The Asics SUPERBLAST 3 model has been popping up on me from literally every angle lately. Social media was full of great videos, photos, and enthusiastic reactions from runners, so I finally got tempted. After a few weeks of training and a lot of miles, I'll let my own experience speak for itself and share what really impressed me about this shoe, where it has its limits, and who I would recommend it to.
Since I am not one of those runners who are at the start of a race every weekend, I have always chosen comfortable training running shoes. I was looking for a model that would offer enough cushioning, stability and comfort for every free run, but would also handle the occasional tempo training. As a runner weighing around 90 kg, I prefer higher cushioning and sure-footedness, which is why models like the Hoka BONDI have been a long-term favorite for me.
Asics GEL-NIMBUS, Asics GEL-KAYANO or Saucony HURRICANE and others similar.
After a while, I decided to step out of my comfort zone and try something more dynamic. I was looking for running shoes that could handle a faster pace but were also versatile enough for most of my workouts. The Asics SUPERBLAST 3 kept appearing in the recommendations, so curiosity finally won out.
The first introduction took place at the ADsport store in Zlín, where I wanted to check, above all, whether the shoe would fit my foot well. The feeling was very pleasant after the first wearing, but every experienced runner knows that the real test begins when you set out for the first kilometers with a new pair. I was all the more curious whether the Asics SUPERBLAST 3 would hold up not only during free runs, but also during tempo training and longer runs.
First training in SUPERBLAST 3
I didn't plan my first run as a quick test. I wanted to see how the SUPERBLAST 3 would perform in a normal training session, at the pace I would run most of my miles. The route was mostly on asphalt, but I ran a little off-road with them, and after the first few hundred meters it was clear that this shoe offered a completely different feel than the models I was used to.
I was most worried about the stability, as the shoe is very cushioned, but I was really pleasantly surprised that it was also stable enough, which is a huge plus for me. I planned an hour-long workout and simply let myself be "carried" and I absolutely did not check any statistics during it, I only read everything after the run.
Most of my free runs are around 5:30/km pace, but these shoes are really more dynamic and so the resulting average is a bit faster (5:18/km), even though I didn't feel like I was trying to push it any harder. So it was clear that I had to take them out for a faster workout soon to test their strengths.
But during the first run, I realized one more thing – the SUPERBLAST 3 is not your typical soft and comfortable shoe, in which you just “trot” your kilometers. Although it offers enough cushioning, it has much more energy and dynamics than I was used to in similarly comfortable models. Every step feels lighter and you feel that the shoe is trying to push you forward.
This was a big difference for me compared to the shoes I normally used for free running. I was used to maximum comfort and foot protection with those, but the SUPERBLAST 3 added a certain desire to speed up. I didn't feel like I had to keep a higher pace, but at the same time I didn't feel like I needed to slow down. Running in them felt very natural and I simply enjoyed continuing.
I also rate the tread itself positively. With high and very cushioned shoes, there is sometimes a problem that they can feel a little uncertain or "loose", especially if you are not used to such a high midsole. But I did not have this feeling at all with the SUPERBLAST 3. Even when cornering or on worse surfaces, I still had good control over my step and the combination of cushioning and stability was one of the biggest surprises for me.
First faster training sessions in SUPERBLAST 3
For my second run in the Asics SUPERBLAST 3, I planned a faster workout to see how they would perform at a higher pace. I'm not one of those runners who has a specific structure for each workout. I usually run based on my feeling and current mood, and when I feel good, I like to include a faster section. Below are some recordings from workouts where I was able to fully utilize the potential of this model.
I have to say that it was during tempo runs that I was most impressed with the Asics SUPERBLAST 3. Even though I got to a pace that was quite fast for me, I still felt confident and stable. I was surprised by how well the shoe maintained its stability even at higher speeds, and I consider this to be one of its greatest strengths.
It was also interesting that the hardest part of the workout wasn't actually getting faster, but slowing down and transitioning to a jog. The shoes have a very strong bounce and constantly motivate you to keep a brisk pace. If you feel like running faster, they can make it much easier. Overall, I was very impressed with them during tempo training, and it was at a higher intensity that I best understood why there was such a buzz around them.
What pleasantly surprised me about the SUPERBLAST 3 is the combination of speed and comfort. I expected the shoe to work well for faster training, but I was a little worried that it would be too unstable or less comfortable for my habits. But that was not the case at all. Even at a higher pace, I still felt pleasantly cushioned and confident with every step.
As a runner who is used to more comfortable and cushioned models, I really appreciated the fact that the SUPERBLAST 3 does not lose comfort even when you try to run faster. The shoe is still very comfortable, but at the same time, its lightness and bounce naturally encourage you to go a little further. This combination is, in my opinion, its greatest strength - you don't have to choose between comfort and speed, because it can offer both.
After the run, I didn't feel like the faster training left a bigger mark on my legs than usual. Of course, it depends on the length and intensity of the run itself, but even after the faster sections, I felt like my legs still had enough comfort thanks to the high-quality cushioning.
Who would I recommend the ASICS SUPERBLAST 3 to?
I would recommend the Asics SUPERBLAST 3 especially to runners who are looking for a universal running shoe that can handle a large part of their training. It is a model in which you can easily run a leisurely free run, a longer run, but at the same time it is best suited for a faster pace or a higher quality training and even a race.
In my opinion, however, this shoe is not an ideal choice for complete beginners. Not because it is uncomfortable or demanding, but because its potential will be best used by runners who have already run in a bit and know what they expect from a running shoe. If someone is starting out and is mainly looking for maximum comfort, confidence and stability with every step, there are more suitable models.
The SUPERBLAST 3 can also be a very interesting choice for heavier runners who often have to compromise between cushioning, stability and speed. I belong to this group myself and it was the combination of comfort, sufficient cushioning and sure-footedness that I enjoyed the most about this model. I didn't feel like I had to look for only the most bulky training shoes because of my weight.
So if you're looking for one pair that can handle most of your miles and don't want to have several different models at home for each type of training, I think the Asics SUPERBLAST 3 are a very strong candidate. Moreover, as I wrote above, you don't have to be afraid to use them in a race - for many runners they can easily replace a faster racing shoe if they are looking primarily for comfort, stability and confidence instead of maximum aggressive performance.
