ASICS Metaspeed Sky Paris review

After testing the Metaspeed Sky Paris, we are convinced that it represents a significant advancement for the series and is an excellent choice for:

• Midfoot and forefoot strikers looking for a top performer across any distance from 5K to the marathon.
• Runners who tried the previous Metaspeeds but desired more cushioning.
• ASICS aficionados who prefer the brand's training shoes and have been waiting for racing options that match the top contenders on the market—the Metaspeed Sky Paris now stands shoulder to shoulder with the best.

We've rigorously evaluated the Metaspeed Sky Paris and are impressed by its performance. However, its narrow heel and moderate drop make it less suitable for heel strikers. For those needing more support, we think the Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 offers a higher drop and a more stable rearfoot.

We also believe that the Metaspeed Sky Paris may not suit runners with wider feet due to its narrow, tight upper. In our testing, the Nike Alphafly 3 and the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3 proved to be broader yet equally fast, offering similar performance with more room for the toes, ideal for those seeking comfort alongside speed.

The Metaspeed Sky+ was a solid performer, though we found it slightly lacking in heel cushioning (33.5 mm) for the full marathon. Luckily, we found this concern has been effectively addressed.

The Metaspeed Sky Paris, perhaps drawing inspiration from the Eiffel Tower, finally approaches the 40-mm limit set by World Athletics, boasting a colossal stack height of 39.1 mm. This is exactly what we were looking for to confidently tackle the 26.2-mile marathon distance.

The Metaspeed Sky Paris is designed predominantly for road races, which typically occur during the day. That explains the absence of reflective elements on the shoe despite its high price tag.

Our measurements have revealed that the Metaspeed Sky Paris features a medium heel-to-toe drop of 6.5 mm, slightly higher than ASICS' listed 5-mm drop. This still positions the shoe as an excellent option for both midfoot and forefoot strikers.

While this discrepancy may raise questions for you, we must say that our measurements align with the official guidelines set by World Athletics.

We enjoyed the enhancements to both the upper and the outsole of this supershoe, yet it's the new FF Turbo+ foam that truly shines. We previously lab tested it in the Superblast 2, and we were already fans, but in the Metaspeed Sky Paris, it's amazing.

This supershoe features two distinct layers of FF Turbo+ with a carbon plate nestled between, offering one of the most responsive rides we've encountered. It simply stands out as a leading contender in energy return.

Transitioning from the stiffer FF Turbo to the more compliant and resilient FF Turbo+ (21.0 HA) marks a significant shift while running. This advanced supercritical PEBA foam has definitely leapfrogged its predecessor, which had lagged slightly behind the competition like ZoomX.

Another benefit worth highlighting is the elimination of the break-in period featured by the old FF Turbo. Straight out of the box, the Metaspeed Sky Paris is ready to deliver.

Moreover, the improvements extend beyond just comfort and response. The midsole is notably lighter, allowing ASICS to shed significant weight despite an increase in stack height. And this reduction in weight did not compromise the shoe's performance at all—on the contrary, it enhanced it!

In our lab, we conducted a cold-resistance test on the Metaspeed Sky Paris by placing it in a freezer alongside our pistachio ice creams for 20 minutes before reassessing the midsole's softness.

The results were quite impressive—the foam's softness decreased by only 6%, which stands out as one of the best outcomes we've observed. However, that's what we expect from a top-tier, PEBA midsole.

To maximise the foam in the midsole while ensuring the shoe stays under the 40 mm race-day legal limit, ASICS opted for a thin insole, which we measured at just 3.3 mm.

The Metaspeed Sky series stands out from most supershoes because ASICS specifically markets this shoe for "stride" runners—those who increase their stride length while keeping their cadence constant when speeding up.

What sets it apart? It boils down to the plate design. Unlike the common spoon-shaped, curved plate found in most supershoes, the Sky Paris features a flat plate. This design doesn't much assist with turnover, but it excels in compressing the foam under the forefoot, resulting in significant bounce back with each stride.

For this reason, we're cautious about recommending this shoe to lighter runners. The effectiveness of this midsole configuration relies heavily on applying substantial force at the front of the plate. Hence, if you're a lighter or cadence-focused runner, a curved plate like the one in the Nike Vaporfly 3 will suit you better.

We discovered that the Sky Paris features a late-stage toe rocker, which ideally suits forefoot and midfoot strikers. However, it's less favourable for heel strikers.

