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Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris Review

The fastest and lightest shoe we've ever tested, this is our choice for nearly any road race
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Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris Review
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
Price:  $250 List
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Manufacturer:   Asics
By Nathaniel Bailey ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Nov 3, 2024
75
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#1 of 30
  • Landing Comfort - 30% 8.8
  • Responsiveness - 20% 9.7
  • Stability - 15% 3.5
  • Upper Comfort - 15% 5.0
  • Weight - 15% 10.0
  • Traction - 5.0% 3.5
Length Sizing
Runs Small
Runs Large
Width Sizing
Runs Narrow
Runs Wide

Our Verdict

Asics raised the bar for super shoes with the Metaspeed Sky Paris by pairing an explosively propulsive midsole and geometry with an incredibly light upper. The result is a shoe that is fast and snappy off the forefoot, yet comfortable. Unlike some other options, the rocker feels smooth and natural and the plate goes unnoticed underfoot. This shoe feels excellent at a range of paces. It was designed for marathons, but we've raced 10Ks, hammered workouts at mile pace, and cruised long threshold sessions in these shoes. They feel great in every scenario. We only found two drawbacks to the shoe. First, it's pricey, although it's still cheaper than its closest competitors. Second, it struggles for traction on wet corners or on loose surfaces. If these are dealbreakers, check out the other racing shoes we love in our full testing lineup. But if you're hunting for the fastest race day shoe, we don't think you can do better than the Metaspeed Sky.
REASONS TO BUY
Extremely light
Extremely propulsive
Extremely fast
REASONS TO AVOID
Expensive
Poor wet traction

Compare to Similar Products

 
Awards Top Pick Award
Best Running Shoes for Race Day
Editors' Choice Award
Best Running Shoes for Uptempo Training
Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Men's Running Shoes
Top Pick Award
Excellent Performance without a Plate
Best Buy Award
Best Bang for Your Buck
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Overall Score Sort Icon
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Star Rating
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Bottom Line Our choice for nearly any race, this shoe is fast, light and snappyAn all-around standout that can handle easy days as comfortably as hard workoutsA daily trainer that can handle most runs, the Novablast 4 is fun and extremely comfortableBouncy, responsive and well-cushioned, this shoe is performance-oriented but still versatileA daily trainer that blends comfort and versatility at a reasonable price
Rating Categories Asics Metaspeed Sky... Saucony Endorphin S... Asics Novablast 4 New Balance FuelCel... Puma Velocity Nitro 3
Landing Comfort (30%)
8.8
8.0
8.3
8.5
8.0
Responsiveness (20%)
9.7
8.0
7.0
7.5
7.0
Stability (15%)
3.5
5.7
7.0
4.0
6.0
Upper Comfort (15%)
5.0
7.5
8.0
6.0
7.0
Weight (15%)
10.0
6.8
5.8
8.4
5.3
Traction (5.0%)
3.5
5.0
4.0
6.2
9.0
Specs Asics Metaspeed Sky... Saucony Endorphin S... Asics Novablast 4 New Balance FuelCel... Puma Velocity Nitro 3
Measured Weight 6.85 oz 9.03 oz 9.76 oz 7.98 oz 10.07 oz
Measured Heel Stack Height 39 mm 38 mm 43 mm 30 mm 38 mm
Measured Heel-to-Toe Drop 6 mm 11 mm 7 mm 7 mm 11 mm
Plate Type Carbon Nylon None None None
Rocker Angle 24.5 deg 25.0 deg 22.5 deg 19.5 deg 18.0 deg
Rocker Apex Location 68.3% 67.7% 66.5% 62.2% 66.7%
Style Race Shoe Daily Trainer Daily Trainer Daily Trainer Daily Trainer
Upper Motionwrap 2.0 Engineered mesh/knit Engineered woven/knit FantomFit Engineered knit
Midsole FF Turbo Plus PWRRUN PB FF Blast + Eco FuelCell NITROFOAM
Outsole Asics Grip rubber Rubber AHAR Lo Rubber PumaGrip
Heel Tab Type None None Finger loop None None
Sizes Available 3.5-13 US, regular 7-15 US, regular 6 - 15 US, regular 7-16 US, regular & wide 7 - 14 US, regular

Our Analysis and Test Results

Choosing a race-day shoe can be tricky. There are many options and tons of competing claims. While it might not be the perfect super shoe for every runner, the Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris is the one we'd recommend to the vast majority. The combination of weight and propulsion is impressive. The shoe manages to remain comfortable over long efforts. And thanks to features like the stiff upper and natural feeling rocker, it feels more controllable and stable than many competitors.

