The ASICS METASPEED RAY is an ultra-light marathon racer built around a full slab of A-TPU foam with a forefoot-only plate, pairing deep, fast-rebounding cushioning with a rocker that shines at fast paces. It comes across as a bolder, fully evolved take on the METASPEED SKY Tokyo and METASPEED EDGE Tokyo, trading their more stable platform for even lower weight and extra cushioning. It stands out amongst super shoes, given how radically light and bouncy it feels, although its super soft character won't suit everyone. The minimalist upper and targeted outsole grip keep weight down while maintaining some traction, but the overall build feels delicate and isn't built for long-term durability. Overall, the ride is soft and lively with a smooth toe-off that rewards efficient mid-to-forefoot mechanics, feeling most composed when pace is locked in on straight, flat courses, where its inherent instability is less noticeable.
Our Verdict
The ASICS METASPEED RAY is an amazing option for the marathon thanks to its featherweight build, towering stack, and super bouncy midsole that keeps momentum rolling when you're locked into a steady rhythm. Protection is plentiful without feeling too sluggish, and the forefoot-only plate adds a smooth roll that's not overly stiff. The trade-off is stability, especially on technical routes: the soft platform and narrow base feel less planted through sharp turns or for runners whose running economy break down on the back half of a marathon, so it's best on flat, non-technical courses where you can hold pace and let the bounce do the work.
Full stack of FF LEAP foam is amazingly bouncy.
Premium A-TPU midsole absorbs an incredible amount of energy.
Exceptionally lightweight build makes for a very efficient ride.
Partial carbon plate under the forefoot adds some stiffness.
Quite unstable, especially on the back half of a marathon.
The ASICS METASPEED RAY is an excellent short-race option for non-technical, fast courses where low weight and efficiency matter, but its softer forefoot doesn't provide the same instant snap as firmer shoes. It feels quick and energetic at fast paces, but in race scenarios where you're surging repeatedly at very fast paces, some runners will prefer a stiffer front end that naturally favors a high turnover and allow for more control at toe-off.
Full stack of FF LEAP foam is amazingly bouncy.
Exceptionally lightweight build makes for a very efficient ride.
Partial carbon plate under the forefoot adds some stiffness.
Forefoot is bouncy, but not snappy.
The ASICS METASPEED RAY uses FF Leap A-TPU throughout the entire midsole, making for a super bouncy feel. Up front it compresses and springs back really well, giving a notably lively rebound that helps efficiency at marathon pace and faster. The heel is energetic as well, which keeps transitions smooth while still favoring mid- to forefoot strikers who load the front half of the platform.
Full stack of FF LEAP foam is amazingly bouncy.
The ASICS METASPEED RAY provides substantial impact absorption that keeps pounding stress off your joints and muscles during long efforts. The tall FF Leap midsole cushions landings and spreads out the shock exceptionally well. That protective feel helps you maintain form deeper into a marathon and reduces late-race fatigue from repetitive loading, though runners who prefer a firmer, ground-connected sensation may find the platform a bit too mushy for their liking.
Premium A-TPU midsole absorbs an incredible amount of energy.
The ASICS METASPEED RAY is less stable than most plated super shoes, largely due to its super-narrow base and very soft FF Leap midsole. At marathon pace or faster, the foam firms up and the rocker keeps you going, so if you can hold good form, the shoe's instability is still manageable. However, once fatigue sets in or you start landing farther back, that overly soft foam can make the small stabilizing muscles work hard to keep you upright, which diverts effort away from forward motion and can hurt overall efficiency. For those reasons, the RAY isn't a very appealing choice for more technical courses.
Partial carbon plate under the forefoot adds some stiffness.
Quite unstable, especially on the back half of a marathon.
The FF LEAP composition is overly soft.
Super narrow platform, especially in the heel.
Performance Usages
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
We bought and tested the ASICS METASPEED RAY in men's US size 9, as noted on the label for our pair. The pair we purchased is the White/Flash Red colorway. At the time of testing, there are no wide variants available. Note that some prototype versions have been seen on elite athletes; those are not sold to the public and may not perform the same as retail pairs. The design section applies only to the exact model we tested, but we expect other size and gender variants to perform similarly.
