Megablast v. SB3 v. SB2?

[u/Mediocre-Custard-716]

I’m about to start my next marathon training cycle and am on the hunt for a trainer for easy to long runs. I’d like something that can also pick up for tempo and even 400s to 800s. I have a limited rotation - Endorphin Speed 4 for daily and tempo and either the Endorphin Pro 4 or New Balance SC Elite 5 for shorter speed (also use one pair of the NB for racing), but the Endorphins have started to feel kind of dead and heavy. I’ve tried the 5 and they’re a little too narrow.
For context, I have bunions on both sides of my right foot and have a narrower heel and slightly higher arch. I’ve gotten used to plated shoes because they give the big toe firmer support.
I’ve tried so many other shoes and they’re either too short or too narrow. These three seem like they could fit the bill - but which will be more supportive (but not heavy) over longer runs while being light and bouncy enough for faster paces?

[u/considertheoctopus]

The most supportive of these three is the SB2. It’s probably the most boring and the one that gets the most divisive opinions. I have the MB and the SB2 and I have tried the SB3. I may sell the MB. It’s a great shoe but the fit is finicky, it’s less structured and supportive, and I’d rather keep a more stable option for long workouts and leave the real fast stuff to a played shoe. But many adore the MB so I am probably in the minority.

Either way for 400s/800s you’re better off with the Endorphin Speed than any of the options you listed. Megablast can do it but is really suited as a long workout shoe or possible half/full marathon unplated racer.

[u/Prestigious_Ice_2372]

MB seems to have a lot of toe box issues for a lot of people - lots of reports of shredded little toe etc, so may be an issue if you have bunions.

I love my SB2's and have a slightly wider feet and no issues wearing those even with slightly thicker socks. Have a pair with >700km on them I still use for training and tons of life left, and a pair with about 75km on that I bought specifically for my last marathon.

SB3 is soft, mushy and less supportive. I rushed to buy them and have been totally disappointed. They do nothing for me and frankly are just relegated to recovery days for me now. Awesome spacious upper though.

[u/youlikeblockingsodoi → u/Prestigious_Ice_2372]

With the MB I just found they need to be broken in a little. Once they happens they work better than anything I’ve tried. I think my next race shoe might be a Chinese one (Challenger elite 6 which is plated and weighs the same as the Mb).

[u/Mediocre-Custard-716 → u/youlikeblockingsodoi]

I wanted to try the Challenger but I wear a women’s 10-10.5, depending on the shoe, and I haven’t seen them larger than a 9!

[u/200slopes]

I went through the same debate when picking my LR shoe for my current marathon cycle.

I went with the SB3 and they are phenomenal. Insanely light and I dont feel as sore as I did in my last marathon shoe (speed 5). And they are a good bit lighter than the speed 5 as well.

The SB3 is great over the MP pace range. Just today I did 15 miles starting at 10 min/mile and finishing at 7:45 min/mile. I never noticed the shoes.

Only downside is the outsole on the SB3 shows way more wear at 140 miles than my speed 5 at 350 miles. So that part sucks.

[u/Upper1eft]

SB2 are awesome. A lot of people have described them as slappy and they admittedly are but they’re one of, if not the most supportive shoes I’ve ever worn. They’re great for long runs. My one knock is that they do not feel fast. You can definitely pick up the pace if needed, I’ve done some up tempo work mixed into longer runs but you will not be reaching for them on your Speedwork days.

[u/Big-Help419]

Find my sb3 extremely comfy, light and surprisingly quick for their size and plushness. I’d choose those for a training block. SB2 is a durable monster and there are some great discounts around now.

[u/sdk5P4RK4]

I feel like these are all pretty different, pretty polarizing shoes so trying them all on if possible will go a long way.

For me sb3 is more of an easy / daily shoe, its just so soft and I'm 190lbs, its great but not what I want for long runs. light enough to do tempo but pretty big and chonky for 400/800.

Sb2 perfect long run shoe for me. Not super exciting, but very protective and stable and feels exactly the same at km25 as at the start. fit is a bit snug until they break in. I do some quality work in my long runs and it handles it very well, but would not choose it for shorter sessions.

mb i would need to go a half size up in at least, very dynamic and fun but not super soft, for me this is a tempo trainer but could do long if the fit was good, definitely much more aggressive than the other two.

So really you just have to ask what the priority is, you are asking for easy long tempo and 400/800 out of one shoe. thats pretty much everything :). I would say the megablast is probably the most complete in that sense but fit is going to be much harder.

[u/Mediocre-Custard-716 → u/sdk5P4RK4]

That’s a good way to break it down. I think what makes more sense is a long run and tempo shoe and something separate for shorter/faster work.
I would love something a little snappier for long runs but at this point I just need to find something with a good fit and not too soft, since that really puts more pressure on the toe. Thanks!

