Did Asics Just Drop 2026’s First “Shoe of the Year” Contender?

With a retooled upper and brand-new midsole, the Superblast 3 arrives as one of the year’s most anticipated running shoes.

Pair of blue and neon orange running shoes with green accents on a concrete floor.

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By Jack Seemer

Published February 13, 2026

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The Superblast 3 has big shoes to fill.

A successor to one of the most popular running shoes in recent memory, Asics’s latest next so-called supertrainer arrives with high expectations and stiff competition, and not necessarily from other brands.

Since the last version earned its way into countless runners’ rotations, Asics has dropped not one but two compelling alternatives. Among them: the faster, bouncier and, frankly, more energetic Megablast.

Two athletic shoes placed side by side on a concrete surface: the left shoe is vibrant with a gradient of purple, pink, and red hues with black accents, while the right shoe is predominantly black with white detailing. — For many runners. last year’s Megablast (left) replaced the Superblast 2 (right) in their everyday rotation.

For months, questions have swirled about the future of Superblast, including where it fits into Asics’s roadmap, and if it does at all.

Well, the brand finally delivers an answer with the highly anticipated release the Superblast 3, available for purchase starting February 28.

Blue and peach running shoe with "FF Leap" text on the side, placed on a gray concrete floor. — The Superblast 3 (pictured) is the first update to the Superblast lineup since 2024.

Leap of faith

Considering the sheer popularity of the Superblast series to date, few fans probably expected Asics to kill the name entirely.

That said, those hoping for a marginal update from the Superblast 2 will find themselves sorely disappointed, though they may yet come around to the specifics.

Pair of blue running shoes with green soles and pink accents on a concrete floor. — The Superblast 3 is a significant departure from the Superblast 2, starting with a brand-new midsole.

Bluntly, the Superblast 3 is a different shoe entirely, starting with its signature ingredient. The model utilizes Asics’s new A-TPU superfoam, FF Leap, combined with a thin layer of EVA for durability and structure.

Close-up of a blue and pink shoe sole with "FF Leap" text on the pink section. — FF Leap is the same A-TPU compound found in Asics’s top-shelf marathon racers.

According to Paul Lang, the global senior product manager at Asics, the change gives the Superblast 3 a 15 percent increase in energy return. But it also drops the weight by 10 grams despite an increased stack height (46.6mm vs 45mm).

Most importantly, though, FF Leap makes the Superblast 3 softer from the get-go, sidestepping the critique that its predecessor required a lengthy break-in to truly come to life.

“We didn’t want to have to have runners unlocking that experience,” Lang says. “We wanted them to have that from first step.”

Blue running shoe with neon orange heel and green sole on a concrete surface. — Despite a larger stack height, now measuring 46.5mm, the Superblast 3 weighs less than the second generation.

For the long run

As for the shoe’s place in the growing Blast ecosystem, the retooled upper offers perhaps the most obvious clue.

Like its predecessor, the Superblast 3 features woven mesh material for high degrees of breathability and comfort. However, it also boasts a more padded heel collar and rather unique lacing system with cords instead of traditional punch holes.

Close-up of a blue sneaker toe with orange lace loops and a beige sole on a concrete surface. — A new lacing system uses cords instead of punch holes for a more dynamic fit.

The latter not only improves the midfoot lockdown but makes it more adaptive on longer efforts, where foot swelling is a common occurrence.

“As we walk through the Blast [lineup], the Nova is that everyday energy, Sonic is uptempo energy and Mega is ultimate energy,” Lang says.

As for the Superblast, “we call it long run energy, just because of the protective nature,” he adds.

“Performance-wise, durability-wise, it does all that stuff. But if you need to cut down on the backend of a run, it’s responsive enough. It’s in that sweet spot.”

Pair of blue and neon orange running shoes with blue laces on a gray surface. — The heel collar comes with additional padding, tailored to long runs.

Availability and pricing

How the shoe fares in the long run will be decided on the roads once it makes its way into runners’ rotations.

But on paper, the model positions itself as a versatile, albeit premium, workhorse with legitimate “shoe of the year” potential.

The Superblast 3 goes on sale February 28 for $210.

Blue and green gradient running shoe with peach and coral midsole and "FF Leap" text on the side.

Asics Superblast 3

$210 at Asics

About the Author:

Jack Seemer is the executive editor at Gear Patrol, with over a decade of experience in product journalism. He currently reports on a wide range of topics, including footwear, watches, EDC, cookware and more.

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