Popular Running Shoe Comparisons
The ASICS METASPEED RAY achieves what can only be described as a tour de force: a featherweight super shoe that's more energetic than the PUMA Fast-R NITRO Elite 3, softer and more protective than the Saucony Endorphin Elite 2, and lighter than the adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 2. Built with a full slab of FF Leap foam and a partial forefoot plate, it delivers one of the most efficient racing experiences available on the market, pairing deep cushioning with a remarkably springy rebound that makes it suitable for various distances. The ride is exceptionally smooth and cushioned, with a light, floating sensation underfoot that rewards efficient running mechanics. However, this soft and narrow build comes with two clear tradeoffs: it's much less stable than most other super shoes like the Diadora Gara Carbon 2 or the Saucony Endorphin Pro 4, especially at lower paces or around turns, and its minimal, performance-oriented design means it may wear down faster than more traditional race-day models. For more options of long-distance racing shoes, check out our recommendations for the best shoes for running a marathon.
Within ASICS' race lineup, the RAY sits above the METASPEED SKY Tokyo and METASPEED EDGE Tokyo, offering a softer, more cushioned feel that prioritizes comfort and rebound over rigidity and control. Both the SKY and EDGE feature a dual-layer midsole with a full-length carbon plate embedded between FF Leap and FF Turbo+ foams, but it's the proportions, layering, and plate geometry that ultimately set them apart, giving each shoe a distinct ride and personality. The EDGE stands out as the more accessible and less risky marathon option, thanks to its lower layer of FF Turbo+ foam, which adds stability and control without sacrificing too much energy return. Meanwhile, the SKY uses a flatter, full-length plate placed close to the foot, delivering a snappy and aggressive feel that naturally makes for a good 5K/10K racer.
If you're looking for more options to add to your shoe rotation, check out our recommendations for the best running shoes and the best long-distance running shoes.
The ASICS METASPEED RAY and the ASICS METASPEED SKY TOKYO are both elite racing shoes built for speed, but they deliver that speed in very different ways. The RAY is lighter and softer, relying on a partial forefoot plate and a single, thick layer of FF Leap foam to create a deeply cushioned, springy ride that stays consistent over distance. The SKY TOKYO uses a full-length plate positioned close to the foot, paired with a wider outsole platform that provides more stability and a firmer feel. Both are highly energetic and responsive, but the RAY offers a softer, more cushioned experience. While the SKY TOKYO may give up more protection deep into a run, it makes up for it with greater stability and a more consistent ride than the RAY.
The ASICS METASPEED RAY and adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 are both top-tier marathon racing shoes, but they differ significantly in feel and performance. The RAY is much lighter and delivers a more efficient ride thanks to its highly energetic FF Leap foam and partial forefoot plate, which create a consistent bounce from start to finish. The Adios Pro 4 uses full-length carbon-infused EnergyRods to add stiffness. While the adidas still offers strong cushioning, the ASICS is noticeably softer and retains its protection capabilities more consistently over long distances
. However, the Adios Pro 4 offers stronger lateral stability, which also makes it a compelling marathon option.
The ASICS METASPEED RAY and ASICS METASPEED EDGE TOKYO are both high-performance racing shoes, but they cater to slightly different runners. The RAY is the lighter of the two, using a partial forefoot plate and a single layer of FF Leap foam to deliver exceptional rebound and a more energetic toe-off. It feels softer and more efficient at faster paces, rewarding mid-to-forefoot strikers who maintain form. The EDGE TOKYO, with its full-length spoon-shaped plate, feels snappy and propulsive. Additionally, its dual-layer construction, which includes FF Turbo+ at the base, offers a firmer heel and greater stability, holding up better over long distances. This makes it a more approachable and consistent marathon option, while the RAY remains the choice for those chasing maximum efficiency and bounce.
The ASICS METASPEED RAY and Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 are both exceptionally soft, high-stack racing shoes, but they take different paths to deliver speed. The RAY is dramatically lighter and feels more cushioned and bouncy overall, prioritizing maximum rebound and a highly energetic forefoot feel. The Endorphin Elite 2, while still soft, is firmer and more controlled under load (it compresses smoothly at lower forces but firms up as the pace increases), giving it a crisper, snappier toe-off and greater stability at marathon effort. Runners seeking the lightest, most cushioned option will gravitate toward the RAY, while those who prefer a more structured, balanced feel with better control may favor the Saucony.