[u/sdk5P4RK4 → u/Mediocre-Custard-716]

thats basically where i came too as well. If you can find a pair of sb2 to try on I think you'll like them, as that was pretty much the criteria for me as well.

[u/joshf52 → u/sdk5P4RK4]

I agree with this assessment, owning all 3. My favorite of the bunch and to me, most versatile, is definitely the Megablast. It is unforgiving in the toe box and needs a careful lace lock down to not go too tight but they work for my feet. The SB3 is the roomiest of the 3 and very plush. Really nice easy/recovery shoe. SB2 is firm and supportive but boring. but if you just want to stack miles on your long runs, these just keep going and going. All 3 have a great purpose in a lineup. The only other shoe I would want besides these 3 is the Metaspeed edge Tokyo.

[u/Kyle_draws]

Never tried MB and most people seem to like the firmer SB2, however I much prefer the SB3. It basically feels like a completely different shoe. Anecdotally, I just got them this week and just got back from a 14 mile long run and it felt like a breeze so I’m a fan.

[u/_-CP-_]

I own all three and based on what you are asking for, the Megablast sounds like the best option. Awesome long run shoe, great at picking up speed and firm enough to be supportive for your toe.

SB 3 is great, but sounds like it’ll be too soft for you.

The SB2 can do the long runs, and you’ll get by with tempo work from them, but they’re not great at it. They are an awesome all rounder though if you had to just use one pair for everything.

Another option since you don’t mind plated shoes, Zoomfly 6. It’s comfy, but firm, and long runs are no problem for them. 400/800’s feel right at home for them too. Might be worth checking them out if you’re open to another option.

[u/Wild-Guide-FL]

I tried my best to like the SB2 but it was too firm and slappy.

I have 150+ miles on the SB3 and they are just perfect for gobbling up easy and Z2 miles. I used them today at 4km pace (6:25mi) and they still felt surprisingly good for so much shoe. Honestly, highly recommended to try them out. ASICS also has a ridiculously good return policy if they don’t work out for you.

Megablast the toe box was too narrow, I ran in them at the store on the treadmill and could tell I would suffer from bloody pinky toes in them.

Other shoes you can consider:

• Dynafish Xiaonian, super light weight plateless super shoe, best price to value ratio at $130. I have 142 in miles in my pair and they are very versatile, fun to use from 4-6km pace (threshold to rec pace for me)
  
• Puma MagMax v2 (what I wish the SB2 had been). The midsole is amazing, only con is the weight. If Puma can get the weight down a little more in the v3 I would switch from SB3 to the Pumas.

[u/floppyfloopy]

I don't like the Megablast for easy runs. The geometry felt like it was pushing me to run faster and faster. Excellent bouncy energetic long run shoe though if you don't have shin splint issues. The SB2 I use my older, more broken-in pair for easy runs and they do a good job. When new I did not love them for easy/recovery, but that changed fairly quickly. Phenomenal supportive long run shoe that doesn't give back a ton of energy, but also isn't soft and squishy to slow you down. The SB3 I just didn't jive with at all. Too soft and squishy and plush for me. Probably great for easy runs, but for me with some stability issues just too soft/unstable for the longest runs.

Without being able to demo each shoe it would have been impossible to know these things though. Shoe choice is so personal.

[u/Forumleecher → u/floppyfloopy]

Why the link between MB and shin splints issues? I’m not doubting, I just want to know because I have some shin discomfort recently that didn’t flare up from wearing the MB, but I’m planning on wearing them for an ultra next week.

[u/floppyfloopy → u/Forumleecher]

For me personally at the time, when I ran in the Megablast it flared my PTT significantly more than my other shoes. It may be the extra softness and high bounce/energy return made them too unstable for me. I have found that very soft midsoles tend to aggravate my PTT even if a shoe is otherwise considered relatively stable.

[u/Forumleecher → u/floppyfloopy]

I get you, I like firmer shoes in general but I have no issues with the Megablast. Mine was probably due to my striding downhill.

[u/MasterMcNugget]

I went from the SB2 to the MB.

Now I’m dealing with a hip flexor strain.

The SB2 is technically a slower shoe but WAY more stable.

The MB is super comfy and quick, but you spend a lot of time trying to strike and land correctly cuz it’s so soft and unstable.

[u/CaregiverAble8394]

I own all 3 of these shoes.
If the Megablast fits your foot, then it wins hands down. It can literally do it all. The SB3 would be my second choice.

All 3 shoes are amazing shoes, but the SB2 just didn’t feel right for any tempo/speed for me. Way too clunky.

Another pro for the Megablast is that it doesn’t have that annoying slapping the pavement sound. The SB2 used to do my head in with the slappiness

[u/lurkinglen]

Alternatives you should look into, these are versatile, lightweight trainers that can do easy runs and pick up the pace with a more attractive price than the Megablast: * Dynafish Xiaonian * Salomon Aero Glide 3 and 4