Got your eye on a pair of Asics running shoes? These are our favourites for the road and trail (2024)

Previous versions of the Novablast quickly gained a reputation as a great neutral shoe with serious bounce and good longevity. And the latest version is no different.

It features Asics’ new FF Blast Plus Eco foam, providing runners with the same signature Novablast bounce and responsiveness that they’ve grown to love, but now with at least 20% bio-based material from renewable sources, including leftover waste from sugar cane processing.

As well as the propulsive cushioning, you also get a rocker profile and a toe spring in the forefoot which helps to create noticeable momentum at toe-off. Additionally, beneath the shoe are deep parallel grooves running along the full length on either side, with a central diamond-shaped pod in the forefoot, and this 'trampoline-inspired' outsole design works with the cushioning to create even more energy return.

Up top, the Novablast 3’s engineered mesh upper is replaced with an engineered woven upper, which wraps the foot securely, and a lightly padded tongue sits comfortably across the top of the foot. Overall, they really are the sort of pair you'd want to pack if you're off travelling and can only bring one pair to do everything.

Shop - women's

Shop - men's

Full review

This second-generation carbon-plated racer was developed using insight from Asics’ elite athletes. It’s designed for PB-chasing top-tier runners and elites who increase their stride to run faster, and Asics’ research suggests it improves running economy by 2 percent. It’s also the shoe Eilish McColgan wore to break the European 10K record.

So, what’s new? There’s now four percent more of Asics’ lightest and bounciest FF Blast Turbo midsole material, and the carbon plate has been repositioned to sit higher under the foot for better compression and higher bounce-back at the toe-off. The new upper is a lighter, more breathable woven mesh and includes new crinkled laces and a thin tongue for a secure fit. Our GB triathlete tester – who raced in the shoes sockless fresh out of the box and clocked the fastest 10km run leg at a recent triathlon wearing them – described running in them as feeling ‘effortless and springy’.

'I didn’t believe the carbon fibre hype until I raced in these and knocked 40 seconds off my 5km PB. They’re supportive, fit perfectly, and they’ve improved my running efficiency.'

Shop - unisex

Key specs

Designed for marathoners who speed up by increasing their cadence more significantly than their stride length, this super shoe excels for road runners of any gait style, racing any distance from the mile to a 50K.

The Edge has more foam underfoot than its predecessor and uses Asics' most premium nylon-based Flytefoam Turbo, the lightest and springiest the brand currently dishes. However, the Edge still has less of the material than the Sky, with a carbon-fiber plate placed lower inside the midsole. Its full-length plate dips closer to the ground near the forefoot, making it easier for cadence runners to roll quickly into each stride.

The aggressive rocker and steep toe spring in the Edge remind us more of Saucony’s Endorphin Pro. Compared to the Endorphin Pro, though, and also the Vaporfly, the Edge+’s forefoot and heel are a smidge wider and, as a result, transitions feel very stable. And though the ride is exceptionally springy, it remains smooth and predictable; when climbing steep hills, our tester said they 'felt the carbon plate propelling my toe-offs, but it remained nicely controlled from stride to stride'.

Shop - unisex

Designed for ‘long runs, tempo runs and everything in between’, the Asics Superblast is the do-it-all lovechild of the Novablast 3 and Metaspeed Sky/Edge racing models.

Cushioned to the max (45.5mm in the heel and 37mm in the forefoot), it features a combination of both shoes’ midsole foams – FF Blast Plus cushioning from the Novablast and FF Blast Turbo cushioning from the Metaspeeds – to create what Asics’ hopes is the perfect balance of comfort, softness, responsiveness and efficiency – crucially, without a carbon plate.

They’re nicely cushioned, but not squishy-Gel-Nimbus level cushioned, which means they retain a good amount of firmness that allows them to work at pretty much any speed. Despite the lack of carbon plate, there’s some rigidity through the forefoot, which helps to propel you forward at toe-off. In this sense, the Superblast definitely feels like a step up from the incredibly versatile Novablast 3, which offers fantastic energy return for tempo or progression runs, but perhaps isn’t a shoe you’d pick for race day.

Shop - unisex

Full review

Key specs

Like a faithful friend, this veteran stability shoe has supported overpronators and neutral runners for 30 generations. The latest version sees a serious update, with the component-driven stability tech found in previous models – so the section of firm foam on medial side of the shoe which Asics called 'Litetruss' – no more.

