The ASICS Sonicblast is a lightweight, Pebax-plated daily trainer that blends cushioned comfort with surprising speed—your do-it-all shoe for 2025.
Meet the ASICS Sonicblast—the daily trainer that refuses to be put in a box. Need something for easy miles? It’s game. Long-distance grind? No problem. Tempo day? Absolutely. Think of it as the Novablast’s speed-obsessed cousin, bouncier and with an added Pebax plate that makes it feel like it’s had an extra shot of espresso.
Lightweight, responsive, and surprisingly versatile, the Sonicblast isn’t just built for training; it’s one of those rare shoes that could double as a race-day option too (think Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 vibes). It’s made for daily runners who want cushioning for the long haul, speed when they ask for it, and a ride that keeps training fun.
Table of Contents
- Design & Build
- Cushioning & Ride Feel
- Performance on the Run
- Weight, Drop, and Stack Height
- Outsole & Traction
- Comfort & Fit
- Durability & Value
- Pros & Cons
- Who Should (and Shouldn’t) Buy the ASICS Sonicblast
- Final Verdict: ASICS Sonicblast
Design & Build
First impressions? The ASICS Sonicblast looks fast even before you lace it up. Fresh colorways and sleek lines give it that “new toy” vibe you’ll want to show off on your next group run. Thankfully, it’s not all style with no substance.
The engineered mesh upper keeps things simple yet effective: thin, lightweight, and airy enough to keep your feet cool when the miles (or the weather) heat up. Comfort is excellent straight out of the box—no break-in drama here. The fit feels true to size, with a roomier toe box than the ASICS Megablast, making it friendly for runners who hate feeling cramped.
Lockdown is where it shines: the heel counter and padded collar lock your foot in like a seatbelt, no slippage in sight. And while the upper leans more toward performance than racing, it still strikes a nice balance, secure without strangling your foot. Weighing in close to the Novablast 5 (7.9 oz women, 9 oz men), the Sonicblast manages to feel light on foot despite carrying serious cushioning and that Pebax plate under the hood. Sleek, breathable, and built with purpose; it’s a design that delivers exactly what it promises.
Cushioning & Ride Feel
The Sonicblast’s midsole is basically a two-layer cake for your feet, and yes, it’s as good as it sounds. The bottom layer is FF BLAST MAX, the same springy material from the Novablast 5, and it sets the foundation with a stable, balanced ride. Even with a lofty stack height, the shoe never feels wobbly or tippy, which is a pleasant surprise for something this tall.
On top of that sits FF TURBO², ASICS’ bounciest, most energetic foam to date. This is the layer that brings the fun—light, springy, and full of pop without adding unnecessary bulk. The combo works beautifully: stable enough for long efforts, yet lively enough to make tempo runs feel effortless.
The result? Max cushioning that doesn’t feel like running on bricks, with just enough snap to keep you honest. Easy runs feel smooth, long runs stay comfortable, and when you pick up the pace, the Sonicblast happily plays along. It’s the kind of shoe that makes going fast feel, well… easier than it should.
Performance on the Run
Here’s where the Sonicblast shows its personality. Sandwiched between those two foam layers is ASTROPLATE technology, a lightweight Pebax plate that adds a little extra pop to your stride. Unlike a stiff carbon plate that can sometimes feel like running with a ruler under your foot, this Pebax plate is flexible enough to stay comfortable for daily training, but springy enough to keep you moving forward with less effort.
The step-in feel is impressively smooth. That soft FF TURBO² foam cushions the plate so well that you barely notice it’s there until you hit your stride and feel the added propulsion. And here’s the kicker: the Sonicblast is the only ASICS Blast shoe with this Pebax plate. If you’ve ever thought, “I love the Novablast, but wish it had a little more snap,” the Sonicblast is basically your wish granted.
Thanks to the plate and the shoe’s sharp toe spring, toe-off feels quick and snappy, giving it a versatile edge over its siblings. It handles easy miles with comfort, long runs with stability, and really comes alive when the pace drops into tempo territory. In short, the Sonicblast isn’t just another daily trainer; it’s a daily trainer with race-day ambitions.
Weight, Drop, and Stack Height
- Weight: 7.8 oz (women), 9 oz (men)
- Drop: 8 mm
- Stack height: 46/38 mm
Outsole & Traction
Flip the Sonicblast over and you’ll see a familiar story: ASICSGRIP rubber covers the high-wear zones, while the rest is exposed foam. It’s the same approach ASICS took with the Megablast, but here’s the upgrade—there’s more rubber under the forefoot than you’ll find on the Megablast or even the Superblast.
