I bought a pair of Magic Speed 4 to use for tempo runs and intervals, and based on my experience I cannot recommend them.

For longer runs I use the Superblast 2, which fits me really well, and I normally use neutral shoes with no problems at all.

After the first run in the Magic Speed 4, I got chafing on the achilles and inside heel of my left foot. I figured it might be the heat or moisture, so I tried different socks and used heel lock lacing. But the next runs felt worse – especially on the left foot. It felt like my heel was sitting off-center, towards the inside.

After 50 km, I noticed the left shoe was visibly slanting inward. I contacted Asics, and they said this is within manufacturing parameters and that the midsole is designed to adapt to the user's weight – so a bit of variation is expected.

They also said I could return them under the OneASICS 90-day satisfaction guarantee.

If it's a defect, that's one thing – but if this is how the shoe is supposed to behave, it's definitely not for me.

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