The ASICS YOGIRI SPEED is built around a specific goal: helping runners aiming to finish a full marathon in under four hours. That is ASICS’ intended audience, not a performance guarantee. Its documented design pairs a carbon plate with two layers of foam, while the available independent review describes a cushioned, less aggressive-feeling alternative to more streamlined super shoes. Whether it fits your marathon plan depends on your pace and preferred ride—and the evidence available does not establish a universal advantage.
Who is the YOGIRI SPEED for?
ASICS Japan positions the YOGIRI SPEED for runners targeting a sub-four-hour full marathon and calls it an update to the S4+ YOGIRI. The model name reflects ASICS’ wish that runners achieve that goal. This is product positioning, not a promise that the shoe will produce a particular finish time. ASICS’ US product page also labels its goal “Faster.” ASICS Japan announcement; ASICS US product page.
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That target makes the YOGIRI SPEED more specific than a general-purpose daily trainer. RTINGS’ September 28, 2026 review characterizes it as a cushioned carbon-plated marathon shoe for a more amateur-friendly audience, and says it is less efficient for runners trying to break three hours. That is RTINGS’ assessment, not a result from a comparative race test described here. RTINGS review.
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What is the shoe made of?
Plate and midsole
ASICS describes a lightweight, full-length carbon plate, with FF LEAP foam in the upper midsole layer and FF BLAST PLUS beneath it. The Japan announcement says the plate’s heel section has a forked shape compared with the previous concept. ASICS presents the plate geometry and outsole structure as intended to support stability and forward propulsion; those are design aims, not independently established outcomes. ASICS Japan announcement; ASICS US product page.
#1 Best Overall
- FuelCell midsole foam with approximately 3% bio-based content delivers a propulsive feel to help drive you forward. Bio-based content is made from renewable resources to help reduce our carbon footprint.
- Energy Arc pairs sport-specific carbon fiber plate geometry with strategic midsole voids, designed to increase stored energy to deliver a higher amount of total energy returned
- Angular midsole design reduces weight
- Outsole designed for superior traction
- 4 mm drop; due to variances created during the development and manufacturing processes, all references to 4 mm drop are approximate
Upper and outsole
The upper is engineered mesh, and the outsole uses ASICSGRIP rubber. ASICS describes the mesh as part of the shoe’s lightweight construction and the outsole contact and structural changes as supporting stability. No durability or traction test results are established by the available evidence, so those features should not be read as proof of longer wear or better grip in particular conditions. ASICS Japan announcement.
Specifications: listed versus measured
The weight is consistent across the cited sources, but the heel-drop figures differ. ASICS lists a 5 mm drop; RTINGS reports a measured 6.8 mm heel-to-toe drop. These figures come from different sources and methods, so they should not be combined into one agreed specification.
Rank #2
- FuelCell midsole foam with approximately 3% bio-based content delivers a propulsive feel to help drive you forward. Bio-based content is made from renewable resources to help reduce our carbon footprint.
- Energy Arc pairs sport-specific carbon fiber plate geometry with strategic midsole voids, designed to increase stored energy to deliver a higher amount of total energy returned
- Angular midsole design reduces weight
- Outsole designed for superior traction
- 4 mm drop; due to variances created during the development and manufacturing processes, all references to 4 mm drop are approximate
| Specification | Published or measured value | Source and qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | Approximately 227 g for one shoe at 27.0 cm | ASICS Japan manufacturer figure, announced in 2026. Source |
| Weight | 227 g / 8 oz | ASICS United States product listing, accessed in 2026; listed weight. Source |
| Weight | 227.0 g | RTINGS measurement; review dated September 28, 2026. Source |
| Heel drop | 5 mm | ASICS United States listed specification, accessed in 2026. Source |
| Heel-to-toe drop | 6.8 mm | RTINGS measured value; review dated September 28, 2026. Source |
What does the independent review say?
RTINGS’ review is dated September 28, 2026, and identifies its methodology as version 0.16. Its ratings are its own results under that methodology—not manufacturer specifications or universal measures of how every runner will experience the shoe.
