Choosing between the ASICS Megablast and ASICS Superblast 3 means deciding where you want your training shoe to compromise. Do you prioritise a lighter, sharper feel when the pace rises, or a roomier upper and softer cushioning for long, comfortable miles?
Both are expensive, highly cushioned, non-plated trainers. Neither needs a carbon plate to deliver bounce, and both cover more than one training role. The supplied reviews nevertheless suggest different priorities: the Megablast leans towards energetic versatility, while the Superblast 3 puts a stronger emphasis on accommodating comfort.
These recommendations interpret independent reviews in the supplied research; Verdosa has not personally tested either shoe.
Head to head: cushioning and performance
The ASICS Megablast uses a full-length FF Turbo² midsole. The ASICS Superblast 3 combines FF Leap above FF Blast+. Both rely on foam and geometry rather than a plate, but reviewers generally describe the Megablast as snappier and the Superblast 3 as softer and more forgiving.
The supplied RunRepeat Megablast and Superblast 3 summaries support that distinction without proving which shoe will make you faster. Megablast energy return is reported at 73.0% in the heel and 73.8% in the forefoot; the Superblast 3 summary reports 67.8% without an equally clear measurement location. Those figures should not be treated as a precise performance gap.
Impact absorption also depends on where you land. The same summaries report higher heel absorption for the Megablast but higher forefoot absorption for the Superblast 3. More stack therefore does not automatically mean better cushioning for every runner.
For buying purposes, choose the ride you enjoy sustaining. A lively rebound can help a shoe feel engaging during workouts; deeper compression may feel more comfortable when your priority is settling into a long run.
Long runs, everyday training and faster sessions
For relaxed long runs, the ASICS Superblast 3 has a convincing case. In the supplied Run Testers review, Tom completed a marathon in it and described a natural, energetic ride without being pushed towards a faster pace. Ben Parkes also praised its long-distance comfort.
The ASICS Megablast remains a credible marathon-training option. Nick from The Run Testers reported comfortable runs beyond 20 miles and strong performance during steady training and faster sessions. Its appeal is combining substantial cushioning with a less bulky feel when accelerating.
Easy-day preference is less settled. The FOD Runner favoured the Megablast for daily and recovery mileage, while other reviewers preferred the Superblast 3 at slower speeds. Consequently, describing the Megablast as unsuitable for easy running would overstate the evidence.
For tempo runs and mixed sessions, the balance favours the ASICS Megablast. However, The FOD Runner found it cumbersome during faster work, so this is a direction suggested by several reviews rather than a universal experience. The Superblast 3 suits sustained efforts better than repeated sharp accelerations, according to Tom’s testing.
Fit and stability: the important trade-off
Fit is the clearest reason to choose the ASICS Superblast 3. Several supplied reviews describe more toe space and a more accommodating upper than the Megablast, with padding that supports comfortable lockdown over longer distances.
The ASICS Megablast’s issue is not simply width. Reports identify both lateral taper near the little toe and limited height above the toes. A shoe can be the correct length while still pressing down on your forefoot. Automatically sizing up may add unwanted length without fixing that shape mismatch.
Start by trying your usual running-shoe size, as multiple reviewers recommend, but assess toe clearance and pressure carefully. The Superblast 3 is the more promising starting point for higher-volume feet; that does not guarantee it will accommodate every wide foot.
Neither model earns an unconditional stability recommendation. Some reviewers found the Megablast controlled through corners, while others described wobble. Superblast 3 feedback similarly ranges from reassuring stability to cornering concerns and an uneven forefoot sensation. If tall, soft shoes often feel awkward to you, test both before committing.
Grip, durability and value
Both shoes receive positive road-grip reports. The supplied RunRepeat summaries give the ASICS Superblast 3 a higher wet-traction score than the ASICS Megablast, while both score strongly within that testing system. This supports a wet-road advantage for the Superblast 3, not a guarantee against slipping.
Long-term Megablast evidence is particularly useful: Nick reported little wear after 350 km, and The FOD Runner reported retained cushioning and minimal outsole wear at 300 miles. However, the supplied lab summary rates its thin toe-box material poorly for abrasion. Road-running longevity and resistance to upper damage are different questions.
The Superblast 3 also has encouraging wear reports, including Ben Parkes’s 200-mile update. The research does not establish which model lasts longer under matched conditions, so a fixed lifespan or cost-per-mile winner would be speculative.
Reported UK prices are £210 for the ASICS Megablast and £200 for the ASICS Superblast 3. That £10 difference makes fit and intended use more persuasive deciding factors than retail price alone. US Superblast 3 prices conflict in the research; treat all quoted figures as source-reported prices rather than verified current offers.
Who should buy or skip each shoe?
Buy ASICS Megablast for a rotation that needs a cushioned workout shoe capable of long, steady runs. Skip it if shallow toe boxes already cause pressure or your priority is a spacious, padded upper.
Buy ASICS Superblast 3 for comfortable daily mileage and long-run training with occasional sustained faster efforts. Skip it if you dislike tall, soft platforms or mainly want a shoe for short, fast repetitions.
ASICS Megablast images
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ASICS Superblast 3 images
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Final Verdict
Choose the ASICS Megablast when faster mixed training is central to your week and its snugger forefoot fits comfortably. Choose the ASICS Superblast 3 when long-run comfort and toe room matter more than sharp acceleration. For a single training shoe, both are plausible; the stronger purchase is the one whose fit and ride suit the sessions you actually run.
Frequently asked questions
Is ASICS Megablast or ASICS Superblast 3 better for marathon training?
The ASICS Superblast 3 is the stronger starting point for runners prioritising relaxed long-run comfort and toe space. The ASICS Megablast is compelling when marathon preparation includes frequent tempo efforts and steady long runs. Supplied reviewers successfully used both over long distances.
Which shoe is better for easy runs?
There is no unanimous answer. Several reviewers favour the softer ASICS Superblast 3, but The FOD Runner prefers the ASICS Megablast for easy and daily mileage. Fit and your response to each shoe’s geometry matter more than a rigid easy-day classification.
Which is better for wide or higher-volume feet?
The ASICS Superblast 3 is the more promising option because reviewers consistently describe a roomier toe box. The ASICS Megablast receives reports of both lateral taper and limited vertical clearance. The supplied Superblast 3 research lists only a standard-width option, so roomier does not mean a guaranteed wide fit.
Do either of these shoes have a carbon plate?
No. Both the ASICS Megablast and ASICS Superblast 3 are non-plated. Their cushioning, rebound and rolling transitions come from their foam construction and geometry.
Is the ASICS Megablast lighter than the ASICS Superblast 3?
The supplied RunRepeat summaries list 218 g for the ASICS Megablast and 235 g for the ASICS Superblast 3. Other supplied weights differ by sample size and source, so those numbers should not be applied to every size.
Which has better wet-road grip?
Both receive favourable reports. The supplied RunRepeat wet-traction scores favour the ASICS Superblast 3, at 1.05 versus 0.96 for the ASICS Megablast. Those controlled measurements do not establish grip on every road surface or in every condition.
Does the ASICS Superblast 3 need breaking in?
The supplied sources disagree. Some describe immediate softness, while Doctors of Running report that stiffness eased after 20–30 miles, with further forefoot changes around 50 miles. Immediate comfort should therefore be assessed individually rather than promised.
Which shoe lasts longer?
The research does not establish a winner. The ASICS Megablast has encouraging 300-mile and 350 km reports, while the ASICS Superblast 3 also has positive extended-use feedback. Different runners, surfaces and testing distances prevent a reliable lifespan comparison.