The Asics Metaspeed Sky Tokyo is a running shoe with no compromises. It features carbon, ultra-efficient FF LEAP foam, a maximum stack and weighs only 170grams. Add to that an ultralight upper, aggressive rebound and a construction that works best at a serious pace. This is a shoe that won’t help you run slower. It demands that you run fast. When you run fast, it returns energy like a well-tensioned spring.
Basic info
Tech specs
Purpose
The Asics Metaspeed Sky Tokyo is an advanced carbon racing shoe designed for fast running on hard surfaces. It only shows its full potential at higher speeds. Specifically, around 4:00/km and faster. At these speeds, the foam becomes more resilient and the carbon plate acts like a well-tensioned spring. The stronger the stride and the longer the flight phase, the more energy is returned. The Metaspeed Sky is a typical racing shoe. No compromises. It is designed primarily for street half marathons and marathons. It performs best at a steady, high pace. It’s ideal for situations where running economy and stability on tired legs matter. The Metaspeed Sky Tokyo won’t do the work for you. However, it lets you run faster.
Pros
- maximum dynamic and energy return,
- spacious upper for a racing shoe,
- very low weight.
Cons
- limited heel hold at slow pace,
- high price.
Asics Running Shoes – lineup
The Metaspeed line is Asics’ most advanced line of racing shoes. Here, you’ll find the lightest and fastest shoes with the most advanced technology. There are three models: Sky, Edge and Ray. All three are premier racing shoes with FF LEAP foam and a carbon plate; however, each has different characteristics and intended uses.
The Metaspeed Sky Tokyo and the Metaspeed Edge Tokyo use similar foam technology (FF LEAP + FF Turbo PLUS) and a full-length carbon plate. However, the foam layout and plate shape differ, which affects the running experience. In the Sky Tokyo, the FF Turbo PLUS foam is positioned higher above the plate, and the plate is flatter and set higher in relation to the foot. This provides a springier rebound and more “upward bounce,” which supports runners who increase their pace by lengthening their stride.
The Edge Tokyo, on the other hand, has FF LEAP foam above the plate and FF Turbo PLUS foam below it. Its plate is more curved and set lower to promote a smooth transition from foot to toe and support a faster stride rate (i.e., higher cadence). Consequently, the Edge Tokyo may seem more supportive for runners who accelerate by increasing their bounce frequency. It may also feel more stable over longer distances.
The Metaspeed Ray has a different design – it’s extremely light and maximizes energy return at the expense of stability. It does not have a full-length carbon plate; instead, it has a shortened plate concentrated in the front of the midsole and full-length FF LEAP foam. This makes the Ray significantly lighter and gives it a softer, springier foam response. However, it also makes the Ray less stable, especially when landing on the heel. The Metaspeed Ray is aimed at technically efficient runners who mostly land on the front of their feet. It is ideal for those looking for extreme lightness and energy return for fast starts and shorter distances. It is an even more “performance-oriented” shoe than the Sky/Edge.
| RACING | TRAINING AND COMPETITION | |
|---|---|---|
| maximum performance |  Metaspeed Ray  Metaspeed Sky/Edge Tokyo |  Superblast 2 |
| very high performance |  Magic Speed 4 |  Novablast 5 |
| high performance |  Noosa Tri 16 |  Dynablast 5 |
Similar to Asics Metaspeed Sky Tokyo
The Metaspeed Sky Tokyo is the absolute leader among racing shoes. They are the fastest. The most advanced. These shoes don’t ask; they tell you to speed up. The Nike Alphafly Next, the adidas Adizero Adios Pro and the Saucony Endorphin Pro are in the same league. They all show their true potential when running fast. The faster you run, the more energy you get back. This is when the foam gives back more than it takes away and the carbon acts like a catapult. You can feel “that something” from the very first steps. It’s the dynamic that pushes you forward. It’s as if someone were gently pushing you in the back with every step. The Metaspeed Sky Tokyo shoe fits perfectly into this category. It doesn’t lag behind. It still gives you that characteristic kick that takes your pace to the next level.
| MODEL | STACK HEIGHT (mm) | DROP (mm) | WEIGHT MEN'S (grams) | WEIGHT WOMEN'S (grams) | REGULAR PRICE (€) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1 | 39/33 | 6 | 138 | 138 | 500 |
| adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 | 39/33 | 6 | 200 | 175 | 250 |
| Asics Metaspeed Sky Tokyo | 39.5/34.5 | 5 | 170 | 170 | 250 |
| Brooks Hyperion Elite 4 | 35/27 | 8 | 230 | 230 | 250 |
| Diadora Gara Carbon 2 | 40/35 | 5 | 220 | 220 | 275 |
| Hoka Cielo X1 2.0 | 39/32 | 7 | 228 | 228 | 275 |
| Hoka Rocket X 3 | 36/31 | 7 | 227 | 227 | 250 |
| Kiprun KD900X LD+ | 39/35 | 4 | 238 | 196 | 230 |
| New Balance Fuelcell Supercomp Elite v4 | 40/36 | 4 | 237 | 188 | 280 |
| Nike Alphafly 3 | 40/32 | 8 | 218 | 218 | 310 |
| Nike Vaporfly 4 | 35/27 | 8 | 190 | 150 | 260 |
| On Cloudboom Strike | 39.5/35.5 | 4 | 215 | 188 | 300 |
| Puma Faas-R Nitro Elite 2 | 40/32 | 8 | 250 | 250 | 270 |
| Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 | 39.5/31.5 | 8 | 212 | 185 | 250 |
| Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 | 39.5/31.5 | 8 | 199 | 199 | 300 |
Race-Ready Foam and Carbon
The Asics Metaspeed Sky Tokyo is powered by a carbon fiber plate. The full-length carbon plate has been around for years and continues to be a key feature. In the latest version, the plate has been slightly widened to improve stability at high speeds and allow you to push harder without losing control.
