Superblast 3 - 450 mile review
Total distance ran:
450 miles
Type of runs:
Easy, recovery, steady long, and threshold
Weather ran in:
Dry & wet
My profile:
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 170 lbs
Range of average pace with this shoe:
Recovery: 10:00-12:00/mile
Easy: 9:00-10:00/mile
Long Run: 8:15-8:45/mile
Threshold: 6:55-7:05/mile
Strike Type: Heel
Mileage:
I generally average around 5-6 runs a week and have done 1,180 miles this year so far, with some off weeks due to injury and vacation. I usually float around 50ish miles per week.
Positives:
Soft, bouncy, versatile, light weight, good grip, comfortable, & accommodating upper
Negatives:
The only negative I can really find is the upper could be more breathable compared to V2, but is still way more breathable than V1.
Overview:
I’ve spent quite a bit of time in all 3 iterations of the superblast now and personally SB3 is my favorite so far. I took 2 pairs each of V1 & V2 to 500 miles, totaling about 2,500 miles now across all 3 versions. I felt like V2 was a great upgrade to V1 and feel like V3 is an even better upgrade coming from V2.
While the upper is not quite as breathable as V2, I do enjoy the fit and material more. For the midsole, it is much more versatile on the easy side of my pace ranges and equally is on good on my long runs, which I run pretty steady/zone 3 and even touch LT1 toward the end when they start pushing in the 2.5 hour range.
For threshold pace and beyond, I still prefer the Megablast or a more dedicated workout shoe, as I also did for V1 & V2. I did do a 6 x 5m @ LT2 session in it, it worked, but not my ideal choice and anything beyond I don’t think I would enjoy.
I’ve seen a lot of comments about a reduction in durability in the SB3, but that has not been my experience. I have found it to last just as long as the previous versions but something like that definitely depends on your gait and foot strike. There is more scuffing in the exposed midsole areas but that’s purely cosmetic and a welcome trade off for a more dynamic ride.
I think with this version, the Megablast and Superblast make a great rotation (albeit expensive) if you’re looking to use only super trainers. The Superblast 3 covers your recovery, daily, and long runs and the Megablast covers your workouts and fastest long runs. Having ran long runs in both, I do prefer the SB3 and that includes my long runs where I’m hovering around 5-10% slower than MP for 10 miles straight. It’s just more protective for me. If I had to push harder and touch MP or below then that’s where I would probably make the switch.
So, overall, this is (in my opinion) the superblast yet and I’m really happy with the changes they made.
Worth buying?:
If you are looking for a light weight, soft, and bouncy trainer for your easy, recovery, and easy to steady long runs I think this is a great option. If you’re looking for something with a dynamic and protective ride, it’s definitely a buy.