The Do-It-All Running Shoe: Why I Am Currently Enjoying the ASICS Superblast
Updated: Sep 9
Many runners rotate between several pairs of shoes depending on the session. For long, easy runs it is often a heavily cushioned trainer. For interval sessions it is usually a lighter, stiffer shoe built for speed.
There is nothing wrong with having multiple options, but lately I have been experimenting with a simpler approach: one versatile shoe that can handle almost everything.
For me, that is the ASICS Superblast.
What makes it work
What makes the Superblast stand out is how well it balances cushioning, weight and responsiveness. It sits comfortably in the middle of the spectrum, which makes it suitable for a wide range of training sessions.
I have found it particularly good for:
Long runs, with plenty of cushioning to stay comfortable late into a session.
Tempo runs, where it is responsive enough to hold a steady effort without feeling sluggish.
Track intervals, where it is surprisingly light and efficient when you want a bit more speed and pop underfoot.
A podiatrist's take
Looking at it as a podiatrist rather than just as a runner, a shoe like this does two useful things.
The first is that a high stack of soft, resilient foam changes how load is delivered to the foot and lower limb. Runners often report that a week of training feels easier on the feet and ankles in a shoe like this than in a firmer, lower stack trainer. That is not the same as saying it treats anything, and footwear is only ever one part of managing a running injury, but it is worth considering if you are someone who accumulates niggles through a heavy training block.
The second is fit. The Superblast has a generous upper with enough room through the forefoot for most feet, and importantly it has the depth to comfortably accommodate an orthotic when one is required. That is not a given in this category. A lot of high stack, lightweight trainers have shallow, sock like uppers and a glued in insole, and a device simply will not sit in them properly. If you run in orthotics, depth and a removable insole are the two things to check before you buy anything.
It is also not a carbon plated super shoe, and that is part of the appeal. It feels less aggressive, it lasts longer, and it is better suited to daily training across a variety of paces. Carbon plated shoes have their place on race day, but they are demanding on the calf and Achilles and most runners do not need that every session.
Where the do-it-all shoes sit
The Superblast sits within a growing category of high stack, lightweight trainers designed to cover most of your running in a single shoe.
Some models lean towards the lighter, faster and firmer end of the spectrum, while others prioritise cushioning and comfort for longer runs. The Superblast sits right in the middle for me, offering a blend of both. Here is roughly where the main options fall.
One shoe is not the answer for everyone
Worth saying plainly, because this is a personal account rather than a recommendation.
This is what is working for me at the moment, with my feet, my training and my history. Someone with a different foot shape, a different weekly load or a different injury history may be far better off with two or three shoes doing separate jobs, or with something else entirely in the rotation.
A few honest limitations of the one shoe approach:
Durability. Running everything in one pair wears it out faster, and worn high stack foam feels quite different to a fresh pair.
Variety. Rotating shoes changes the load slightly from run to run, and there is a reasonable argument that this variation is useful in itself.
Race day. If you are chasing a time, a dedicated racing shoe still has a role.
If you are not sure what suits you, or you keep running into the same injury regardless of what you put on your feet, that is worth looking at properly rather than solving with another purchase. We offer running assessments at our Albany Creek clinic that look at gait, foot function, training load and footwear together.
And if you are earlier in the process and just trying to work out what to buy, my colleague Isaac has written a broader guide on choosing a running shoe.
About the author
Nathan Fittock is a podiatrist at My Family Podiatry in Albany Creek, Brisbane. He graduated from QUT with a Bachelor of Podiatry and sees patients of all ages, across everyday foot and ankle pain, sports injuries, gait concerns, children's podiatry and long-term conditions. He has a particular interest in running-related injuries. AHPRA registration POD0002067391.