Performance Comparison


asics metaspeed sky paris - our pick for race day and hard sessions on the road.
Our pick for race day and hard sessions on the road.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey

Landing Comfort


At the heart of the shoe is the FF Turbo Plus foam that sandwiches a wide carbon plate. In a US men's size 10.5, we measured a stack height of 39 mm in the heel and 33 mm in the forefoot.

There is no globally accepted standard among manufacturers for measuring stack height. To make things comparable, we follow the World Athletics shoe regulation guidelines — the heel stack height is measured 12% forward from the back of the in-sole, and the forefoot stack height is measured at 75% forward. While this may not perfectly correlate to how each shoe feels on different people's feet, it provides a standard of comparison across models.

That foam is soft and bouncy but also very well cushioned. We had no issues with comfort underfoot, even during long sessions on pavement. We never felt the carbon plate under our forefoot, and the foam provided excellent insulation from the ground. Interestingly, the plate shape of the Metaspeed Sky seems to be flatter and closer to the foot than in many of its competitors.

asics metaspeed sky paris - you can see the carbon plate in this cutaway. it has a different...
You can see the carbon plate in this cutaway. It has a different shape than we're used to seeing in super shoes.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

In comparison to the competition, the foam feels a bit softer when landing than the ZoomX formula that Nike uses in both the Alphafly and the Vaporfly. For runners familiar with Saucony's PWRRUN PB, the foam feels more damped on impact with more compression. Interestingly, that softer feeling doesn't translate to a less energetic ride. This specific formulation of FF Turbo Plus is our current favorite foam on the market, dethroning our longtime favorite ZoomX.


The Metaspeed Sky Paris's wide forefoot design seems incongruous with the narrow midfoot we've come to expect in race shoes. But we think it contributes to the shoe's exceptional comfort. It allows our forefoot and toes to splay out a bit more, which feels great during a long effort on a hot day.

asics metaspeed sky paris - here you can see the shape of the shoe. while narrow through the...
Here you can see the shape of the shoe. While narrow through the midfoot, the forefoot splays out quite a bit.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey

Finally, for runners who prefer a natural feeling to their race shoes, we think this is one of the better options. When compared to its closest competitors, the rocker is pronounced but doesn't feel as aggressive. There is less of a “thrown off the front of the foot” feeling than in other shoes, although we found the late/forefoot rocker to be very efficient. That led to a more controlled feeling shoe on landings. It's worth noting that we seem to experience a little less soreness after long, hard sessions in this shoe than in other super shoes, although that isn't quantifiable or easily attributed to just the shoe.

This is the most natural-feeling super shoe we've tested yet.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey

Responsiveness


The Metaspeed Sky Paris is the most responsive shoe in our test for a few reasons. First, FF Turbo Plus is comfortable and soft yet extremely energetic. Put simply, it rips. While it doesn't have the same exciting feeling that some PEBA-based foams do, the energy return is phenomenal. When paired with the plate geometry, this shoe is extremely propulsive.

asics metaspeed sky paris - the geometry, designed to lengthen each stride, works well for us.
The geometry, designed to lengthen each stride, works well for us.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey

Second, the shoe is light. Very light. That makes it extremely easy to turn over. It makes the shoe feel nimble underfoot, even with 39 mm of stack height. From a race standpoint, that's great. Plenty of evidence suggests a lighter shoe enhances running economy and performance.

Race Shoe Responsiveness Over Varying Effort Levels
ProductEasy (Recovery)Moderate (Marathon)Threshold (10K)Fast (5K+)
Best454.94.6
Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris454.94.6
Average4.24.44.24
Worst53.532.8
The Metaspeed Sky Paris is the most responsive shoe we've tested across a range of different paces.

Asics actually makes a twin for the Metaspeed Sky Paris, the Metaspeed Edge Paris. They're similar shoes, but the shape of the plate and overall geometry are slightly different. Asics claims the Sky is designed for “stride” runners, who lengthen their stride to increase speed, whereas the Edge is designed to promote turnover and forward propulsion. While we haven't run in the Edge, users do report a difference between the two. We found that the geometry and design of the Sky were extremely effective for our lead tester's mechanics, allowing the shoe to work at a very wide range of paces. Users who have run in both seem to gravitate towards the Sky for its lighter overall weight and slightly more natural feel.

asics metaspeed sky paris - this cutaway makes it easy to see the smooth shape of the rocker.
This cutaway makes it easy to see the smooth shape of the rocker.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

For example, we found the shoe to feel more natural and stable at mile pace or faster than its competitors. The natural feeling of the rocker felt better at faster paces when we tend to land farther forward on our feet, without compromising propulsion at 10K pace or slower. Without a metabolic cart and some lab testing, we can't definitively say which super shoe improves our economy the most… but we're pretty confident it's the Metaspeed Sky Paris. That suggests it's a shoe that would work very well for runners with a longer stride who tend to land midfoot. But interestingly enough, many users with a higher cadence or heel-striking mechanics also report good results. That makes us even more confident in suggesting this shoe.

asics metaspeed sky paris - we found the shape of the plate and overall geometry of the shoe...
We found the shape of the plate and overall geometry of the shoe were more conducive to faster running where we land closer to our forefoot.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey

Stability


Going back to the stiff upper, we found this shoe to be among the more stable race shoes in our lineup. Because the lockdown is excellent and the lateral stiffness of the upper is above average, we felt much more confident going around corners in this shoe.


