Hyper Speed 5

I ran a 10 km and several track workouts in the ASICS Hyper Speed 5, and I was very impressed. It is designed for speed training. There is no big difference from the fourth version. Both use Flytefoam, and this one is slightly softer. For track work it felt very snappy. The foam was enough for 10 km and felt more impact-protective than the Flytefoam in other ASICS models. It is built for runners at 3:00 to 5:30/km with an easy pace around 4:00 to 4:30/km. I also ran it at 5:30, 6 and 7:00/km and could still feel the foam. My one disappointment is that I expected more bounce and energy. With that, I would have recommended it straight away as an amazing budget track shoe. The fit is very narrow and snug, like a spike shoe without the spikes. There is no wide version and no stability. Do not expect it to work for wide feet or slow running. If you use it on roads for most of your training, the outsole may wear quickly, and traction will drop after about 100 km. Keep it for speed sessions and use other shoes for daily runs so it lasts. The launch price is ₹8,000–9,000, but within two or three months it drops to around ₹4,000, and I bought mine on Flipkart for ₹4,000. At that price it is one of the best track workout shoes available. It suits track sessions from 100 m to 1,500 m and races up to 5 km. I have seen runners use it for half marathons at 4:00/km. It is not a daily trainer, and not for heavy runners, beginners or anyone with ankle pain.