What is FLYTEFOAMâą?
April 2, 2026
If youâre shopping for ASICS running shoes, youâll likely see the name FLYTEFOAMâą, often abbreviated as FF. Read on to learn where FLYTEFOAMâą comes from, the differences between each version, and how it can deliver more comfort and energy in every stride.
About FLYTEFOAMâą
FLYTEFOAMâą is the name of our proprietary midsole foam technology developed by the ASICS Institute of Sport Science (ISS) in Kobe, Japan. The first version was introduced in 2016 for the ASICS MetaRun running shoe. At the time, it was designed to be significantly lighter than the industry standard, offering an innovative balance of responsiveness, support, and durability.
Since its debut, FLYTEFOAMâą has evolved into several new variations, continuously improving upon the one that started it all. If you see the letters âFFâ on the midsole of your shoe, you're running on a version of FLYTEFOAMâą.
Overview of FLYTEFOAMâą Variations
Foam Type | Description | Key Shoes |
FF BLASTâą | Balanced comfort and bounce | |
FF BLASTâą PLUS | A lighter and bouncier evolution of FF BLASTâą | |
FF BLASTâą MAX | Soft and springy with responsive energy return | |
FF TURBOâą PLUS | Racing-level energy return with less weight than FF BLASTâą foams | METASPEEDÂź SKY/EDGE (top layer) |
FF TURBOâą SQUARED | A high-performance foam with even more bounce than FF TURBOâą PLUS | MEGABLASTâą (full-length), SONICBLASTâą (top layer) |
FF LEAPâą | Our lightest, bounciest, most advanced FLYTEFOAMâą to date |
Other terms to know
PureGELâą
The updated version of GELÂź technology thatâs approximately 65% softer. In running shoes, itâs strategically placed alongside FLYTEFOAMâą to balance soft landings with responsive toe-offs.
Carbon Plate
A plate found in racing styles like the METASPEEDÂź SKY/EDGE shoes, designed to enhance energy return from the midsole by increasing the deformable foam volume under the plate.
ASTROPLATEâą
A plate found in the SONICBLASTâą shoe that helps propel your stride forward, made of a PEBAX plastic material thatâs designed to be more comfortable for daily runs compared to a carbon plate.
Please note: This information does not contain or constitute medical advice or a medical opinion, and it is provided for informational purposes only. You should always consult a qualified and licensed medical professional prior to beginning or modifying any diet or exercise program.