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| RTINGS category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Energy return | 7.2 |
| Stability | 6.5 |
| Cushioning | 8.4 |
| Bounciness | 6.5 |
| Snappiness | 7.1 |
| Roll | 7.8 |
| True-to-size | 9.3 |
RTINGS describes the shoe as less rigid and less streamlined than more aggressive super shoes. Its characterization suggests a different emphasis from shoes aimed at runners chasing substantially faster times, but the available figures do not provide equivalent tests of competing models. They cannot establish a ranking across the plated-shoe market. RTINGS review.
Rank #3
- FuelCell foam delivers a propulsive feel to help drive you forward, ideal for road running shoes for men seeking speed and efficiency
- Years of research went into perfecting the SuperComp Elite v5 containing a FuelCell midsole made with PEBA
- Energy Arc pairs sport-specific carbon fiber plate geometry with strategic midsole voids, designed to increase stored energy to deliver a higher amount of total energy returned, great for track shoes for men who need peak performance
- Rocker profile for smooth, natural feeling transition from heel to toe, supporting long-distance runners and fans for lightweight running shoes
- Solid rubber outsole
Fit, availability, and price depend on your market
ASICS Japan lists a standard width and sizes 22.5–29.0 cm in half-centimeter increments. Its September 3, 2026 announcement set a Japanese recommended retail price of ¥24,200 including tax, with online pre-release scheduled for September 10 and sales through ASICS stores and sporting-goods retailers from September 17, 2026. Those launch details are specific to Japan; they do not confirm current stock or prices elsewhere. ASICS Japan announcement.
ASICS also has regional product pages for the US and UK; their specifications and availability may differ. Check the live page for your country and the exact size and color before buying. The published evidence does not establish an individual fit recommendation or current local price. ASICS US product page; ASICS UK product page.
Rank #4
- IncrediRUN foam: Next-generation superfoam cushioning with unheard of levels of energy return.
- Full-length slotted carbon fiber plate: Delivers smooth transitions and explosive propulsion with each stride.
- Featherweight knit and mesh upper: Ultra-breathable and designed for connected performance.
- 4/5 level of cushioning
- 8mm offset / 7oz weight
Is it the right marathon shoe for you?
The strongest reason to consider the YOGIRI SPEED is that its stated target aligns with your own: a sub-four-hour marathon, with a plated shoe and substantial cushioning. RTINGS’ review offers some independent support for the cushioned, less aggressive characterization, but it does not establish that the model is faster, safer, or more durable than alternatives.
- Consider it if your marathon goal is near ASICS’ stated sub-four-hour target and you want to assess a carbon-plated, cushioned option in person.
- Compare carefully if you are targeting a much faster time: RTINGS says the shoe is less efficient for runners aiming to break three hours, but that judgment should be considered alongside your own experience and other shoes’ comparable test data.
- Do not decide from specs alone if fit, traction, durability, or injury risk is central to your choice; the cited evidence does not establish those outcomes for individual runners.
This review is based on manufacturer specifications and the cited RTINGS assessment; no hands-on wear test is available here. A meaningful head-to-head verdict would require comparable evidence for alternatives, including measured weight, drop, fit, plate behavior, cushioning, grip, and durability.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- UNISEX RACE SHOE: The Hyperion Elite 5 is designed for competitive racers seeking a performance edge on race day. Featuring athlete-approved innovations like DNA Gold cushioning and the SpeedVault Race+ carbon plate, this shoe delivers unmatched speed and responsiveness. Predecessor: Hyperion Elite 3.
- TUNED PROPULSION PLATE: The lightweight carbon fiber SpeedVault Race+ Plate is size-customized to reduce weight and enhance bending stiffness, providing maximum propulsion and effortless speed with every stride.
- LIGHTER THAN AIR: DNA Gold 100% PEBA cushioning is the lightest, softest, and highest energy-return foam Brooks has ever created, delivering exceptional energy return to propel you toward the finish line with every step.
- OPTIMIZED RACE DAY FIT: The all-new, lightweight upper eliminates excess weight for a nearly invisible fit. Silicone lace sheaths and a full TPU-pressed upper seamlessly integrate the shoe with your foot, providing a secure, race-ready connection.
- LIGHTWEIGHT OUTSOLE: The SpeedTack lightweight rubber outsole provides exceptional grip and durability while maintaining a sleek, fast feel, ensuring optimal traction and performance during every race.
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