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0 The Evolution of the Magic Speed Series
The Magic Speed series was originally conceived to be the Metaspeed’s more approachable, durable sibling. When it first launched in 2021, it was the “carbon plate for the rest of us”, a shoe that offered a taste of elite propulsion at a much lower price point, making it a favorite for tempo runs and interval sessions. Historically, the Magic Speed was a lean, firm, and snappy racing flat.
However, Magic Speed 4 took a dramatic detour, ballooning into the “super trainer” category with a massive stack height and a softer feel. While version 4 was a comfort first favorite for some, it left purists missing the lightweight, grounded feel of a traditional speed shoe. That is all resolved with the new Magic Speed 5.
Everything You Need to Know About the Magic Speed 5
The Magic Speed 5 is designed for speed by redcuing weight and control. ASICS has managed an impressive feat of engineering here, trimming approximately 50g from the previous official specifications to bring the shoe down to a nimble 193g (sample size).
The midsole is the star of the show, featuring a new dual-layer configuration. The top layer introduces FF LEAP™ cushioning, which ASICS claims is their lightest and bounciest material yet which is 33% lighter and 13% more responsive than standard FF BLAST™. This is paired with a bottom layer of FF BLAST™ PLUS for durability and a consistent ride.
To better handle the increased energy return, ASICS reconfigured the full-length carbon plate to work with a much lower profile. The stack height has been slashed by 6mm in the heel and 5mm in the forefoot, resulting in a 7mm drop. This ground feel is intended to provide runners with better control and a more stable, energized toe-off during high speed efforts. The shoe also sees a sustainability boost, with 75% of the engineered mesh upper now made from recycled materials.
Magic Speed 5 vs. Magic Speed 4 – The Key Differences
If the Magic Speed 4 was the “Maximalist Experiment,” the Magic Speed 5 is the “Performance Refinement.” Here are the core changes you’ll notice:
| Feature | Magic Speed 4 | Magic Speed 5 |
| Weight (US 9, Men) | 240g | 193g |
| Philosophy | High-stack “Super Trainer” | Nimble “Speed Specialist” |
| Stack Height | ~43.5mm (Heel) | ~37.5mm (Heel) |
| Drop | 8mm | 7mm |
| Primary Foam | FF TURBO (Forefoot Puck) | FF LEAP (Full-length Top Layer) |
| Recycled Upper | 50% Recycled Content | 75% Recycled Content |
| Price | USD 170 | USD 180 |
The most immediate difference is the “diet.” By reducing the stack height significantly, ASICS has moved the shoe away from being a budget-version of the Superblast, or the Superblast without carbon plate, and positioned it to compete directly with shoes like the Nike Streakfly or Adidas Takumi Sen. While the price has increased by USD 10, the trade-off is a shoe that is vastly lighter and uses a more advanced top-tier foam (FF LEAP) throughout the length of the shoe rather than just a puck in the forefoot.
Who Should Buy the ASICS Magic Speed 5 & Why?
The Magic Speed 5 is no longer trying to be a “do-it-all” daily trainer. Instead, it has a very specific set of runners in its sights:s
- The 5K/10K Racer: While the Magic Speed 4 was often seen as a marathon-paced cruiser, the Version 5 is a “budget racer” for shorter distances. Runners looking for a carbon-plated edge for local 5K and 10K races without spending $250+ on a flagship super-shoe will find this to be a top-tier contender.
- The “Ground-Feel” Enthusiast: If you’ve been feeling “lost” in the era of 45mm stack heights and mushy foams, this shoe is a breath of fresh air. The 6mm reduction in heel stack provides significantly better ground contact and lateral stability during sharp corners or high-cadence sprints.
The Magic Speed 5 has gone on a significant “diet” but it is important not to mistake its lower profile for a lack of distance capability.
For many runners, the “rest of us” who aren’t chasing Olympic podiums but are chasing personal bests, the Magic Speed 2 and 3 were great marathon shoes. They offered a snappy, stable, and predictable ride that didn’t feel unstable in the later miles of a race.
By returning to this thinner, faster geometry, ASICS hasn’t disqualified the Magic Speed from the full marathon distance. Instead, they’ve refined it for the runner who wants a responsive, controlled racing experience rather than the disconnected feel of a high-stack super shoe. At USD180, it sits in a premium bracket, but for the runner who wants a single, plated shoe that can handle the track on Tuesday and a marathon on Sunday, this return to form is exactly what the market needed.
Till next time, just keep running.
