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SHOE REVIEW: Asics Metaspeed Sky+ and Edge+

Asics's newly-tweaked racers are lighter than ever, with some fine enhancements

Asics Metaspeed Sky+ Photo by: Nick Iwanyshyn

The Asics Metaspeed Edge + and Sky + are the newest versions of the Metaspeed shoes, released last year. The shoes have had a few tweaks since the earlier iterations, such as a repositioned carbon plate and an upper that’s lighter than ever. Both shoes are designed to take on your fastest road races–the difference between the Edge and the Sky lies in the midsole. The two shoes have a slightly different heel-to-toe drop and midsole composition, to perfectly fit the foot of two different types of runners: the stride runner and the cadence runner. Here’s a breakdown of the difference between the two shoes, to give you an idea of which racing shoe is best for your foot.

Metaspeed Edge+
Photo: Nick Iwanyshyn

Specs

Sky+ drop: 5 mm
Edge+ drop: 8mm
Price: CAD $325
Sky+ weight: 205 g
Edge+ weight: 210 g

The upper

I love the upper of both the Sky+ and the Edge+. They’ve got a great padded collar, an ideal lacing system that produces an excellent lockdown, while maintaining their signature breathability and light weight. I also like the decision to have a bit of a heel counter, for a little added support in an otherwise very neutral shoe (as most racing shoes are). The breathability is really exceptional–I’ve run in the rain in these shoes, and they’re dry a few hours later. 10/10 for the upper.

The midsole

The midsole is where these two shoes differ. While the materials are the same and both have a full-length carbon plate and FF Blast Turbo foam, the feel is quite different. The Sky+ is designed for runners with a longer stride, and feels quite level on the foot, whereas the Edge+ is designed for runners with a higher cadence, and feels a little more curved, which pushes you onto your toes. The Sky+ has a drop of 5 mm, whereas the drop on the Edge+ is 8 mm. 

Metaspeed Edge+
Photo: Nick Iwanyshyn

The idea behind these tweaks, depending on the type of runner you are, is to enhance your natural stride. Think of it as makeup for your feet–they’re enhancing features, as opposed to correcting them.

The outsole

On both shoes, the outsole rocks. They grip extremely well, thanks to the Asics’s grip technology. A solid outsole is one of the hardest things to accomplish in a racing shoe, as the outsole materials are usually the heaviest, which is also what makes Asics’s grip so impressive.

Asics Metaspeed Sky+
Photo: Nick Iwanyshyn

Overall thoughts

The Edge+ and Sky+ remain front-runner marathon racing shoes. However, for runners who focus on shorter distances, they’re also a great training shoe for your hardest workouts. I use the Sky+ on the track for mid-tempo intervals anywhere from 400m to 1 km. I also recently raced a 5K in the Sky+, and ran a PB! 

These shoes have a place in any road runner’s lineup (and also make a great last-minute holiday gift for the runner in your life).

 

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