Asics

Magic Speed 5

$216.00Speed Trainer

The ASICS Magic Speed 5 is a lightweight, agile carbon-plated speed trainer, praised for its return to a nimble, race-inspired feel and serving as an ideal training companion for ASICS Metaspeed users or an entry-point for those new to carbon plates. It features a dual-foam midsole with bouncy FF Leap over stable FF Blast+ and a full-length carbon plate, delivering a snappy, propulsive ride with excellent grip and a breathable upper. However, its firm nature demands speed, making it unsuitable for easy runs, and its premium price point is a common concern given the availability of discounted race-day super shoes. It excels in intervals, tempo runs, and races from 5K up to half marathon.

Highlights

Significantly lighter and more nimble than the previous model
Dual-foam midsole delivers a snappy, responsive ride that excels at faster paces
Full-length carbon plate adds propulsion and structure without overpowering the feel
Highly breathable engineered mesh upper with secure heel lockdown
Excellent ASICSGRIP traction, particularly effective in corners and on varied surfaces

Considerations

Firm, unforgiving ride at easy or below-threshold paces makes it unsuitable for recovery runs
Narrow lateral toe box may cause discomfort for runners with wider feet
Non-gusseted tongue can shift during runs, and the upper requires a short break-in period
Strictly designed for faster efforts, limiting its versatility for daily training or long runs
Initial ride can feel harsh due to the dense FF Blast+ base layer before softening with use