The principle behind this design is quite simple and well-known. I often compare it to a trampoline. The harder you press down on a trampoline, the more energy it gives back. Carbon works the same way. The harder you land and the more weight you put on the plate, the stronger and more dynamic the rebound.
The plate is sandwiched between two layers of foam of different types. The bottom layer is FF LEAP, an ultra-light, highly resilient foam with a high energy return. It works like a trampoline. The top layer, FF Turbo+, provides stability, control and a faster response. Together, they form a midsole close to the World Athletics limit in height: 39.5mm in the heel and 34.5mm in the forefoot, resulting in a 5mm drop. A lower drop means more foam under the forefoot, where the push-off originates. This setting encourages aggressive running and makes it easier to pick up speed. It’s as if the shoe itself is suggesting, “A little faster.”
The Metaspeeds also feature a third element: a significantly redesigned profile compared to its predecessor. The Metaspeed Sky Tokyo has a curved, rocker-shaped midsole with a slight bend in the midfoot and a wider platform under the toes. This profile strongly suggests a quick transition to the midfoot. On the other hand, it is slightly less aggressive than the Metaspeed Paris. Additionally, the wider base provides a more stable and confident feel.
Less Rubber, More Function
The outsole of the Metaspeed Sky Tokyo remains a low-aggression, racing-oriented ASICSGRIP construction that prioritizes speed and low weight. The rubber placement clearly shows these priorities. Most of the material is in the front of the midsole where the greatest forces are generated during fast running and push-off occurs. This is logical. This area must be grippy and durable. As you move towards the middle of the shoe, there is less rubber. In the middle, the shape changes and covers a smaller area of the midsole. This is not a problem because contact with the ground is least intense there.
Additionally, the rubber layer is thin, reducing the shoes’ weight without significantly reducing traction. The Metaspeed is designed to work mainly at the front. That’s where energy lands, push-off occurs and traction is needed most. Everything else is secondary to one goal: running faster.
Sleek Fit, Plenty of Room
The upper is made of a very lightweight and thin material called Motion Wrap 2.0. While it is not very flexible, it holds the foot in place quite well. It also provides above-average ventilation. With such an open upper, air passes through completely unobstructed. The thin, ultralight tongue and lightweight laces also contribute to the shoe’s lightness. To ensure an optimal fit, the tongue is integrated with the upper.
The Metaspeed Sky Tokyo upper is surprisingly spacious for a racing shoe. At its widest point, it measures 104.7mm, placing it around the average for all running shoes. However, in the world of carbon racing shoes, it’s a different story. Compared to carbon rockets, the Metaspeed Sky Tokyo is wider than most top racing models.
There is ample space for your toes, both width-wise and height-wise. Your foot won’t feel cramped, even during long runs or at high speeds. At the same time, the shoe’s silhouette remains slim and streamlined. If you expect dynamic performance and spaciousness from your race shoe, this model is worth considering.
The heel support at the back is rather symbolic but sufficient. The heel counter has minimal stiffening, saving a few grams, maybe even a dozen. This flexible heel counter softly and naturally holds the foot, allowing it to move in rhythm with your run. At high speeds this is sufficient because the heel’s contact with the ground is brief. Problems may arise when the pace slows down and the heel makes longer, stronger contact with the ground. Then, instability may occur. Metaspeeds are best for running fast, not jogging. If you set the pace, they will perform optimally.
Featherweight Racing Shoe
According to the producer’s data, the Asics Metaspeed Sky Tokyo weighs 170grams. This puts it in the elite group of carbon super shoes. Few models reach this level. In fact, only the most extreme constructions, such as the adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo or Cloudboom Strike LS, can realistically compete in terms of weight.
My scale showed 197grams for a size 12US shoe. That’s an impressive result. Shoes weighing less than 200grams in this size can be counted on the fingers of one hand. The Metaspeed Sky Tokyo is one of them. Importantly, their lightness does not make them feel fragile or “paper-thin.” They are full-fledged racing shoes that are among the lightest in the world.
Final Thoughts
The Asics Metaspeed Sky Tokyo is a sleek racing shoe designed for speed and endurance. It works best when you run aggressively and make use of the carbon and resilient foam. It’s a shoe for those who want to run fast and know how.
