I ran in Asics’ new super racing shoe Metaspeed Sky in Paris and breezed through the 5K run. Here's how it went!
Read on for our writer’s personal running experience in Paris with Asics’ fastest super racing shoe, the Metaspeed Paris. Plus, stand to win Asics shoes!
[Scroll down for Yahoo X Asics Festival of Running 2024 Giveaway deets!]
Singapore and Paris – In the lead-up to the momentous Olympics fever heating up in Paris in July 2024, Asics hosted the Festival of Running in the City of Lights from 5 to 7 April 2024. Yahoo Life Singapore was in Paris for the three-day Asics Festival of Running which saw thousands of international pro athletes and running enthusiasts joining in the Ignite Run for elite runners breaking international records and competing for personal bests; the Shake Out Run for beginners and runners on the second day; culminating in the Paris Marathon on the final day. The three-day festival was an exhilarating and uplifting event that encouraged us to move our bodies, celebrating the joys of running and improving our minds.
Donning Spring’s most anticipated super racing shoe, the Asics’ Metaspeed Sky Paris, this journalist participated in the 5km Shake Out Run on 6 April. The event saw runners of all fitness levels joining in the fun run, including participants in cosplay, cheongsam, and even wheelchairs. Co-hosted by Asics, it was a truly immersive and inclusive running event for the able-bodied, as well as parasports runners sharing a good moment in sports. All funds collected go to the charity Anae, which purchases sportive equipment for disabled persons.
READ Run with Asics at the Paris Festival of Running and Paris Marathon
The Charity Shake Out Run for all
The electrifying vibe was felt at the start of the event, and everyone was in high spirits. The Shake Out Run commenced at the Palais Royale or L’Opera and passed through iconic Parisien landmarks such as the Musee d’Orsay, and the River Seine, and ended at Ecole Militaire with a view of the Eiffel Tower.
Having never participated in a marathon before, I could not help but feel like I was masquerading as a pro athlete wearing super racing shoes in a striking red with tiger stripes, complete with a colour-matching racing attire. I even urged my running companions to go ahead without me should I start lagging behind these regular marathon finishers.
First impressions: Fit and comfort
Even while unboxing the new shoes, one of the most striking qualities I noticed was how super lightweight it felt, with no burden on the runner's feet at all. The Metaspeed Paris was true to size and wearable from the get-go. There was no need to wear it in or allow the shoe to conform to the shape of one’s feet. Even though it was extremely lightweight, it did not affect its promise of responsiveness, bounce, and stability. Kicking off the run, I was pleasantly greeted by a new bounce and spring that I had not experienced in other shoes, and gained a newfound confidence.
With each stride, I could also feel its propulsive design aiding me every step of the way. As I took in the gorgeous iconic Parisien landmarks and breathed in the chilly Parisien air, I felt increasingly secure that my knees wouldn't buckle under the constant pounding of the city pavements as they did with other running shoes.
Putting it to the test: Features and Functionality
As shared by Asics, the FF Blast Turbo cushioning creates a responsive feel underfoot, while the carbon plate guides the foot throughout each step, propelling the foot forward. The Asics Grip outsole provided me with good traction thanks to its high abrasion-resistant rubber placed in key areas of the outsole. Not once did I worry about stumbling even while taking videos and photos in one hand, and even jumping with glee, during the run.
Even the jacquard mesh upper, which I thought could potentially be uncomfortable when running, turned out to be extremely comfortable, allowing for adequate foot movement while still securing the feet firmly within the shoe platform. At times, I even felt the morning air in my socks. It is breathable indeed.
According to Asics, the Metaspeed Paris’s curved sole design helps runners conserve more energy in each step, which is why it's suited for long-distance running such as marathons. Was that the reason I still felt energetic upon crossing the 5km finishing line, as compared to a dreary 4km run back home in Singapore that felt like forever?
What can I say? The 5k run in the heart of Paris did not feel like 5k at all. Was it the stunning historical landmarks and monuments? The crisp air of Paris? Or most probably the Metaspeed Sky Paris that provided stability and responsiveness that allowed me to enjoy the run every step of the way?
