ASICS METASLEEK vs Altra Vanish Tempo 2: Which Running Shoe Is Better?

Asics.com

Tested using Methodology v0.16

Updated Oct 28, 2026 12:49 PM

See ASICS METASLEEK Review

Altra

Heel Stack Height 28.4 mm

Weight 126.1 g (4.45 oz)

Heel-To-Toe Drop 8.4 mm

Plate None

Heel Stack Height 33.7 mm

Weight 237.7 g (8.38 oz)

Heel-To-Toe Drop 5.0 mm

Plate Plastic

Our Verdict

ASICS METASLEEK

Altra Vanish Tempo 2

The Altra Vanish Tempo 2 is a better choice for most runners than the ASICS METASLEEK. The Altra shoe has a bouncier, more cushioned midsole and a wider, more stable base, that gives it a longer distance range than the thin, lightweight ASICS shoe. The METASLEEK’s ultralight, flexible build will suit efficient runners who want a fast, minimal feel for short races or workouts. Both shoes run slightly short.

Variants

METASLEEK (Black/White - (Men - US 9))
METASLEEK (Black/White - (Women - US 7))

Vanish Tempo 2 (White/Silver - (Men - US 9))
Vanish Tempo 2 (White/Silver - (Women - US 7))

Review

See Altra Vanish Tempo 2 Review

Check Price

Altra

RoadRunnerSports.com

Notice: Two or more of the products being compared have been tested with different test methodologies. Some of the results aren't directly comparable. Learn how our test benches and scoring system work, and read more about the latest changes to our running shoes test methodology.

Threshold

0.10

Half/Full Marathon Racing

6.0

6.8

Weight

9.7

6.9

Forefoot Stack Height

20.0 mm

28.7 mm

Forefoot Bending Energy Return

4.2

7.8

Heel Stack Height

28.4 mm

33.7 mm

Forefoot Bending Stiffness

2.3

7.2

Full Comparison

Half/Full Marathon Racing

6.0

6.8

5K/10K Racing

7.7

7.5

Long Run

5.6

6.8

Daily Training

6.8

6.5

Design

Energy Return

8.3

8.7

Stability

6.8

7.9

Cushioning

5.7

6.0

Wet & Warm Weather

9.2

Bounciness

6.2

6.7

Snappiness

4.8

7.5

Roll

4.1

7.0

True To Size

7.7

7.8

Design

Weight

9.7

6.9

Right Shoe Weight Photo

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Altra Vanish Tempo 2 Right Shoe Weight Photo

Left Shoe Weight Photo

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Weight

126.1 g (4.45 oz)

237.7 g (8.38 oz)

Stack Heights

Stack Height Photo

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Heel Stack Height

28.4 mm

33.7 mm

Forefoot Stack Height

20.0 mm

28.7 mm

Heel-To-Toe Drop

8.4 mm

5.0 mm

Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop

8.0 mm

4.0 mm

External Shape

3D Model Full Shoe

Preview 3D

Outsole Heel Width

70 mm (2.8")

88 mm (3.5")

Outsole Arch Width

65 mm (2.6")

79 mm (3.1")

Outsole Forefoot Width

105 mm (4.1")

117 mm (4.6")

Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio

2.46

2.61

Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio

5.25

4.07

Internal Shape

3D Model Internal

Preview 3D

Internal Length

268 mm (10.6")

276 mm (10.9")

Internal Heel Width

54 mm (2.1")

64 mm (2.5")

Internal Forefoot Width

88 mm (3.5")

95 mm (3.7")

Wide Sizing Available

Forefoot Fit: Width

9.7

9.1

Forefoot Width Photo

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Altra Vanish Tempo 2 Forefoot Width Photo

Ball-Of-Foot TTS Deviation

0.3 mm (0.010")

3.7 mm (0.146")

Toe TTS Deviation

-1.6 mm (-0.064")

3.7 mm (0.144")

Forefoot Fit: Height

7.3

6.1

Forefoot Height Photo

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Altra Vanish Tempo 2 Forefoot Height Photo

Toe TTS Deviation

-3.3 mm (-0.129")

-4.7 mm (-0.184")

Arch Fit: Width

6.3

7.9

Arch Fit Photo

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Arch Width TTS Deviation

-5.5 mm (-0.215")

-3.4 mm (-0.134")

Length Fit

7.0

Toe Clearance Photo

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Altra Vanish Tempo 2 Toe Clearance Photo

Heel Rocker Geometry

3.3

7.2

Heel Rocker Photo

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Heel Spring

6 mm (0.2")

19 mm (0.7")

Heel Apex Position

15.3%

19.4%

Heel Rocker Angle

8.5°

19.1°

Forefoot Rocker Geometry

5.5

6.7

Forefoot Rocker Photo

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Altra Vanish Tempo 2 Forefoot Rocker Photo

Toe Spring

37 mm (1.5")

45 mm (1.8")

