ASICS Metaspeed Sky Paris Review: 9 Comparisons

Article by Michael Ellenberger

ASICS Metaspeed Sky Paris ($250)

Introduction

With the Paris editions of the Metaspeed Edge and Sky, ASICS brings to the Edge and Sky a brand new FF Turbo + foam that’s 8% lighter, has 8.2% higher vitality return and is 6% softer. This new foam is alleged by ASICS to extend the quantity of froth that may return vitality by 12% within the Sky and 20% within the Edge with the Edge getting 3mm extra forefoot cushion than the sooner plus model. 

The method of a better positioned (and now wider) carbon plate for “stride” runners within the Sky and a decrease extra “cadence” or rolling stride for the Edge is unchanged though the Sky will get a wider plate than earlier than.. 

Metaspeed Paris

Prime; Edge   Backside: Sky

Each racers at the moment are 39.5mm heel 34.5 mm forefoot in stack peak.  They weigh a a lot decrease approx. 6.5 oz / 185 g US9 for the Edge (-25g) and 6.2 oz / 176g for the Sky, so the Sky is available in beneath the load of the Vaporfly 3 and the Edge at its weight, with each having 3mm extra entrance cushion than the Nike. 

Race on? Let’s discover out as Michael Ellenberger a 2:21 marathoner places the Sky Paris to the take a look at additionally evaluating them to the Edge Paris in his video first impressions evaluate HERE

Execs: 

Hyper mild: Michael

Bouncy and enjoyable: Michael

Higher is every thing it must be: Michael

Traction and sturdiness extraordinarily promising: Michael

Principally no drawbacks in comparison with the competitors: Michael

Cons:

Division of footwear between equivalent wanting and almost the identical using Edge and Sky creates extra confusion than profit: Michael

Tongue weirdness: Michael

I personally would like a 8mm drop : Michael

3 Most Comparable Sneakers

Michael: 

Nike Vaporfly 3

ASICS Metaspeed Edge Paris

ASICS Adios Professional 3

Please discover the tester’s full run bios on the finish of the article after Comparisons.

Stats

Approx. Weight: males’s 6.2 oz  / 176g (US9) 

  Samples: males’s 6.0 oz / 171 g US 8.5 

Stack Top: males’s 39.5 mm heel / 34.5 mm forefoot ( 5mm drop spec) 

Platform Width: 71 mm heel / 63 mm midfoot / 107 mm forefoot

$250. Obtainable March 2024

First Impressions, Match and Higher

Michael: I used to be lucky sufficient to get each the Metaspeed Edge Paris and Sky Paris from ASICS, and have spent many miles (and lots of hours) making an attempt to wrap my head round this ASICS-induced matrix: Which shoe? For which runner? At which distance?

Earlier than we get to that – which is able to, honestly, have a number of “it relies upon” connected to it – let me come out and say that sure, the brand new Metaspeed Paris sequence from ASICS is superior, actually superior, and the Sky Paris particularly seems like a real “subsequent technology” tremendous shoe. Within the buildup to those launches, I’ve seen a number of distaste in the direction of the Metaspeed + sequence (ostensibly the Metaspeed 2, after the preliminary line) and I can’t say I agree – I reviewed the Sky+ again in summer season 2022, and whereas it wasn’t excellent (and had a fairly annoying higher!), it was a shoe I genuinely loved coming again to for important exercises within the leadup to my ‘22 Chicago Marathon. 

Naturally, I used to be excited to check the brand new Paris sequence and, as I’ll attempt to describe beneath, the Sky Paris is a terrific racer that would stand alone as ASICS’s flagship (in the event that they’d let it).

Rapidly, on sizing – my regular 8.5 works nicely sufficient, and width and luxury are completely high notch (the higher right here is elegant; it’s paying homage to the unique ASICS Metaracer, however even lighter!) however in case you’re in-between sizes, I’d suggest you go up. I took some nasty toenail blistering after 13 miles someday, and persevering with my testing was simply including insult to damage! 

Additionally, I observed the tongue bunched weirdly (on each footwear, they’re functionally equivalent) when lacing it up – even when not that tight – nevertheless it by no means offered points when operating. Comparatively, the way-way-way-too-long Vaporfly 3 tongue is a a lot larger wrongdoer.

Midsole & Platform

Michael: The largest distinction between the Sky Paris and the Edge Paris is the plate and geometry, so let’s begin there. 

