Asics Metarun

The outsole on the Metarun features the company’s AHAR+ material. Known for being resilient and durable, this particular outsole also provides cushion and stability . The outsole also includes Asics’s Guidance Line technology, which is a vertical flex groove along the outsole which enhances gait efficiency. It’s visible as a long line that stretches through the bottom of the outsole. Additionally, certain regions on the outsole our outfitted with more aggressive rubber, particularly those areas on the shoe that sustain most of the impact.

The midsole contains a new type of foam technology referred to as Flytefoam. Flytefoam is 55% lighter than other types of midsole platforms. It has highly specialized organic fibers that adapt and mold to a runner’s movement. Therefore, as you’re striking the pavement with with each stride, the foam itself is naturally adapting with how you’re moving. On top of having flexible qualities, the midsole is also very responsive.

There has also been an improvement with the Duomax technology with the indtroduction of Sloped Duomax, which is another feature that adjusts to motion and helps with a runner’s gait. Asics's Adaptruss serves as the shoe’s main stability component. It works by protecting the foot from deviating too far in one direction and maintaining it aligned.

The entire upper of the Metarun is highly flexible with a new type of material, Jacquard Mesh. It’s an engineered type of mesh material that’s breathable and allows entry of air into the shoe. Another feature on the Metarun’s upper is Fluidfit technology which provides a glove like fit. It’s flexible, stretchable, and snaps back into the shape of the runner’s foot. Overall, the shoe’s upper offers an exceptionally custom fit, flexible, and breathable experience.

The men’s version of the Metarun weighs in at 10.9 ounces and the women’s version weighs in at 9.3 ounces. While this shoe does contain a lightweight midsole platform, Flytefoam, this is by no means a light weight shoe. It’s a larger profile shoe and can come across a bit bulky as it incorporates a generous package of technological features. It becomes difficult to pack a shoe with a lot of “stuff” and still keep it light in weight. Therefore, in order to provide benefits in certain parts of the shoe, sacrifices have to be made in other areas, such as weight.

While the Metarun’s weight may not be its best appeal, the same cannot be said for its breathability qualities. Breathability is generated through the shoe’s Jacquard Mesh which supplies a steady stream of air to penetrate and circulate around the shoe’s interior. Aiding in this ample supply of air circulation is the shoe’s ComfoDry Sock liner X-40. The Comfodry feature helps with managing moisture inside and keeping things dry and well ventilated.

The Metarun is all about providing exceptional amounts of comfort all throughout. In fact, the shoe’s overall comfort can be regarded as its key selling point. Most of it resides inside the midsole platform; however, comfort is dispersed all throughout the shoe. The Flytefoam guarantees plenty of plush cushioning, and it also adapts to the shape of your foot, adding an extra element of ease. The same with the shoe’s upper, Jacquard Mesh, which supplies air circulation and keeps you dry. Toward the bottom, the gel inserts add an extra level of cushioning by softening the impact on the forefoot and rear foot areas.

Unfortunately, if you like having options, then the Metarun will not work for you. Asics decided to only introduce one color option for this shoe: black/Onyx (Onyx being a gold-like color). The Metarun deviates from their loud and creative style as the brand generally loves to showcase creative detail and styling in many of their lines of shoes. This shoe stays understated in its design. However, despite being simplistic in its all black facade, the shoe reveals a mature and sophisticated quality, which is actually due in part to its simple color combination and reveals its luxuriously bold quality.

Durability is mostly localized on the outsole of the shoe. As mentioned earlier, it’s fabricated from AHAR, Asics High Abrasion Rubber. Certain spots on the outsole are outfitted with higher grade rubber — those exposed to the greatest amount of impact and work as an added reinforcement and protection. Durability is also improved on the upper with the use of Jacquard Mesh material through the use of stronger fiber materials.

Much of the technology on the Metarun is focused on protective features. The Flytefoam midsole itself serves as protection in the way that the platform adapts according to the runner’s movement. In essence, it works with the runner as opposed to working against him/her. The X-gel inserts work in lessening impact and work to protect your joints. Adapttruss technology helps with reducing impact on the medial portion of the foot. And in terms of interior comfort, the ComfoDry sock liner helps with moisture absorption and maintains a healthy and sanitary conditions with the added benefit of breathable mesh. And for night time protection, the shoe contains a 3M reflective strip produced by the 3M company.