Toe Apex Position

57.9%

59.5%

Forefoot Rocker Angle

18.6°

21.4°

Foam

Primary Foam Picture

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Altra Vanish Tempo 2 Primary Foam Picture

Secondary Foam Picture

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Altra Vanish Tempo 2 Secondary Foam Picture

Primary Foam Name

FF TURBO²

FAST TRN

Primary Foam Type

A-TPU

PEBA

Secondary Foam Name

No Secondary Foam

Secondary Foam Type

No Secondary Foam

Laces

Laces Picture

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Lace Type

Sawtooth

Width

5.0 mm (0.2")

6.0 mm (0.2")

Thickness

1.2 mm (0.0")

1.4 mm (0.1")

Stretch

11.0%

6.5%

Breathability

9.0

Breathability Video

Upper Breathability

Upper Microscope Photo

Time-To-Dry

9.4

Time-To-Dry Timelapse

Time-To-Dry Graph

Preview Graph

Time To 30% Dry

3.3 hrs

Time To 70% Dry

8.6 hrs

Time To Dry

14.0 hrs

Water Absorption

9.4

Dry Weight Photo

Wet Weight Photo

Water Absorbed

26.2%

Other Features

Other Features Photo

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Altra Vanish Tempo 2 Other Features Photo

Tongue Gusset Type

Non-gusseted

Plate

None

Plastic

Performance

Heel Compression Energy Return

8.6

Heel Compression Video

Heel Energy Return

Preview Graph

Heel Energy Return

84.3%

84.4%

Forefoot Compression Energy Return

8.1

8.7

Forefoot Compression Video

Forefoot Energy Return

Preview Graph

Forefoot Energy Return

81.6%

85.1%

Heel Cushioning

6.2

6.4

Heel Cushioning Picture

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Heel Cushioning

Preview Graph

Energy Absorbed At 550N

3.45 J

3.56 J

Energy Absorbed At 1100N

7.90 J

8.04 J

Energy Absorbed At 1900N

12.06 J

12.33 J

Forefoot Cushioning

5.2

5.6

Forefoot Cushioning Picture

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Forefoot Cushioning

Preview Graph

Altra Vanish Tempo 2 Forefoot Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 800N

3.50 J

3.72 J

Energy Absorbed At 1300N

5.69 J

6.06 J

Energy Absorbed At 2050N

7.91 J

8.55 J

Heel Firmness

8.5

7.9

Heel Firmness Graph

Preview Graph

Altra Vanish Tempo 2 Heel Firmness Graph

Firmness At 550N

44.5 N/mm

39.3 N/mm

Firmness At 1100N

60.8 N/mm

55.7 N/mm

Firmness At 1900N

90.5 N/mm

83.6 N/mm

Forefoot Firmness

9.6

9.1

Forefoot Firmness Graph

Preview Graph

Altra Vanish Tempo 2 Forefoot Firmness Graph

Firmness At 800N

79.9 N/mm

65.8 N/mm

Firmness At 1300N

106.8 N/mm

89.9 N/mm

Firmness At 2050N

151 N/mm

128 N/mm

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning

4.8

5.4

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning

Preview Graph

Altra Vanish Tempo 2 Forefoot Long Run Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 10km

5.35 J

5.96 J

Energy Absorbed At 20km

5.24 J

5.85 J

Energy Absorbed At 30km

5.15 J

5.79 J

Energy Absorbed At 40km

5.08 J

5.73 J

Rocker Stiffness

4.4

7.0

Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Video

Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph

Preview Graph

Altra Vanish Tempo 2 Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph

Force To Flatten The Rocker

35 N

86 N

Forefoot Bending Energy Return

4.2

7.8

Forefoot Bending Video

Forefoot Bending Energy Return

Preview Graph

Forefoot Bending Energy Return

54.1%

69.9%

Forefoot Bending Stiffness

2.3

7.2

Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture

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Forefoot Bending Resistance

Preview Graph

Altra Vanish Tempo 2 Forefoot Bending Resistance

Forefoot Bending Stiffness

1.1 N/mm

11.6 N/mm

Forefoot Bending Force

157 N

296 N

Heel Compression Depth

5.4

5.9

Heel Compression Graph

Preview Graph

Altra Vanish Tempo 2 Heel Compression Graph

Heel Compression At 550N

12.4 mm

14.0 mm

Heel Compression At 1100N

18.1 mm

19.7 mm

Heel Compression At 1900N

21.0 mm

22.7 mm

Forefoot Compression Depth

4.2

5.0

Forefoot Compression Graph

Preview Graph

Altra Vanish Tempo 2 Forefoot Compression Graph

Forefoot Compression At 800N

10.0 mm

12.2 mm

Forefoot Compression At 1300N

12.2 mm

14.5 mm

Forefoot Compression At 2050N

13.5 mm

16.0 mm

Check Price

Altra

RoadRunnerSports.com