But, is this shoe completely unsuitable for rearfoot strikers? We don't believe so. In fact, it can still be really effective for those who land between the midfoot and heel with a neutral technique. However, for extreme heel strikers, this shoe's geometry might not be optimal. A smoother, continuous rocker, like the one we found in the Hoka Cielo X1, would likely be a better choice.

One of the initial observations we made with the Sky Paris was that the midsole closely resembled the feel of ZoomX shoes, leading us to believe that ASICS might have nailed its FF Turbo+ formula, finally rivalling Nike's renowned superfoam. To verify this, turned to the microscope.

The findings were clear—they are essentially identical compounds, both made from PEBA. This is something that ASICS fans have been eagerly waiting for since 2017.

While the Sky Paris might appear broad in the forefoot, the upper is actually quite snug and not roomy at all, which was expected anyway.

In our first measurement of the upper's widest part, our callipers showed only 91.9 mm—indicating a very narrow design. For comparison, the Adidas Adizero Takumi Sen 10, known for its narrow fit, measured 96.6 mm in the same test.

Thankfully, we always conduct two measurements in the toebox to capture the complete picture. This approach revealed that the Sky Paris offers more space than initially perceived.

Although the toebox is relatively narrow, our second measurement of 76.8 mm showed that it doesn't taper as sharply as we feared, providing ample room for toe splay. In fact, it's slightly wider at this point than the Takumi Sen 10, which measures 75.2 mm. 

Moreover, we discovered that the toebox is even more accommodating than expected due to its expanded vertical volume and rounded toe cap. In fact, it's one of the tallest toeboxes we've tested in a competition shoe, making it ideal for runners who point their toes upwards.

One of the most cherished aspects of the previous Metaspeed models was their stability, which is remarkable for racing shoes. However, the latest version sees an inevitable reduction in stability due to an increased drop, higher stack height, and softer foam.

Honestly, we're pretty happy with this trade-off. Even though this model's stability is not as good as it used to be, we believe it's still adequate for a supershoe. Moreover, the enhancements in energy return and responsiveness are significant, making this a worthy choice for most runners.

Given the inclusion of a carbon plate, we expected a 5/5 in this test, and the Metaspeed Sky Paris certainly lived up to our predictions. Its super stiff feel underfoot at all paces makes it less suitable for easy runs, though. It's clear that this shoe is just built for speed.

One of the standout features of the Metaspeed series is the heel counter, which resembles that of a daily trainer more than a typical racing shoe.

We were pleased to rate it a 2/5 in this test, as it offers more support and comfort compared to the typically ultra flexible options from other supershoes.

The design of the Sky Paris features a wide forefoot contrasted with an ultra-narrow heel, clearly intended for those who primarily use the front of their foot for striking.

Our measurements support this design idea, revealing a forefoot width of 114.9 mm. This provides a broad base for applying force and enhancing power transfer to the ground, optimising running economy for midfoot and forefoot strikers.

In stark contrast, the heel of the shoe is exceptionally narrow and hence not stable at all, measuring just 77.8 mm. This design further underscores why we firmly believe this shoe is not an optimal choice for heel strikers.

Equipped with a carbon plate, we expected an exceptionally high score in our standardised 90-degree bend test, yet the result was surprisingly lower than anticipated at just 35.4N. This confirms that, despite incorporating a full-length carbon plate, it feels less rigid compared to other supershoes on the market.

Why is this change significant? A wide, stiff plate, like in the Sky+, is ideal for runners with strong calves in terms of running economy. However, for the average runner, it proved too demanding, especially in the last 10K of the marathon. The Sky Paris, with its less stiff plate, offers a more reasonable experience for most runners, who may not have as robust calf muscles.

We repeated the same test after placing the Sky Paris for an additional 20 minutes and observed only a 6.4% increase in stiffness.

This is an excellent result, indicating that the shoe maintains its stiffness even in colder conditions, a change so minimal you'll never notice it regardless of how cold it gets outside.

The Metaspeed Sky Paris has wowed us in numerous ways, yet its most striking feature is undoubtedly its weight. ASICS has done an exceptional job at not only reducing the weight from its previous model but also surpassing its competitors. 

Weighing in at just 6.5 oz (183g), it currently stands as the lightest mass-produced supershoe on the market. Achieving such a milestone is no small feat, especially when contending with giants like Nike, Adidas, New Balance, and Saucony.

Every component plays a crucial role in reducing the weight of a running shoe.

A significant portion of the weight reduction can be attributed to the all-new FF Turbo+ midsole. Additionally, they've successfully trimmed down the weight of both the upper, insole and the outsole. The result is a masterpiece that clearly sets itself apart from competitors such as the New Balance SC Elite v4 (8.2 oz - 232g) and the Hoka Rocket X 2 (7.7 oz - 218g).

