Superblast 3
Softer, higher-stack super-trainer. Dual FF Blast Max and FF Turbo Plus foam, no plate, huge energy return.
Today's tracked prices
- 01AmazonLIVE£246.00
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Price history
Our verdict
The ASICS Superblast 3 is the most versatile running shoe ASICS makes: a towering, plateless super trainer that does the job of three or four shoes in your rotation. With a 45.8mm heel and 37.7mm forefoot it sits right at the World Athletics stack limit, yet at 235g it stays light enough to pick up the pace when you ask. There is no carbon plate here, and that is the whole point. This is soft, bouncy foam doing the work, so you get a springy daily training shoe that will still hang on through a tempo session or a half marathon. We rate it as one of the best do-it-all trainers on the road right now. It is not a dedicated marathon shoe and it is not cheap at £190, but if you want a single pair that covers easy miles, long runs and race-pace efforts without switching, the Superblast 3 is about as good as it gets. Bigger runner, one shoe, most of the week: this is the one.
Key features
- Plateless super trainer designGives you soft, natural bounce from the foam alone, so it flows at easy pace instead of forcing turnover like a carbon racer
- Near-max 45.8mm heel stackProtects your legs through long runs and heavy training weeks so you recover faster
- 235g light for the stackKeeps the shoe nimble enough to hit tempo and race pace despite all that cushioning
- 8mm dropSits in the middle ground that suits most runners, comfortable for heel and midfoot strikers alike
- Snug midfoot lockdownHolds your foot planted on the tall platform so the ride stays secure when you push the pace
- Breathable engineered mesh upperKeeps your foot cool over long summer efforts without adding weight
Who it suits
Who should buy it
- Runners who want one shoe to cover easy miles, long runs and tempo work
- Higher-mileage trainers who value leg protection and recovery
- Neutral runners chasing a soft but springy ride at pace
- Half-marathon racers who prefer a plateless, natural feel
- Anyone wanting a versatile trainer that can still run fast
Who should not buy it
- You need genuine stability or support for overpronation
- You want the aggressive snap of a carbon-plated marathon racer
- You have a broad forefoot and need a true wide fit
- You prefer a low, ground-connected ride
- Your budget rules out a £190 trainer
Best uses
Extra information
Fit & sizing
The Superblast 3 comes up true to size for most runners, so order your usual ASICS number. The fit is a touch on the snug side through the midfoot, which is what you want in a shoe this tall: it keeps your foot planted on a high stack and stops any wobble when you lean into a turn. The toe box is medium width, roomy enough for longer runs and mild swelling but not what we would call wide. If you have a broad forefoot or size up for ultra distances, try before you commit, because there is no wide version. Heel hold is secure with a moderately padded collar that locks the rearfoot without pressure. Midfoot lockdown is good once you snug the laces, though the tongue is fairly thin so ease off if you feel any lace bite. For most runners, take your normal size and go. Half sizes are worth trying on if you are between sizes and want extra toe room for marathons.
Performance breakdown
Ride & feel
This is where the Superblast 3 earns its reputation. The ride is soft and springy without being unstable, a rare balance at this stack height. At easy pace it feels protective and forgiving, soaking up the road so your legs stay fresher deep into a long run. Then you push, and the foam gives back. It rolls you forward with genuine bounce rather than the harsh snap of a plated racer. Hold half-marathon pace and it comes alive. It never feels dead or mushy, which is the usual trade with a plateless shoe this soft. What you do not get is the aggressive, forced turnover of a carbon racer like the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5: the Superblast asks you to drive the pace rather than doing it for you. For most training, and for a lot of runners on race day, that is exactly the ride you want.
Cushioning
Cushioning is the headline. With 45.8mm under the heel and 37.7mm up front, the Superblast 3 gives you maximum-stack protection that eats up long runs and back-to-back training days. The foam is soft but resilient, so it cushions the pounding without collapsing into a dead, flat feel by the end of a run. This is a shoe you can spend two hours in and step out of with your legs intact. The high stack does mean it sits a long way off the ground, so if you prefer a low, connected feel you will notice the height. For anyone chasing comfort and leg protection over distance, though, there is very little on the road that matches this much usable cushioning in a shoe still light enough to run fast.
Stability
The Superblast 3 is a neutral shoe with no medial post or dedicated support features, so it is built for efficient runners who do not need correction. That said, it is more stable than its 45.8mm stack suggests. The midfoot is held snug and the platform is shaped to keep you centred, so it does not feel tippy at easy pace or on gentle turns. Push hard into a sharp corner and you will feel the height, as you would in any max-stack shoe. If you are a mild overpronator you may still get along with it thanks to that secure hold, but if you need genuine stability or a guidance rail, this is not the shoe for you. Treat it as a neutral trainer that manages its height well rather than a support shoe.
Upper & comfort
The engineered mesh upper is light and breathable, built to keep weight down on a shoe that is already fighting its stack height. Breathability is good, so summer miles stay comfortable, and the interior is smooth enough to run without socks in a pinch. The tongue is thin and gusseted to sit flat and stop it sliding, though it does mean you feel the laces a little more, so dial in the tension rather than yanking them tight. The heel counter is moderately structured with just enough padding to lock the rearfoot without hot spots. Overall it is a race-leaning upper: minimal, well-ventilated and comfortable over long distances, without the plush, padded feel of a pure daily trainer.
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FAQ
Specifications
| Category | super_trainer |
| Surface | Road |
| Drop | 8mm |
| Heel Stack | 45.8mm |
| Forefoot Stack | 37.7mm |
| Weight | 235g |
| Carbon Plated | No |
| Stability | No |