The plated trainer is a category of shoes that is becoming very crowded, with brands like Saucony, New Balance and Asics leading the conversation. The trend this year is to create speedier shoes without a plate, while still trying to create an energetic and fast sensation for runners. The Asics Megablast is a prime example, but shoes with plates in them don’t seem to be going away. Asics already has a plated trainer, the Magic Speed; the SonicBlast 2 poses the question: what would happen if I put a plate in my Novablast? In 2026, do we still really need a plated speed shoe, or has Asics brought out a speed trainer that is absolutely irresistible in the SonicBlast 2? Let’s find out.

Specs

Category: Plated Speed Trainer
Drop: 8 mm
Stack: 45 mm/37 mm
Weight: 242 g (M9), 214 g (W8)
Available: Sept. 15
Price: $230

Upper

This upper is one of the most comfortable in a speed trainer I’ve tried since the Magic Speed 5 (released in January 2026). From the moment you slide your heel down the swallowtail-shaped heel counter, the whole upper wraps the foot nicely. The upper is an engineered mesh, which is less stretchy than some materials, so it’s important you get a proper fit, since it won’t stretch or form to your foot very much after running in it. You want a locked-in fit from day one.

Asics SonicBlast 2. Photo: Nick Iwanyshyn

There are no frills here, but Asics does a really good job with the lacing system to keep that tongue in place. On my first run, I experienced some lace bite, due to doing up my laces a bit too tightly. With the summer temperatures coming to an end in southern Ontario, I can feel the crisp morning wind through the very breathable upper, which is great when you are running hard. I really appreciate the shoe’s breathability.

Asics SonicBlast 2. Photo: Nick Iwanyshyn

I found my men’s 8.5 to fit true to size. If you normally wear an 8.5 in the Superblast 3 or the Novablast 6, the sizing feels similar.

Midsole

The original Novablast is one of my favourite shoes, so the entire Blast family of shoes has a special place in my heart. When the original Sonicblast came out last summer, I was really excited to give it a shot. But, in terms of its midsole, I felt the first version of the shoe missed the mark. It was both firmer and less energetic than I thought it should have been, and I really missed the bouncy feeling that I got in the Novablast. So far in my testing of the Sonicblast 2, my attitude towards this shoe has really changed.

Asics SonicBlast 2. Photo: Nick Iwanyshyn

The second version is a big step forward. The bouncy toe-off feeling is there, and running is much more fun in this shoe. If you only look at the two shoes on paper, the stack height and foam compound names don’t tell the full story. The rockered geometry and the strategic placement of FF Turbo Squared make this shoe feel totally different. Just like the first version, this shoe uses a dual density foam setup, with a bouncier foam (FF Turbo Squared) on top and a denser foam (Flight Foam Blast) on most of the bottom.

You’ll notice there is pod of a lighter colour of foam on the bottom of the shoe, and this is really where the magic happens. Asics is calling this a trampoline pod, and it feels just as bouncy as it sounds. Instead of relying on the plate alone for that bouncy toe-off, the extra FF Turbo makes each push off the ground feel exciting and fun. I found I could settle into my marathon and half-marathon paces quite easily, yet the shoe is still soft enough to accommodate recovery paces.

Asics SonicBlast 2. Photo: Nick Iwanyshyn

Asics continues to use their plastic Astro Plate in the Sonicblast 2, although in this year’s version, it is forked at the forefoot, for added flexibility. This plate is supposed to make landing more comfortable for a wider variety of strides. I can’t really say if I can feel the difference, since the shoe does still feel quite stiff at toe-off; nevertheless, the combination of foam and plate feel fast.

Outsole

The outsole rubber has also seen a meaningful upgrade this year, with great coverage in high-wear areas, and enough texture tackiness to keep you from slipping and sliding. In terms of durability, you should be able to run a solid 500-600 km in this shoe. After about 75 km of testing, the outsole rubber looks virtually untouched.

Asics SonicBlast 2. Photo: Nick Iwanyshyn

The durability component of this shoe is one of its biggest wins. The Sonicblast’s foam is just a bit more dense than the foam used in the Novablast, so I would expect it to retain its springiness longer.

Verdict

Asics has found creative ways to take their excellent foam tech, and make it feel noticeably better than last year, without needing to change too many of the original elements.

The SonicBlast 2 is a very solid upgrade, but I can’t really see where it fits into my lineup, since Asics already has a plated shoe for speed training (the Magic Speed 5), and I can’t help wondering if both need to exist. I’ve found the Sonicblast 2 shoe works well as a long-run shoe, or something I’d use for the occasional hill workout.

If you are looking for a versatile plated daily trainer that can tackle your marathon-paced workouts as well as speedwork, the Sonicblast 2 is a solid option, although I’d encourage you to try other Asics options, as well. With so many excellent shoes in the lineup, there is definitely something for everyone.