In a super crowded running shoe landscape, it’s inevitably going to be tough for most shoes to be among “the ones” that you simply grab for the most and continue to lean on as a trusted companion to tack on the miles.
The Asics Novablast poked its head out for world to get a glimpse back in 2019 and with the fourth version, the task of being the repeated chosen one rests on its shoulders. The prior model of the Novablast was a shoe built for being relied upon constantly and had the chops to skip to main slot in rotation because of steady adjustments year over year that kept it feeling fresssh.
With the Novablast 4, there was an eagerness to see what were the next round if adjustments, improvements and whether there was legitimate room to fiddle with a shoe that simply served its purpose as a daily driver with long mile capabilities in a ride that was on par with more expensive options.
Changes and Notable Features
Upon initial inspection, the Novablast 4 easily draws some visual cues from its Superblast stablemate — which is a plus — but I was curious about whether the tweaks to the new iteration were simply “change” for the sake of change.
This version doesn’t endure radical differences from the Novablast 3, but a reworked upper is now in play and leans a little bit away from the engineered mesh of the prior model in favor of a softer mesh that feels snug. Asics notes that the tongue features a gusseted wing that has more flex and it was certainly noticeable as I adjusted the upper to get a true lock down feel. And the midsole graduates to Flytefoam Blast+ Eco foam that is not only lighter but felt responsive well into my 50+ mile break in period. The gradient on the midsole is a welcome stylish touch that stands out across what feels like numerous colorways in the Novablast 4 lineup. However, the heel design is meaty piece that sculpts just below the Achilles — and is a hit or miss look that some runners won’t notice, instantly like or give the thumbs down.
The ride felt effortless and in certainly due in part to the reworked rubber outside that was grippy but provided a soft landing with each step. There weren’t heaps of stiffness in the midsole and outsole — which is a good thing in this instance — and I felt every bit of the substantial 44mm stack (along with 9mm drop at the toe).
Personal Opinions
The Novablast 4 easily worked its way into my weekly rotation and was a solid warrior on paved roads and some dirt/gravel paths. And as running shoe prices continue to creep up (and up), this particular shoe balances itself extremely well on the performance and price scale. At $140, the value extracted from his shoe thru numerous runs is proof that there are definitely reliable options that fall below price points that are a bit harder to stomach these days.
And the Novabast 4 manages to not only pass a test of its might with flying colors, but it’s simply good to see an updated to a shoe that hasn’t had a new batch of ingredients thrown into the mix to justify graduating to the next model. It plays well alongside the Superblast when it comes time to set you up for longer mileage treks as you coast into the later part of a week of workouts.
But it certainly has the resume to stack up the increased mileage if you’re not on board to toss $200 at its more refined sibling. I found myself taking the Novablast on the track for a few laps but also incorporating into my tempo run sessions and knowing my feet would seize the responsiveness of the midsole.
I’m a fan of the traction of the rubber outsole but the shoe felt unstable in less than great surfaces and it was apparent when had to be mindful of my landing on wet asphalt. Obviously that does not inspire confidence and I made it a point to avoid routes that seemed to change personality after it rained or were partially covered with leaves. This is an obvious area that needs to be addressed for the Novablast 4 successor.
Overall Thoughts
The Novabast 4 carries over the essence of the previous iteration but tacks on tasteful improvements that clearly consider wallet conscious runners looking for a versatile daily trainer that can also gobble up high miles. The stylish touches and upgraded midsole will draw looks in a stuffed roster of shoes at your local running store.
The traction issues in wet conditions aren’t irritating enough to toss the Novablast 4 aside but it certainly can’t be ignored. Still, the sum of all of the parts in this package are a quality that’s worth highlighting since you get a lot of shoe for a price that I hope stays frozen in time — and is carried over to future models.
But, the combo of a lightweight trainer, retooled upper and grown up midsole is a
The Novablast 4 is easily one of our favorite daily trainers. Combining versatile max-cushioning with a snappy geometry, this shoe thrives at a wide range of paces. If we only could pick one shoe for almost all our runs, this would be it. Asics nailed the upper, which provides excellent lockdown and is extremely comfortable. Somehow, the Novablast isn’t a heavy shoe. Sure, traction isn’t great, and the heel design feels a bit bulbous at times, but neither of those issues outweighs the fantastic ride and versatility. This is a phenomenal choice for runners who value comfort over speed but still want to be able to do it all.
THE BREAKDOWN
Specs for the Asics Novablast 4
· Weight: (9.2 oz / 260 g) and (8.3 oz / 235 g)
· Stack height and drop: 44mm and 9mm
· Important features: FF BLAST Plus Eco foam, gusseted tongue wing, mesh upper, AHAR outsole
· Price: $140
· Release date: December 2023
How We Tested This Shoe
· Men: Size 11.5 (9.2 oz / 260 g)
· Women: Size 8 (8.3 oz / 235 g)
· Running conditions: Tempo, long and recovery runs along with speedwork on asphalt and the track
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Asics Novablast 4 – Men
Asics Novablast 4 – Women
