Emily, Cody, Blake, and Eric put ASICS’ plated super trainer through 132 combined miles.
Back to ShoesAnother $190 plated trainer? Yeah, we know. The running world definitely needed another one.
But the ASICS SonicBlast 2 caught our attention because this isn't just a small update. ASICS changed the formula, and the result is a shoe that feels very different from the original.
So we put it in the hands—and on the feet—of multiple 9 to 5 Runners reviewers to see where it actually belongs. Daily trainer? Speed-day shoe? Long-run cruiser? Or another expensive plated shoe fighting for space in your closet?
The best part about this shoe is that it's a major upgrade from the OG. From the upper down to the outsole, the changes that ASICS made genuinely gave the Sonicblast the glow-up it needed. The engineered mesh material is a cross between a race-day upper and a daily trainer upper. It leans on the thinner side but still manages to give me a good lockdown through the midfoot. It's breathable enough for those hot tempo days but also durable enough to withstand lots of daily training mileage. The Sonicblast 2 screams versatility, and the upper is only the beginning.
The midsole is so, so, so good. Before reviewing this shoe, I looked at the spec sheet and noticed that the midsole is the same (FF Turbo Squared layer directly under your foot, FF Blast Max under that, and a Pebax plate sandwiched in the middle). But this shoe has two key differences. For starters, the Astroplate is forked in the Sonicblast 2, which gives me better propulsion through my stride. The other feature, and probably the best one, is the trampoline pod of FF Turbo Squared in the center of the shoe. This made the midsole feel so much more engaged with my stride than the OG's ever did. It was super pleasant at easy paces, providing me with lots of protection from the road, and at tempo paces, it woke up and gave me the pop I needed to turn over quicker. It's not going to spring you into the air at full speed like an actual trampoline, but the spring is there and elevates the experience. All of these technologies made the ride feel really balanced and, again, versatile. My long run gave me confidence that I could also run a marathon in the Sonicblast 2 if I wanted. I actually enjoyed the OG Sonicblast, but version 2 makes me see the flaws and how much ASICS has improved upon them.
Lastly, the traction on this shoe was pretty decent. Not a ton of wear on the rubber, and the exposed foam is also holding up well after 40 miles.
The foam is the magic here.
The combination of FF TURBO SQUARED, FF BLAST MAX, and the Pebax plate gives you a ride that’s soft, responsive, and just plain fun.
I used it for daily miles, speedwork, and double-digit long runs. It handled all three, but long runs are where it really won me over. My legs stayed happy, which at this point in marathon training deserves its own award.
Lockdown? Tie it and forget it. Exactly how it should be.
The Sonicblast 2 is a big improvement over the original. The ride is much smoother, more energetic, and more versatile, while still giving you plenty of cushion for longer runs.
A big part of that comes from the updated midsole. There's more FF Blast Max in the heel, which makes slower paces and heel striking feel softer and more comfortable, while the additional FF Turbo² and trampoline pod in the forefoot give the shoe a much livelier and bouncier feel. The forked Astroplate also helps tie everything together by adding some rigidity and propulsion without taking away from the trampoline effect.
The result is a shoe that feels great from easy paces all the way through longer tempo efforts. It's especially good for longer uptempo runs where you can take advantage of both the extra cushioning and the energetic forefoot.
The upper is also much more comfortable than v1. There's more volume, the material reminds me a bit of the Megablast, and the ankle collar doesn't rub at all. The ASICSGRIP rubber provides solid traction on both road and dirt roads, and the exposed foam has held up well so far.
The Midsole - The adoption of MORE FF Turbo2 and the reduction of the plate into more of a shank was exactly what this shoe needed. The midsole is on the firmer side which is fine because I enjoy that, but now with ground to foot contact of FF Turbo 2 this shoe is so much bouncier and actually responsive
The weight - I feel like the weight of this type of shoe really matters and it can be tough to make a shoe light while giving it as much stack. The Sonicblast finds the balance this go around in a great way coming in at around 8.5oz
Truly, the only thing I can think of is that maybe I would want a TOUCH more cushioning for longer efforts. My feet weren't uncomfortable by any means, but I know myself and what I tend to prefer once I get past the 18-mile threshold. I'd also like better colorways...
