ASICS Magic Speed 3 vs. 4 | Should I Upgrade? 

Seems like the magic speed 4 is like a training companion to the sky/ edge paris similar to what saucony is doing with the endorphin speed 4 and pro 4. One big difference between the magic speed 4 and super blast will be price, with the magic speed coming in much cheaper, but the superblast is also over 40mm of stack using ascics top race foam, without the carbon plate. So although the super blast and magic speed 4 may overlap in terms of the types of runs they can do, they go about it in different ways and will probably have a different feel.

I absolutely love my magic speed 3 and I've already put nearly 200 mi on them and they are still going strong. One of my favorite shoes to consistently train in. I love that it has an actual lower stack height. I do have other Max cushion shoes including the super blast. If I wanted a more personal training I go to that shoe. It feels like they kind of went the wrong direction with the magic speed 4 by giving it a much higher stack height, I feel like it's a shoe that should have been left at a low stack height and maybe work on the upper. It just doesn't seem as exciting. It seems like it sits right next to the super blast just with a plate

In short, they took discount Takumi Sen and turned into chunky Boston. I'm wondering why Asics don't have any competitive offering for short distance/tempo shoes. Adidas got the Takumi Sen, Nike got the Streakfly, Saucony got the Sinister, New Balance got the Pacer. Most of these shoes have full length premium foam to boost the performance and Asics completely out of the picture unless they are coming up with a brand new running shoe.

Sounds like the S4 which they only released in Japan. They marketed that as a marathon shoe for non elites. Which honestly sounds great to me

Thank you for this

It looks like the MS4 is now playing a little more towards the SC Trainer, Neo Vista market, but still towards the faster end of that spectrum with the firmer ride. I'm still leaning towards the Neo Vista because of my personal use case but it looks like a nice shoe. I struggle with the geometry of the Superblast and this looks like a better fit for me though.

Yes very different. I really loved the Magic Speed 3 for straight speedwork. The 4 sounds a bit less exciting perhaps.

Asics are the best and injury free running shoes and ever since i converted to asics from Nike and Adidas i never sustained any injury. Love Asics ❤ and can't wait to get the Magic 4

Conjecturing here but, its possible the MS4 kind of orphans the Superblast. The MS4 looks like a better training companion to the Metaspeed Paris shoes and it's cheaper.

MS4 seems a bit lost to me. With the Novablast and Superblast, not sure there’s enough of a distinction for the shoe to have a place.

This Magic Speed 4 is closer to the S4 than the Magic Speed 3 actually. Maybe the S4 II will get Turbo+ foam to have some differentiation?

Just a thought: if one's using (for example) the Magic Speed 3 in a rotation of 5+ pairs, the shoe will be more than fine in the year or so time period until the new version. I've got Magic Speed 2 and apart from little worn out of the heel they are like new. There is no need for new versions if your old shoe is like new, and the chances of this to be true are very high, unless you only run in this shoe or you run like 200miles/week or you're especially harsh on shoes - all of these cases are rare. Just my 2 cents.

I love the magic speed3 as the racing flat speed. I had over 750km in it, and it still delivers a decent workout. I have the s4 and it is similar to the MS3 except foam, 3mm more stack, and better laces. I use the Ms3 for session and 5/10k. I like the s4 for 10k/HM. This fS4 is a totally different shoe. I really wish they had kept the racing flat style. Everything these days are max and as a consumer, i dont need them in all my shoe.

When are these out in the UK?

I’m happy using the Noosa Tri 14, just a great all round shoe find it better than the Magic Speeds to be honest, had the 2’s only used them for a couple of runs, it just felt awful didn’t even bother looking at the 3’s won’t be looking at the 4’s either

Magic Speed series is dead. For easy run/LSD, choose Novablast 3/4. For fast workout, chosse Magic speed 3. For racing day, choose metaspeed.

How does the MS4 compare to the Saucony Speed 4?

4 looks like a completely different shoe, something between the sky/edge and superblast.

which shoe for a mild calf strain?

Great review, sizing question. I am TTS in the Metaspeed Sky Plus and Edge Plus but 1/2 down in the Superblast and Novablast. How does the Speed 4 fit?

I am currently using Saucony endorphin Speed 4 and trying to add a shoe for rotation. Should I buy magic speed 4 or go for either Novablast 4/ Puma velocity nitro 3 ?

A shoe will wear out. The question is should you buy the new one or a discounted ms3 once the one you have wear out 😅

Is it a narrow width shoe like the 3

I was wondering how firm does the midsole feel compared to let's say novablast 4?

Great review! How would you compare the magic speed 4s to the superblast? waiting on that shoe, but it seems like everything I want about it the speed 4s check off already?

Asics had this mystery shoe called Superblast. Everybody including me thought it was overpriced. I think they now have a SC Trainer/Endorphine Speed 4/Boston 12 version of a running shoe also . I am looking forward to more reviews and comparisons.

Do I need the magic speed 4 if i have (and love) the superblast? Thanks for the comparison!

While I am excited about the 4 and I'm planning on getting it, I can't help but wonder why? I get the embargo is still up so you can't say too much, but why have this and the superblast? Especially the 2 which is supposedly going to be softer?

what is the size? I am 9, for example the cumulus, could I buy the same size?

Got it! So what you’re saying is ASICS f’d it up? 😂

It looks like the superblast

The MS3 looked good, but I got a discounted Edge v1 for fast workouts. I rotate with Streakfly and Hyperion tempo for track & fast workouts. The MS4 looks like a shoe I just don’t want or need.

Very confused. Is this a budget superblast? Why would they release this just before the SB2?

Why should one pick MS4 over Superblast 2 this year? Seems too much overlap for me

Endorphin pro 4 or magic speed 4 ??

Then ASICS drop the Superblast 2 and once again Magic Speed gets pushed aside

ASICS Magic Speed 4 = ASICS S4 ?

Lets jut be honest, they ruined it.

Hosics bondi X speed 4 lol

Basically they took a somewhat decent shoe and ruined it

you need to speak more clearly and slower