ASICS Magic Speed 5 Review – A Reinvented Speed Trainer With a Pricing Problem

SAVE MONEY ON ASICS RUNNING SHOES

The ASICS Magic Speed 5 has undergone a serious makeover, and for the first time in a while, it finally feels like it knows exactly what it wants to be. From the moment you take it out of the box—especially in the bold Echodan colorway—it’s clear this is a much racier, more purposeful shoe than previous versions. So, what is the Magic Speed 5, and who is it really for?

What the Magic Speed 5 Is Designed To Do

The Magic Speed 5 is a dedicated speed-training shoe. Think 5K and 10K workouts, longer threshold runs, treadmill intervals, and track sessions—those days where you want something lighter, lower, and faster-feeling than your daily trainer, but you don’t want to burn miles in your race-day shoes.

This is a shoe designed to complement a race shoe, not replace it. In many ways, it now sits closer to shoes like the adidas Takumi Sen: a focused workout tool rather than a do-it-all trainer. After years of confusion around stack height and positioning, ASICS has finally carved out a clear role for the Magic Speed in their lineup.

Stats & Key Features

• Price: £170

• Weight: 220 g (UK 9.5, true to size)

• Drop: 7 mm (down from 8 mm)

• Stack height:

  • Heel: 37.5 mm

  • Forefoot: 30.5 mm

• Plate: Full-length reconfigured carbon plate

ASICS claims this version is 50 grams lighter than the Magic Speed 4, and it genuinely feels it on foot.

Midsole Update: Dual-Foam Setup

• FF Leap (top layer): Aliphatic TPU, lighter and more responsive

• FF Blast Plus (bottom layer): Firmer EVA blend for stability and structure

The result is a firmer, more controlled ride than you might expect—especially if you associate TPU foams with softness.

Upper & Fit

The upper borrows heavily from the MetaSpeed line, and that’s a good thing. It’s lightweight, breathable, and genuinely race-inspired. The laces—also lifted from the MetaSpeed—are excellent, among the best you can get. Fit is true to size, and if ASICS generally works for your foot shape, you’ll feel right at home here. One thing worth noting: the tongue is not gusseted, and it can move around slightly during runs.

The Ride: Firm, Fast, and Focused

This is where the Magic Speed 5 really comes alive. At speed—threshold pace and faster—the shoe feels fantastic. Turnover is quick, ground contact is direct, and the lower stack gives you a refreshing sense of control. Interval sessions, treadmill workouts at sub-6:10 per mile pace, and marathon-goal-pace efforts all feel natural and efficient.

At slower paces, however, the shoe is firm and frankly not very enjoyable—but that’s entirely the point. This shoe demands speed. If you try to jog in it, it will feel unforgiving.

For runners who spend most of their week in max-stack, ultra-cushioned trainers, slipping into the Magic Speed 5 is a wake-up call—in a good way. The firmer platform, lower ride, and carbon plate combine to give a more “old-school” fast running sensation, even though you’re still standing on nearly 38 mm of foam in the heel.

The carbon plate is well judged: it adds snap and structure without overpowering the ride. Everything feels dialed in and cohesive.

Where It Fits in an ASICS Rotation

In a well-rounded ASICS lineup, the Magic Speed 5 slots in neatly:

• GlideRide Max 2: Easy runs, long aerobic mileage, daily training

• Magic Speed 5: Speed sessions, threshold workouts, intervals

• Metaspeed series: Race day and key pace workouts

Used this way, the Magic Speed 5 makes a lot of sense. It complements the rest of the range rather than overlapping too heavily.

The Big Problem: Price

And now we get to the issue that has haunted the Magic Speed line for years. At £170, this shoe is incredibly difficult to justify. When you can buy a full carbon race shoe—like the MetaSpeed Sky—for the same money, it’s hard to argue for a training-only option with limited use.

If this shoe were priced closer to £140, it would suddenly become far more appealing as a dedicated workout companion. At its current price, it sits in an uncomfortable no-man’s land: too expensive for a specialist trainer, yet not something most runners would choose to race in.

For reviewers and testers, it’s easy to enjoy because it fills a clear role—but for everyday runners spending their own money, the value proposition is tough.

Final Verdict

The ASICS Magic Speed 5 is genuinely a very good shoe.

• The redesign works.

• The lower stack makes it feel faster and more precise.

• The foam and plate combination is well balanced.

Personally, I like it a lot and will continue to use it through marathon training because it serves a specific purpose extremely well. Unfortunately, the pricing means most runners will likely skip it in favor of last year’s race shoes at a similar cost. That’s a real shame, because from a performance perspective, ASICS has finally nailed what the Magic Speed should be. A brilliant workout shoe—held back by its price tag.

You can get discounts on your next running shoe purchase at Sportsshoes.com by either becoming an affiliated club member with FORDY RUNS Running Club where you will get 15% off or you can join the club for free and get 10% off your next purchase by getting our latest discount code from our website