ASICS Novablast 4 Review
There's Even More To Love About the ASICS Novablast 4
Likes
- Versatile and responsive FF BLAST+ Eco midsole
- Improved upper fit and feel
- More durable outsole
Dislikes
- If any, the aesthetic is not as dynamic
What's New
In its relatively brief history, the ASICS Novablast has quickly ascended to the top of the daily training category thanks to its versatile, do-it-all performance, and version 4 promises to be even better than ever due to a host of some minor yet highly effective updates from the ASICS team.
Headlining version 4 is the new FF Blast+ Eco foam midsole, which ASICS is hyping as their lightest, most responsive foam to date, with the Novablast 4 designed to be the most energetic adaptation yet. ASICS has also refashioned the geometry of the midsole to ensure effortlessly smooth heel-to-toe transitions that will keep your daily training runs fun, efficient, and comfortable. Speaking of comfort, version 4 of the Novablast is not only sporting a new foam but more of it as well! With a higher midsole stack height, the Novablast 4 will deliver all-new levels of protection for even better long runs.
Sitting atop the Novblast 4’s updated midsole is a new woven mesh upper that improves the shoe’s breathability while delivering a snug, supportive fit that will keep runners secure regardless of the pace they choose to run. Do you have slightly wider or narrower feet? Then there is no need to worry as the Novablast 4’s upper is also highly adaptable, offering a personalized fit to all who get this superstar shoe on foot.
Rounding this update out is an improved AHAR rubber outsole designed to provide incredible grip and durability on the roads without weighing you down, so runners can run confidently, knowing they can take on corners during faster workouts or enjoy lightweight durability and comfort during slower, longer ones. Above all, runners can enjoy all the benefits of the Novablast 4 at the same fantastic price as the previous model, making this shoe purchase a no-brainer.
The Bottom Line
It should come as no surprise that our Running Warehouse team has always been big fans of the ASICS Novablast for its incredible versatility over a wide range of daily training runs. Although version 4 has only received minor changes, our testers were impressed with how much the Novablast has improved from the previous model. The biggest surprise was the noticeable jump in the midsole’s performance.
When a brand says that their new midsole foam is their lightest, most responsive compound yet, you always wonder how the shoe will perform once you get it on the road, reserving affirmation of such claims after you have had a chance to put it to the test. Admittedly, our testers were unsure what to expect from the Novablast 4’s new FF Blast+ Eco foam midsole. That said, ASICS delivered, and the elevated performance of the Novablast’s midsole was more than evident throughout the testing period, providing a more energetic underfoot experience that our team greatly appreciated on their daily efforts and faster workouts. Also, thanks to the midsole’s updated geometries, the Novablast is more efficient than ever, providing ultra-smooth heel-to-toe transitions that make running feel truly easy. With these improvements, the Novablast 4 is an even more capable uptempo shoe and distance companion, heightening the Novablast’s versatility beyond all previous models.
The Novablast 4’s increased level of comfort also helps distinguish it further from its predecessors, as the new woven mesh upper is more comfortable than ever, providing our testers with a soft, almost premium feel that delivers long-lasting comfort and dependable security no matter the type of run. More impressively, the woven mesh had no problems adapting to the various foot shapes of our testing team, and there is little doubt that a wide variety of runners will be able to enjoy the Novablast 4, despite maybe those with the widest or narrowest foot shapes.
Overall, if you are a fan of the Novablast series, you will love the Novablast 4. But even if you have never tried a Novablast, it would be surprising if you did not find something to love about this high-performing daily trainer that not only delivers a heightened midsole and upper performance (perfect for an assortment of daily runs) but longer-lasting durability thanks to the tweaks made to the AHAR outsole, ensuring consistent performance mile after mile. The fact that the Novablast 4 remains at the same great price as its predecessor is just the icing on the cake.
Specifications & Fit
Shoe Specs
| Weight | Men's: 9.0 oz (size 9) | Women's: 7.8 oz (size 8) |
| Stack Height | 42 mm (Heel), 34mm (Forefoot) | 8 mm Heel-Toe Offset |
| Terrain | Road |
| Stability | Neutral |
| Sizing | True to size |
Our In-Depth Look
Upper
Jon: "Version 4's engineered woven upper is a huge upgrade from the Novablast 3; it is softer and feels more premium on foot. The upper has a comfortably secure wrap with an adaptable stretch and a soft tongue with a well-padded heel collar that I really enjoyed. Also, I cannot forget to mention the new pull tab, which was a welcomed addition, as I love a good pull tab! Overall, the upper is fantastic, perfectly balancing soft comfort and structured support."
Risa: "I love the upper of the Novablast 4; it is soft with an overall premium on-foot feel. I have narrow feet, and the Novablast fit was perfect for me, providing comfort while remaining secure. Because of my foot shape, I sometimes have issues with uppers, but this was not the case with the Novablast 4. In addition, I think the Novablast would work well for a variety of foot types as well."
