Asics Novablast 4 Review

If we had to describe the Novablast 4 in one word, it would be “comfy.” Normally, that's code for slow. Not so with the Novablast. The thick FF Blast + Eco foam insulates your legs from the pavement and is firm enough to get rolling at faster paces easily. Add in the fun geometry, and you have a shoe that can handle workouts or even races for some runners. The ride is also surprisingly stable, with a wider platform and slight sidewalls.

The upper is soft to the touch. Even with the fairly generous toe-box, dialing in a perfect fit is easy. It runs a bit warm, as most knit uppers do, but we aren't complaining about that during the winter. Our biggest issue with the shoe is the lack of traction. The shoe handles dry pavement and light gravel easily but run in a bit of rain, snow, or ice, and you'll notice the lack of lugs. To be fair, it's more barefoot on damp tile than bowling shoes on ice, but it's not ideal. However, this is still the shoe we grab on most days (when we aren't testing other shoes).

Performance Comparison

Cushioning and Landing Comfort

The Novablast 4 is a max-cushioned shoe. But while the 43mm of foam in the heel and 36mm in the forefoot provide a nicely cushioned landing, it isn't as soft as other shoes with this much foam. Instead, the firmer ride allows for a good ground feel and energy return. That, in turn, allows for a versatility that is hard to match. With a midsole that never bottoms out and a bouncy ride, this shoe is comfortable on both easy runs and at a 5K pace. That's hard to do.

The cushioning didn't score the highest in the test, but the only shoes that scored higher were either race-only super shoes or more niche easy day shoes. The Novablast brings excellent levels of cushioning to a wider range of uses.

We think heel-strikers will appreciate the generous amounts of foam towards the rear of the shoe, but mid/forefoot strikers shouldn't worry. The combination of geometry and generous forefoot stack makes for a smooth ride if you land farther forward.

One of our few complaints about the shoe is about the bulbous heel. The design is visually striking, but it feels a bit clunky when moving fast. We wouldn't mind seeing it slimmed down a bit.

These shoes also don't provide a lot of confidence when landing on wet or slick terrain. The lack of lugs is noticeable, especially at faster paces. However, the lack of lugs is a big reason this shoe is so lightweight for its size. In most cases, it's a tradeoff we're willing to make.

Sure, some shoes are more plushly cushioned. But the Novablast strikes a middle ground that makes it great for most runs.

Responsiveness

When we first tried the Novablast on, we immediately noticed the rocker and the “trampoline-inspired outsole.” It isn't just marketing. The forefoot does feel a bit like a trampoline; the recessed midsole/outsole pod works really well to give a forward, bouncy feel.

Combined with the aggressive rocker that hits right around the ball of your foot (we measured the angle at 22.5 degrees in our standardized testing) and firmer ride, it results in a readily responsive and really fun shoe.

There are more responsive shoes on the market. The Novablast feels snappy up to about 5K pace, but that doesn't result in a shoe that struggles to take it easy. We think the balance between responsiveness and cushioning is near-perfect for a daily trainer.

On the other hand, this isn't the first shoe we would pick for most 5K and faster work, mostly due to the relative weight and size. It's lightweight, but most speed-oriented trainers or super shoes are significantly lighter. And, like we mentioned earlier, the heel can get in the way a bit when you're really pushing it.

Asics nailed the daily trainer with the Novablast 4. It can handle your daily miles and your long run but is more than responsive enough for some workouts. Some runners who value comfort over top-end speed might even find them race-worthy.

Upper Comfort

The knit upper of the Novablast is extremely comfortable. Overall, this is one of the most comfortable shoes we've tested. We never experienced hotspots, regardless of the socks we chose or how wet the roads were. The tongue is reliable, well-cushioned, and sits comfortably on long runs.

The heel cup is reasonably deep and, in conjunction with some sidewalls on the heel, feels very supportive and provides great lockdown. Dialing in the fit was never a struggle with this shoe. The toe box should be roomy enough for runners with high-volume feet but is stretchy enough to provide a reliable, no-slide fit for most users.

Our only issue with the upper is temperature regulation. Knit uppers never breathe as well as engineered mesh. Our feet didn't feel hot in 70 temperatures, but the upper is similar to other Asics shoes. Depending on your sock choice, there is a good chance your feet will get pretty toasty when temperatures push past 80. But hey, at least we're not complaining about cold feet on chilly winter long runs!

Lateral Stability and Support

For a neutral daily trainer, the Novablast does a good job of providing support. We think it could work well for runners needing mild stability in their shoes for several reasons. First, the shoe makes use of a wider platform and some sole flaring that does a good job of providing lateral support in the midfoot.

Second, the heel is nested into the foam sidewalls, and the heel cup is reasonably deep, providing good support.

On the other hand, the high stack height does create an inherently unstable platform, particularly on unpredictable terrain. If you're looking for maximum support or stability, this isn't the one to choose.

Weight

A shoe with 43mm of stacked foam in the heel and 36mm in the forefoot, plus a knit upper that weighs just 9.76 ounces? Count us in.

Sure, Asics saved weight by compromising the traction of the outsole, but we love how light this shoe is. It's large, but it doesn't feel heavy on your feet.

Should You Buy the Asics Novablast 4?

If you're hunting for a near-perfect daily trainer, this shoe is for you. It can chill on recovery days and knock out long threshold sessions. You could race in this shoe. We love it. It's comfy, it's snappy, and it just feels good. That's why the Novablast 4 is our Editor's Choice; it's not just a good shoe by the numbers, it's also a fun shoe to run in.

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