ASICS MetaSpeed Sky Review
Carbon Plate+Super Foam=Incredible Performance
Likes
- Extremely responsive midsole compound, a true Super foam!
- Efficient ride with highly propulsive toe-off
- Elite mono mesh upper design
- Light with excellent weight to cushioning ratio
Dislikes
- Strange lace configuration
What's New
The MetaSpeed Sky showcases all of ASICS' top technology in one outstanding package. In the midsole, ASICS introduces FLYTEFOAM Turbo which is their lightest and most responsive foam yet. In true super shoe form, ASICS has also included a full-length carbon plate along with a unique midsole geometry that allows the MetaSpeed Sky to deliver exceptional speed and performance. To top it all off, the engineered mesh upper design provides runners with a magnificent amount of comfort and a secure lockdown, while being incredibly lightweight and breathable.
The Bottom Line
Stand up and take a bow ASICS because the MetaSpeed Sky is truly a work of art. Crafted to help runners go faster, ASICS finely designed the MetaSpeed Sky to do exactly that. The FLYTEFOAM Turbo midsole along with the full-length carbon plate are a match made in heaven and deliver a dynamically energetic running experience that is ready to conquer any distance. The unique midsole geometry is another impressive highlight of the MetaSpeed Sky as it allows runners to extend their stride without adjusting their cadence, which further accentuates the propulsive speed of these racers. Add a lightweight engineered mesh that is comfortable and secure, and you have the total package. Runners who are looking to reach new levels of performance and amplify their speed should get their hands on a pair of MetaSpeed Sky as soon as possible because these beauties may be hard to find if you wait too long.
Shoe Performance
Softness i
Ride/Energy Return i
Underfoot Protection i
Flexibility i
Upper Support i
Specifications & Fit
How It Fits
| Toe Box | Width: Medium | Height: Medium to Low | |
| Midfoot Volume | Medium to Narrow | |
| Heel Width | Medium to Narrow | |
| Arch Height | Medium to High |
Shoe Specs
| Weight | Men's: 7.3 oz (size 9) | Women's: 6.4 oz (size 8) | |
| Stack Height | 38 mm (Heel), 33 mm (Forefoot) – includes non-removable sock-liner. | |
| Terrain | Road | |
| Stability | Neutral | |
| Sizing | True to Size |
Our In-Depth Look
Shoe Softness i
Equipped with ASICS' lightest and most responsive foam yet, the FLYTEFOAM Turbo midsole provides excellent compression and softness without sacrificing any responsiveness or becoming too mushy. Runners will continuously feel the plush comfort of the MetaSpeed Sky no matter the distance or speed of their run.
Matt: "FLYTEFOAM Turbo is an amazing foam! It is a single layer of FF Turbo which makes the soft, bouncy ride consistent and smooth kilometre after kilometre. On my runs, I loved the soft and plush underfoot feel and felt like I could cruise at fast paces for a ton of kilometres no problem."
Connor: "The new FLYTEFOAM Turbo compound is extremely soft and gives a suprisingly pleasant squish without sacrificing energy return at toe-off. The underfoot feel is something you truly need to expierence in person."
Ride/Energy Return i
Packed with an arsenal of high-tech features, the MetaSpeed Sky offers an impressively fast running experience that is worthy of the "super shoe" distinction. The FLYTEFOAM Turbo midsole works harmoniously with a carbon plate to deliver an outstandingly responsive ride that adds explosive speed to every stride. Even better, ASICS' unique midsole design creates remarkable efficiency through the gait cycle, which will undoubtedly elevate training sessions or race day efforts.
Matt: "The energy return of the Metaspeed Sky was my favourite part of the shoe, and I am really excited to use these shoes on race day. Even though the cushioning is super soft, the FLYTEFOAM Turbo midsole rebounds off the ground extremely well. Though the responsive foam is excellent, the geometry of the Sky was what really sparked my interest. The rocker shape and carbon plate helped amplify my stride all the way through the very end of my toe-off, which made for a truly unique underfoot experience. Also, the MetaSpeed Sky was unbelievably efficient through the gait cycle and allowed me to get even more energy and power with each foot strike."
Connor: "ASICS finally has a true Super Foam with FLYTEFOAM Turbo. The foam is phenomenal and will be up there as a top foam for 2021. The shoe’s ride is extremely bouncy and efficient. While the MetaSpeed Sky was built specifically for the marathon, I think it will perform phenomenally at shorter distances as well. It is simply a very fast shoe."
