Megablast 1

This is a soft, tall, rolling ride. The 46mm of FF Turbo Squared under the heel gives a deep, forgiving landing, and the 8mm drop plus the rockered geometry tips you forward so you are not fighting the stack. Without a plate the transition feels more natural and less aggressive than a carbon super trainer, so it flatters a range of paces rather than demanding one. Kept easy, it is plush and protective. Pick the pace up to a steady tempo and the foam gives a lively rebound that rewards a smooth midfoot roll. It is not a snappy, rigid ride and it will not turn over like a racer, but for a big cushioned shoe it stays surprisingly willing. Hold a rhythm and it comes alive.

Cushioning is the whole point of this shoe. With a 46mm heel and 38mm forefoot of FF Turbo Squared, the Megablast sits firmly in max-stack territory and delivers deep, soft protection that holds up as the miles pile on. This is the shoe you reach for when your legs are tired or the run is long, because the foam keeps taking the edge off long after a firmer trainer would start to feel harsh. The 8mm drop keeps the ride balanced rather than heel-heavy despite the height. It is soft without feeling dead or unstable underfoot, and the energy return is genuine enough that easy miles never feel like a slog. For long-run comfort and everyday leg protection, this is among the more generous trainers you can buy.

The Megablast is a neutral shoe and makes no stability claims, so committed overpronators who need medial support should look elsewhere. That said, a 46mm stack is a lot of foam to balance on, and softer max-stack shoes can feel tippy for some runners. Asics counters this with a reasonably wide, shaped platform and a secure midfoot that keeps your foot seated over the sole, so it feels more planted than the raw height suggests. Neutral runners with a stable gait will get on with it well, even at slower long-run paces. If you already find tall soft shoes wobbly, or you land heavily off-centre, this is not the shoe to fix that, and a lower or firmer trainer will feel more locked down.

The upper is built for security over plushness, in keeping with the shoe's performance intent. It wraps the midfoot closely and holds the heel firmly, which is exactly what you want when there is this much stack underfoot and you are moving at pace. Breathability is decent for year-round UK running, and the collar and tongue give enough padding to stay comfortable over long efforts without adding bulk. It is a snugger, more race-adjacent fit than a soft everyday knit, so runners who like a loose, roomy upper for pure recovery jogging may find it a little tight. For most, the lockdown is a plus and the comfort holds up well across the full distance.