Road Trail RunArticle · Mar 19, 2026
The Magic Speed 5 is an ideal supertrainer, serving as a versatile tempo trainer and marathon-pace workhorse that can double as a racing shoe.
Asics
Magic Speed 5
Super trainer · Stable Neutral · 220 g · 7 mm drop · MSRP $216
BuildPlated
$40.65 at www.bobcometal.com$21681% off today
Critic consensus
from 7 reviewsThe Asics Magic Speed 5 is a lightweight, lower-stack overhaul that delivers a firm and snappy ride built specifically for fast-paced workouts. Its dual-foam setup and carbon plate excel during intervals and tempo runs, though it feels harsh and unforgiving at slower recovery paces. It best suits runners seeking a dedicated speed trainer or a durable training partner for race day super shoes.
Reviewers agree
Significantly lighter design with a lower stack height7/7
Firm, propulsive ride optimized specifically for fast-paced training6/7
Exceptional traction and grip from the ASICSGRIP outsole5/7
Highly breathable engineered mesh upper5/7
Reviewers disagree
Forgiveness and comfort at slower recovery paces1 vs 5
Pricing and overall value proposition1 vs 4
What reviewers use it for
Tempo7 of 7
Race4 of 7
Easy1 of 7
Long run1 of 7
A shoe earns a tag as soon as one reviewer recommends it for that kind of run; the count shows how many agree. Mentions include synonyms, so “recovery”, “zone 2” and “conversational” all count toward Easy.
Critic reviews
7 reviews · 6 scores inferredBen ParkesVideo · Mar 19, 2026INFERRED
The Magic Speed 5 is a fantastic upgrade, essentially a new shoe in the lineup, considered a Metaspeed Light.
Sagasu RunningVideo · Mar 19, 2026INFERRED
While it's not a versatile shoe for all types of runs due to its firmer and responsive nature, it excels in its intended purpose as a dedicated tempo trainer.
TempoWatch review
KofuziVideo · May 13, 2026INFERRED
The Magic Speed 5 is a dramatically improved, faster shoe focused on performance, offering a subtle yet effective boost for those seeking speed.
Fordy RunsArticle · Mar 19, 2026INFERRED
The ASICS Magic Speed 5 is a brilliant workout shoe, but its high price tag of £170 is a significant problem.
TempoRead review
RunRepeatArticle · Mar 19, 2026INFERRED
It's a forgiving yet race-inspired option, successfully resetting the Magic Speed line to its original intent.
Fordy RunsVideo · Mar 19, 2026INFERRED
The shoe feels fast and performs exceptionally well at threshold paces, but the high price point and limited use case will deter many potential buyers.
TempoWatch review