First, what is going on with marketing people in shoe companies. Asics Metaspeed Sky Tokyo. WTF? its like a royalty family title.What’s wrong with Asics Sky 3? (end rant)
I’ve been on Nike supershoes from the start, never got on asics since the reviews were they are firmer. Got the sky3 since reviews said they are softer, and man, are they soft.
I just did a 4 mile test run. The difference is crazy, its like stepping into a soft pillow, you feel the foam collapsing on every step, yet it has a very good spring from the plate and it is very fast. I have no stability problems or hill striking (I can see that being a problem), so very comfortable in the shoe.
I put my trusty AF3 on right after to contrast and right away they feel rigid but more springy, no collapsing at all, tons of propulsion. I could feel the air pockets, but maybe its just in my head.
I got Similar HR/effort for the same pace between the shoes, so I suspect they will be similar speed, but very different feel.
So finally, I know its varies by individual, but my question to people that ran with both of these shoes marathon distance: do I go with plush comfort that will potentially protect my feet, or with tested raw propulsion?
Thanks,
Doron
BTW, I felt that both shoes need good form and toe-striking to get the best performance. Probably the only way to load the plate.
Clayton Young isn’t exactly saying it, but I suspect he just rolled his ankle in the new Asics in his pro marathon build to Tokyo.
I really like the Paris Metaspeed, but it is firmer and over the marathon distance maybe beats you up more than the Alphafly. (But I feel great in either shoe).
I’d hold off on the Asics Tokyo for now if I’m familiar with the Nikes.
Truth be told, I’m always surprised I can run a fast pace in the new Alphafly as they feel so mushy. But when you get in the stride, they do seem to work well enough and I think my legs recover better in them.
Which did you choose? I just bought both and will return one pair but can’t decide which one.
I’ve had good luck in the Metaspeed Paris Edge but thought they were too firm for a marathon. The Tokyos are definitely softer.
I hated the earlier versions of the AF but liked the VF. The third version of the AF feels great though.
Bottom line, I really like the initial feel both the Tokyo and the AF3 and am torn. I think either is fine for shorter races but it’s hard to know which would work best over a marathon.
I used the AF for that specific race, but since put a lot of miles on the Asics including half distance tri.
My initial impressions from testing the shoes still stand - if you have weak ankles stay away from the Ascis. Otherwise, they are more comfortable than the AF and just as fast. I suspect there may be some efficiency loss due to the softness, but its so hard to tell and not having your feet destroyed at the end of a long run more than makes up for it.
One thing I did learn the hard way - the bootie upper of the AF works very well with bungee cords with very little pressure. The Asics is a traditional upper and the cords need to be tighter to hold the foot. I got a bloody blister on my last race that popped on mile 11. I think that would not have happened with tighter cords.