Asics Metaspeed Edge+ review

The Edge + shoes are part of Asics’ two-strong range of Metaspeed shoes, the other being the Metaspeed Sky + (also £225).

The difference? It’s smart but common-sense science, with research from the Asics Institute of Sport Science (ISS) revealing that super shoes were previously only built for ‘stride’ runners, who increase their speed by extending their stride length (hello the Sky +, worn by Lucy CharlesBarclay at Kona 2022).

The Japanese brand, however, showed that ‘cadence’ runners, who increase their speed by both extending their stride length and increasing the number of steps they take per minute, were being neglected by this approach. Enter the Edge + for the latter camp, of which this reviewer is a member.

Asics Metaspeed Edge+ review

Straight out of the box, the Metaspeed Edge + look and feel fantastic. They’re the one shoe in our recent carbon running shoes test that we’ve been caught wearing casually, even if the too-short, serrated-edge laces need swapping out for an elastic pair right away if you’re racing tri.

While there’s a classic look from Asics’ back catalogue on the upper, down below it’s achingly 2023, with Asics’ own FF Blast Turbo foam providing the midsole’s chief ingredient.

That midsole is said to be 50% lighter than EVA foam, allowing Asics to increase the stack height to 1mm shy of the maximum legal high of 40mm (the heel-to-toe drop is 8mm) with only a slight weight penalty over the original. At 194g it’s the second-lightest shoe on test.

Asics recommends the Metaspeed line for sub-3hr marathoners. This tester isn’t one of them and never will be without motorised transportation, but still loved running in the Edge +.

They offer the right level of bounce and feel for the asphalt underneath, also ticking the winding, city-centre course box with their nimbleness (a rarity in carbon super shoes). You get decent traction from the reinforced areas of the outsole, too.

We did have a slight tendency to pronate inwards in slower runs in these, so serious pronators might want more stability, but forefoot-striking sets at race speed secured the forward propulsion that this price tag demands.

Bike-to-run transition points are lost due to the lack of a heel loop and the featherweight tongue can take a little bit of jostling to sit in place, which also isn’t ideal in the rush of T2.

That tongue (alongside the upper) belies its slenderness by offering plenty of endurance run comfort, fitting snugly but not restrictively around the foot.

Although one of the best here for sockless comfort, the slightly coarse upper does cause a bit of rubbing.

That upper and perforated tongue kept things breezy on toasty midday sets in June, however, while there’s a sock-like feel to how the upper and heel counter securely yet subtly cradle the foot.

The £225 puts them at the mid-table of carbon run shoes, which pains us to type, and we do have durability concerns over the exposed areas of outsole that are already showing wear.

Verdict: A winning, lean and stylish shoe for speedsters, but some durability concerns.

Score: 88%

Pair these with…

2XU Run Cap

Racing in the summer and need to keep the sun and sweat out of your face? Sounds like you need a running cap…

This option from 2XU is made of 100% nylon and utilises a Velcro band at the back to help you get a good fit.

The peak is semi-curved to help keep the sun out of your eyes, while a moisture-wicking sweatband is integrated into the inner to help keep sweat out of your face.

Mesh ventilation panels have also been included in an attempt to keep you cool, while the hat is machine washable (in cold water), which is always a bonus.

It comes in five different colours including black, white, pink, orange and a dark green.