DOCTORS OF RUNNING

RUNNING SHOE SUMMARYThe ASICS Hyper Speed 2 is a (rare) traditional racing flat for those who want a light, lower stack height, flexible shoe for faster efforts. The upper is slightly snug and secure but has decent room throughout for this shoe type. The ride underfoot is obviously on the firmer side, but is well cushioned for how low stack this shoe is. The sole is flexible but snappy and light at 6.7 oz (men's size 9). This makes the ASICS Hyper Speed 2 a great option for those who want a non-plated, non-super foam racing shoe for 5k/10k racing and shorter workouts. SIMILAR SHOES: Puma Liberate Nitro 2FITThe ASICS Hyper Speed 2 fits me true to size, if slightly short due to a quick taper and toe spring at the toe box, in my normal men's US size 10. The width is on the snug side throughout. The toebox is slightly tapered but opens slightly into an almost normal-width forefoot. The forefoot is still on the snug size but has a surprising amount of room for a traditional racing flat. It is still snug and transitions into a snug midfoot. The tongue is on the thinner side and non-gusseted. The security is good enough although I did have to tie down the laces (but did not need to lace lock this shoe). The heel is narrow with moderate collar cushioning and a large, stiff heel counter. The counter was noticeable to me and began to get irritating on longer efforts. Those who like this will enjoy it, but those sensitive to counters will need to avoid this shoe. The upper is breathable thanks to a thin almost see-through mesh upper. It is advertised as being able to handle sockless wear, but I found it to be scratchy against the skin. I would recommend using socks with this shoe as I had some mild abrasions on my feet after a short run testing them out sockless. For those interested in the insole (which I will start commenting more on as part of the upper), it is non-removable and glued in. Those wanting to utilize orthotics will either need to warm up the glue to remove it or find another shoe (this is NOT a shoe designed for orthotics).

PERFORMANCEThe ASICS Hyper Speed 2 is a lower stack, traditional racing flat for faster efforts. It features full-length Flytefoam midsole without a plate. It is noticeably light at 6.7 oz (men's size 9) and there is just enough stack height (24mm / 17 mm) to take the edge off the road or whatever terrain you use these on. There is a 7 mm drop listed and it feels around 6-7mm (not too low or high). The heel is centered outside of a lateral crash pad, seen as a large lateral crease. This allows for a lateral collapse, so those who land at the rearfoot will have a decent transition at the normal posterior lateral landing spot. This transitions into a narrow midfoot on the medial side with lateral flare on the outer side. This starts to push you medial, which the lateral flare in the forefoot continues. This makes it easy to pivot off the medial forefoot and big toe at high speeds. At slower speeds this feels like you are getting pushed over the medial forefoot, making this a better shoe for speed workouts. The forefoot is moderately flexible with a decent amount of toe spring and a forefoot rocker. These collapse down a bit with the flexibility but are still mildly present.The Hyper Speed 2 is meant as a workout/racing shoe and that is exactly how it feels. It is light on foot, the flexibility allows for an easy transition and the lower stack makes the shoe feel snappy underfoot. Unless you are probably conditioned to handle traditional racing flats for longer distances, the Hyper Speed 2 will be best for shorter tempo runs, track workouts, intervals, 5k and 10k racing. The outsole traction at the forefoot grips decently and works well on the road, track and well-groomed dirt. Those wanting a shoe that could work on well-groomed cross-country courses (like the ones in Southern California) will find that this shoe will work well as an alternative to XC spikes. It will not work for aggressive trails, muddy courses or those needing high levels of traction. The outsole is reinforced with additional rubber. Despite 20 miles of hard use, there is almost no wear in my normal posterior lateral spot. Thus, I expect this shoe to last far longer than most traditional racing flats.STABILITYThe ASICS Hyper Speed 2 is a neutral shoe. There are no traditional methods of stability and the sole is on the narrow side. There are small sidewalls in the posterior midfoot on both the medial and lateral side but they are minor. The most significant influence on motion is the decent amount of lateral flare at midfoot. This creates a medial bias, especially at the midfoot which is exacerbated by the narrowed medial aspect of the midfoot. This extends a little in the forefoot with additional lateral flare there. Those who need central guidance will need to keep these for shorter efforts and those who need medial midfoot stability will likely not do well with these. Those who need lateral stability at the midfoot and somewhat at the forefoot will do well.

The Death of Minimal Racing Flats?

The ASICS Hyper Speed 2 is part of a now small category of traditional racing flats. These low-stack, flexible options have been mostly replaced by the plated/stiff, high-stack, new foam super shoes. They do still have an important place beyond the simple justification of the need for a variety of footwear to be available for the variety of human bodies/needs.