Introduction
ASICS has been successful in grabbing the attention of many runners with their refreshed product offerings such as the Novablast and Metaspeed Sky+/Edge+. The Evoride Speed is one of the brand’s latest product releases which is part of the “RIDE” family. ASICS markets the Evoride Speed as a lightweight trainer that provide more energy savings with its cushioning and GUIDESOLE technology.
Additionally, ASICS also attempt to continue reducing their environmental impact. Evoride Speed’s sockliner is produced with a solution dyeing process that reduces water usage by approximately 33% and carbon emissions by approximately 45% compared to the conventional dyeing technology. Lastly, ASICS claims that at least 50% of the shoe’s main upper material is made with recycled materials to reduce waste and carbon emissions.
Does My Five Key Pointers Still Hold After 100 KM?
Here are my five key pointers from my first impression for the ASICS Evoride Speed
- Pointer 1 – Excellent Upper for Lockdown, Breathability, & Comfort
- Pointer 2 – GUIDESOLE Technology Enhances Efficiency
- Pointer 3 – Lightweight Package w/ Highly Cushioned Midsole
- Pointer 4 – Attentive to Details for an Excellent pair of Footwear
- Pointer 5 – High Overall and Outsole Durability Expected
Pointer 2, 3 and 4 remains to be true. The GUIDESOLE technology which ASICS offers provide not only efficiency but also promote durability. The GUIDESOLE technology required ASICS to revisit the way a pair of running shoes is designed. The design promoted the durability as each step taken has lesser rubbing with the ground. While there are some pattern being wear down on the outsole, these are superficial.
The Evoride Speed is a lightweight package with highly cushioned midsole. However, during one of my long run, I did wished for a less compressive midsole as the FF Blast can feel flatten after a certain distance. This is especially true for runner of my weight. Lastly, I still like how ASICS is attentive to details to make an excellent pair of running shoes. Pointer 5 remains true as well but I will address this in the later section.
What Has Changed Then?
Pointer 1 has changed slightly. While the overall comfort of the upper remains to be good, I found my toes bumping towards the front of the upper. This issue only surface during my longer runs and even after I have tighten the laces. I am wearing a US 11 which is my typical size but perhaps the length of the Evoride Speed is shorter. This is important for runners who will be taking the Evoride Speed for longer runs.
Durability of this Pair of Running Shoes?
I’ve clocked more than 130 KM in the Evoride Speed and the overall durability remains to be high. There has not been any parts of the Evoride Speed that has broken down. FF Blast midsole is a compressive midsole as such the lines formed along the midsole is not surprisingly. Till date, I still enjoy my time heading out with the Evoride Speed especially given its ease of running and lightweight.
What the Alternative Choices?
Are there alternative to the Evoride Speed in market today? To choose the alternatives, I consider primarily the retail price factor complement by my observation of different brands & products.
The key characteristics of the Evoride Speed are lightweight, efficient, “rolling” feature, and non-plated. The alternative which I selected will also capture these features or running shoes which can perform similarly even if it deviates from these features.
Based on these features, I have selected 4 key alternatives which runners can consider to compare to the ASICS Evoride Speed. These alternatives are: 1) New Balance Fuelcell Propel v4, 2) Saucony Kinvara 14, 3) ASICS Noosa Tri 15, and 4) Adidas Adizero Boston 12.
Substitutes
The Saucony Kinvara 14 and ASICS Noosa Tri 15 are substitues to the ASICS Evoride Speed. Both of these running shoes has like-for-like features as the Evoride Speed.
For runners looking at the same brand, the Noosa Tri 15 could be a good alternative. This comes down to the choice of midsole – Flytefoam for Noosa Tri 15 – and also the more breathable upper. While Flytefoam is expected to be slightly firmer compared to FF Blast, overtime Flytefoam will break-in and provide the sweet spot between comfort and performance.
Outside of ASICS, I find the Saucony Kinvara 14 to be a very competitive substitute given its performance and price. The Kinvara 14 retails for USD 120, giving it a price competitiveness over the Evoride Speed. Kinvara 14 is also lighter than the Evoride Speed clocking only about 200g or 7.0 oz based on the vendor’s product page. However, the Kinvara 14’s durability has to be considered due to its exposed midsole. In Singapore, the Kinvara is SGD 10 lesser than the Evoride Speed at retail.
Close Substitutes
Both the Adizero Boston 12 and Fuelcell Propel v4 are close substitutes as these feature a plate or rods which the Evoride Speed does not has. These running shoes are heavier than the Evoride Speed thus lacking the “lightweight” feature. That said, these are two alternatives which runners can consider to compare with Evoride Speed.
The Adidas Adizero Boston 12 is slightly more expensive than the Evoride Speed but given its performance and versatility, it can be a good option. Featuring both Lightstrike Pro and Lightstrike 2.0 for its midsole, alongside the Continental outsole, the Boston 12 could potentially do more than Evoride Speed. Durability is not questioned given the established reputation of Continental rubber Adidas put on their running shoes. However, Adizero Boston 12 retails for USD 160 which puts it closer towards the race day/performance category. If you are looking for a pair of versatile performance trainer + racer, the Boston 12 could fit the bill.
The New Balance Fuelcell Propel v4 is a cheaper option but I believe can offer similar performance to the Evoride Speed. One of my nit-pick with Evoride Speed is its ability to provide performance over long distance, which it does not do it that well. With Fuelcell as well as a TPU plate, the Propel v4 could potentially outperform the Evoride Speed in this aspect. Fuelcell is known for its “poppiness” which differs from FF Blast being more “cushion”.
Summary for Evoride Speed
Overall, if you are looking for ASICS, lightweight, non-plated, versatile footwear then the Evoride Speed is for you. It is a versatile pair of running shoes which I have enjoyed myself over the testing period. It is not a pair which you will slow down and take it for your easy run yet it is not one which I will pick if I am going to push myself. Imagine you want to give it your 90% performance, but the Evoride Speed can probably cater to 80% to 85%. It cannot provide you that additional edge once you try to go beyond.
Will I recommend buying the Evoride Speed? I will say “Probably Not“. There are many alternatives in the market which can hit the same performance as the Evoride Speed and give you that edge. Certainly, it also depends on the runner’s buying profile and constraints.
