Asics Metaspeed Sky Tokyo

The Asics Metaspeed Sky Tokyo is, together with its counterpart the Metaspeed Edge Tokyo, the fourth iteration of Asics' racing shoes, named this time after the World Athletics Championships held in Tokyo in 2025. Nothing is set in stone and every runner is different, but in theory, within the Metaspeed™ range, the Sky is the option for runners with a longer stride, with a slightly softer feel that is less forgiving of heel strikers, while the Edge, designed for those who run with a higher cadence, has its carbon plate closer to the ground and more curvature, giving more propulsion and a slightly firmer feel. Typically the Sky would suit shorter distances (5K/10K) better and the Edge longer ones (half marathon and marathon), but everyone can wear them for whatever they like, even for nipping out for bread in the morning. Above them (in materials and price) sits the Ray, Asics' ultralight version with a full FF Leap midsole and a Matryx® mesh upper, designed for elite athletes.

Compared with the previous edition, the third in the line, better known as the Metaspeed Sky Paris, the Tokyo is lighter, faster and more responsive, but also more radical and less stable. The Motionwrap 3.0 mesh upper is light and breathable, and its snugger fit helps trim weight everywhere, although at some cost to comfort. The toe box is a little narrow and the heel can feel slightly loose at slow paces, so it is worth trying them on before deciding.

The midsole debuts the new FlyteFoam Leap foam in the lower layer, the lightest and softest from Asics, combined with FlyteFoam Turbo+ in the upper layer and a carbon fibre plate closer to the foot. With a 5 mm drop and 39.5 mm of stack height at the heel, the geometry is built for race paces: the bounce is remarkable and the propulsion consistent, although it becomes unstable at slow paces. It is a shoe for runners looking for maximum performance on race day, not for easy runs. The outsole is the kind that wears out just by looking at it.