in a shoe meant to move quickly, but wide-footed runners may find it tight across the toes. Midfoot lockdown is secure and the heel holds well with no slip once laced. If you are between sizes or plan to use it for longer marathon efforts where your feet swell late on, sizing up a half is the safer call. For tempo work and shorter races the standard fit gives you the locked-in, race-day feel that keeps your foot planted on the plate. Runners who like a generous, relaxed toe box for easy miles should look at a roomier daily trainer instead.
Performance breakdown
Ride & feel
This is a shoe that rewards pace. Roll along at an easy jog and the Magic Speed 5 feels firm and a little flat, the carbon plate and low-to-the-ground platform sitting quietly under you. Pick it up to threshold or race effort and it comes alive. The FF Turbo foam compresses and springs back, the plate stiffens the toe-off, and you get a snappy, propulsive roll that makes holding a quick rhythm feel easier than it should. It is a punchy, connected ride rather than a soft, floaty one, so you stay in control through corners and surges. Keep the efforts honest and it flatters your legs. Slow right down and you will wish you had reached for a softer trainer.
Cushioning
With a 37mm heel and 30mm forefoot, the Magic Speed 5 carries enough stack to protect your legs over a half or a full marathon, but it is tuned firmer than a plush daily trainer. The FF Turbo foam is responsive first and cushioned second, which is exactly the priority you want in a tempo and racing shoe. Underfoot you feel connected to the road, not cocooned from it. That firmness pays off at speed, where it gives you a stable, energetic base to push against. Over very long, slow miles it asks a bit more of your legs than a max-cushion shoe would, so pair it with the paces it was built for and the cushioning feels judged just right.
Stability
The Magic Speed 5 is a neutral shoe and makes no attempt to correct your gait, so runners who need genuine stability or motion control should look elsewhere. That said, it is more planted than many carbon shoes. The stack is moderate rather than towering, the platform sits fairly close to the ground, and the plate adds a degree of structure through the middle of the shoe, so it does not feel tippy at speed the way some tall racers can. Neutral runners with an efficient stride will find it secure and predictable through fast corners and surges. Heavier heel-strikers or anyone who overpronates and wants support built in will be happier in a dedicated stability trainer.
Upper & comfort
The upper is a thin, breathable engineered mesh built for performance rather than pampering, and it does the job well. It wraps the foot closely, breathes nicely on warm runs, and keeps the weight down where it counts. The tongue is minimal and the lacing pins the midfoot without pressure hot spots for most feet. There is not a lot of plush padding, which is normal for a shoe in this class and keeps things light and race-ready. If you are sensitive around the ankle collar or like a heavily cushioned, sock-like feel for easy running, the pared-back build may feel a touch spare, but for tempo sessions and races it strikes a sensible balance.
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FAQ
Specifications
| Category | Tempo |
| Surface | Road |
| Drop | 7mm |
| Heel Stack | 37mm |
| Forefoot Stack | 30mm |
| Weight | 193g |
| Carbon Plated | Yes |
| Stability | No |