Asics is having a blast moving into the “bouncy” world of running foam. Following the success of its NovaBlast runner, Asics readies the release of two new running models in the Blast franchise—the SonicBlast and MegaBlast, both releasing Sept. 1—atop a new proprietary ATPU midsole foam, FF Turbo Squared.
“We’ve got these great, legendary shoes Asics has been making for 20 to 30 years, and in 2020 we brought NovaBlast to market for the first time as an answer to a new experience,” Paul Lang, Asics senior global product line manager of performance running, tells me. “As we look to evolve this whole bounce category, we will start to see the FF Turbo Squared.”
The stories of the new SonicBlast and MegaBlast start with the success of the NovaBlast, which launched in 2020 to create a new running experience for the Japanese brand, allowing it to try fresh technologies and designs focused on a bouncy experience. The silhouette has taken off to the point Lang expects it to be one of the top shoes globally in 2026.
Along the way, Asics added the long-distance-ready SuperBlast to the lineup. As the idea of an energized running experience grows in running clubs and greater running population, “now it is more about going in and saying I want something that feels like this and makes me excited to get out and run.” To double the offerings in the Blast lineup, Asics is introducing its new ATPU light and bouncy foam the FF Turbo Squared, adding it to the two new models.
“As we look to unlock a new chapter of energy, ATPU is a material we are starting to see used,” Lang says, noting that the brand’s Metaspeed race shoe uses another type of ATPU foam since the material is known for lightweight and bouncy resiliency.
The SonicBlast features a bottom layer of the FF Blast Max foam currently on the NovaBlast, but with a top layer of the new FF Turbo Squared ATPU, all with a 3/4-length PBAX plate sandwiched between the two. Lang says using PBAX instead of carbon fiber allows the shoe to remain flexible for everyday use for a wider range of runners, all with the same propulsive benefits.
The MegaBlast focuses on the new foam, using a full 46mm stack in the rear—down to a 38mm stack in the forefoot—for the most “energy returning” of any of the shoes in the lineup. A single piece of the foam allows the shoe to weigh in at 230 grams, significantly lighter weight than others in the lineup and near where many performance race shoes have fallen in recent years.
MORE: The Asics North American Growth Strategy Features Tennis
“This is the ultimate expression of bounce for us,” Lang says about the MegaBlast. During testing of the foam, Lang says the team realized they had an opportunity to create a unique experience by featuring just the FF Turbo Squared.
“We are seeing more runners call for a greater experience through shoes,” Lang says. “We know [the MegaBlast] isn’t going to be the highest volume [seller], but this will bring a lot of people to the brand. The weight to stack ratio, the bounce, we are really excited about what’s in front of us here.”
On the outsole, both models feature the tackiest rubber the brand has, something Asics uses on trail models, giving the Blast series enhanced grip.
For the uppers, SonicBlast features a simplistic and breathable jacquard upper with a soft collar lining and padded tongue for comfort. This up-tempo bounce everyday trainer is priced at $180. The upper on the MegaBlast, a $225 shoe, is inspired by racing uppers but structured for everyday training with breathable lock down. It also features training shoe benefits, such as a pull tab and collar to increase comfort.
The new Blast lineup has a hierarchy with NovaBlast as the entry, SonicBlast the next step up, followed by the SuperBlast and then MegaBlast. As the energy-focused runners started to bring a new consumer to running, the NovaBlast normalized that material for Asics and helped bridge the gap between new and old technologies. The “energized type of runner” now has new options in the Asics lineup with a full line of bounce-focused silhouettes.
“I think we can take the family picture now,” Lang says about the lineup. “Everybody showed up. These four shoes, if someone had a bag with these four shoes, they are ready to go. I am pleased with where we stand.”
MORE: Asics Launching Performance Nimbus Running Shoe Ready For Recycling
MORE: Asics Creates Performance-Driven Shoe For Singing Star Taka