Asics Magic Speed 5 Review: Carbon Tempo at Half Metaspeed Price

The Magic Speed 5: your €180 carbon super shoe

A carbon-plated super shoe for under €200 is rare. Asics has pulled it off with the Magic Speed for four versions now, and the fifth one is a real technical leap. At 50 grams lighter than the Magic Speed 4, it now comes close to the feel of a true race-day shoe, while costing €100 less than a Vaporfly 4.

For intermediate runners who want a taste of performance without paying for the ultra-premium tier, it's probably the best compromise on the market right now. Let's dig in.

Asics Magic Speed 5 specs

The Magic Speed 5: the bridge to super shoes

Three things make the Magic Speed 5 the best gateway into the world of carbon plates:

• Major weight cut (-50 g vs v4): 195 g in size 42, just 25 g more than a Vaporfly 4. At this weight, you finally get the feel of a true racing shoe, where the Magic Speed 4 still plodded along like a daily trainer.
• Full-length carbon plate: Asics now uses a full carbon plate instead of a partial one. The rocker effect is more pronounced and propulsion is more efficient at sustained pace.
• FF Blast Plus + FF Turbo foam: a dual layer that blends comfort and responsiveness. You don't get the pure bounce of a premium PEBA foam, but you do get an excellent durability/performance balance for the intermediate segment.

RunMorph's advice: at €180, the Magic Speed 5 is the most affordable carbon shoe on the market right now. If you're training for your first half or full marathon with a reasonable time goal (sub-1:45 half, sub-3:45 marathon), it's probably the best super shoe investment you can make.

Who is the Asics Magic Speed 5 for?

Verdict: the Magic Speed 5 is built for ambitious intermediate runners chasing a time goal without being at elite level. If you run a sub-3 marathon, look at the Vaporfly 4, the Asics Metaspeed Sky Tokyo or the Saucony Endorphin Pro 5.

Under the hood: the tech details

Dual-layer foam: FF Blast Plus + FF Turbo

Asics pairs its FF Blast Plus foam (durable, versatile) with a thin layer of FF Turbo (premium, responsive) close to the foot. The result: a compromise between the durability of a conventional foam and the bounce of a premium one. You don't get the pure feel of a high-end PEBA, but you get 80% of the energy return for half the price.

Full-length carbon plate: the real upgrade

Before the V5, the Magic Speed used a partial carbon plate. With this V5, Asics switches to a full-length plate, just like true premium super shoes. The rocker effect is more pronounced and propulsion is more efficient at toe-off. This change alone justifies the gap with the V4.

Engineered upper: maximum lightness

The Magic Speed 5's upper has been reworked to shed weight. The engineered mesh delivers excellent breathability and precise lockdown without squeezing the forefoot. The fit stays slightly narrow, true to Asics racing DNA. If you're between sizes, go up half a size.

What French reviewers say

Wanarun points out that the Magic Speed 5 is a real technical leap, thanks to its weight cut and full-length plate. The review praises how affordable it is (€180 vs €260-280 for premium super shoes).

Lepape-Info highlights its outstanding value for money and its versatility (it works for both tempo runs and racing). The verdict: probably the best entry point into super shoes for intermediate runners.

A third specialist review confirms its place among the top affordable super shoes, noting that its performance now comes very close to premium models for half the price.

Our take as RunMorph coaches. The consensus is clear: Asics has pulled off the feat of delivering 80% of a premium super shoe's performance for 60% of the price. For ambitious intermediate runners, it's the smartest buy in the category.

Quick comparison

Magic Speed 5 vs Saucony Endorphin Pro 5. The Pro 5 is more stable and more marathon-focused. The Magic Speed 5 is more versatile (it also works for tempo runs) and €40 cheaper. Verdict: Pro 5 if you're targeting the marathon, Magic Speed 5 for affordable versatility.

Magic Speed 5 vs Nike Vaporfly 4. The Vaporfly is lighter, sharper and €80 more expensive. The Magic Speed 5 delivers 80% of the performance for 65% of the price. Verdict: Vaporfly for elite or experienced ambitious runners, Magic Speed 5 for everyone else.

Magic Speed 5 vs Asics Metaspeed Sky Tokyo. Two Asics shoes with opposite philosophies. The Sky Tokyo is a top-tier elite racer (€270). The Magic Speed 5 is for ambitious intermediate runners (€180). Verdict: Sky Tokyo if you run a sub-3 marathon, Magic Speed 5 for 90% of amateur runners.

Fitting the Magic Speed 5 into your strategy

The Magic Speed 5 is versatile: racing + fast training. Here's our plan:

• Your daily base: keep a durable training shoe like the Nike Pegasus 42 or the Hoka Clifton 10 for your weekly mileage.
• Your fast sessions: the Magic Speed 5 can handle intervals and tempo runs (1-2 times a week). Its durable dual foam holds up to that regular use, unlike premium super shoes.
• Your races: 5K, 10K, half marathon, first marathon. Ideal for chasing a fast time without spending €280.

The RunMorph coach's verdict

As a coach, the Magic Speed 5 is the shoe I recommend to my intermediate runners when they discover super shoes. For that profile, it's probably the best investment right now: 80% of a premium super shoe's performance, 60% of the price, and better durability that lets you use it in training too.

The jump from V4 to V5 is massive: -50 g, a full-length carbon plate, reworked foam. Asics proves you can democratize carbon technology without sacrificing performance.

RunMorph score: 9.0 / 10. At €180, it's a very reasonable investment for a true super shoe. Buy it if you're chasing your first ambitious time goal. Look elsewhere if you're aiming for elite level (Vaporfly 4, Sky Tokyo) or if you're just starting out (Pegasus 42).

Key takeaways

• Affordable carbon super shoe: €180, full-length carbon plate, dual FF Blast Plus + FF Turbo foam.
• Major weight cut: -50 g vs the Magic Speed 4 (195 g vs 245 g).
• Versatile: racing + tempo runs + intervals. You can use it more often than a premium super shoe.
• More durable than premium super shoes: 500-700 km vs 200-300 km for a Vaporfly 4.
• Target runner: ambitious intermediate (sub-3:45 marathon, sub-1:45 half, sub-45 min 10K).

Frequently asked questions

Is the Asics Magic Speed 5 good for beginners?

With caveats. For a true beginner (less than 6 months of running), a training shoe like the Pegasus 42 is a better fit. If you're training for your first half marathon after a few months of regular running, the Magic Speed 5 can be a good first carbon investment.

How durable is the Magic Speed 5?

Expect 500 to 700 km. That's well above premium super shoes (200-300 km), thanks to the durable FF Blast Plus foam. This durability is one of the shoe's biggest strengths.

Does the Magic Speed 5 run large or small?

The fit is slightly narrow in the forefoot, true to Asics racing DNA. If you're between sizes, go up half a size, especially for the marathon, when your feet will swell.

What's the difference between the Magic Speed 5 and the Metaspeed Sky/Edge Tokyo?

The Metaspeed line is Asics' top elite racing range (€270, separate versions for stride and cadence runners, premium FF Leap + FF Turbo+ foams). The Magic Speed 5 sits one step below (€180, versatile, more durable foams). If you're aiming for elite level, go Metaspeed. If you want something affordable, go Magic Speed 5.

Is the Magic Speed 5 good for the marathon?

Yes, especially for a first marathon or a moderate time goal (sub-3:45 to sub-4:30). For a more ambitious goal (sub-3), an Endorphin Pro 5 or a Metaspeed Sky Tokyo will be more effective.