The Metaspeed Sky+ is a flagship racing shoe from ASICS. It utilises a full-length carbon plate with a super foam midsole. It has a super light weight and costs $250.
The Vaporfly Next% 3 is the third iteration of the popular Vaporfly series. It also has a full length carbon plate with a super foam midsole and costs $250.
Which one of these rockets is the right racing shoe for you?
The midsole of the Metaspeed Sky is made of Flytefoam Blast Turbo which is their latest nylon-based super foam. It has a high level of cushioning with a high level of energy return in a lightweight form.
The midsole of the Vaporfly Next% is made of ZoomX which is a Pebax-based foam. It also has a very high level of cushioning combined with incredible energy return. ZoomX feels slightly softer than the Flytefoam Blast Turbo in the Metaspeed Sky.
Both super shoes have full-length carbon fibre plates embedded in their midsoles with the main difference being their shapes. The Metaspeed Sky’s plate is rounded at the front of it so the Metaspeed Sky has a rocker. The Vaporfly Next%’s plate also curves upwards in the front of it but it’s not rounded so it doesn’t function as a rocker.
The Metaspeed Sky saves you energy over long distances because of its rocker midsole whereas the Vaporfly Next% provides a forward-tipping sensation with every toe-off.
With the Vaporfly Next% having a softer ride, it’s more suited to longer distances whereas the Metaspeed Sky has the firmer, more responsive ride which is better for shorter distances.
Ride transitions are smoother in the Metaspeed Sky thanks to its flat, full ground contact outsole. The Vaporfly Next% has a midfoot which is slightly raised off the ground so you transition straight from the rearfoot to the forefoot.
Stability is better in the Metaspeed Sky because its midsole and its rearfoot are wider than the Vaporfly Next% so it has a wider base and foot strikes feel more planted.
The outsole of the Metaspeed Sky has soft, flexible rubber on it which has better grip than the Vaporfly Next% but lower durability. Its entire forefoot is covered with rubber while there are some strips of rubber on the rearfoot to protect the high wear areas but the rubber strips don’t extend far back enough so when you heel strike, the exposed foam on the heel gets chewed up by the ground.
The Vaporfly Next%’s forefoot has lots of hard, thick rubber on it while the rubber strips on its rearfoot are correctly placed to protect the midsole foam from heel strikes. The Vaporfly Next% has better outsole durability.
The upper of the Metaspeed has a really accommodating, comfortable fit. It’s made from very porous, breathable mesh which is thin and light. The tongue is thin and flat, and it’s not gusseted so there is downward tongue slide. The collar and the heel tab are padded and foot lockdown is very secure. It fits true to size and is only available in one width however it’s suitable for wide footed runners.
The upper of the Vaporfly Next% has a snugger, racing fit compared to the Metaspeed Sky. Its engineered mesh upper is even more porous and breathable than the Metaspeed Sky’s. Its tongue is also not gusseted so there is some downward tongue slide. The collar of the Vaporfly Next% is a little loose but there is still no heel slippage. It also fits true to size and is only available in one width. It is not suitable for wide footed runners because of its narrow midfoot.
If you’re a runner looking for a firmer ride, the Metaspeed Sky is the shoe for you. It has a stable ride with an accommodating fit that is suitable for wide footed runners. The Metaspeed Sky has a prominent carbon plate and a rocker that saves you energy during runs. It has smoother ride transitions than the Vaporfly Next% and better traction.
If you prefer a softer ride, the Vaporfly Next% is better suited to you. It has a unique forward tipping sensation during toe-offs and plenty of cushioning for long distance races. The Vaporfly Next% has a more durable outsole than the Metaspeed Sky and it weighs slightly less. The upper of the Vaporfly Next% is more breathable than the Metaspeed Sky but it has a snugger, racing fit upper.