Underfoot Protection i
Designed to withstand the trials of a marathon, the MetaSpeed Sky is definitely not lacking any underfoot protection. Although sporting a nearly maxed-out stack height, the MetaSpeed Sky retains a fairly agile feel that further accentuates the speed of these shoes. Whether out on long tempo runs or chasing down a race-day PB, runners will continually feel fresh and fast when running in the MetaSpeed Sky.
Matt: "This shoe has a pretty high stack and a good amount of rubber on the outsole, which produces a very protective shoe. When I took this shoe on the roads and sidewalks it never gave me any issues. I was always able to remain comfortable and happy while running in the MetaSpeed Sky."
Connor: "Quality underfoot protection is exactly what I have come to expect from an elite carbon-plated racing shoe. ASICS has nearly maxed out the cushioning (about 38mm in the heel) with the MetaSpeed Sky, which gives the shoes fantastic impact protection from the roads. Although it has a high stack height, I feel like the MetaSpeed Sky still feels nimble and not quite as bulky as some of the other plated racers that feature a similar stack height."
Underfoot Flexibility i
The combination of the carbon plate and abundant stack height makes the MetaSpeed Sky extremely rigid. To accommodate for this, ASICS has created an exceptional midsole geometry that works with the stiffness to create an unbelievably smooth ride that is beyond efficient through toe-off. If you are looking to log some fast workout sessions or need a new race day speed demon, then the MetaSpeed Sky is the shoe you are looking for.
Matt: "The Metaspeed Sky has nearly no flexibility. The carbon fiber plate takes away any flex that this shoe will have, but this never bothered me. When I was running faster in this shoe the rocker allowed me to naturally progress through my gait. I never want a ton of flex in my fast racing shoes, so I loved having the sensation of the rocker popping me into my next stride rather than the shoe bending and flexing."
Connor: "As with all carbon-plated racers, the added plate provides a lot of rigidity. Combine this with the high stack height of the MetaSpeed Sky midsole, and you get nearly no flexibility. This stiffness helps contribute to the efficient ride and delivers a fast on-foot experience."
Upper Feel i
What is the perfect addition to an elite midsole foam and carbon plate? A first-class upper design that is comfortable, lightweight, and secure. ASICS has more than achieved this with the engineered mesh upper of the MetaSpeed Sky and, like our testers, runners will enjoy the top-notch feel of these shoes.
Matt: "This upper is elite. The way the heel cups your foot and the lightweight strength of the mesh gave me that "prepared for take-off" sensation that you get when getting harnessed into a fast roller coaster, and "take-off" is exactly what you can do once you lace up in the Metaspeed Sky."
Connor: "The MetaSpeed Sky’s upper is stripped down and built to be as light as possible so there is just enough structure to get you through to the end of the race. I found it to be extremely comfortable and I also really appreciated the added room in the toe box. It offered plenty of room to allow for your toes to splay without feeling unsecure."
Men's ASICS Metaspeed Running Shoes
Women's ASICS Metaspeed Running Shoes
Individual Thoughts
ASICS really took things to a new level with the Metaspeed Sky. When I put this shoe on, I know I’m ready to go. I know I am about to run fast. I look forward to using this shoe for some upcoming races and time trials. I loved how the soft and plush FF Turbo was blended with the efficiency of this shoe. I felt like I could run fast forever, making this a high-quality road racer. I was blown away at how ASICS designed the rocker to really get the most out of each stride. The lightweight and strong upper is one of my favourite things in thetais shoe. As I said, when I slip on the Metaspeed Sky it feels like I’m getting locked into a fast roller coaster. It feels strong and protective like a shoulder harness, and you know that you’re about to take off at super quick speeds. I can’t wait to use this shoe in my next road race.
Softness
FirmSoftRide/Energy Return
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protection
LowHighFlexibility
RigidElasticUpper Support
StructuredAdaptable
Overall, I think ASICS has knocked it out of the park with the MetaSpeed Sky. The shoe delivers a highly efficient ride that is also very responsive. The MetaSpeed Sky truly offers everything you need to reach your full running potential on race day. ASICS now has a true super foam in their arsenal with the introduction of the FLYTEFOAM Turbo compound and it does not disappoint in any way. The ASICS Metaracer was a phenomenal ASICS release last year, but the MetaSpeed Sky is on an entirely new level. This latest release demonstrates ASICS's commitment to making the best possible footwear for their elite athletes, as well as for the everyday runner. While I am still curious to see how the slightly lower stacked/higher drop MetaSpeed Edge performs (launching around June 2021), I am beyond pleased with the final execution of the MetaSpeed Sky and I feel it will definitely be in consideration for the top-plated racer of 2021.