ASICS Sonicblast 2 Review: A Tall Trainer for Steady Faster Running

ASICS Sonicblast 2 Review

Quick Verdict

The Sonicblast 2 is a tall, plated training option for steady faster road runs and long-run sessions. Its 46/38mm men's reference stack and stiff platform favor runners who enjoy a pronounced rolling transition; they do not automatically make it the best shoe for slow recovery running or short fast intervals.

Decision Evidence

Research basis: TrainingPlan has not hands-on tested this exact model. This review combines published specifications and attributed independent observations. Fit, comfort and durability remain individual; no mileage lifespan or performance gain is promised.

Key Specifications

Doctors of Running lists 8.5oz for men's US 9 and 7.5oz for women's US 8, with respective stacks of 46/38mm and 45/37mm. The catalog's single stack pair is the men's reference, not a claim that both versions have identical stack heights. Both have an 8mm nominal drop.

What Changed

ASICS New Zealand lists a neutral road shoe with 46/38mm stack and 242g weight. The construction combines FF TURBO SQUARED and FF BLAST MAX cushioning with a forked ASTROPLATE. Doctors of Running identifies the plate as PEBAX; this article does not repeat unsourced carbon-plate descriptions. The US listing anchors the MSRP: $190 reference price.

The second version revises the upper, plate arrangement and heel transition described in the independent review. Those changes are useful reasons to compare it with Sonicblast, but they are not a reason to assume the older model is obsolete for every runner. Pay attention to whether the platform rolls comfortably at your own easy and steady paces. A trainer can feel more natural during one part of a session than another.

Ride and Intended Use

Doctors of Running's testers favor uptempo use but differ in how comfortable the stiff platform feels at easy pace. Their reported forefoot volume is not equivalent to a dedicated wide fit. Trial the shoe at both warm-up and session pace if it is intended to cover the whole run.

Fit and Sizing

Before buying, check length, toe room, heel hold and midfoot security with the socks you plan to use. Compare the labeled size with the regional size chart. A review describes the tested foot and sample; it does not guarantee the same fit for yours. The source notes above identify the available sample context so you can judge how closely it matches your situation.

What Works Well

• The two-foam midsole and forked plate provide a clearly documented training construction.
• Separate men's and women's reference measurements make the geometry differences visible.

Tradeoffs

• The stiff platform may feel excessive at easy pace.
• Tall geometry and a forefoot pod warrant care when choosing it for uneven surfaces.

Cross-Brand Comparison

Read our ASICS Sonicblast 2 vs Nike Zoom Fly 6 for the detailed matchup.

The original Sonicblast remains its own model. Compare the revised plate, upper and heel transition before deciding whether the update matters to you. For another kind of faster trainer, the Pegasus Plus 2 uses forefoot Air without a plate. Neither construction is inherently best for every training pace.

Who Should Consider This Shoe

Consider this shoe for a planned long-run or steady faster-training role when you enjoy a tall platform. Define the intended workout before trying it: a progression run, sustained steady effort and short repetitions ask different things of a shoe. If your training week already has a comfortable easy shoe, the Sonicblast 2 can be evaluated for its particular session role rather than being forced into every run.

Who Should Look Elsewhere

Look elsewhere if you want substantial forefoot flexibility, a low-to-ground sensation or a lightweight race shoe. Our super trainer guide helps compare the broader category, while the recovery shoe guide addresses a different easy-day priority. More foam and a plate are construction choices, not evidence that a shoe is more comfortable for everyone.

Same-Brand Comparison

Within ASICS, compare the Novablast 6 when choosing a general daily-training role and the Superblast 3 when exploring a different tall-platform option. Read the exact construction and fit evidence rather than inferring similarity from the shared Blast name. A model family can contain shoes with substantially different geometry, stiffness and intended uses.

Value

The MSRP: $190 reference price makes the most sense if the shoe serves sessions you regularly perform and feels comfortable through both warm-up and work. It makes less sense as an experiment that duplicates an existing trainer without a clear benefit. Reviewers can help identify questions to ask, but the decision should include your fit and preferred transition. Check return terms before using it outdoors, and confirm that the listed size corresponds to the correct regional chart.

Final Verdict

The Sonicblast 2 is a focused candidate for runners who want a tall, stiff training platform for sustained road efforts. Its main limitation is the same feature that distinguishes it: the pronounced geometry may feel excessive at easier paces. Treat the women's stack and weight as separate references rather than scaling the men's numbers yourself.

Sources and Availability

Consult the exact regional listing for stock and sizing. Listed prices are reference metadata, not live sale prices. No Amazon listing was verified for this publication.

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