Asics S4 Introduction
After I ran my first marathon, my goal was sub 4 hours. I wasn’t positive what shoe to go along with however I selected the Reebok Floatride Run Quick as a result of it was gentle, energetic and cozy.
I completed with a time of 4:38 however that was attributable to my coaching and never the shoe alternative.
In the event you’re a mid-pack runner and also you’re seeking to run your first marathon, you want a shoe which is well-cushioned, steady, comfy and energy-saving.
At this time, a lot of the carbon-plated racers available on the market are designed for the elite runner, a runner able to breaking world data. These runners have wonderful type 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 singular racing shoe, a racer designed for runners seeking to run underneath 4 hours for a full marathon. In keeping with an article on the ASICS web site, for a person, something underneath 4 hours could possibly be thought-about a great marathon time, placing you within the high 43% of runners.
S4 stands for pace, stability, security and sub-4. The S4 seems much like their flagship marathon racers, the Metaspeed Sky+ and Edge+ however there are a couple of 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 Pace 2. It is a bit disappointing contemplating the S4 has FF Blast Turbo (ASICS’ premier racing foam) in its midsole whereas the Magic Pace 2 doesn’t. It prices about 150 USD however presently, 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 method completely different after 50 km in comparison with straight out of the field.
The shoe felt firmer than I anticipated it to. It felt steady and snappy however not as full of life 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 pleasing. The agency toe-offs allowed me to extend my tempo simply and transitions felt very clean.
The shoe that it jogged my memory of most was the Magic Pace 2 however the S4 felt extra energetic. It was simpler to choose up the tempo within the S4. It felt like a hybrid of the Magic Pace 2 and the Metaspeed Edge.
Asics S4 Higher
The S4’s higher seems prefer it was lifted straight off the Metaspeed sequence, and that’ a great factor. It’s gentle, breathable and really comfy. General foot lockdown is great and the laces really feel like premium racing laces.
The skinny tongue just isn’t gusseted and it does slide down throughout runs nevertheless it doesn’t hassle me as a result of the laces don’t reduce into the highest of my toes.
Similar to the Magic Pace 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 in case you have flat arches, you may really feel some stress 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 check, I intentionally ran at that actual tempo for 32 kilometres. Whereas the trip 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 Pace sequence: FF Turbo on the highest, Flytefoam on the backside. The Magic Pace 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 trip of the S4 to nonetheless be on the agency facet so for those who like actually plush, squishy rides, this shoe isn’t for you. I might 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.
Other than long-distance racing, the S4 is sweet for tempo and regular runs, and respectable at interval exercises. For straightforward 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 steady and makes the forefoot really feel extra snappy nevertheless it doesn’t offer you a springboard kind 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. It is a racer that may double up as a coach due to how sturdy it’s.
Asics S4 Conclusions
If I used to be working my first marathon once more, I might positively race within the S4. It has an inexpensive worth, it’s steady 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.
In the event you’ve raced in any of the prime quality tremendous sneakers earlier than, then you definately’ll be a bit dissatisfied racing within the S4 as a result of its trip 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 concept 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 containers.
You could possibly race in an ASICS pace coach just like the Noosa 15 or the Evoride Pace however they’re carbon plateless so that they don’t offer you that carbon-loaded race day really feel once you lace them up.
The closest shoe to the S4 is the Magic Pace 2 (I haven’t run within the Magic Pace 3).
The S4 is barely cheaper however you need to order it from Japan which could work out to be extra in the long run. The S4 is extra full of life than the Magic Pace 2 attributable to its FF Turbo and it gives barely extra pace help.
Hopefully ASICS brings the S4 to extra areas sooner or later.
