Asics S4 Introduction
Once I ran my first marathon, my goal was sub 4 hours. I wasn’t positive what shoe to go together with however I selected the Reebok Floatride Run Quick as a result of it was gentle, energetic and comfy.
I completed with a time of 4:38 however that was as a consequence of my coaching and never the shoe selection.
If you happen to’re a mid-pack runner and also you’re trying to run your first marathon, you want a shoe which is well-cushioned, secure, comfy and energy-saving.
Immediately, many of the carbon-plated racers in the marketplace are designed for the elite runner, a runner able to breaking world information. These runners have glorious kind and effectivity so their racing sneakers don’t must have a lot stability or consolation. These racing sneakers are additionally not designed to be sturdy as a result of most elite runners get a number of free sneakers from the manufacturers.
ASICS has now give you a novel racing shoe, a racer designed for runners trying to run below 4 hours for a full marathon. In keeping with an article on the ASICS web site, for a person, something below 4 hours could possibly be thought of a great marathon time, placing you within the high 43% of runners.
S4 stands for pace, stability, security and sub-4. The S4 appears to be like much like their flagship marathon racers, the Metaspeed Sky+ and Edge+ however there are just a few huge variations. The S4 has a dual-density midsole, a 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. This can be a bit disappointing contemplating the S4 has FF Blast Turbo (ASICS’ premier racing foam) in its midsole whereas the Magic Velocity 2 doesn’t. It prices about 150 USD however at present, it’s solely obtainable for buy in Japan.
Asics S4 First Impressions
My first run was a pace exercise of 10 x 500 m. It felt a bit stiff and agency on that first run however over time, it softened up and have become a bit extra versatile. It feels means completely different after 50 km in comparison with straight out of the field.
The shoe felt firmer than I anticipated it to. It felt secure and snappy however not as vigorous because the Metaspeed Sky+. The forefoot rocker additionally wasn’t as pronounced because the Sky+.
It took a bit extra effort to extend my pace and cadence than a prime quality tremendous shoe however the exercise was fulfilling. The agency toe-offs allowed me to extend my tempo simply and transitions felt very easy.
The shoe that it jogged my memory of most was the Magic Velocity 2 however the S4 felt extra energetic. It was simpler 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 prefer it was lifted straight off the Metaspeed sequence, and that’ a great factor. It’s gentle, breathable and really comfy. Total foot lockdown is superb and the laces really feel like premium racing laces.
The skinny tongue just isn’t gusseted and it does slide down throughout runs however it doesn’t trouble me as a result of the laces don’t lower into the highest of my ft.
Similar to the Magic Velocity 2, the S4 matches a half measurement small so I went up a half measurement and the match is ideal. It has a slim midfoot so when you have flat arches, you would possibly really feel some strain in your arches.
Asics S4 Sole Unit
A mean tempo of 5:40 per km (9:07 per mile) is required to run a sub 4 hour marathon so for the long term take a look at, I intentionally ran at that precise tempo for 32 kilometres. Whereas the journey wasn’t very participating or thrilling, I discovered that that tempo is the candy spot for the S4. The gentle forefoot rocker helps the S4 really feel energy-saving over lengthy distances.
The midsole is the precise setup that I needed within the Magic Velocity sequence: FF Turbo on the highest, Flytefoam on the backside. The Magic Velocity sequence doesn’t have FF Turbo, which is the premier ASICS midsole foam that they use within the Metaspeed sequence so the S4 is barely softer.
I discover the journey of the S4 to nonetheless be on the agency aspect so when you like actually plush, squishy rides, this shoe isn’t for you. I’d have appreciated it to have been round 20% softer. The power return isn’t as excessive as one thing just like the Superblast however there’s extra floor really feel within the S4.
Aside from long-distance racing, the S4 is nice for tempo and regular runs, and first rate at interval 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 sequence. It makes the shoe a bit extra secure and makes the forefoot really feel extra snappy however it doesn’t provide you with a springboard sort of ahead propulsion.
The outsole’s sturdiness is spectacular. There’s thick, sturdy rubber on all of the excessive put on areas and the uncovered Flytefoam midsole doesn’t present a lot put on both. This can be a racer that may double up as a coach due to how sturdy it’s.
Asics S4 Conclusions
If I used to be operating my first marathon once more, I’d undoubtedly race within the S4. It has an reasonably priced value, it’s secure and could be very able to holding a 5:40 tempo for 4 hours.
Proper now, my marathon goal is nearer to the three hour mark so I wouldn’t race within the S4 as a result of it doesn’t supply as a lot pace help because the Metaspeed Sky+ or different flagship tremendous sneakers.
If you happen to’ve raced in any of the prime quality tremendous sneakers earlier than, then you definitely’ll be a bit dissatisfied racing within the S4 as a result of its journey isn’t as quick or as enjoyable but when it’s your first carbon-plated racer, you’ll be more than pleased with it.
I feel the S4 is a good thought as a result of not all runners can afford prime quality tremendous sneakers. Slower runners don’t want as a lot propulsion and so they worth stability/consolation in a racer extra. The S4 ticks all these packing containers.
You would race in an ASICS pace coach just like the Noosa 15 or the Evoride Velocity however they’re carbon plateless so that they don’t provide you with that carbon-loaded race day really feel if you lace them up.
The closest shoe to the S4 is the Magic Velocity 2 (I haven’t run within the Magic Velocity 3).
The S4 is barely cheaper however you must order it from Japan which could work out to be extra in the long run. The S4 is extra vigorous than the Magic Velocity 2 as a consequence of its FF Turbo and it affords barely extra pace help.
Hopefully ASICS brings the S4 to extra areas sooner or later.
