ASICS has announced three new shoes that, we must admit, look quite good: the Metaracer road running shoe with a carbon plate for long distances, the Metarise volleyball shoe and the Metasprint spikeless athletic shoe for elite sprinters. Due to the special circumstances in which we live, the Japanese company has decided to introduce the world to sneakers virtually, as online, through the magical world of virtual reality.
The three new sneakers will be announced in the Sunrise Red color scheme, ” which is a symbol of athletes’ hope, passion and dedication and celebrates the city of Tokyo .”
The Asics Metaracer has an “improved toe spring shape that reduces load on the calf muscle by up to 20 percent for better energy efficiency .” And a less tired calf means fresher legs, even after running longer distances, such as a marathon, a distance that is very popular today. But because it’s so popular, competition among shoe makers is extremely high to create the best running shoes for marathons – just look at the Nike Alphafly, Brooks Hyperion Elite, Saucony Endorphin Pro, or Adidas Adizero Pro.
Price and release date
The three new sneakers will be available in limited quantities at selected ASICS online and retail stores and specialty stores. The Metaracer will be released in Japan from April 17 and globally from June 26 . The Metasprint will also launch from April 17 and the Metarise from June 12.
As for the recommended retail price, the Asics MetaRacer will sell for € 200 , the Asics Metasprint for € 300 and the Asics Metarise for € 200 . Given the interest in carbon-plated long-distance road shoes, we anticipate that the Metaracer will basically run out immediately after launch, so it’s best to stay tuned.
Asics Metaracer: Ideal for long distances
Metaracer is ASICS ‘most advanced long-distance running shoe to date and builds on the foundation laid down by sneakers like Asics Metaride and Asics Glideride. It uses an updated version of Guidesole technology with a carbon plate to give runners more stability. At the top, a lightweight but supportive engineered mesh aims to keep feet cool in hot, humid climates.
The Flytefoam midsole is also lightweight and serves a dual purpose: It tries to make landing smoother and the overall running experience more responsive. The outsole has also been revamped: the Asics Grip pattern and the Wet Grip rubber sponge are supposed to improve grip in wet conditions.
Asics Metasprint: perfect for sprinters
The most expensive shoe in the recently announced range, the Asics Metasprint also has the most exclusive feature; or the lack of it. Traditionally, sprinters rely on spikes to gain traction. Not with the Metasprint: Asics replaced the spikes with a honeycomb carbon fiber outsole that ” optimizes and improves traction and delivers explosive speed with every stride .”
The Asics Metasprint will not be a massive product and will only make elite and competitive riders salivate for them. Without spikes, athletes, in theory, can transfer additional power with each step and increase speed. According to Asics, ” The sneakers provide an incredible fit thanks to the lightweight STRETCH HL-O ™ seamless mesh upper that feels like second skin .”
Asics Metarise: 3% additional lift
Since we are not so put on volleyball shoes, we will let Asics tell you why he should get excited about Metarises:
” Combining FLYTEFOAM ™ Propel technology in the midsole with the winged midfoot support called RISETRUSS ™ technology, the Metarises give attacking players that extra height needed for devastating toes .”
The press release continues: ” The curved heel design allows for a smooth transition and takes off for attack . Research at the ASICS Institute for Sports Science has shown that METARISE ™ offers players an additional 3% lift for jumps higher, which for athletes can mean a difference of up to 2 cm in the air . “