Each footwear have a 5mm drop now (the Edge+ had 8mm), and the identical 39.5 mm heel and 34.5 mm stack peak however the plates are completely different – the Sky Paris is designed for what ASICS calls “STRIDE” runners: these with an extended gait and longer time spent airborne, and particularly those that improve their pace by extending their stride size (slightly than rising cadence). I think that is most elite runners (we see the Sky getting used primarily by elites, and there’s science that helps that the majority high runners preserve a cadence of 180 spm at myriad paces). 

Just like the Edge, the Sky has a full-length carbon plate, which is slotted nearer to the foot than within the Edge and is markedly wider within the forefoot to extend the bounce from the froth. 

Metaspeed Paris

Prime; Edge   Backside: Sky

Visually, you’ll be able to see from the midsole markings that the plate sits increased – farther from the pavement – relative to the sting.

Sky Paris                                                                Edge Paris

That’s mumbo jumbo you possibly can learn on-line, so I’ll attempt to reduce to it – the Sky Paris is absolutely bouncy and, testing it second, after the Edge (RTR Evaluation) noticeably lighter feelinng than the Edge, though the  weight distinction is a minimal 0.3 oz / 8g with my Sky coming in at 6.0 / 170g US8.5. 

It actually seems like a nimble, fast racer – not that the Edge doesn’t, it’s simply actually apparent right here how mild this shoe is. It’s paying homage to what I consider to be its most direct competitor, the Nike Vaporfly 3 (RTR Evaluation). 

The brand new FF Turbo+ foam – PEBA based mostly and actually springy – is welcome right here. I don’t have a pair of the Sky+ available to do an A/B take a look at, however my impression is that the Sky Paris is noticeably softer than its predecessor with ASICS claiming it’s 6% softer and eight% lighter than their prior Turbo foam. The lightness of the froth additionally permits ASICS so as to add 12% extra vitality returnable quantity to the shoe. There’s a line between gentle and aggressive (many really feel that, for instance, the NB RC Elite 2 fell on the fallacious over-soft facet of that line), however ASICS has nailed it right here. 

I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out the hips of this shoe – severely, the forefoot is so extensive, it jogs my memory of a race automotive! Each the Edge and Sky Paris are extensive (talking of platform – the match is TTS) however man, the Sky is extensive.

Outsole

Michael: We acquired a query on my preliminary Youtube comparability evaluate about this, and I am going to reiterate – the outsole right here is sneaky good! It’s a cheesy, comparatively thinly-laid higher, and I didn’t have any points in traction. 

What’s extra, I feel the sturdiness is definitely fairly good. The rubber ASICSGrip – I don’t know what kind of rubber mix it technically is – nevertheless it’s positioned nicely sufficient that I’m not noticing any put on after 40ish miles of pure highway operating within the Sky. 

Trip, Conclusions and Suggestions

Michael: The Sky Paris is a surefire winner – it seems sharp, it takes all of ASICS newest and biggest midsole foam, geometr and plate tech (after which some!) and bundles it up, and it builds on a platform that was already confirmed to achieve success and tweaks it the place needed (noticeably, the higher). I don’t know what number of years I’ve to say this earlier than everyone seems to be absolutely bored with it, however we’re previous the “Nike is the one true supershoe” period (which lasted, what, 2016-2020? ish?) and into the “you really want to search out which platform works greatest for you” period. 

Undoubtedly, ASICS will win a number of customers that manner – however I additionally must mentionthat, in contrast to Nike and their Vapor/Alpha-fly cut up, the Edge Paris and Sky Paris are far more related than completely different. I do know runners who hate the Alpha and love the Vapor; I feel essentially the most disparate you’ll get right here is “love the one, and actually like the opposite.” They only aren’t that completely different, and having each clouds opinions somewhat. 

To cite Reddit consumer /u/gheilweil, “The issue for me is that I can by no means select between the Sky and the Edge so I find yourself not getting both and going with the Vaporfly as a substitute.” I feel that was a bit tongue-in-cheek, however the level stands – though you’ll be able to’t go fallacious, you continue to must decide! (For the document – that this isn’t meant to be a Sky vs. Edge evaluate, however as a substitute Sky objectively) – I feel the Sky is healthier, and I didn’t count on to suppose that after ending my Edge testing. The burden on the Sky issues manner greater than I anticipated).