We discovered that ASICS is dedicated to creating uppers that really stand out in their premium shoes, skillfully using different densities to effectively balance support and ventilation.

The Metaspeed Sky Paris features this innovation, named MOTIONWRAP 2.0. Not only is the name catchy, but the upper itself is impressive—a finely engineered mesh that we proved to be exceptionally breathable while remaining stretchy and comfortable for a racing shoe.

Through the previous smoke test, we demonstrated the upper's excellent 5-out-of-5 airflow rating. We also used a light test to showcase how thin the upper is, especially in the toebox and midfoot areas, which might not be immediately apparent.

Using our microscope, we uncovered the intricacies of the MOTIONWRAP 2.0 technology. It was fascinating to see how ASICS strategically uses thicker or thinner yarns tailored to the needs of different areas of the upper.

We also found this minimalist, monomesh upper surprisingly comfortable, though obviously less plush than what you'd find in a daily trainer. However, we can confidently say it marks a significant improvement over the Metaspeed Sky+.

The Sky Paris features some exquisite details we absolutely adored—some of them rarely seen in even other high-end shoes. For instance, can you name another running shoe that incorporates ventilation holes in the heel?

And despite being a racing shoe designed for minimal weight, the padding in the heel collar is generous, surpassing many training shoes.

Crafting an excellent upper is certainly no simple feat—it needs to be both breathable and durable. We found that the Metaspeed Sky Paris excels in meeting both challenges.

In our initial durability test using a Dremel tool, the Metaspeed Sky Paris surpassed most marathon shoes, earning an impressive 4/5 score—a rare achievement for monomesh uppers that also provide good ventilation.

All the Metaspeed models consistently featured an exceptional heel collar, and we've observed that ASICS continues to lead the market in this domain with the Paris lineup, providing not only superior comfort but also outstanding durability.

We conducted our standard Dremel test—applying a force of 3.2N at 5,000 RPM for five seconds. The shoe not only met but exceeded our expectations, earning a perfect score of 5/5.

Formula 1 cars use super-soft tyres to maximise grip on the track, and the Metaspeed Sky Paris adopts a similar approach with its ASICSGRIP outsole. Our tests with the Shore C durometer registered a 57.3 HC score.

The outsole offers excellent coverage in the forefoot, though it transitions to mostly exposed foam from the midfoot to the heel. However, the narrow strip on the lateral side is a valuable addition, particularly beneficial for underpronators.

Is this a low score? Absolutely. However, based on the impressive grip and toughness of ASICSGRIP in our Superblast 2 lab review, we are confident in its durability in this shoe as well.

To assess its durability, we cranked up the Dremel in the lab for one final test today, running it at 10K RPM to maximally stress the outsole.

The results were impressive—a mere 0.8 mm dent was all we found. And while we've seen better performance in other running shoes, achieving such minimal damage with this soft of a rubber is quite extraordinary. We proved that the Metaspeed Sky Paris is one of the top-performing supershoes in terms of outsole durability.

To conclude our assessment of the outsole, we pulled out the vernier calliper and measured the thickness implemented by ASICS at 1.5 mm. Given the impressive durability we observed earlier, this thickness appears to be quite sufficient. Remember: it's a competition shoe!

The Metaspeed Sky Paris is designed predominantly for road races, which typically occur during the day. That explains the absence of reflective elements on the shoe despite its high price tag.

Creating one of the lightest supershoes ever doesn't happen by accident—it's achieved by strategically reducing weight in every component, including the tongue. And we found that ASICS really went the extra mile here.

We discovered that the tongue is exceptionally thin, measuring just 1.0 mm, which is remarkably minimal. This could be a concern for runners who experience discomfort in the instep during longer races like half marathons or marathons. If you're one of those runners, consider the PUMA Deviate Nitro Elite 2 instead.

The tongue is not fixed to the sides, but this wasn't an issue during runs because the snug fit prevents the tongue from shifting around. And wow, check out all those perforations!

ASICS barely modified the heel design from the Metaspeed Sky+ slightly to cut weight and enhance comfort. Consequently, there's no finger-loop heel tab!

Some supershoes have their insoles glued to the last, which isn't ideal for those who need custom footbeds. Fortunately, the Sky Paris doesn’t have this limitation, making it a flexible option for various foot needs.

However, we advise against swapping out the original sockliner. It ranks among the best we've tested in any running shoe, with exceptional ventilation due to its perforations—a nice feature in a racing shoe with a thick, heat-generating midsole.