Asics S4 Introduction
Once I ran my first marathon, my goal was sub 4 hours. I wasn’t certain what shoe to go along with however I selected the Reebok Floatride Run Quick as a result of it was mild, energetic and cozy.
I completed with a time of 4:38 however that was attributable to my coaching and never the shoe alternative.
In case you’re a mid-pack runner and also you’re seeking to run your first marathon, you want a shoe which is well-cushioned, secure, snug and energy-saving.
As we speak, 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 glorious kind and effectivity so their racing footwear don’t have to have a lot stability or consolation. These racing footwear are additionally not designed to be sturdy as a result of most elite runners get a number of free footwear from the manufacturers.
ASICS has now provide you with a singular racing shoe, a racer designed for runners seeking to run underneath 4 hours for a full marathon. In accordance with an article on the ASICS web site, for a person, something underneath 4 hours may very well be thought of an excellent marathon time, placing you within the high 43% of runners.
S4 stands for velocity, stability, security and sub-4. The S4 appears to be like just 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 at present, it’s solely accessible for buy in Japan.
Asics S4 First Impressions
My first run was a velocity 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 secure 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 velocity and cadence than a top quality tremendous shoe however the exercise was gratifying. 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 appears to be like prefer it was lifted straight off the Metaspeed collection, and that’ an excellent factor. It’s mild, breathable and really snug. Total foot lockdown is superb and the laces really feel like premium racing laces.
The skinny tongue is just not gusseted and it does slide down throughout runs nevertheless it doesn’t trouble me as a result of the laces don’t reduce into the highest of my toes.
Identical to the Magic Pace 2, the S4 suits a half dimension small so I went up a half dimension and the match is ideal. It has a slender midfoot so in case you have flat arches, you would possibly really feel some strain in your arches.
Asics S4 Sole Unit
A median 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 precise tempo for 32 kilometres. Whereas the trip wasn’t very partaking or thrilling, I discovered that that tempo is the candy spot for the S4. The delicate 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 collection: FF Turbo on the highest, Flytefoam on the backside. The Magic Pace collection doesn’t have FF Turbo, which is the premier ASICS midsole foam that they use within the Metaspeed collection so the S4 is barely softer.
I discover the trip of the S4 to nonetheless be on the agency aspect so in the event you like actually plush, squishy rides, this shoe isn’t for you. I’d have preferred it to have been round 20% softer. The vitality 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 sweet for tempo and regular runs, and first rate 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 collection. It makes the shoe a bit extra secure and makes the forefoot really feel extra snappy nevertheless it doesn’t provide you with 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 operating my first marathon once more, I’d undoubtedly race within the S4. It has an inexpensive worth, 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 provide as a lot velocity help because the Metaspeed Sky+ or different flagship tremendous footwear.
In case you’ve raced in any of the top quality tremendous footwear earlier than, you then’ll be a bit disillusioned 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 very happy with it.
I believe the S4 is a superb concept as a result of not all runners can afford top quality tremendous footwear. Slower runners don’t want as a lot propulsion they usually worth stability/consolation in a racer extra. The S4 ticks all these bins.
You may race in an ASICS velocity coach just like the Noosa 15 or the Evoride Pace however they’re carbon plateless in order 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 Pace 2 (I haven’t run within the Magic Pace 3).
The S4 is barely cheaper however it’s important 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 provides barely extra velocity help.
Hopefully ASICS brings the S4 to extra areas sooner or later.
