Written by Ben Traynor, for Runner’s Tribe

The Megablast sits at the sharp end of ASICS’ Blast lineage—the Novablast that lit the fuse, the Superblast that pushed stack height and versatility, and now this: a max-stack, non-plated trainer wrapped around a new slab of FlyteFoam Turbo². ASICS’s ATPU blend is billed as springier and a touch softer than prior Turbo foams; on the road it feels like the shoe the Superblast hinted at lighter, livelier, and broad-shouldered enough to cover most of a training week.

First Impressions

The spec sheet raises eyebrows: 8.1 oz (230 g) in a US M9 with a 45/37 mm stack (8 mm drop). In hand, the engineered woven upper reads more “race lineage” than daily trainer; on foot, first steps reveal a lively, trampoline-like midsole. The platform is wide and reassuring at altitude, though the sheer slab can feel a touch blocky when you thread tight corners.

Key Specifications

• Type: Max-stack, non-plated performance trainer

• Midsole: FlyteFoam Turbo² (ATPU) — resilient, spring-forward feel

• Upper: Engineered woven mesh; thin gusseted tongue; sawtooth laces

• Outsole: ASICSGrip rubber (targeted coverage)

• Stack: 45 mm heel / 37 mm forefoot

• Drop: 8 mm

• Weight: 230 g / 8.1 oz (US M9)

• Best for: Easy, long, up-tempo, even “plate-free” race days

• Price: AUD$340 via Asics Australia

Upper & Fit

Airy, tough mesh with just enough structure to keep shape through turns. The gusseted tongue stays planted; the heel collar uses modest foam to avoid hotspots. True to size, but two watch-outs from testing:

• The toe-box ceiling is shallow and the lateral forefoot runs narrow, which can create a pressure hotspot over the small (pinky) toe on longer efforts.

• Heel/ankle hold relies more on padding than sculpting.

• Ventilation is good, lockdown is confident, and the sawtooth laces make micro-adjustments simple.

Midsole & Cushioning

Turbo² is the headline. It loads and “kicks” rather than mushes, delivering the rare combo of plush height with decisive rebound. The 8 mm drop feels natural; the rocker is genuinely propulsive, smoothing transitions without forcing a stride. A broad platform plus the firmer, more controlled compression of ATPU gives the Megablast surprising midsole stability for its height. ASICSGrip traction is assured on dry roads and remains composed when the tarmac turns damp.

Ride & Performance

This is your “do-almost-everything” trainer. Easy days feel cocooned, long runs lock into a steady roll, and up-tempo miles reveal enough snap to make you forget there’s no plate. The caveat is geometry: with so much foam underfoot, the shoe can read cumbersome in tight, twisty sections or cluttered footpaths. In straight, honest running it shines.

Value & Context

At AUD$340, the Megablast lives in rarefied air. Sub-AUD$225 daily trainers have never been better, but few match this shoe’s height-to-weight ratio, bounce, and range. If you a “Do-it-all trainer” with max cushioning and plate-free snap, it earns its keep; if price is the ceiling, plenty of capable options live below.

Who Should Buy the Megablast

✅ Runners wanting one shoe to cover easy, long, and up-tempo
✅ Those who prefer non-plated bounce with real high-stack stability
✅ Fans of Superblast-style protection who want more pop at less weight

Not ideal for:
❌ Bargain hunters, the price stings
❌ Runners sensitive to a shallow, narrow toe box (pinky-toe pressure risk)

Final Verdict

The ASICS Megablast is ASICS’s most convincing all-rounder in years: super-light for its size, bouncy and engaging, and versatile enough to pinch-hit for a plated shoe on race-adjacent efforts. Yes, the forefoot fit is snug and the geometry can feel blocky off the racing line, but the ride quality is special and the stability is best-in-class for a non-plated, max-stack build.

Score: 13/15

• Form: 4/5 — sleek, race-leaning build; shallow/narrow forefoot

• Fit: 4/5 — true to size; secure midfoot/heel; no widths

• Function: 5/5 — covers nearly every use case with joyful rebound

If you want maximum cushion, plate-free snap, and a single pair that can carry a training block end-to-end, the Megablast is the blast worth chasing.

Note: This review is based on available information and user experiences as of September 2025. Individual preferences and experiences may vary.