Grip-wise, the Sonicblast outperforms the Novablast thanks to ASICSGRIP’s sticky traction. Wet roads, slick sidewalks, or dusty tracks—it holds its own without making you tiptoe around puddles. That said, the exposed FF BLAST MAX foam is the weak spot. Around the 300-mile mark, you may notice it starting to lose some of its bounce. It’s not as durable as the ASICSGRIP, and it doesn’t quite hold up as well as the Megablast’s tougher exposed FF TURBO² foam.
Still, with proper rotation and care, you can expect a solid 300–500 miles out of the Sonicblast. For a lightweight, max-cushioned trainer with a Pebax plate, that’s a respectable shelf life. Think of it as a high-performance sports car tire—great grip, plenty of speed, but don’t expect it to last forever.
Comfort & Fit
Slide your foot into the Sonicblast and the first thing you’ll notice is how smooth it feels underfoot. That plush FF TURBO² foam takes the edge off the ASTROPLATE, so instead of feeling like you’re standing on a piece of hardware, you get a cushioned, cloudlike step-in.
The engineered mesh upper adds to the comfort story, wrapping the foot securely without feeling clingy. Lockdown is excellent—snug enough to keep your foot in place but forgiving enough that you don’t feel like your laces are plotting against your circulation. Compared to the Megablast, the Sonicblast offers a roomier fit with a wider toe box, giving your toes a little breathing space (or room for post-long-run swelling).
No hot spots, no weird pressure points, just all-around comfort that makes it easy to forget about the shoe and focus on the run. In other words, it’s the kind of fit that lets you go long without ever thinking, “When can I take these off?”
Durability & Value
When it comes to lifespan, the Sonicblast holds its own with an expected 300 to 500 miles—par for the course in the plated daily trainer world. It weighs in about the same as the Novablast, but feels faster and more responsive thanks to that Pebax-powered ASTROPLATE. Compared to the Megablast, it’s about 26 grams heavier, which you might notice on long runs, but hey, that’s the tradeoff for getting extra propulsion underfoot.
Now, about the price tag: at $180, the Sonicblast costs $30 more than the Novablast. That may raise an eyebrow, but given its plate technology, added versatility, and performance edge, it’s a premium that actually makes sense. In other words, you’re not just paying for another Blast; you’re paying for a Blast with extra firepower. If you want a stable, cushioned trainer that doubles as a tempo-day weapon, it earns its keep.
Think of it like upgrading from economy to premium economy: not quite business class, but you’ll definitely feel the difference mile after mile. I wish the upper had just a touch more plushness to match the ride.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Lightweight for a max-cushioned, plated daily trainer
- Dual-foam midsole (FF BLAST MAX + FF TURBO²) delivers both stability and bounce
- Pebax ASTROPLATE adds propulsion without stiff “carbon plate” harshness
- Roomier toe box than the Megablast, true-to-size fit with no hot spots
- Excellent lockdown and heel security
- ASICSGRIP outsole offers reliable traction on wet and dry roads
- Versatile: handles easy runs, long miles, and tempo workouts
- Stylish, fresh colorways
Cons
- Pricey at $180 (about $30 more than the Novablast)
- Slightly heavier than the Megablast (by ~26g)
- Exposed FF BLAST MAX midsole foam may lose bounce around 300 miles
- Upper is comfortable but could be a touch plusher for the price
Who Should (and Shouldn’t) Buy the ASICS Sonicblast
Who Should Buy
- Runners who want a do-it-all daily trainer that can handle easy miles, long runs, and tempo sessions.
- Fans of the Novablast who’ve secretly wished it had a propulsive plate built in.
- Neutral runners looking for a stable, max-cushioned ride without the wobble.
- Athletes who want a training shoe that’s versatile enough to double as a race-day option.
- Anyone who values breathability and comfort with a little extra room in the toe box.
Who Shouldn’t Buy
- Budget-conscious runners (at $180, it’s on the premium side).
- Runners who prefer a plush, sink-in upper—the fit here is more performance-oriented.
- Those who want ultra-lightweight minimalism—the Megablast is lighter if that’s your priority.
- High-mileage grinders who need tank-like durability—the exposed foam means 300–500 miles is realistic, not 700+.
Final Verdict: ASICS Sonicblast
The ASICS Sonicblast is a welcome new addition to the Blast family, bringing speed, cushioning, and versatility together in one sleek package. With its dual-foam midsole and Pebax ASTROPLATE, it delivers a ride that’s both stable and fun, comfortable enough for easy days yet energetic enough for tempo runs and even the occasional race.
Yes, it’s pricier than the Novablast and a touch heavier than the Megablast, but the tradeoffs are well worth it if you want a daily trainer that doesn’t just jog along; it actually pushes you forward. Durability lands in the 300–500-mile range, which is standard for plated trainers, and the fit is secure, breathable, and roomy where it matters.
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