Asics MetaRide. Long-term review
By Allister Arendse
A high-mileage trainer with knit upper, zero-drop rocker sole for propulsion and reinforced heel counter
Pros: Comfort, fit, durability Cons: Price, weight
Tech advancement in shoes promise advantages for the runner, but is it worth the price?
A recent example is Asics' MetaRide.
I was skeptical about this expensive shoe at release.
I tried them on at a local run store and they felt too high off the ground. I then read some online reviews and tried them again at a different store and thought: “What the heck. I’ll buy them and give them a whirl.” I don't regret it.
It's my go-to shoe for easy and long runs. I use them often.
Having experimented with and trained in Vivobarefoot, Vibram FiveFingers and Altra Zero Drop, I am happy with the MetaRide’s zero drop and cushioning.
The shoe feels comfortable and secure. I believe it offers value even at R3 500.
One wear tester initially thought she might slip in the shoes due to the high stack height (30mm) and smooth plastic-looking sole, however she did not fall.
"I thought traction would be an issue as the tread looks minimal, but actually grip was fine in dry
and light wet conditions," said a reviewer.
A negative is that on rare occasions a stone gets stuck in the outsole and this does not happen often. For me, it happened twice in the 19 months I have been using them so no problem.
Fortunately, this is not a racing shoe so you won't lose too much time if you need to remove a stone once in a blue moon.
At 331 grams for a UK 10, this shoe is heavier than Asics’ highly cushioned Nimbus 22 at 311g, Hoka’s Bondi 7 (303g) and Altra’s Torin 4 (258g).
The price is steep but I think the quality justifies the price.
Have you tried this top-end trainer, if so, what do you think?
