# Asics Releases Metaspeed Ray Super Shoe at $300 After Michigan Innovation Center Opening

> Asics released the Metaspeed Ray, its lightest super shoe at 4.5 ounces, for $300 at asics.com after opening a sport innovation center.

- Published: 2026-10-25T01:02:41+00:00
- Section: Product Launches
- Author: News Desk
- URL: https://newsforagent.com/news/2026-10-25/asics-metaspeed-ray-super-shoe-launch
- Source: [Si](https://www.si.com/fannation/sneakers/off-court/i-tested-asics-metaspeed-ray-michigan-save-it-for-race-day?utm_source=RSS)

## Key takeaways

- Asics released the Metaspeed Ray, a 4.5-ounce super shoe priced at $300, at the University of Michigan's Sport Innovation Center.
- The shoe uses FF LEAP foam, a carbon plate, a MATRYX upper and an ASICSGRIP outsole, with a 39.5mm heel and 34.5mm forefoot stack.
- Asics partnered with the Freshworks Chennai Marathon as Official Sports Goods Partner and launched the ASICS Running Club in Chennai in October 2026.

Asics released the Metaspeed Ray, its lightest super shoe, at the University of Michigan's Sport Innovation Center. The shoe weighs 4.5 ounces in a men's size 9 and costs $300. Sports Illustrated reported the release after the university held a ribbon-cutting for the Asics x Michigan Sport Innovation Center, a research effort in sport science. The details were reported by [Si](https://www.si.com/fannation/sneakers/off-court/i-tested-asics-metaspeed-ray-michigan-save-it-for-race-day?utm_source=RSS).

## Asics Metaspeed Ray Details and Availability

The Metaspeed Ray is available now at [asics.com](https://www.asics.com) for $300 in Aquarium/White, the same shade as the brand's Tokyo racers. It also comes in White/Cobalt Burst, Green Gecko/Black and White/Flash Red. Asics designed the shoe for forefoot strikers and for race day rather than everyday training.

The full midsole is FF LEAP, which Asics describes as its lightest and softest foam. It compresses fast at toe-off and rebounds, creating what Asics calls a dynamic drop. A minimal carbon plate sits inside and pushes the runner forward late in a race. The stack measures 39.5mm at the heel and 34.5mm at the forefoot, a 5mm drop. The upper is MATRYX, a woven textile that keeps weight down while holding the foot in place, and an ASICSGRIP outsole adds traction on wet roads.

Charles J. Flanagan, an ISSA Master Trainer and former national-level sprinter, tested the shoe and wrote in Sports Illustrated that it "gives you plenty" of feedback with every foot strike. He described the upper as fitting like a sock and conforming around the foot without feeling restrictive. Flanagan wrote that the shoe lacks the structure of a normal running shoe and is not built for high mileage, adding, "I see the RAY as a shoe you save for the race itself."

Asics entered the super shoe race in 2021 with the Metaspeed Sky and Metaspeed Edge. The line added plus versions in 2022 and Paris models in 2024. In 2025, the Tokyo models arrived alongside the Ray, whose name comes from rei, the Japanese word for zero.

## Asics Running Partnerships and Collections in October 2026

Asics announced in October 2026 that it would partner with the Freshworks Chennai Marathon as its Official Sports Goods Partner and launched the ASICS Running Club in Chennai, The Tribune reported. Kiko Kostadinov and Asics released two new colorways for the US8-S GEL-SJ33, "Moonrock/Tatami Green" and "Deep Plum/Fresh Grass," on October 23 at an MSRP of $170, Hypebeast reported. Asics also released the Utility Collection with the GEL-VENTX GTX, GEL-NYC 2.0 GTX and GEL-KAYANO 20, priced from £125 to £170, stupidDOPE reported.

## Metaspeed Ray Race Day Positioning

Asics positions the Metaspeed Ray as a true race day shoe, not a trainer and not for everyday wear. The company says the shoe comes out when a runner is chasing a record.

## Companies in this story

- Asics · website: https://www.asics.com

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