ASICS Metaspeed LD 2 review

After testing the ASICS Metaspeed LD 2, we recommend it for:

• Track athletes with efficient mechanics who enjoy an aggressive and highly propulsive toe-off.
• Runners already using the Metaspeed lineup on the road and looking for a track spike with a familiar ride and fit.
• Competitive long-distance racers seeking a super spike that takes full advantage of the maximum legal foam allowance for 5k and 10k events.

The biggest drawback of the ASICS Metaspeed LD 2 is its exceptionally high price. For runners who only race on the track a handful of times each year, the investment may be difficult to justify. In that case, we think options like the Nike Dragonfly 2 or the Saucony Terminal VT offer stronger overall value with similar performance.

We also believe the LD 2 can perform well in events such as the 800m and 1500m. However, athletes focused primarily on those distances may be better served by a more specialized spike like the Nike Victory 2.

The Metaspeed LD 2 is built specifically for long-distance track racing, which explains why it packs 18.0 mm of foam under the heel. Given that World Athletics allows a maximum stack height of 20.0 mm for track spikes, ASICS pushed the design remarkably close to the limit.

Speaking of pushing limits, the forefoot is where ASICS went all in.

We measured an impressive 19.6 mm of stack height in this area, a design choice that makes perfect sense given that track athletes spend most of their time landing on their forefoot when racing in spikes.

As expected from our previous measurements, the ASICS Metaspeed LD 2 features a negative drop of -1.6 mm, reinforcing its forefoot-first design philosophy. In our opinion, this aggressive design is best suited to experienced track athletes rather than beginners.

ASICS could have equipped the Metaspeed LD 2 with the FF Turbo+ foam found in models like the Metaspeed Sky Tokyo, yet it instead relies on the FF Turbo compound from previous Metaspeeds and the original Superblast.

We believe this decision was intentional, as the firmer nature of FF Turbo is better suited to the demands of a track spike. Our durometer confirmed this with a notably firm 44.2 AC reading. However, it's hard to ignore that at this premium price point, the absence of the flagship foam from the ASICS lineup may be a deal-breaker.

The LD 2 features a dual-layer midsole construction, with the bottom layer measuring slightly firmer in our tests at 46.3 AC.

ASICS clearly thinks that a true super spike needed a carbon plate. The Metaspeed LD 2 features one of the most road super shoe-like plates we've seen in a track spike, delivering a remarkably similar sensation underfoot.

Dialing in the fit of a track spike usually requires a more aggressive approach than a road shoe, and that's exactly how the Metaspeed LD 2 felt during our wear tests. Compared to the road-focused Metaspeed lineup, it delivers a slightly snugger fit, though the difference is fairly small.

We then moved to the lab and took three key measurements. The first came in at 88.4 mm, placing the LD 2 close to the average for a track spike while measuring 2.1 mm narrower than the Metaspeed Sky Tokyo.

The toebox measured exactly the same 70.1 mm as the road-focused Metaspeed Sky Tokyo, making the LD 2 one of the more appealing spikes for runners who appreciate a bit of extra room up front. We wouldn't describe it as wide-foot-friendly, but it certainly feels more accommodating than many of its direct competitors.

We also believe that toebox height won't be a concern for most runners.

At 26.5 mm, it provided enough vertical space to remain comfortable throughout our testing while still delivering the secure, race-ready lockdown expected from a track spike.

ASICS even markets the Metaspeed LD 2 as an exceptionally stiff spike, yet our lab results told a slightly different story. Requiring just 11.6N of force to bend to 30 degrees, it proved somewhat more flexible than several of its key rivals.

The ASICS Metaspeed LD 2 weighed in at 5.5 oz (156 g) on our scale, delivering a highly competitive result that neither impressed nor disappointed. In our view, it's right where a premium long-distance spike should be.

However, after seeing what ASICS achieved with the featherweight Metaspeed Ray, we believe the next-generation LD needs to shed even more weight.

One area where ASICS has excelled in recent years is upper design, and the Metaspeed LD 2 takes full advantage of that expertise by featuring the same MOTIONWRAP 2.0 material found in its road-racing siblings.

During our testing, this upper delivered an outstanding balance of comfort, security, and airflow. It performed admirably in our breathability assessment, earning a solid 4/5 score and proving more than capable of handling demanding track sessions and races during summer.

As expected, ventilation is concentrated in the forefoot, where cooling matters most, and gradually decreases toward the rear of the shoe to enhance structure and lockdown.

A closer look under our digital microscope left us genuinely impressed.

The material showcased exceptional build quality, with a remarkably refined construction that reflects the premium nature of the spike.

The heel also stands out by offering noticeably more padding than most competing models. ASICS included a substantial amount of foam in an area where many rivals rely on minimal cushioning or none at all, resulting in a more comfortable fit.

The carbon plate helps limit excessive lateral movement, enhancing stability in the process. We confirmed this in our torsional rigidity test, where the Metaspeed LD 2 recorded 11.9 Nm.

With its generously padded heel and a heel counter that scored just 2/5 in stiffness, we found the Metaspeed LD 2 especially appealing for runners seeking extra comfort and a touch more structure around the rearfoot rather than an ultra-flexible design.

Nike made the Dragonfly 2 slightly wider than its predecessor, whereas ASICS retained a narrow and compact geometry with the Metaspeed LD 2.

Our forefoot measurement came in at 94.2 mm, confirming the shoe's streamlined and race-focused shape. However, it's important to consider that the carbon plate and firm FF Turbo foam work together to enhance stability, allowing ASICS to pursue such a narrow design.

The heel truly surprised us in the lab, measuring just 55.9 mm wide.

For runners seeking a barely-noticeable rearfoot that stays completely out of the way, the Metaspeed LD 2 delivers exactly that sensation.

Despite its exceptionally comfortable feel, the heel also demonstrated impressive durability in our Dremel test, earning a strong 4/5 score.

The Metaspeed LD 2 relies on two small rubber pods positioned in the heel to serve as its outsole, keeping weight to a minimum while still providing some protection.

In our measurements, these rubber sections came in at 2.8 mm thick, offering a sensible balance between durability and weight savings for a competition-focused spike. In fact, maybe these could be a bit thinner...

The insole is exceptionally thin at 1.8 mm, allowing ASICS to maximize the amount of FF Turbo foam underfoot and make the most of the limited stack height permitted by World Athletics regulations.

The lacing system performed flawlessly in our testing, largely thanks to the excellent toothed laces that lock into place securely and help create an outstanding fit.

We also appreciated that ASICS kept the tongue exceptionally thin at just 0.7 mm while maintaining excellent ventilation. This minimalist design aligns perfectly with the spike's racing focus and helps to keep weight low.

The heel features the same streamlined design found across the road-focused Metaspeed lineup, with a clean, minimalist finish and no heel tab.

The biggest drawback of the Metaspeed LD 2 is undoubtedly its premium price tag. In our opinion, ASICS appears to position this spike primarily for elite athletes and dedicated fans of the Metaspeed lineup rather than as a high-volume product aimed at capturing a larger share of the track market.

ASICS experimented with some interesting outsole concepts in its previous track spikes, but grip in wet conditions never fully met expectations.

As a result, the brand returned to the proven formula, equipping the Metaspeed LD 2 with six removable pins that can be easily replaced using the spike wrench included in the box.