SHOE REVIEW: Asics Magic Speed 5

When Asics introduced the original Magic Speed, it was meant to fill a gap in the lineup as a lightweight “up-tempo” trainer. The fifth iteration brings the Magic Speed back to its roots; it’s a complete overhaul of the 4, and with two new midsole cushioning compounds, a plate and a super lightweight upper, it incorporates the brand’s latest tech to be a modern speed-day workhorse.

The Magic Speed 5 is a high-end trainer that’s ideal for prepping for race day, or even for lining up. It’s designed to mimic the ride of the Asics Metaspeed line, but at a more accessible price point. Let’s dive into the details.

Specs

Category: Neutral/racing
Drop: 7 mm
Weight: 196 g (men’s 9)
MSRP: C$230.00
Available: Now

Upper

A great workout shoe starts with a lightweight upper, and the Magic Speed 5 has just that. The engineered mesh is made from 75 per cent recycled materials, reducing waste and trimming 13 per cent in weight from the previous version. The result is an upper that feels more like a racing shoe or even a track spike. It’s thin, breathable and secure, wrapping your foot comfortably without excess structure or rubbing. A firmer heel cup reinforces the minimalist upper, giving it the stability it needs without adding bulk.

This shoe is built for efficient turnover and fast workouts, and its stripped‑down design delivers that.

Midsole

The biggest transformation to the Magic Speed 5 comes underfoot. The midsole features a dual-layer foam setup, with the brand’s latest FF Leap on top (Asics’ lightest and bounciest foam) and FF Blast+ (which provides a firmer, more stable base) on the bottom–but there is significantly less stack height (37.5 mm in the heel, compared to 43.5 mm in the previous version). So it’s now legal by World Athletics standards; the shoe is also more than an ounce lighter than its predecessor, sitting just over 190 grams for a men’s US 9.

Another major change in the Magic Speed 5 is the drop. It’s one millimetre lower than before, which allows for a higher proportion of foam under the forefoot. As a midfoot striker, I noticed the difference immediately in both comfort and rebound. The geometry borrows from the Metaspeed Edge, guiding the foot smoothly through each stride. A full‑length carbon-fibre plate adds structure and propulsion, giving the shoe a snappy toe‑off without feeling overly aggressive. It’s a fast‑twitch trainer that knows when to hold back.

Outsole

The Magic Speed 5’s outsole is fully rubberized, which gives it consistent grip no matter where your footstrike lands. I found the brand’s rubber compound performed well on road and non-technical trail, making the shoe versatile enough for everything from track intervals to faster road work. As a bit of a traditionalist, I like to feel the ground underneath me during workouts, and the traction on this model delivers that. You get reliable control, whether you’re cornering on the track or pushing the pace on the roads in the middle of a Canadian winter.

Verdict

The Magic Speed 5 needed a facelift, and that’s exactly what Asics delivered. This updated model is a versatile, lightweight trainer that shines at faster paces while still offering enough responsiveness and cushioning for daily mileage and long runs. It’s an excellent choice for runners who want a workout shoe to help chip away at their 5K or 10K best–something quick and efficient without committing to the price tag of a premium carbon‑plated model.

Fans of the shoe may find the overhaul too substantial, but for most runners, including myself, that reinvention is exactly what makes the Magic Speed 5 one of the best uptempo trainers on the market right now. The shoe is comparable to the Nike Streakfly and Adidas Takumi Sen, as an affordable, high-performance option in the speed trainer category. For runners who want to avoid the physical toll of doing every workout in aggressive racers, the Magic Speed 5 is a smart alternative that can hit paces and not hold you back.