ASICS Fuji Speed 2

Finally I have the opportunity to try a dynamic trail runningshoe with carbon fiber plate. What I would never have expected is that it would be an Asics, a shoe that I know very well because it has given me very good results in the past with ultradistance (UTMB, Cavalls, Carros...), but that has never convinced me for short races because of its coarseness. Until now...

The SPEED describes them with great fidelity; it is a shoe made to run fast. The finishes are of the highest quality; flat, lightweight, slip-resistant braided laces, minimal yet well-cushioned tongue and super-ventilated hyper-lightweight mesh upper. The outsole seems plush, the fiber plate is close to the sole and the lugging of the sole without being excessive promises grip. Putting it on requires the same effort as riding in a racing car because it is necessary to loosen the laces, settle the foot and then tighten it again; the shoe is enveloping and the forefoot, in contrast to ultra shoes, is narrower.

It is a shoe that avoids foam padding to contain its weight (it declares 243g, in any case it feels very light) and although it is not hard, it does require a period of adaptation to personal bone contours. The insole is thin and comes standard attached to the bottom. At first contact, it is a fast shoe, without concessions to comfort and that asks for war. Even its fiery colors incite you to burn the ground.

For what type of runners do I recommend the Asics Fujispeed 2?

It is a shoe from which those who are not willing to run fast should abstain because they lose their sense; the carbon fiber is oriented to reactivity and therefore forces fast stride transition and speed. Medium and low weight athletes will feel comfortable with them although they admit heavy bodies; the foam they carry surprises for their real cushioning capacity, they absorb impacts very, very well.

A small "but" may be their glued insole, although there is the possibility of changing it, as the official athlete of the brand Andreu Simón does, and even increase the range of action of the shoe. They are ideal for up to 2 hours of use, short and medium distance, which is sensible for a fast shoe with a plate, although thanks to the soft foam and with the proper technique, they will reach the marathon without problems. In series training and 15-20km runs they are a ten.

It is important to emphasize that this is a racing shoe, which requires stable footing, good running technique and that jogging is out of the question.

What we liked most about the Asics Fujispeed 2

What we like most in use is their lightweight feel, ventilation and reactivity. They are really reactive. For those of you who are used to running shoes, they will give you the feeling of wanting to run more; another story is that your cardiovascular system will allow you to do so. They have very good grip, their lugs, without great frills, are correct in mixed terrain and in wet areas the rubber works very well, you can step on them with confidence. On really technical descents their only notable limitation, stability, comes to the fore.

Asics has not made any concessions in this regard and supinator feet tend to run away when the terrain is full of the typical loose stones of irregular size; there are brands that, taking advantage of carbon fiber, already have proposals in this regard. By the way, for trail shoes, the "top" plate, near the sole of the foot, seems to be the best solution offering the best combination of reactivity/protection/stability, as is the case of these Asics.

Also tested by: Gorka Cabañas

I was pleasantly surprised. A very well cushioned shoe, but very fast and with good grip. But it is not a shoe for everyone. For light to medium weight runners with good running technique. Perfect for events up to half marathon where you are looking to fly.

Rivals of the Asics Fujispeed 2

I am not a regular user of fast trail shoes. This Asics moves in the field of the very light Salomon Pulsar Trail Pro 2, which it surpasses in reactivity and protection, or the New Balance Fuelcell Summit Unknown V4, which it surpasses in stability. In any case, these are fast running shoes.

Conclusion

The Asics Fuji Speed 2, with Fuji Trail DNA, are fast shoes designed to run without thinking too much, they demand speed. In the mountains they are fast and on the flat they can handle it without any problems. As an example of their reactive capacity, on the day of my "speed" training, which consisted of a 400m/1'20 "X10, they behaved like road shoes. Well knotted, they are quite enveloping, but without being too tight, they ventilate and evacuate water perfectly. The cushioning is high and the foot is not overly fatigued, being the lugs very correct for general use with good behavior even in mud. Being picky we can ask for a point more stability and a revision of the insole that comes attached, although it is understood that in 240g Trail some spartan touch is acceptable and even necessary. We can consider the objective fulfilled, with reactivity and racing sensations.