ASICS Magic Speed 3 Review

Upper

Jon: "Starting with fit, I found the Magic Speed comfortably snug in the heel and midfoot, with an average fit in the toe box, which made for an overall comfortable fit. The highlight for me was the MOTION WRAP mesh upper, which made this shoe feel more like a racer than a trainer. This makes sense given the fact that the Magic Speed's upper is made with the same material used in the METASPEED line, ASICS' elite racing shoes. The upper is incredibly lightweight, highly breathable, and very comfortable on the run. As minimal and as lightweight as it is, the Magic Speed's upper is well structured in the toe box and offers the right amount of cushioning in the heel. All of these elements combine to make for a superbly executed upper."

Grace: "The MOTION WRAP upper is snug in the mid-foot through the toe box, with more structure and padding in the heel for a comfortable and secure hold. The upper is so thin that I can see the colour and text of my socks, and the material is also highly breathable.

The Magic Speed's tongue is also very thin, and I am usually not a fan of thin tongue designs. I have narrow, high-volume feet, and with other similar shoes with thin tongues, I have had issues with the laces irritating the top of my foot. However, ASICS implemented two minimally cushioned pads right where the tied laces hit that prevent any rubbing or irritation. Finally, the sizing runs small in length by half a size. I typically wear a women's size 8.5 but wore a size 9 in the Magic Speed 3, and the fit is perfect."

Midsole

Jon: "FF BLAST+ is as tried and true a midsole foam as it gets, so it is no surprise that the full FF BLAST+ midsole in the Magic Speed 3 represents a huge upgrade from the Magic Speed 2, which only had a small layer of FF BLAST+ previously.

The additional layer of FF BLAST+ here made a big difference and delivered a bouncy, energetic ride during my test runs. Coupled with a full-length carbon plate, the cushioning came to life during faster efforts, and I really enjoyed the poppy toe-off that the midsole offered. Picking up the pace was quite easy, something I could not say about the Magic Speed 2. In terms of stack height, this is by no means a max cushioned super shoe, but I never found it to lack the cushioning I expect from an uptempo trainer and race day shoe, which I think is a testament to FF BLAST+."

Grace: "I typically run in highly cushioned shoes for everything from long runs to speed workouts and tempos, so the Magic Speed 3 took some getting used to initially. While there are two layers of FF Blast +, the embedded, full-length carbon fiber plate made the overall ride feel more like a propulsive roll through the gait rather than a bouncy, cushioned experience. This shoe feels relatively low to the ground, which also gives it a great amount of stability. The midsole has a firmer feel in the forefoot with snappy toe-off that makes this shoe ideal for faster, shorter short runs lasting around 60-90 minutes. I also think that the Magic Speed 3 is a good 5k to 10k racing option or a capable tempo workout partner. That said, I found the Magic Speed less suited for slower paces or casual mileage."

Outsole

Jon: "The outsole is a mix of ASICSGRIP rubber and exposed foam. There is also a cutout where you can see the carbon plate. The strategically placed rubber delivers excellent traction on the roads and adds further security to this shoe's already stable ride."

Grace: "The ASICSGRIP rubber outsole provides a long-lasting, dependable grip, and I do not see this rubber getting worn down any time soon. There is a cutout in the center of the shoe that exposes the carbon plate, and the outsole also has some exposed foam to minimize weight, and I have no complaints with the Magic Speed's outsole. As I said, the traction is excellent, and the rubber is durable. What more could I ask for?"

Comparable Models

ASICS Magic Speed 3 v. Saucony Endorphin Speed 3

Jon: "The glow-up of the Magic Speed puts it in the conversation as one of the best uptempo trainers on the market, alongside the Saucony Endorphin Speed 3. The Endorphin Speed 3 shines due to its super lightweight and ultra-bouncy PWRRUN PB midsole, as well as its versatile performance.

The ride of the Magic Speed 3 is not as soft as the Endorphin Speed 3, but it is very lively, and I would prefer to race half and full marathons in the Magic Speed 3, given its firmer feel and full-length carbon plate. If you already have a race day shoe in your arsenal and are looking for a superior uptempo training shoe, I would give the edge to the Endorphin Speed 3. But if you do not have a dedicated speed day or race day shoe yet, then you would get a lot of performance for your money with the Magic Speed 3."

ASICS Magic Speed 3 v. adidas adizero Adios 8

Jon: "This is a battle between two excellent shoes with tremendous values. The Adios 8 is another lightweight uptempo trainer and racing shoe with high-end technology in a lower profile package. The Adios 8 offers a bit of Adidas's premium Lightstrike PRO super foam in the forefoot, along with EnergyTorsion Rods for added snappiness.

Despite the presence of the Lightstrike PRO foam, the Adios 8 feels a little firmer than the Magic Speed 3 and does not have the stack to protect runners beyond the 10k marker. At $130, the Adios 8 does a lot of things well and is $30 less than the Magic Speed 3, so it is an enticing option for runners looking for an uptempo trainer that is lightweight and closer to the ground, with the ability to race the 5k and 10k events. Again, I would recommend the Magic Speed 3 if you are a runner looking for a race day option that has the ability to go beyond the 10k distance and perform well up to the half or full marathon events, all while being an excellent uptempo trainer."

ASICS Magic Speed 3 v. New Balance FuelCell Rebel v3

Grace: "The ASICS Magic Speed 3 and New Balance FuelCell Rebel v3 are both shoes I would characterize as lightweight uptempo workout shoes and shorter-distance racing shoes. The ASICS Magic Speed 3 features two layers of soft, bouncy FF Blast+ foam with a full-length carbon fiber plate embedded in the midsole for a propulsive ride, whereas the New Balance FuelCell Rebel v3 features a modest stack of New Balance's soft and highly responsive FuelCell foam for an excellent balance of protection and speed on the run.

Both these shoes have their positives and negatives, but I enjoy the soft, forgiving feel of the FuelCell foam over a variety of distances. Also, without a plate, the Rebel feels very natural through the gait cycle. However, with the Magic Speed's firmer footbed, I felt extremely stable and secure, as well as fast, and I would prefer the Magic Speed for runs and workouts in the 30-90 min range. For more casual, daily efforts, I prefer the softer, more comfortable feel of the Rebel.