8.8Staff pick
Nike
Alphafly 4
$280ZoomX LT foam, a wider Flyplate and quieter Air pods, about 10 grams lighter than before.
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Race Day · ASICS
Metaspeed Sky Tokyo
A 170g rocket built for stride-lengtheners, not cadence-counters.
8.2 Strong
Runsletter Score out of 10. Excellent, with a trade-off or two worth knowing.
Buy it if
- Remarkably light for a marathon racer
- Springy, efficient ride at fast paces
- Designed with a clear runner type in mind
Skip it if
- Less cushioned feel than softer super shoes
- Low drop asks more of calves
- Narrow, racy fit
$270
List price; often discounted in seasonal sales
Check price at retailers ↗When does it go on sale?We may earn a commission
- Weight
- 170 g
- Stack
- 39 mm
- Drop
- 5 mm
The verdict
At around 170g, the Metaspeed Sky Tokyo is one of the lightest marathon racers you can buy. It layers FF Turbo Plus foam over a lighter, softer FF Leap foam, with a full-length carbon plate between them, and the ride is fast and springy rather than plush. It feels best when you are moving quickly and opening up your stride.
The Sky line is designed for stride-lengtheners: runners who speed up by covering more ground with each step rather than turning their legs over faster. If you get quicker by increasing cadence, the sister Metaspeed Edge is worth a look instead.
It is firmer and more precise than the Alphafly 4 or Endorphin Elite 2, and lighter than both. The low 5mm drop and race-cut upper make for a snug, close fit, so first-time Metaspeed buyers should try it on before race week.
“Feather-light and unapologetically fast.”
Specs
| Weight | 170 g |
|---|---|
| Stack height | 39 mm |
| Drop | 5 mm |
| Cushion | 3 / 5 |
| Plate | carbon |
| Support | Neutral |
| Surface | road |
| Best for | race |
| Midsole | FF Turbo Plus over FF Leap foam |
| Plate detail | Full-length carbon plate |
| Upper | Motion Wrap 3.0 engineered upper |
| Outsole | Grippy rubber, trimmed to save weight |
| Fit | Close and snug; true to size |
| Widths | Standard only |
We may earn a commission if you buy through our links. Scores are sample editorial data.
How it stacks up
Compare side by side →| Product | Score | Price |
|---|---|---|
| ASICS Metaspeed Sky Tokyo · this one | 8.2 Strong | $270 |
| Nike Alphafly 4 | 8.8 Elite | $280 |
| Nike Alphafly 3 | 8.6 Elite | $285 |
| Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 | 8.4 Strong | $250 |
Mentioned in
From the Journal
Versus · 5 min
Alphafly 4 vs Metaspeed Sky Tokyo: Big Bounce or Featherweight Speed?
Nike's cushioned marathon shoe against ASICS's 170 g racer. One protects your legs, the other gets out of their way.
Versus · 5 min
Adios Pro 4 vs Metaspeed Sky Tokyo: Two $250 Super Shoes, Two Different Rides
Same price, same stack limit, very different feel. Adidas gives you a safer landing, ASICS gives you less weight.
Versus · 5 min
SC Elite v5 vs Rocket X 3: The Best Super Shoes for Heel Strikers
Not everyone lands on their forefoot. These two $250 racers are built for the rest of us, but they feel very different.
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