Asics S4 Creation

After I ran my first marathon, my goal used to be sub 4 hours. I wasn’t certain what shoe to move with however I selected the Reebok Floatride Run Rapid as it used to be mild, vigorous and comfy.

I ended with a time of four:38 however that used to be because of my coaching and now not the shoe selection.

For those who’re a mid-pack runner and also you’re having a look to run your first marathon, you wish to have a shoe which is well-cushioned, strong, comfy and energy-saving.

Nowadays, many of the carbon-plated racers in the marketplace are designed for the elite runner, a runner able to breaking global data. Those runners have superb shape and potency so their racing footwear don’t wish to have a lot steadiness or convenience. Those racing footwear also are now not designed to be sturdy as a result of maximum elite runners get a couple of unfastened footwear from the manufacturers.

ASICS has now get a hold of a singular racing shoe, a racer designed for runners having a look to run underneath 4 hours for a complete marathon. In keeping with a piece of writing at the ASICS web page, for a person, anything else underneath 4 hours may well be thought to be a excellent marathon time, placing you within the best 43% of runners.

S4 stands for velocity, steadiness, protection and sub-4. The S4 appears to be like very similar to their flagship marathon racers, the Metaspeed Sky+ and Edge+ however there are a couple of giant variations. The S4 has a dual-density midsole, a much wider base and extra outsole rubber.

The S4 weighs 240 g (8.5 oz.) for a males’s US9 which is the very same weight because the Magic Velocity 2. It is a bit disappointing bearing in mind the S4 has FF Blast Turbo (ASICS’ premier racing foam) in its midsole whilst the Magic Velocity 2 doesn’t. It prices about 150 USD however recently, it’s handiest that can be purchased in Japan.

Asics S4 First Impressions

My first run used to be a velocity exercise of 10 x 500 m. It felt just a little stiff and company on that first run however through the years, it softened up and turned into just a little extra versatile. It feels manner other after 50 km in comparison to immediately out of the field.

The shoe felt less attackable than I anticipated it to. It felt strong and snappy however now not as energetic because the Metaspeed Sky+. The forefoot rocker additionally wasn’t as pronounced because the Sky+.

It took just a little extra effort to extend my velocity and cadence than a top quality tremendous shoe however the exercise used to be stress-free. The company toe-offs allowed me to extend my tempo simply and transitions felt very clean.

The shoe that it jogged my memory of maximum used to be the Magic Velocity 2 however the S4 felt extra vigorous. It used to be more uncomplicated to select up the tempo within the S4. It felt like a hybrid of the Magic Velocity 2 and the Metaspeed Edge.

Asics S4 Higher

The S4’s higher appears to be like love it used to be lifted immediately off the Metaspeed collection, and that’ a excellent factor. It’s mild, breathable and really comfy. Total foot lockdown is very good and the laces really feel like top rate racing laces.

The skinny tongue isn’t gusseted and it does slide down all over runs however it doesn’t hassle me since the laces don’t minimize into the highest of my toes.

Identical to the Magic Velocity 2, the S4 suits a part measurement small so I went up a part measurement and the are compatible is absolute best. It has a slim midfoot so if in case you have flat arches, you could really feel some force to your arches.

Asics S4 Sole Unit

A median tempo of five:40 in keeping with km (9:07 in keeping with mile) is needed to run a sub 4 hour marathon so for the long term take a look at, I intentionally ran at that individual tempo for 32 kilometres. Whilst the journey wasn’t very enticing or thrilling, I discovered that that tempo is the candy spot for the S4. The gentle forefoot rocker is helping the S4 really feel energy-saving over lengthy distances.

The midsole is the precise setup that I sought after within the Magic Velocity collection: FF Turbo at the best, Flytefoam on the backside. The Magic Velocity collection doesn’t have FF Turbo, which is the premier ASICS midsole foam that they use within the Metaspeed collection so the S4 is rather softer.

I in finding the journey of the S4 to nonetheless be at the company facet so in the event you like actually plush, squishy rides, this shoe isn’t for you. I might have favored it to were round 20% softer. The calories go back isn’t as prime as one thing just like the Superblast however there’s extra floor really feel within the S4.

Excluding long-distance racing, the S4 is excellent for pace and secure runs, and first rate at period exercises. For simple and lengthy runs, I favor one thing softer with extra squish.

The S4 has a full-length carbon plate which is extra versatile than those within the flagship racing collection. It makes the shoe just a little extra strong and makes the forefoot really feel extra snappy however it doesn’t come up with a springboard form of ahead propulsion.

The outsole’s sturdiness is spectacular. There’s thick, sturdy rubber on the entire prime put on spaces and the uncovered Flytefoam midsole doesn’t display a lot put on both. It is a racer that may double up as a teacher as a result of how sturdy it’s.

Asics S4 Conclusions

If I used to be working my first marathon once more, I might indubitably race within the S4. It has an inexpensive worth, it’s strong and may be very able to maintaining a 5:40 tempo for 4 hours.

At the moment, my marathon goal is nearer to the three hour mark so I wouldn’t race within the S4 as it doesn’t be offering as a lot velocity help because the Metaspeed Sky+ or different flagship tremendous footwear.

For those who’ve raced in any of the top quality tremendous footwear prior to, you then’ll be just a little dissatisfied racing within the S4 as a result of its journey isn’t as speedy or as amusing but when it’s your first carbon-plated racer, you’ll be more than pleased with it.

I feel the S4 is a smart concept as a result of now not all runners can have the funds for top quality tremendous footwear. Slower runners don’t want as a lot propulsion they usually price steadiness/convenience in a racer extra. The S4 ticks all the ones containers.

It’s worthwhile to race in an ASICS velocity teacher just like the Noosa 15 or the Evoride Velocity however they’re carbon plateless in order that they don’t come up with that carbon-loaded race day really feel while you lace them up.

The nearest shoe to the S4 is the Magic Velocity 2 (I haven’t run within the Magic Velocity 3).

The S4 is rather less expensive however you need to order it from Japan which may determine to be extra finally. The S4 is extra energetic than the Magic Velocity 2 because of its FF Turbo and it gives rather extra velocity help.

Confidently ASICS brings the S4 to extra areas at some point.