However, judging the Sky Paris as its personal shoe, in opposition to exterior competitors, ASICS has achieved nice right here. We’ve handled heavy tremendous footwear for some time now, they usually’ve been positive – the Alphafly 2 is one thing like 8.6 oz in my measurement vs 6.0 oz for the Sky, and I’ve not as soon as complained about its bulk underfoot or thought I used to be operating slower due to it. Curiously, weight was the think about racing flats, however has functionally turn into a non-factor in plated racers. Till these days. The Vaporfly 3 is 6.3 oz / 179g (US8.5) and acquired many’s consideration, and the Sky Paris is much more noticeable for its (lack of) heft. The plate, geometry, and upgraded midsole make this quick and springy, and the higher is top-of-class. 

There’s a chunk of me that thinks that with an 8mm drop, this may very well be a greater shoe. There are occasions once I want it was only a trace extra aggressive to really match the Vaporfly 3 in any respect distances, and I think – however don’t know – {that a} decrease forefoot may clear up that. Possibly Sky 4 (Sky LA? Sky Hollywood?) will take observe – however honestly, this can be a shoe that doesn’t want many upgrades.

Please watch my Sky Paris to Edge Paris Comparative Video Evaluation (7:12)

9 Comparisons

Index to all RTR opinions: HERE Roadtrailrun 

ASICS Metaspeed Sky + (RTR Evaluation)

7.23 oz / 205g (males US9) 

Michael: The Sky+ had its flaws – particularly, a little bit of heft, and a bunchy higher that brought about not less than some irritation for almost everybody I talked to – however.. I got here away an enormous fan. An ASICS tremendous shoe that may actually compete with the massive boys! As I wrote above, almost every thing that made Sky+ nice is maintained right here, and the modifications are mainly all enhancements. Certain, a deeply discounted Sky+ will nonetheless get you an amazing performer, however for these out wanting, I’d undoubtedly take the Sky Paris.

Metaspeed Edge Paris (RTR Evaluation)

6.3 oz / 179g US8.5

Michael: That is the query de jour, eh? One possibility to resolve this dilemma is to observe ASICS’s steering, and decide in case you improve your pace by rising cadence or rising stride size. There are a complete host of mechanisms to try this – one thing like Stryd may let you know, and most trendy Garmin and Coros fashions have not less than a proxy (if not a downright calculator) for stride size. Run a couple of exercises at a couple of paces, examine what’s altering, and… growth. Proper?

Choice two is to attempt them each on and (ideally) get a run in every and determine. Even with ASICS’ steering, nothing beats actually seeing which feels greatest in your foot – I used to be stunned right here by how a lot I appreciated the Edge, after which once more by how a lot I appreciated the Sky. So having each was actually useful. As I describe within the full evaluate, the springiness and lightweight weight of the Sky Paris make it really feel extra enjoyable and usable throughout the spectrum – the Edge seems like a extra specialised software. 

For those who’re unable to attempt both on, and also you don’t know whether or not you’re a stride-type or cadence-type runner, I might suggest the Sky Paris. Each choices are nice – and actually, not that completely different – however I did discover the lightness of the 

ASICS Metaspeed Edge + (RTR Evaluation)

7.03 oz / 199g US8.5

Michael: Principally every thing I stated in regards to the previous Sky+ rings true right here; I’ll observe that the previous Edge+ had an 8mm drop, which I appreciated very a lot, however isn’t sufficient (in my thoughts) to make the Edge+ price choosing up in comparison with the brand new Paris sequence. 

Nike Vaporfly 3 (RTR Evaluation)

6.3 oz / 179g (US8.5) 

 Michael: That is certainty what I contemplate the closest competitor to the Sky Paris. Each are light-weight, nimble, and versatile racers – footwear you’ll be able to pull out for a highway 5K and a marathon with none actual sacrifice. My greatest knock in opposition to both, coincidentally, is the tongue, which is annoying on each however far more annoying on the Vaporfly (severely, I don’t know who okayed that!). And but… this can be a actually laborious name. 

The Vaporfly 3 is a contact heavier, although it doesn’t really feel it, and I feel that ZoomX is a little more propulsive, however at the price of feeling a touch firmer underfoot than the FF Turbo+. For those who love a gentle shoe, then the Sky Paris is a greater name. Between the 2, although, I simply get a barely faster really feel within the Vaporfly, and I don’t know precisely what it’s – plate? Geometry? It’s slight, and I’m positive that you simply’re not leaving any time on the desk selecting between one or the opposite. I’d put on the ASICS for 26.2, and the VF3 for every thing else… nevertheless it’s shut! 

