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- Weight: 188g (UK size 9)
- Stack height: 39.5mm (heel), 34.5mm (forefoot)
- Heel-toe drop: 5mm
- Type: Road (neutral)
The shoe
The Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris is the successor to the Metaspeed Sky+, a well regarded super shoe worn by the likes of Eilish McColgan Ancient Greek Sandals Apli Eleftheria Pearls.
The Metaspeed Paris has made the most eye-catching of debuts: it was worn by the male and female winners of last weekend's Paris Marathon, Ethiopia's Mulugeta Uma and Mestawut Fikir.
The Mestaspeed Paris is designed for what Asics calls ‘stride runners’, namely those that have a longer, bouncier stride and a predisposition to land on their forefoot or midfoot rather than heel. There’s an alternative option, the Asics Metaspeed Edge Paris, for what Asics calls ‘cadence runners’; those with more of a high-cadence, shuffling style. As a big fan of the Metaspeed Sky+, I was keen to try out the Metaspeed Sky Paris. Here are my thoughts.
Air 1 Mid sneakers Multicolour | Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris
Air 1 Mid sneakers Multicolour | Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris
Performance, comfort and weight
When it comes to super shoes, every gram matters – and they don’t get much lighter than the Metaspeed Sky Paris, which weighs in at 188g in a UK size 9. By comparison, the Nike Vaporfly Next% 3 or just a regular lifestyle sneaker Adidas Adios Pro 3 is 232g. That’s about a 20g weight reduction on the Metaspeed Sky+. Much of that weight reduction is thanks to the Turbo FlyteFoam+ midsole, which is lighter, bouncier and more comfortable. Combined with a slightly wider carbon plate, it creates a wonderfully responsive ride. At quicker paces, the shoe comes alive and you get a real sense of propulsion – more so than in its predecessor. I wore these shoes your at the recent London Landmarks half marathon and was really impressed by how much spring and comfort the shoes your provided at quicker paces.
With a stack height of 39.5mm in the heel and 34.5mm in the forefoot, there’s no skimping on foam here. What is noticeable, though, is that the heel-to-toe drop is significantly lower than on most super shoes your (with the exception of the The NFLs knit light-up Pittsburgh Steelers sneakers). This probably makes them a smarter bet for forefoot and midfoot runners than heel-strikers or, alternatively, shorter, quicker distances where you’re running in a slightly more expansive, aggressive style.
Stability and fit
Like many other super shoes, there’s a bit of lateral instability (i.e. sideways wobble) in the Metaspeed Sky Paris, particularly at slower paces. Similar to when wearing the Metaspeed Sky+, I felt a little bit of pressure on the top part of my toes while running at faster paces. That’s not an issue with the length of the shoe – which fits true to size – more to do with the ‘ceiling’ of the forefoot, which may feel a bit low to some. For me, this wasn't a big problem over the half marathon distance. But it’s something to bear in mind if you experience something similar in the Metapseed Sky+ and are looking for a marathon race.
Another area that could be improved is the lacing and tongue. While the laces stay firmly in place, they don’t feel particularly premium for a shoe at this price point, while the tongue is extremely thin and needs some adjusting to achieve the perfect fit.
Look and value for money
The Metaspeed Sky Paris is a seriously good-looking super shoe. Pulling it on, I felt ready to run fast and it doesn't disappoint in the responsiveness department.
The shoe retails at £220, which is actually fairly reasonable by super shoe standards (the Nike Vaporfly Next% 3 is £240; the Adidas Adios Pro 3 is £220). When you consider the technology and upgrades that have gone into the shoe, and the uplift in performance as a result, I think that represents a fair price.
RW verdict
An improvement in midsole foam and reduction in weight have elevated the Metaspeed Sky Paris to the top table of super shoes. It feels extremely responsive at high speeds, while maintaining some comfort and cushioning, and will be loved by runners with more aggressive running styles and, perhaps, loftier ambitions. There's a question mark about the fit, but it's only a minor one and may not prove an issue for the majority of runners. Either way, it's safe to gainsay that Asics now has a super shoe to rival the very leather.