We've recently started buying and testing running shoes with a very data-oriented approach. While we're just getting started, our methodology already has dozens of tests to help you make the right purchasing decision for your needs. Not only do we use high-end equipment to gather objective data, but we also order multiple sizes of the same shoes for team members to be able to log in miles. This real-world testing is done at various paces and conditions, and with different types of workouts, to cover all the bases. This allows us to verify our results and ensure they align with what you might feel with a specific pair.
Test Results
The ASICS METASPEED RAY is truly groundbreaking for weight, coming in a few grams lighter than the adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 2 and more than 30 grams lighter than the ASICS METASPEED EDGE and ASICS METASPEED SKY Tokyo, which are already considered light super shoes. You almost forget you are wearing it thanks to the minimal upper, which is remarkable given the tall, soft stack underfoot. It pushes the category's weight boundary without obvious compromises to key efficiency factors like energy return, and while it is definitely not a durability champ, it is also not a one-and-done shoe like the Adizero Pro Evo 2.
This model showed a unique pattern in real-world use that doesn't appear in our lab scan because the scanned pair is brand new and different from the pairs we use for outdoor testing. On runs, multiple testers saw unusual gray/black road marks along the midsole sidewalls, even on clean tarmac, likely because the very soft foam compresses so much that a significant portion of the flanks contact the ground. We also observed pronounced creasing after only a few kilometers. These are largely cosmetic early on, but they signal a limited lifespan and reinforce that this model prioritizes peak performance over long-term durability.
This shoe has a snug, performance fit that still leaves a touch of toe box wiggle room, so it feels race-ready without leaving you super cramped either.
This model uses a forefoot-only plate for guidance rather than a more rigid full-length plate, leaving the heel unplated so the foam can move freely.
The ASICS METASPEED RAY feels springy at the rearfoot, rebounding quickly enough to smooth landings and keep momentum rolling. It is very lively, which helps the transition into midfoot without calling attention to the heel.
The ASICS METASPEED RAY is among the bounciest shoes on the market, compressing deeply and snapping back remarkably well. The sensation is elastic and playful rather than snappy and propulsive, so it feels wildly energetic even if it does not deliver the traditional snap of other shoes such as the older METASPEED SKY PARIS.
The ASICS METASPEED RAY provides fantastic heel protection. With no plate in this zone, the foam can deform and absorb freely, soaking up impact and spreading forces before they travel up the legs. Landings feel plush and controlled, which helps keep lower-leg fatigue in check over long efforts.
This shoe offers substantial forefoot padding that takes the sting out of repetitive strikes during workouts and races. There is enough depth underfoot to keep things comfortable deep into an interval session or a race, pairing soft impact control with an easy roll through toe-off.
The heel feels very soft overall and that shows up most clearly late in a marathon. Early on, when you are running well and landing farther forward, the heel stays out of the way and the foam’s give isn't an issue, as this level of plushness helps to spare the big muscles and joints. However, as fatigue sets in and foot strikes drift closer to the heel, the compliant midsole sinks more, so the small stabilizing muscles have to work overtime to keep you going. This negatively impacts efficiency since some energy is being spent on balance instead of forward propulsion. Strong, fast runners able to maintain form and stay off the heel will manage it better, but if you expect to fade or want a touch more heel structure, the METASPEED EDGE Tokyo’s slightly firmer setup is the safer pick.
The ASICS METASPEED RAY’s front end isn't the firmest for a super shoe. The thin, partial plate adds only minimal stiffening. Even Saucony’s very soft Endorphin Elite 2 firms up more as load increases, whereas the RAY's forefoot firmness plateaus at high forces, so adding more power does not translate into a firmer, snappier response. This is a matter of preference: some will enjoy the plush front, others will want more bite.
The ASICS METASPEED RAY’s forefoot protection holds up well across marathon-length efforts. Cushioning declines gradually and almost linearly as distance piles up, with no sharp early drop-off that we often see in less premium compounds or even in the ASICS METASPEED SKY TOKYO, which features a layer of older PEBA-based FF Turbo+ foam. Here, the full A-TPU midsole stays protective through the longest runs of your marathon block and on race day itself.