Midsole
Jon: "I was not sure what to expect from the new FF Blast+ Eco foam midsole, but as soon as I slipped on the Novablast 4, it felt softer and more protective than the Novablast 3. I am not sure if it is due to the new "Eco" foam or the slightly higher stack height, but regardless, it was a noticeable improvement on the run from version 3. Furthermore, the midsole foam and stack paired incredibly well with the updated midsole geometry. It truly made running easier, and my heel-to-toe transitions were effortless. I am happy to report that I had no issues during my high-mileage long-run efforts. I put in nearly 70 miles in this shoe in two weeks, and my legs never felt tired, even after an 11-mile and 13-mile long run.
I am still building back up from an Achilles injury, so I did not put this shoe through a true speed workout, but I still found myself going faster on my easier efforts without even trying. While this shoe feels good at slower paces, it can definitely take on speedier runs. Given my experience in the Novablast 3, I have no doubts about the Novablast 4's ability to perform during speed workouts!"
Risa: "Immediately upon trying them on, the Novablast 4 had that wow factor. The midsole felt soft and bouncy from the initial step-in, and that awesome underfoot experience continued to shine through while on the run, which is not always the case with other shoes. Although the Novablast is categorized as a daily trainer, I found it great for speed workouts and uptempo runs as well. The energetic foam and geometry of the midsole encouraged me to pick up the pace, putting an extra pep in my step every time I wore them."
Outsole
Jon: "The outsole is another area where a small change ended up making a big difference for me. While the design appears very similar to version 3, the channel, or cutout, in the Novablast 4's midsole runs deeper into the shoe, creating a more dramatic springboard effect at the toe-off, which was very apparent during my runs. Honestly, I did not think the design change would be noticeable, but I could not deny the improvement once I started running.
The AHAR appears a little thicker than the previous version, which will hopefully translate into being more durable. After about 70 miles in this shoe, the outsole looks ready for more and more mileage."
Risa: "I did not get a chance to test the Novablast 4 in wet conditions, but I was happy with the performance of the AHAR outsole on all my runs. It exceeded expectations, and I had no issues with grip on the roads, which made me feel very secure when taking turns or running on uneven surfaces."
Comparable Shoes
ASICS Novablast 4 vs. ASICS Novablast 3
Jon: "I do not like using this space to compare different versions of the same shoe, but I suspect a lot of folks will wonder whether the Novablast 4 is a worthy successor to the ultra-popular Novablast 3.
The Novablast 3 was one of my favorite shoes last year, so I was very curious to see how the Novablast 4 stacked up. After putting in the miles, I can confidently say that the Novablast 4 feels better in every way. Although I will say, aesthetically speaking, I think the Novablast 3's color options and overall design look better, but back to the performance. The Novablast 4 feels more cushioned overall both in the heel and forefoot. The dramatic toe spring in the 4 enhanced my experience. While the 4th iteration is just a tick heavier than the 3rd (which is never ideal), the weight gain is offset by the added responsiveness in the Novablast 4. Pair that underfoot experience with a softer and more premium feeling upper, and it is easy for me to recommend upgrading to the Novablast 4."
Risa: "The Novablast 4 is noticeably softer than the Novablast 3, making this shoe even more up my alley than other versions. Despite only approximately 1 mm of more stack added to the midsole, the shoe feels more protective overall. The Novablast 4 is a little more versatile thanks to the updated midsole and the improved comfort of the upper, which further encourages me to wear the shoe on every daily training run."
Men's ASICS Novablast Running Shoes
Women's ASICS Novablast Running Shoes
Individual Thoughts
On paper, there were not many changes to the Novablast that made me think that version 4 would feel dramatically different from version 3, but I am happy to report that the Novablast 4 is a major upgrade.
Despite already giving us one of the best shoes that money can buy a year ago, ASICS did not rest on their laurels and are coming in hot yet again! Although the Novablast 4 does not represent an earth-shattering upgrade, there is still much to celebrate, especially considering that this near-perfect shoe has improved even better in just a year.
Similar to version 3, the Novablast 4 can be enjoyed by runners across any experience level. This shoe has the cushion and comfort that beginner runners look for in a daily trainer and the protection, responsiveness, and low weight that experienced runners appreciate for speed workouts and longer efforts.
Overall, the Novablast's high-performing legacy is alive and well, and this do-it-all daily trainer is an easy recommendation from me.
In a nutshell, the Novablast 4 is a slam dunk. If you do not like soft and bouncy shoes, then it may not be the shoe for you, but I truly think most runners will love the Novablast 4. In a sea of daily training options, this shoe stands out thanks to its exquisite midsole balance, versatility, and innovative design.
I looked forward to lacing it up for each test run as I trained for a half marathon, and I will continue wearing it for many miles after the testing period. I was expecting to enjoy the Novablast 4, but I did not think that it would become my favorite running shoe of the year! Another favorite of mine, the ASICS Gel Nimbus 25, features the same foam as the Novablast 4, the Flytefoam Blast Plus Eco foam; however, these two feel like very different shoes underfoot. I will continue to wear my Novablast 4s for daily runs and speed workouts and reserve the Nimbus 25 for my longest miles and recovery runs.