I’ve tried a bunch of different runners, these are the comfiest by a mile

I’m currently training to run the TCS Sydney Marathon which means that I have become fixated on finding the best gear to help me through the road ahead. 

After years of recreational running, I’ve tried my fair share of running shoes, but I think I’ve found the perfect pair to carry me through the weeks of training and the race day itself: The Asics Superblast 3. 

Ok, but what’s so great about them?

Asics Superblast 3 at a glance… 

$340 | Shop hereFrom $269.99 here

The Asics Superblast 3s are a non-plated shoe, designed with the everyday runner in mind, helping them to supercharge their training. 

They have been purpose-built to offer support and comfort for high-mileage runs. With a high cushion, an eight mm heel drop, and weighing 239g, they are a level up from their Superblast 2 predecessor, with 15.4 per cent more bounce. They are also designed for neutral and underpronation. 

Key features

• Woven upper: The engineered layer helps keep the shoe feeling ultralight throughout the run by maximising airflow and minimising water absorption.
• Gusseted tongue: The shoe's tongue is attached to the inner sides of the upper by elastic or stretchy fabric "wings" which help prevent slippage and keep the shoe feeling snug and locked in place. 
• FF Leap and FF Blast Plus Midsole: These are the standout updates to the shoe, giving them the energy they’re popular for. When combining the bouncy top layer FF Leap foam and the plus bottom FF Blast Plus bottom layer, you get an explosive toe-off, helping to carry you through your run.
• A trampoline-inspired sole: The sole’s geometry is sculpted to act like a trampoline, the geometry of which compresses as you hit the ground and rapidly springs back as you lift off. This creates a propulsive sensation, driving you forward with each step.  
• Reflective details: To help you feel safe when running late at night or first thing in the morning, the shoes feature reflective detailing woven into the upper. 

Why I like them

I’ve been an Asics brand fan for almost a decade now. I religiously wore a pair when playing hockey throughout university, and when I was off the pitch, I had a pair for running, too (which admittedly wasn’t often). Granted, I wasn’t paying much attention to the tech behind them at the time, but I always found them supportive, comfortable and durable. 

Over the years, my brain has been rewired to see running as fun. And in that time, I’ve tried and tested many different types and brands of running shoes. Lately, I’ve been an Asics Novablast 5s stan, but the one thing I can say is that now the Asics Superblast 3s are the comfiest I’ve had on my feet.

After putting them on, I could tell my feet and my joints appreciated the generous cushioning. I knew that since I’m training for a marathon, my joints would take a beating with my new run-heavy workout routine, but I trust the Superblast 3s to offer the support I need.

At first feel, they offered a highly responsive, bouncy and plush sensation, all without feeling bulky or cumbersome. They are certainly not a shoe that weighs me down when tackling longer runs. 

I have also felt a significant change in my energy levels since using these shoes. It could be that I’m just fuelling better as I tick off my training runs, or the shoes are truly delivering on the bounce and force they promise. Either way, they have delivered in the ways I’d hoped they would. 

Even when caught in a typical Australian torrential downpour on a 18km run the other day, they didn’t absorb the rain pouring onto us, or become weighed down by crashing through puddles. I was so impressed by how lightweight and well ventilated the shoes stayed throughout. 

When it comes to my workout gear, I’m not one for simplicity. I like bright colourways and bold patterns, so these tick the box for me aesthetically. But if you like a low-key look, they are available in black and white, too. 

My only concern

While an excellent option for longer runs with a bit of pace behind them, the superior cushioning of the shoes can make them a little unstable, so they aren’t necessarily the best option for going super slow or serious tempo sessions. But if you sit in a happy medium bracket with pace, this shouldn’t bring too many issues. 

With a price tag of $340, they are a little steep for the everyday shopper. That said, if you know you will get the most out of them, they are a great investment. 

Overall

If you’re an everyday runner like me, who enjoys the occasional long run, tempo run, or challenge like a marathon, these are a great all-rounder to get you through your training (or to just enjoy the run more!)

Many of the friends I run with have been coveting them, either curious whether they’re any good, or they’ve had their eyes on them already. 

So I’ll tell you what I told them: They’re comfy, they’re stylish, and they are now my go-to shoe for runs when I need an extra surge of energy. 

Other options

Asics Megablast

$360 | Shop here

Asics Gel-Nimbus 28

$280 | Shop here

Asics Novablast 5

$240 | Shop here

The writer was gifted a pair of Asics Superblast 3 for the purpose of this review.

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