ASICS MAGIC SPEED 4 vs MAGIC SPEED 5

Which Running Shoe Is Better?

Products

ASICS MAGIC SPEED 4
ASICS MAGIC SPEED 5

Tested using Methodology v0.9

Updated Feb 16, 2026 04:49 PM

SEE PRICE
Asics.com

Tested using Methodology v0.9

Updated Feb 16, 2026 04:48 PM

SEE PRICE
Asics.com

Our Verdict

ASICS MAGIC SPEED 4

ASICS MAGIC SPEED 5

The ASICS MAGIC SPEED 5 and ASICS MAGIC SPEED are two different takes on the super trainer. The ASICS MAGIC SPEED 4 is the more forgiving option, with a higher stack and a more protective, cushioned ride that feels better suited to longer workouts when you want extra buffer underfoot. The ASICS MAGIC SPEED 5 pulls that formula back and, in doing so, feels like it finally matches its name: it's noticeably lighter, sits a bit lower, and gives you more ground feel, which makes the snap more noticeable and the shoe feel more efficient when you're turning over quickly. As a result, the MAGIC SPEED 5 works better as a racing companion and for hard, short efforts. In contrast, the MAGIC SPEED 4 makes more sense if your priority is a plated feel but with more cushioning and protection for longer training blocks.

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Variants

  • MAGIC SPEED 4 (Flash Red/White - (Men - US 9))
  • MAGIC SPEED 4 (Flash Red/White - (Women - US 7))
  • MAGIC SPEED 5 (Vital Green/Carrier Grey - (Men - US 9))
  • MAGIC SPEED 5 (Vital Green/Carrier Grey - (Women - US 7))

Main Differences for
Marathon Racing

Threshold 

0.10

Marathon Racing 
 

7.6
7.6

Heel Stack Height 
 

43.7 mm
35.9 mm

Weight  

6.9
8.2

Heel Energy Return 
 

4.8
7.0

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

33.9 mm
29.0 mm

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

6.7
7.5

Full Comparison

Design

Weight  

6.9
8.2

Right Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
ASICS MAGIC SPEED 4 Right Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
ASICS MAGIC SPEED 5 Right Shoe Weight Photo

Left Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
ASICS MAGIC SPEED 4 Left Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
ASICS MAGIC SPEED 5 Left Shoe Weight Photo

Weight 
 

237.7 g (8.38 oz)
199.5 g (7.04 oz)
Show Text 

Stack Heights 
 

Stack Height Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
ASICS MAGIC SPEED 4 Stack Height Photo
Compare High-Res
ASICS MAGIC SPEED 5 Stack Height Photo

Heel Stack Height 
 

43.7 mm
35.9 mm

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

33.9 mm
29.0 mm

Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

9.8 mm
6.9 mm

Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

8.0 mm
7.0 mm
Show Text 

External Shape 
 

3D Model Full Shoe  

Preview 3D
ASICS MAGIC SPEED 4 3D Model Full Shoe
Preview 3D
ASICS MAGIC SPEED 5 3D Model Full Shoe

Outsole Heel Width 
 

83 mm (3.3")
76 mm (3.0")

Outsole Arch Width 
 

71 mm (2.8")
65 mm (2.6")

Outsole Forefoot Width 
 

106 mm (4.2")
101 mm (4.0")

Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

1.90
2.12

Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

3.13
3.48
Show Text 

Internal Shape 
 

3D Model Internal  

Preview 3D
ASICS MAGIC SPEED 4 3D Model Internal
Preview 3D
ASICS MAGIC SPEED 5 3D Model Internal

Internal Length 
 

277 mm (10.9")
268 mm (10.6")

Internal Heel Width 
 

57 mm (2.2")
56 mm (2.2")

Internal Forefoot Width 
 

91 mm (3.6")
88 mm (3.5")

Wide Sizing Available 
 

Yes
No

Other Features  

Other Features Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
ASICS MAGIC SPEED 4 Other Features Photo
Compare High-Res
ASICS MAGIC SPEED 5 Other Features Photo

Tongue Gusset Type 
 

Semi-gusseted
Non-gusseted

Plate 
 

Carbon Fiber
Carbon Fiber
Show Text 
Performance

Heel Energy Return 
 

4.8
7.0

Heel Compression Video  

Heel Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
ASICS MAGIC SPEED 4 Heel Energy Return
 Preview Graph
ASICS MAGIC SPEED 5 Heel Energy Return

Heel Energy Return 
 

71.5%
76.2%
Show Text 

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

6.7
7.5

Forefoot Compression Video  

Forefoot Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
ASICS MAGIC SPEED 4 Forefoot Energy Return
 Preview Graph
ASICS MAGIC SPEED 5 Forefoot Energy Return

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

75.2%
78.3%
Show Text 

Heel Cushioning 
 

8.4
8.0

Heel Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
ASICS MAGIC SPEED 4 Heel Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
ASICS MAGIC SPEED 5 Heel Cushioning Picture

Heel Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
ASICS MAGIC SPEED 4 Heel Cushioning
 Preview Graph
ASICS MAGIC SPEED 5 Heel Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 550N 
 

3.55 J
3.94 J

Energy Absorbed At 1100N 
 

10.56 J
9.68 J

Energy Absorbed At 1900N 
 

18.14 J
15.57 J
Show Text 

Forefoot Cushioning 
 

8.2
7.4

Forefoot Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
ASICS MAGIC SPEED 4 Forefoot Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
ASICS MAGIC SPEED 5 Forefoot Cushioning Picture

Forefoot Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
ASICS MAGIC SPEED 4 Forefoot Cushioning
 Preview Graph
ASICS MAGIC SPEED 5 Forefoot Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 800N 
 

4.65 J
4.69 J

Energy Absorbed At 1300N 
 

8.89 J
7.90 J

Energy Absorbed At 2050N 
 

14.06 J
11.38 J
Show Text 

Heel Firmness 
 

4.4
5.7

Heel Firmness  

 Preview Graph
ASICS MAGIC SPEED 4 Heel Firmness
 Preview Graph
ASICS MAGIC SPEED 5 Heel Firmness

Firmness At 550N 
 

42.1 N/mm
47.6 N/mm

Firmness At 1100N 
 

97.7 N/mm
122.9 N/mm

Firmness At 1900N 
 

211.8 N/mm
282.6 N/mm
Show Text 

Forefoot Firmness 
 

6.7
8.4

Forefoot Firmness  

 Preview Graph
ASICS MAGIC SPEED 4 Forefoot Firmness
 Preview Graph
ASICS MAGIC SPEED 5 Forefoot Firmness

Firmness At 800N 
 

90.2 N/mm
110.2 N/mm

Firmness At 1300N 
 

166.8 N/mm
238.3 N/mm

Firmness At 2050N 
 

299.7 N/mm
495.2 N/mm
Show Text 

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning 
 

7.6
6.7

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
ASICS MAGIC SPEED 4 Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
 Preview Graph
ASICS MAGIC SPEED 5 Forefoot Long Run Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 10km 
 

8.27 J
7.28 J

Energy Absorbed At 20km 
 

8.08 J
7.14 J

Energy Absorbed At 30km 
 

7.97 J
7.06 J

Energy Absorbed At 40km 
 

7.89 J
6.99 J
Show Text 

ASICS MAGIC SPEED 4

ASICS MAGIC SPEED 5

Comments

  1. Comparison

ASICS MAGIC SPEED 4 vs ASICS MAGIC SPEED 5: Main Discussion

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