As the brand promised, the “Metaspeed Sky Paris racing shoes are designed for stride-style runners who wish to start fast and finish faster”. Even though I was not the fastest, I did feel light and that I could run freely in the Metaspeed. Having seen the prototypes of the earlier Metaspeed models a day earlier when they unveiled the Metaspeed Paris at the Palais de Tokyo, the Asics Paris team shared that the current model I’m wearing was a result of many rounds of lab tests, experiments, and direct feedback from pro athletes. Weighing at only 183g (size depending), the Metaspeed Sky Paris is easily one of the lightest racing shoes in the market, even lighter than the 2022 shoe of the year the Novablast 3, which I have previously enjoyed. While the newest Asics Novablast 4 is an extremely versatile shoe, primed for both long-distance running and walking.
Shop Novablast 4
READ Asics Novablast 3 running shoes, hype or winner? Here's our review.
Nearing the end, the Eiffel Tower in sight provided a final push towards the finishing line, rewarding finishers with (what else?) croissants and coffee.
Traction and wet weather conditions
As with shoes, weather conditions can make or break an athlete’s performance during race days. And the same goes for the Ignite Run which saw leading athletes compete in 5km and 10km races in wet weather conditions. Even before the race, it started drizzling. Throughout both races, the rain paid numerous visits, leading to consistently wet grounds.
The Metaspeed held its weight and provided good enough traction which saw several athletes achieving their personal best. Sonny Wagdos from the Philippines who ran in the Metaspeed Paris in wet conditions and achieved a personal best at 30:52 for the 10K Ignite Race, truly believes in the super racing shoes and would pick the Metaspeed Paris for any competition in a heartbeat.
What could have been better
If there’s a bone to pick, I find the shoelaces a tad too short. Sure, the curly ridges look great and add an interesting touch to the laces. Even without looping into a lace lock (the final hole), I could barely tie a proper butterfly knot. Truly, just an additional 1.5cm to the length of the shoelaces would have sufficed.
Is it worth the price tag?
At S$349, this pair of unisex super racing shoes, as with the premium range from Asics shoes, hardly comes at a price range that every runner can stomach.
As someone who walks more than runs, I will pick the Asics Gel-Nimbus, at almost a hundred bucks less any day, for its supreme comfort and stability. I have, on numerous occasions, complimented and recommended the Asics Gel-Nimbus 25 (now in its 26th iteration) to anyone who’s looking for a pair of comfortable kicks to stand, walk or run in. And the Gel-Nimbus 25 is now selling at a discount at only slightly above S$200! Get it right now at the Asics official website!
Get the Asics Gel-Nimbus 25 at S$207.20
Get the Gel-Nimbus 25 at S$207.20
Get the Gel-Nimbus 26 at S$259
Get the Gel-Nimbus 26 at S$259
Proof is in the pudding
Those in the industry will know that the Asics Metaspeed is reasonably priced compared to other leading brands in the same category of super shoes.
Worn by the best of the best at the recent Paris Marathon’s female and male winners – Ethiopia's Mulugeta Uma and Mestawut Fikir – the Metaspeed Paris certainly made an indelible debut in the international sports scene. Having interviewed several winning athletes and participants during the Asics Festival of Running, the love for the new Asics Metaspeed by pro athletes was unanimous and undeniable. One runner who participated in the Paris Marathon even noted that the soles of the shoes held up better than other brands within the same category. This is notwithstanding how striking the shoes look in a sea of runners at the Marathon.
As an industry insider shared, real athletes would never wear their running shoes to walk to the event. They would preserve their shoes as much as possible and wear them only during the race because every wear will reduce their bounce and support, and the Asics Metaspeed Paris is one such shoe. So if you are looking to clock new numbers or complete a full marathon, the Asics super racing shoe Metaspeed Paris would be your best bet yet.
The Asics Metaspeed Paris is currently sold out online but is still available in-stores. Asics is also having an online sale until 30 April. Be sure to check it out!
Shop Asics at its official website | Lazada | Shopee
Yahoo X Asics Festival of RunningGiveaway: Win Asics shoes worth up to S$400!
We have 2 pairs of Asics shoes up for grabs from now till 30 April. Simply click on the image below, follow the steps to stand a chance to win either a pair of Men’s or Women’s Asics shoes worth up to S$200 each! The 2 best answers will win a pair of Asics shoes!
Click on the image below to join the Giveaway.