When it comes to responsiveness, Flytefoam technology works differently than most other midsole platforms. The unique feature about FlyteFoam is in how it adapts and molds itself based on motion. Therefore, it works naturally with your landings and takeoffs, providing a custom fit response based on the amount of energy a runner dispels.

The Metarun is a true stability shoe, offering a high profile and tall midsole platform. The midsole is at its thickest in the rear portion of the shoe. The Metarun offers vertical and lateral support. Metaclutch technology and memory foam lining in the rear offer a personalized custom fit supportive feature. Your heel stays aligned and supported in place. In fact, it works like the Flytefoam midsole in that it adapts and molds itself according to the specific shape of your foot and its movements. Metaclutch technology and memory foam lining wrap around the ankle bone.

The Metarun is a solidly built shoe and it’s able to take on the long road. It works great as a long distance trainer and also for daily outdoor use. The AHAR+ outsole is durable enough that it can be used over a light trail. This is the type of shoe that is able to sustain miles and mile of abuse over the pavement allowing you to push as far as your body can handle.

A considerable drawback is the hefty price tag. However, many runners feel that it is justified considering that this shoe offers more than just your ordinary running experience. The Asics website has the shoe listed in the low $200 range, while Amazon currently has the women’s version listed in the high $100 range. The men’s version is not available through Amazon. Overall, the Metarun’s price makes it something to consider whether it’s worth paying for or not.

The AHAR outsole hand delivers traction for this shoe. AHAR outsoles are commonly used in other lines of Asics’ footwear. It’s known for having grippy qualities and contains prominent threads throughout. It allows runners to tackle on a variety of road terrain and its sustainable enough for some rougher conditions.

Flexibility works in more ways than one on the Metarun. Most running shoes only concentrate flexible features on a few spots, like the upper. However, the Metarun ensures that you’re getting flexibility through the entire shoe. For instance, the FlyteFoam midsole aids in flexibility in how it adapts and molds itself to work with the shape of the runner’s foot. On the upper, the shoe’s Fluidfit technology enables a custom fit feel for the top of the foot. Adaptruss technology helps with flexibility in the midsole section.

Adaptruss is the main stability component in the Metarun. It supports the medial section of the foot and in addition to providing a supportive platform, it also delivers flexibility in order for the foot to have greater range of motion. The Duomax and Guidance Line systems also aid with overall gait efficiency and thereby enhance the entire stability features of the shoe.

The heel height for the Metarun is 30 mm for both men and women. Forefoot height is 20 mm for both genders as well. This concludes into a 10 mm drop measurement for both. Certainly, this not a minimalistic shoe by any means but also not maximalist running experience either. It falls somewhere in the middle of the spectrum. The Metarun contains more aggressive support and stability features than a lower profile shoe that’s closer to the ground. In essence, this shoe is quite bulked up with a thick midsole and other support and stability components. Despite a higher drop measurement, which means a greater propensity to heel strike, many runners who suffer from injuries or other maladies will enjoy the fact that they’ll be adequately protected.

•Flytefoam Midsole

•Jacquard Mesh Upper

•Adapttruss technology

•AHAR+ Midsole

•Fluidfit Upper

•Metaclutch Memory Foam Lining

•Sloped Duomax

•Comfodry x-40 Liner

What the Asics Metarun provides is a sophisticated and technologically advanced running experience. For this reason, runners are willing to shell out the cash to experience something different and something that offers more than your standard running shoe.

The Metarun has been thoroughly thought out and planned in addressing every key component about the sport. This includes protective features, cushioning, stability, support, interior comfort, flexibility, and more. Not only does it address every one of these fundamental issues, but it addresses them through an advanced network of engineering feats — each one specifically designed and implemented to seamlessly connect together into a shoe that comes to offer a higher end running experience.

One of the major selling points for the Metarun resides in the shoe providing a personalized fit component into the outsole and the heel area by way of Flytefoam midsole and Metaclutch heel system. It’s not often that a running shoe will include a custom built feature that’s specifically tailored to you, but that’s exactly what the Metarun provides. Pricing and limited style options are something to think about, but obviously Asics felt this shoe is more about what’s inside than what it looks like on the outside.