ASICS' New Marathon Shoe Weighs Only 129 Grams

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Japanese shoewear company ASICS will release its ultra-lightweight marathon shoe, the METASPEED REY, in mid-August. Weighing just 129 grams per shoe (size 27.0 cm), it is among the lightest on the market among major brands.

ASICS aims to make a strong push in a competitive market long dominated by overseas rivals like Nike. In addition to the REY, the company will release two upgraded models in late July: the METASPEED SKY TOKYO, designed for long-stride runners, and the METASPEED EDGE TOKYO, for high-cadence runners.

*The global launch event for the new METASPEED series.*

The company hopes these new models will help athletes win gold at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo this September.

A launch event was held on May 2 at the Ariake Urban Sports Park in Tokyo. It attracted around 120 people, including 80 running-focused media representatives from around the world.

ASICS Chairman and CEO Yasuhito Hirota took the stage and said, "We're developing premium running shoes in close partnership with athletes to help them run faster."

In 2017, Nike disrupted the running world by introducing thick-soled racing shoes that quickly came to dominate global races. At the time, ASICS' thin-soled models left the company struggling to compete.

In response, it launched the C-Project in 2019 under Hirota's leadership to create a new line of competitive shoes. The "C" stands for chojo, which means "summit."

The first METASPEED models debuted in 2021, followed by improved versions in 2022 and 2024. The new REY, SKY TOKYO, and EDGE TOKYO represent the fourth generation in the series.

Click to watch highlights from the event in English.

Shaving Off Every Gram Possible

The new models feature a midsole material called FF LEAP, which is 15% lighter and offers 13.7% more rebound than previous materials. Both the SKY TOKYO and EDGE TOKYO weigh 170 grams per shoe — 15 grams lighter than their predecessors, SKY PARIS and EDGE PARIS.

The 129-gram REY model uses FF LEAP throughout the midsole. It also features an ultra-thin upper and a thinner, smaller outsole to reduce weight. A development team member noted, "It was a battle to shave off every gram."

*The three models of the new METASPEED series: the ultra-light REY (center), EDGE for high-cadence runners (right), and SKY for long-stride runners (left).*

ASICS was late to adopt the thick-sole trend and suffered a major blow when no athletes wore its shoes at the 2021 Hakone Ekiden. However, the launch of the METASPEED series that same year helped the brand regain momentum. By the 2025 Hakone Ekiden, the company had recovered about 25% of the market share.

Comeback with Thicker Soles

In January 2024, runner Honami Maeda broke the Japanese women's marathon record with a time of 2:18:59 at the Osaka International Women's Marathon. She was wearing METASPEED shoes. The series is increasingly seen as a record-breaking tool by elite athletes.

The REY will retail for ¥33,000 JPY (about $230 USD). SKY TOKYO and EDGE TOKYO will be priced at ¥29,700 (about $200). All prices include tax.

ASICS has a long history with ultra-light shoes. In 1985, it released the Marathon Sortie UL-100, which weighed just 100 grams (size 25.5 cm). The shoe shocked the athletic world but failed to catch on due to its extremely thin sole, which offered little durability or cushioning.

Lightweight Innovation

Did that experience influence today's 129-gram design? Shuhei Takemura, head of the C-Project, explained, "Shoe performance and roles are different now. We weren't aiming for 100 grams." Still, he acknowledged that, just like 40 years ago, today's design was driven by athlete feedback. "ASICS spirit of pushing the limits of lightweight design remains unchanged," he said.

The performance of thick-soled racing shoes — popularized by Nike — relies on high-rebound materials and carbon plates that convert landing impact into forward propulsion. For years, brands accepted heavier weights as a tradeoff for better running efficiency.

But now that thick-sole technology has matured, weight reduction is once again a key differentiator. Adidas released a 138-gram (size 27.0 cm) thick-soled shoe in 2023 that was very successful. In this context, ASICS is jumping to the front of the pack with its 129-gram REY.

*An Asics development team member explains the weight reduction of the METASPEED EDGE TOKYO.*

Designed with Athletes, for Athletes

ASICS prioritizes athlete needs. Development of the METASPEED series was done in close collaboration with top runners under contract.

At the May 2 launch event, Belgian Olympic silver medalist Bashir Abdi, four-time Olympian Eilish McColgan of the United Kingdom, and Japanese half-marathon record holder Tomoki Ota (sponsored by Toyota) all spoke about the shoes' features.

McColgan told The Sankei Shimbun that ASICS listens carefully to athletes and quickly incorporates feedback. Her comments reflect strong trust in the brand.

*UK athlete Eilish McColgan at the launch event for the new METASPEED series.*

First Impressions

When I tested the new METASPEED series, the shoes' lightness was immediately noticeable — but so were the challenges.

The REY provides a spring-like rebound but sacrifices stability. The ultra-thin upper lacks structure, which can make the shoe feel unstable and lead to potential missteps.

According to an ASICS representative, the REY is suited for "top athletes who can maintain high speeds until the end of the race and push with powerful strides." Runners who tire late in a race may risk breakdowns in form, reduced pace, or even injury. Courses with curves or downhill sections also pose a risk of ankle twists.

In contrast, the SKY TOKYO felt more balanced. It offered a better combination of rebound and stability, allowing for more confident running. The EDGE TOKYO shares similar characteristics and is designed for both elite and competitive amateur runners.

With three distinct models launching simultaneously, it's essential for runners to try them on for a test run to find the right match.

Author: The Sankei Shimbun

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