ASICS Magic Speed Review
Magically Efficient Speed Built for Race Day Glory
Likes
- Efficiently smooth ride
- Lightweight, comfortable upper
- High-value plate racer
Dislikes
- The heel design could be tweaked for additional comfort
What's New
Packed with an abundance of features, the ASICS Magic Speed delivers high performance without the high price tag. Taking inspiration from ASICS' new elite-level racer, the MetaSpeed Sky, the new Magic Speed features a FLYTEFOAM Blast midsole, carbon fiber plate, and GUIDESOLE technology that combine into an impressive package which promises enough speed and comfort to conquer any fast day without breaking the bank. The simple yet impressive engineered mesh upper design is lightweight and supportive, while the ASICS GRIP outsole offers high-level durability that all runners will appreciate for their uptempo training and racing needs.
The Bottom Line
The ASICS Magic Speed is equipped with an impressive combination of technologies making these shoes, dare we say it, magical. While the Magic Speed is not as light or responsive as the Metaspeed Sky, the ride delivered from the FLYTEFOAM Blast midsole and carbon plate is propulsively fast and will elevate runners' long-distance training sessions or races to entirely new levels. Furthermore, GUIDESOLE technology offers one-of-a-kind efficiency that will help runners sustain their energy during even the longest of efforts. But what is truly enchanting about the Magic Speed is its price, which is over $200 less than most other carbon-plated shoes currently on the market. With its high-performance capabilities and excellent value, the Magic Speed is an accessible carbon-plated shoe that runners will be reaching for over and over again.
Shoe Performance
Shoe Softnessi
FirmSoftRide/Energy Returni
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protectioni
LowHighFlexibilityi
RigidElasticUpper Supporti
StructuredAdaptableSpecifications & Fit
How It Fits
| Toe Box | Width: Medium | Height: Medium |
| Midfoot Volume | Medium to Low |
| Heel Width | Medium to narrow |
| Arch Height | Medium to High |
Shoe Specs
| Weight | Men's: 7.9 oz (size 9) |
| Stack Height | 34 mm (Heel), 29 mm (Forefoot) - includes non-removable sock-liner |
| Terrain | Road |
| Stability | Neutral |
| Sizing | True to Size |
Our In-Depth Look
Shoe Softnessi
The Magic Speed is constructed with a FLYTEFOAM Blast midsole which delivers a comfortably soft feel that can handle long distances without difficulty. Though soft, the midsole is full of energy, and runners will enjoy lacing up the Magic Speed to amplify fast training days or attempt to break their PB on race day.
Matt: "The FLTYEFOAM Blast cushioning is a very soft compound found in a few other ASICS favorites. The foam absorbs and rebounds ground impact very well, and I thought it was a comfortable option for longer workouts and harder long runs."
Mark: "This shoe has a soft landing with a rigid toe-off making it ideal to get the pace going over long distances and times."
Connor: "The Magic Speed offers the introduction of FLTYEFOAM Blast, and similar to other Blast models, you get that soft yet lively underfoot experience. I did feel the sleeker design made it seem not quite as plush and squishy as the Novablast, but it did still give a pleasant softness that is fast and fun."
Ride/Energy Returni
As you would expect from the name, the Magic Speed was designed to go fast and is outfitted with an arsenal of features that enable it to do so. The FLYTEFOAM midsole is lively with a bouncy return that is further highlighted by the addition of a carbon plate. A GUIDESOLE design helps runners conserve energy throughout their run so that they can finish as fast as they started. Our testers were beyond impressed with the overall ride that the Magic Speed delivered for longer runs and speedy training sessions, and given the high-value, runners cannot go wrong with these racers.
Matt: "The Magic Speed has the big three when it comes to energy return: responsive foam, a carbon plate in the forefoot, and a rocker design. All of these allow each stride to be as efficient as possible. The energy return in this shoe rocked for my longer workouts, as well as my long tempo runs. When I was feeling tired and needed an edge, the Magic Speed helped carry me to the end."
Mark: "The rockered midsole and carbon fiber plate in this shoe give it the ability to be your explosive option to get the pace going. This shoe is ideal for any tempo work or even race day efforts you may have on the calendar."
Connor: "The Magic Speed offers a very bouncy and responsive experience that pleasantly surprised me at the price point. It’s not the most responsive racer in the ASICS line (the MetaSpeed Sky/FlyteFoam Turbo compound will have an edge in performance), but at $249.95, it is by far the best value I’ve seen in a carbon plated racer. The foam is still extremely springy and energetic and made running fast feel easy. The ride is smooth and efficient and feels fast enough for race day yet versatile enough for your speed sessions."
Underfoot Protectioni
Though the Magic Speed does not quite have the max stack height found in some of the other carbon-plated racing shoes on the market, it is not lacking any underfoot protection. Our testers were impressed with the shoe's ability to keep them comfortable over long-distance runs and even welcomed the slightly lower to the ground feel of the Magic Speed compared to some of its rivals in the market.
