ASICS MAGIC SPEED™ 5 Review: Back To Fast, A Clear Design Direction
- SportPlus Review
- Feb 4
- 5 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
What truly separates the MAGIC SPEED™ 5 is its combination of a carbon plate with two different foams working together
SportPlus Media’s Sole Mates returns for a brand-new season with a fresh format and a sharper point of view.
This year, the series now features five runners of different backgrounds and fitness levels, each bringing their own training styles, body types, and performance goals to the table. The aim is simple: to deliver more relevant, real-world feedback so readers can better relate to the shoes we test.
As part of our commitment to improving content for our community, we believe having a team of shoe reviewers across demographics—gender, age, and fitness levels— is far more effective. It helps readers find “their” reviewer—someone with a similar foot size, body type, or pace—making our reviews more practical, personal, and useful. The first episode of the new season kicks off with a highly anticipated release: the MAGIC SPEED™ 5.
ASICS opens the new season of Sole Mates with a statement piece. The MAGIC SPEED™ 5 isn’t just an update—it’s a purposeful reset. With a return to a lower, closer-to-the-ground silhouette and a refined midsole/plate setup, ASICS is clearly repositioning the MAGIC SPEED™ 5 line as a true speed-focused trainer and entry-level racer, rather than another high-stack super trainer in an already crowded field.
Back to Fast: A Clear Design Direction
Sole Mates Podcast host John Yeong shares:
“ASICS has gone and redesigned the silhouette of the MAGIC SPEED™ back to its origins which is that low stacked closer-to-the-ground feel super trainer and entry level racer. The previous edition of the higher stacked version of MAGIC SPEED™ 4 was probably best suited for longer distances and was a more cushioned and firm ride which many enjoyed."
"Shaving off that much stack height and weight from the shoe this time around it's quite clear that ASICS has done its homework and have a clear idea of where they want to go with this shoe - to create a more unique value proposition that differentiates itself from what other brands are doing with their super trainers these days."
That shift is immediately noticeable under foot. The MAGIC SPEED™ 5 feels more nimble, more responsive, and more connected to the road. Instead of chasing maximal cushioning trends, ASICS leans into a sharper, race-ready identity—one that rewards quicker turnover and precision at pace.
Dual-Foam + Carbon: Speed with Usability
What truly separates the MAGIC SPEED™ 5 is its combination of a carbon plate with two different foams working together. The result is a ride that blends pop with enough comfort to make it more than a one-dimensional speed shoe.
Sole Mates co-host Aldrich Goh highlights this versatility:
“This is a shoe that can be used for anything from speed workouts to your races - the fact that it has a carbon plate and the 2 different foams combined into one separates it from competitors in the market - you get both the speed and comfort all in one shoe.”
This isn’t just marketing talk. In practice, the MAGIC SPEED™ 5 sits in that sweet spot between a pure racer and a plated trainer—fast enough to toe the line on race day, yet durable and forgiving enough for hard weekly workouts.
Proven in Training: From Threshold to All-Out Speed
Aldrich has put the shoe through serious testing, and the results speak for themselves:
“I have used it for 1k x 6km workouts, 600m x 6 intervals all at varying paces from 3:50min/km to 2:50min/km at extremes and the shoe holds up at all these paces.”
That range is telling. From controlled threshold reps to near all-out interval efforts, the MAGIC SPEED™ 5 maintains stability, snap, and consistency.
The lower stack helps with ground feel and control, while the carbon plate adds structure and propulsion when you start pressing the pace. Raymond Sng, who represented winning team TREX in the MAGIC SPEED™ Relay, agrees with Aldrich's assessment saying: "For the MAGIC SPEED™ 5, the weight difference is definitely pronounced and that helps to make it feel more springy on feet. It’s a shoe that shines when you’re lacing it up for quick paces such as 1km intervals."
Spin Instructor and avid runner Clarissa Seow, who was part of the team that clinched a podium spot at the MAGIC SPEED™ Relay, shared her thoughts of the shoe:
"I put the MAGIC SPEED™ 5 through a 4×3km tempo on the treadmill, and honestly, it made a tough session feel manageable."
"It’s light, responsive, and soft enough to stay comfortable without losing structure. Easy to run fast in, even when the legs are tired. I’m genuinely excited to see how it feels on the road."
The shoe is not just for those hitting the fastest the paces either. Chermaine Zhou, an avid runner and marathoner was a huge fan of the previous edition of MAGIC SPEED™, but still finds joy in the latest version of the shoe despite the huge change in its shoe geometry: "The MAGIC SPEED™ series has always been one of my favourite lines from ASICS, and the MAGIC SPEED™ 5 is no exception. It’s now even lighter than before (almost 50g), comes in with an even softer foam and is a smooth responsive ride for days where I need to hit the track for my workouts. It's also a shoe I would use for my next 10km - up to half marathon race!" But just who is this shoe really for?
The MAGIC SPEED™ 5 makes a strong case for runners who want:
A plated shoe for speed workouts
A lighter, more connected feel than high-stack super trainers
A versatile option for 5K to half marathon racing
A carbon-plated shoe that doesn’t feel overly aggressive or unstable
It’s especially compelling for runners looking to step into plated footwear without jumping straight into ultra-soft, high-stack racing models.
Verdict: A Sharper Identity, A Stronger Statement
With the MAGIC SPEED™ 5, ASICS has clarified what this shoe stands for. By trimming stack, reducing weight, and focusing on speed-first performance, they’ve carved out a unique lane in today’s market.
For the Sole Mates season opener, it’s a fitting start: a shoe that feels intentional, fast, and versatile—designed for runners who want one plated shoe that can handle everything from brutal interval sessions to race day intensity.
Bottom line: The ASICS MAGIC SPEED™ 5 doesn’t try to be everything. Instead, it doubles down on what matters—speed, responsiveness, and smart versatility—and in doing so, becomes one of the most compelling options in its category. #MAGICSPEED5 #ASICS
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