Adios Professional 3 (RTR Evaluation)

7.63 oz  /  216 g US8.5

Michael: The Adidas Adios Professional 3 stays an absolute top-tier racer, regardless of its (relative) hierarchical defeat by the Adios Professional Evo 1 (which I’m but to put on however as lately as yesterday was the highest shoe within the Tokyo Marathon). However, don’t let inside competitors distract you – the Adios Professional is a loopy, bouncy, extraordinarily sharp racer which I virtually love, however discover only a trace to unstable for shorter, sooner operating (or something with numerous turns). The Sky Paris, by comparability, doesn’t really feel fairly as springy (although it’s not far off), and also you don’t attain the identical “easy tempo” sensation, however the low weight and extra in-control feeling of the ASICS go a great distance. For a marathon (offered it’s not full of switchbacks), I’d take the Adios Professional – for every thing else, I favor the Sky.

Nike Alphafly 3 (RTR Evaluation)

Michael: Alphafly 3 is a firmer, extra engineered feeling experience – fairly distinct from the soft-and-light really feel of the Sky Paris. They’re simply completely different footwear, and it’s laborious to straight evaluate. I personally actually just like the “continuous rolling” sensation of the Alphafly, which appears to maintain you shifting ahead with minimal enter. However put somewhat vitality into the Sky Paris, and it does really feel such as you get extra out. For those who’re a Vaporfly fan over the Alpha, you must look to the Sky Paris. For those who’re at all times an Alphafly fan, the AF3 is the most effective model but.

Saucony Endorphin Professional 4 (RTR Evaluation) 

Michael: I actually wish to love Saucony’s latest racer, which undoubtedly is the most effective model of the Endorphin Professional we’ve seen. Objectively, it’s a very good shoe, however I haven’t but discovered a compelling cause to favor it to the competitors. Its platform is somewhat wider, which helps with stability, but additionally has some odd narrowness within the toe that bugs me each time I put on it over 10 miles. It’s additionally simply not fairly bouncy sufficient to really feel tremendous – like I do know I’m getting a efficiency profit, nevertheless it doesn’t fairly have that magic you’re feeling in among the rivals. I do suppose it will shine at extremely distances, however I haven’t (fairly) satisfied myself to try this but. Decide the Sky. 

Brooks Hyperion Elite 4 (RTR Evaluation)

Michael: The HE4 was a nice shock for me; it seems conventional and comparatively unspectacular, however as a substitute I discovered it energetic and springy in any respect kinds of paces. Sadly I don’t suppose the Brooks has fairly the pop of the Sky Paris, which implies I’m not likely positive at which (if any) distance I’d suggest it, however in case you’re on the lookout for a extra pleasant or acquainted tremendous shoe, the Brooks is lots succesful. With the feather weight particularly, there’s just a few magic to the ASICS that’s missing in Brooks. 

361° Livid Future (RTR Evaluation)

Michael: One other main latest shock for me was the Livid Future – 361 has quietly been making good footwear for some time, however none of them have been really nice. I’d say the Livid Future breaks that pattern – it isn’t the most effective racer you should buy, however it’s a excellent possibility from a lesser-known model. Undoubtedly, the 361 feels firmer than the ASICS – it’s a dense foam with some very stiff parts and plating, and is an effective bit heavier than the ASICS. As with the Alphafly, it form of comes right down to what you’re on the lookout for. The 361 may be very pleasing for individuals who need that kinetic, form of engineered experience with a definite toe roll off. The ASICS is poppier and extra enjoyable, and possibly the higher alternative for many. 

The Metaspeed Sky Paris can be obtainable March 2024

Tester Profile

Michael is a patent lawyer and graduate of Northwestern College Legislation College. Previous to legislation faculty, he competed collegiately at Washington College in St. Louis (10,000m PR of 30:21). Michael’s PRs embody a 67:43 half-marathon (Chicago Half-Marathon) and a 2:21:19 marathon PR on the 2023 Grandma’s Marathon. Michael continues to race on the roads, and is chasing a sub-2:20 marathon and potential OTQ sooner or later.