Matt: "The stack and outsole add a great amount of durability to the Magic Speed. I thought it held up well and should continue to hold up well as I rack up the mileage."
Mark: "This shoe maintains that “low-to-the-ground” feel that a lot of runners crave. It has enough protection for the long haul, but also serves as a breath of fresh air from the extremely high stack heights we have frequently seen from every other fast shoe on the market."
Connor: "The Magic Speed is fairly protective underfoot. It’s not quite maxed out like a few other plated racers on the market (the heel stack height is around 34mm), but it still had all the protection necessary for longer efforts. I have run some faster-paced long runs without a problem, and I am confident that I would have no issues running marathon distances in the Magic Speed. Underfoot protection is becoming increasingly important with plated racers, and I feel the Magic Speed offers a good blend of high protection without being overstuffed."
Flexibilityi
Like other carbon-plated shoes, the Magic Speed lacks flexibility, however this rigidity does not work against it. Rather it works harmoniously with a rocker design to help propel runners quickly and efficiently through their gait cycle.
Matt: "Since the Magic Speed has a plate in the midsole, it has no real flexibility. However, the rocker shape allows for this shoe to still have a smooth ride that does not feel too stiff."
Mark: "The carbon fiber plate inhibits much flexibility. However, the rockered shape assists your muscles through the running cycle and lets the shoe do some of the work at toe-off."
Connor: "The Magic Speed's plate extends from the midfoot into the forefoot, which is paired with a high stack height, so in general has very little flex. There is a little more flex than some of the other shoes with full-length plates but overall it’s fairly rigid."
Upper Supporti
The Magic Speed features a simple yet effective upper design that is lightweight and supportive. Our testers also noted the roominess afforded to them in the Magic Speed, which was a pleasant differentiation from some other racing shoes. Runners should have no issues remaining comfortable in the Magic Speed while they swiftly log long kilometres, or while they hunt down the finish line on race day.
Matt: "The upper is relatively thin on the Magic Speed. It has a couple of thin but strong layers that are pretty adaptable. The upper also provides a nice locked-in feeling. I never had to worry about any slipping, sliding, or sloppiness in this shoe."
Mark: "The Magic Speed has a bit of a wider fit than I’d expect from a faster shoe. The upper still has a great fit and allows room for your feet to splay when the miles get longer."
Connor: "The upper is sleek and simple and offers a fast feel. The heel has a stiff piece that adds a little support, but overall the upper is stripped down to be pretty light."
Men's ASICS Magic Speed Running Shoes
Women's ASICS Magic Speed Running Shoes
Individual Thoughts
I really enjoyed using this shoe for runs that needed to be long and fast. Tempos and longer intervals were this shoe’s bread and butter. I would get even more excited for my workouts because I got to wear the Magic Speed. It’s a fun shoe that is soft but snappy and allows for great energy return through the whole run.
Shoe Softness
FirmSoftRide/Energy Return
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protection
LowHighFlexibility
RigidElasticUpper Support
StructuredAdaptable
Overall, I think this shoe is ideal for the runner looking for a do-it-all fast-paced shoe to split between training and racing. This shoe feels fast, has a wider fit, and is protective. I would personally prefer a bit of a higher arch to add some form of stability to the inside of my foot. I caught my arch/ankle collapsing in this shoe more so than I would in any other uptempo shoe. However, the price point also makes this shoe a steal. Normally you’d find yourself paying close to $300 for the coveted carbon fiber shoe. If you’re the runner looking for a shoe to smash workout and half marathon-marathon distance runs, the ASICS Magic Speed is the shoe for you.
Shoe Softness
FirmSoftRide/Energy Return
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protection
LowHighFlexibility
RigidElasticUpper Support
StructuredAdaptable
Overall, I thought that the ASICS Magic Speed was a fun shoe that performed well over a wide variety of speed sessions. With ASICS releasing a lot of new and exciting racing shoes, I was initially concerned that the Magic Speed might be overlooked by runners due to it not having the touted FLYEFOAM Turbo compound seen in the MetaSpeed Sky, but with the unique ride and energetic feel of the FLYTEFOAM Blast midsole, I am confident a lot of runners will more than enjoy running in the Magic Speed.
To add to its allure, the price tag makes this shoe very hard to beat. I think many runners tend to save their expensive carbon-plated shoes solely for race day, but with the Magic Speed coming in at $249.95, I feel it will be the perfect workout day option, as well as race day. You may get a little more performance and bounce out of the MetaSpeed Sky, but the ride is still phenomenal in this racer and the added rubber should hold up a little better as well. All in all, you can’t go wrong testing out the ASICS Magic Speed if you’re a fan of carbon plate racers or looking to hop onto the efficiency train for the first time. It’s a great shoe, with a responsive ride, and a great price point. What’s not to love?