Now, stability is delivered through the shoe's geometry, with a sculpted midsole that curves inwards on the lateral side of the shoe (providing more compression), and a compartment of foam on the medial side to guide the foot into position. The base of the shoe is also wider – through the heel, midfoot and forefoot – to stabilise the foot through the gait cycle.

Our tester found the cushioning felt much plusher compared to previous iterations, thanks to the higher stack, and is nowhere near as firm.

Shop - men's

Shop - women's

Full review

Key specs

Asics Gel-Nimbus 26

The Gel-Nimbus is one of Asics’ bestselling and longest-standing shoes, and the staple, cushioned, daily trainer of choice for many.

The latest iteration launched in January 2024 and the update is a lot more paired back than the last. There's a new engineered knit upper and tweaked lacing system for an improved lockdown, but the knitted, gusseted tongue remains the same, and that heel collar is just as plush and padded as before.

The midsole has been revamped slightly from the v25, with the FF Blast Plus cushioning upgraded to a new Eco formula. The result is a slightly firmer ride than the plushness of the previous iteration, which gives the Gel-Nimbus a newfound versatility for some tempo work.

That being said, there's still plenty of cushioning underfoot. This, combined with a more comfortable upper, improved lockdown and better grip on wet and slippy roads, makes the Gel-Nimbus 26 a quality daily trainer that will appeal to beginners and experienced runners alike.

Shop - women's

Shop - men's

Full review

Carbon plated training shoes may no longer be a novelty, but given they tend to come with maximal cushioning, the Magic Speed 3 feels like one nonetheless. It’s a lightweight, carbon plated shoe that looks - and even feels - more like an old school racer.

The shoe marries the FF Blast+ midsole used in Asic’s everyday Novablast 3 with the upper of the Metaspeed super shoe. Does the marriage work? It certainly does. The carbon plate and midsole combo are certainly on the stiffer side, but there’s still a lot of energy return and a lovely snappy feel to the toe-off. While it’s not labelled as a ‘super shoe’ it has many of the elements you’d associate with that - it feels a touch stiff and aggressive for easy runs, but thrives when you pick up the pace.

This is a close-fitting shoe - there’s plenty of room in the toe box but it’s designed to hug the foot snugly and there’s not a lot by way of padding. This is a minimal shoe with a light upper, which makes it fantastically breathable. But while it’s certainly neutral, it still offers a little touch of stability in the form of midfoot sidewalls. And with the robust, durable AsicsGrip outsole, this is a great shoe for training at speed.

Shop - men's

Shop - women's

Key specs

This is the most cushioned Cumulus yet. It actually feels a lot like earlier versions of its ultra-plush cousin, the Nimbus. (Asics added even more foam to the new Nimbus, so it remains the cushier choice.) Still, neither is geared for speed days.

Testers said the Cumulus felt surprisingly light for its ‘thick and foamy’ workhorse sole, but does sacrifice some pep underfoot. ‘I didn’t feel rocked on to my toes or pushed forwards, but it’s one of the most comfortable shoes I’ve worn,’ said one tester. ‘The inside feels plush and the secure lacing really hugs your foot.’

Shop - men's

Shop - women's

Key specs

Designed for long trail runs, this high-stack trail shoe had our testers cruising over off-road terrain, thanks its gentle rocker-style Guidesole geometry. Easily the most cushioned and protected trail shoe of this bunch, new Flytefoam Blast Plus foam has been added to the midsole to create effortless impact absorption while propelling you forward.

There’s also a new outsole with full Asicsgrip and redesigned 4.5mm lugs include an uphill- and downhill-specific pattern. The heel counter is well padded and feels good on long runs, and the toggle laces stay tight even when wet.

Shop - men's

Shop - women's

Key specs

Asics’ stability trail shoe happens to be a great choice for neutral runners, too. The full ground contact design includes Asics' trusty Duomax support system on the inside arch of the shoe which keeps feet stable. 'The shoes felt really secure and superlight even on technical, uneven trails,' said one tester. 'There’s no roll in them, which you sometimes get with a mesh upper.'

The revised outsole, set in uphill/downhill patterns on the medial and lateral side, also hit the mark. 'In wet bogs they were excellent, and they stuck to dry rocks and sandy trails like glue, so I had total trust in them flying down steep descents.'

The Gel in the heel and FF Blast cushioning (which has been increased by 2mm since the version 10) in the midsole made for a comfy but firm ride, while the flexible rock protection plate kept feet protected from roots and rocks underfoot. Plus, there’s a handy ‘lace garage’ to keep your laces from flapping around.

Shop - men's

Shop - women's

Key specs