Similarly, the wider forefoot we mentioned earlier provides a reasonably stable platform for toe-off. The wider forefoot platform should feel familiar to runners who have tried the Novablast 4 or Superblast 2, just in a race-oriented fit. In comparison to some other super shoes, it feels more directional off the toe rather than uncontrolled. Still, if you're looking for a stable option, this probably isn't the best choice.

asics metaspeed sky paris - we think the wider forefoot aids in the overall stability of this...
We think the wider forefoot aids in the overall stability of this shoe.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey

Upper Comfort


Race shoes are never the pinnacle of upper comfort. This shoe is no exception, but it has more than enough comfort to get you through a marathon.


We think the heel collar is just padded enough to prevent hot spots, and the tongue is comfortable. We didn't notice any hotspots or rubbing at any point.

asics metaspeed sky paris - the upper of this shoe is insanely lightweight.
The upper of this shoe is insanely lightweight.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

The upper of the Metaspeed Sky Paris is stiffer than in its closest competitor, the Vaporfly 3. It's still malleable enough to wrap your foot and remain comfortable, but the added stiffness provides stability. It is also highly breathable.

asics metaspeed sky paris - the upper of the metaspeed sky paris is highly breathable.
The upper of the Metaspeed Sky Paris is highly breathable.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Weight


6.85 ounces for a US men's 10.5 is insanely light. This is the only sub-7-ounce shoe we've tested in our lineup, and it is nearly half an ounce lighter than its closest competitor, the Vaporfly 3.


For context, some track spikes, which are designed for optimal speed and weight at the expense of comfort, weigh in around 5-6 ounces. This shoe packs significantly more comfort without the weight penalty we typically expect.

asics metaspeed sky paris - this shoe is a standout in the weight department.
This shoe is a standout in the weight department.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Traction


Our only concern with the performance of the Metaspeed Sky Paris is traction. The limited quantity of Asics Grip outsole doesn't perform as well as its competitors on wet or loose surfaces. While we didn't experience any issues on dry pavement, the lag of lugs and relatively minor siping didn't exude confidence on wet turns at fast paces.


Generally, race shoes tend to sacrifice traction for weight, and we're okay with that. We do think it's worth noting for runners who want confidence on wet roads.

asics metaspeed sky paris - the grip isn't bad, but the limited coverage and tackiness don't...
The grip isn't bad, but the limited coverage and tackiness don't compete with most daily trainers.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Finally, while the midsole seems to have decent durability for a race shoe, we did find some premature wear in the outsole cutout near the outside of the toe after about 50 miles in the shoes. While it's unlikely to be a concern, the wear was unusual and worth noting.

asics metaspeed sky paris - the premature wear we noted was found in the pocket of the exposed...
The premature wear we noted was found in the pocket of the exposed midsole towards the outside of the foot - likely caused by rough surfaces.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Should You Buy the Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris?


If you're comfortable with the price tag of super shoes, this is where your search should start — and likely end. This shoe is fast, comfortable, and versatile. Outside our minor concerns on wet pavement, there isn't anything we don't like about the shoe. For runners who are looking for a very stable race shoe, there are better options. A runner's response to super shoes is highly individual, so what works for us may not work for you. However, there are user reviews from a wide range of runners that suggest this is a shoe that will work for many. This is the shoe we would choose for any race, from the mile to the marathon.

What Other Running Shoes Should You Consider?


While the Metaspeed Sky Paris feels natural, it is an aggressive race shoe. The New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 is the most stable super shoe we've worn. While it isn't as fast, runners who want performance benefits without sacrificing as much comfort should consider it. The Nike Vaporfly 3 is the closest competitor to the Metaspeed Sky and remains an excellent choice. Some runners may prefer its geometry or narrower forefoot. The Asics Superblast 2 is a top-of-the-line daily trainer that utilizes FF Turbo Plus foam to create a highly versatile shoe. Some runners may find it to be a good balance of comfort and performance for long races. Finally, the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 is a daily trainer that can handle a range of paces comfortably.

Nathaniel Bailey