Can we please bring back padded tongues?
The paper-thin tongue works, but I’d happily take a few extra grams for some padding. My Strava followers aren't checking my shoe weight.
Speedwork is the other question mark. I could hit my paces, but when things got fast, I wanted a little more pop.
It can go fast. It just doesn't always feel fast.
The Sonicblast 2 is a bit too much shoe for me once I get into shorter, faster intervals. There's so much cushioning and foam underfoot that it can feel like a bit bulky when you're really pushing the pace.
The tongue could also use a little more padding. It's not a major issue, but some additional cushioning to prevent lace bite would be nice.
At 8.5 ounces, it's also heavier than the Superblast and Megablast.
The Upper - I have a hard time putting the upper in the bad category because I don’t hate it but it’s somewhere between what ASICS did for the Megablast and the Superblast. A lot of people were critical of the upper of the Megablast and while the upper on the Sonic isn’t quite as bad it still doesn’t fit quite as comfortable as I liked.
The Sonicblast 2 is an incredible shoe that I called the "unsung hero" of the Blast line of shoes. The Novablast, Megablast, and Superblast get so much love for good reason, but I think it's time to give the Sonicblast its flowers. It's a do-it-all shoe that so many different runners can find a home in. If you want it as your only shoe, it's great for that. Want it as your tempo-day shoe? Perfect. Long-run/marathon shoe? You got it. I think I might even like it more than the Novablast, and that's saying a lot.
This might be one of my favorite plated shoes I’ve run in in a long time.
In fact, the SonicBlast 2 has worked its way into my top five overall shoes right now.
I’d buy it.
It’s comfortable enough for daily miles, responsive enough for workouts, and really good when you go long. If you want a pure speed-day weapon, there are faster options.
But as an all-around plated trainer? ASICS cooked.
The Sonicblast 2 is a significant step forward from the original. Where v1 could feel a little firm and clunky at slower paces and not quite energetic enough when speeding up, v2 feels smoother and more lively across a much wider range of paces.
It reminds me a lot of the Superblast 2 in terms of cushioning and bounce, but the Astroplate and trampoline pod make it even more energetic. If you find the Superblast 3 a little too soft, I think the Sonicblast 2 could be a potential alternative.
For me, its sweet spot is easy runs through longer tempo efforts. It's not my first choice for intervals, but if you want a cushioned, bouncy, and versatile trainer, the Sonicblast 2 is an excellent option.
Shockingly this shoe is landing in my top 5 of the year so far. I love the Novablast 6 as I prefer a slightly firmer yet responsive foam and the Sonicblast 2 reminds me A LOT of the Superblast 2, which in my opinion was better than the 3. Slightly firm but capable of picking up the pace. Still comfortable enough to cruise. Overall its one of the most fun shoes on the market while providing some great versatility
For $190, you're getting a banger. It's a competitive price point, but I think the Sonicblast 2 stacks up against the competition in every way.
$190 isn't cheap. We're officially approaching the “don't tell my wife what running shoes cost” territory.
But this one earns it.
The SonicBlast 2 is versatile, comfortable, and actually feels special enough to justify the price.
Yes, I think it's worth every penny.
I think the Sonicblast 2 is a strong value if you want a highly cushioned trainer that can still handle faster running. It occupies a nice spot between a traditional daily trainer and a super trainer, with enough cushioning for long runs and enough energy for tempo work.
It's also a good alternative for heavier runners who have had issues bottoming out softer shoes like the Novablast. The high stack and combination of FF Blast Max and FF Turbo² provide plenty of protection without making the shoe feel dead.
Absolutely. I was not a fan of the Sonicblast 1 but as I said, the 2 reminds me of the Superblast 2 which was one of my favorite shoes of all time. If you can find the Superblast 2 on sale then it will be cheaper sure, but if you don’t have that luxury then snag a pair of Sonicblast 2s and you shouldn’t be disappointed!
Interested in the ASICS SonicBlast 2? You can check it out at Running Warehouse.
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