ASICS Novablast 4 review

We believe the ASICS Novablast 4 is an ideal choice for:

• Beginners looking for a fun, comfy, all-around shoe at a reasonable price.
• Runners seeking a cushioned, lightweight option for their short or long runs.
• Anyone needing a versatile daily trainer that effortlessly adapts to both slow and moderately fast paces.

Though the ASICS Novablast 4 offers substantial cushioning, we think it doesn't quite match the ASICS Superblast in energy return. If budget isn't a concern, the Superblast is the most responsive daily trainer you can buy today.

Based in our lab tests, the Novablast 4 also does fall slightly short in breathability, which might be a concern during the hottest days of the year.

For those who prioritize excellent airflow in their daily trainers, we recommend considering the ASICS Gel Kayano 30, the Saucony Triumph 21 or the ASICS Gel Cumulus 25.

We just noted that the Novablast 4 boasts more foam than its predecessor, but now it's time to verify ASICS' claims and measure its growth.

With a heel stack height of 39.2 mm, it's 2.0 mm more than last year's model. Keep in mind, though, that this increase isn't all foam, as we've already shown there's more rubber too.

Yet, the shoe undoubtedly feels more cushioned in the heel—a feature that rearfoot strikers will absolutely adore.

In the forefoot, we measured a generous 30.2 mm, which is significantly above the average and places the Novablast 4 among the thickest shoes in the market.

This makes it clear that cushioning is a standout feature of this shoe. We think all runners won't find themselves short on comfort underfoot, even during long 20-milers.

We meticulously measured the heel and forefoot stack heights following World Athletics guidelines and discovered a 9.0-mm drop.

This differs slightly from ASICS' stated 8.0 mm, but it's so close that it's not a cause for concern. And with a forefoot stack height like this, a 9.0-mm offset works well for all types of footstrikes.

ASICS played it safe with the insole—it's exactly the same as last year's model, featuring an average, 4.4-mm thickness. It worked well before, so why change it?

Let's dive into the midsole, where there's plenty to talk about. ASICS has switched from FF Blast+ to FF Blast+ ECO, a foam we've already tested in the ultra-comfy, marshmallow-like ASICS Nimbus 25.

This modification brings both benefits and drawbacks. The midsole feels slightly less energetic than before, but it's soft and comfortable, registering 16.9 HA in softness. 

Plus, the EVA+OBC foam now consists of at least 20% bio-based materials from renewable sources, an effort many will appreciate.

The main downside to this change is that, combined with the added weight that we revealed before, the Novablast 4 becomes less suited for speed workouts and more for steady, aerobic runs.

To test the Novablast 4's performance in extremely cold conditions, we placed it in a freezer for 20 minutes and then retested it. After freezing, it registered a balanced 22.3 HA.

This resulted in a 31.8% increase, which was clearly noticeable, yet not at all troubling.

However, it's important to keep in mind that FF Blast+ ECO is still mostly based on EVA. This means its performance in cold temperatures isn't the best possible, as we detailed in our comprehensive guide on this topic.

For a bouncy midsole that excels in cold conditions, you should consider the Nike Invincible 3, which boasts Pebax-based ZoomX.

One of the main complaints about previous Novablast models was the upper. It wasn't extremely narrow, but it definitely had a tight fit.

Now, it's just right, crafted for those with normal feet. It can also comfortably accommodate runners with narrow or wide feet, as long as they're not extreme cases.

The big toe area, measuring a neat 77.0 mm, is also quite average, something those of us with slightly wide feet—especially in the toe area—really appreciate.

We discovered the toebox has a comfortable average volume, offering plenty of space for our toes to move freely and comfortably, which is evident in the video above.

A delightful surprise in this update is the enhanced stability. ASICS has made improvements throughout the shoe to achieve this, as we'll reveal in our upcoming tests, and we're really impressed with it.

While it's not quite suitable for those with severe pronation or supination issues, it's a safe choice for neutral runners and those with minor stability needs. In fact, it's the most stable Novablast yet by a significant margin.

Another simple method to enhance stability in a daily trainer is by making it lean towards the more rigid side, and that's exactly what ASICS did.

It's not as stiff as steel, but we found it certainly feels more rigid than other daily trainers on the market, and we rated it at 4/5. However, with this high stack height, there wasn't much choice in the matter.

The heel counter's stiffness is balanced, rated at 3/5—it's not too intrusive yet not overly soft. Essentially, ASICS aimed to satisfy the majority with this design, and they've certainly succeeded.

It's also crucial to emphasize that the fabric in the heel area is not just durable, as we previously proved with the Dremel, but it also secures the feet exceptionally well to prevent heel slippage.

But the biggest change ASICS made for better stability is the increased midsole width in the forefoot.

At 122.8 mm, the NB4 is really wide, offering a landing base akin to stability shoes. While it might be even a bit much for those with perfect neutral running technique, runners with slight pronation or supination issues will absolutely appreciate this change.

The heel is almost identical to the previous version, with just a slight increase bringing it to 94.7 mm. It's still wider than average, making it ideal for heel strikers, who make up the majority of runners.

The Novablast 4 is a non-plated shoe, which is ideal for a daily trainer. This is why it scored an average result in our 90-degree bend test, at 25.6N.

Being flexible from a longitudinal standpoint is crucial for comfort, not just for daily running but also for walking or going to the gym.

We repeated the test after freezing the shoe for 20 minutes, just as we did with the midsole softness test.

The result came in at 27.0N, which means it's still pretty flexible. Nice!

That's just a 5.5% difference, a fantastic performance for an EVA-based midsole. It seems that blending OBC (Olefin Block Co-Polymers) with EVA really paid off with impressive results in this FF Blast+ ECO midsole.

As we suspected from our earlier lab tests—thicker rubber, comfier upper—the Novablast has gained some weight. Now at 9.1 oz (259g), it's still in the lightweight category for a daily trainer, yet it's 7% heavier than the v3.

Is this a good trade-off? In our view, adding 17g to this particular shoe is a wise move if it means more foam, greater comfort, and enhanced durability. It's a minor increase in weight and a luxury ASICS can afford, given that the v3 was already quite light.

ASICS had a golden opportunity to improve breathability in the Novablast, but our lab tests reveal that we're pretty much at the same spot as before, awarding the Novablast 4 the same 3/5 score as last year's model.

Our analysis of the upper shows ASICS revamped it from v3, opting now for a cozier, thicker engineered mesh. However, this new mesh somewhat reduced airflow. To balance this, they peppered the toebox with numerous holes, enhancing air and moisture escape.

We turned on the microscope to take a closer look—confirming our initial thoughts: the Novablast 4 sports a really thick mesh paired with full-size ventilation holes.

Is this the optimal design for an upper? It's a mixed bag. For those seeking a blend of durability, comfort, and breathability, it might hit the mark. We're eager to see how it performs in our upcoming tests with the Dremel, though.

What really stands out to us is the thoughtful design. Unlike many other shoes that stick to the same material throughout, this one features a soft and cozy interior, while the exterior is tougher and more durable.

The padding and comfort of the upper are quite remarkable for a $140 daily trainer.

ASICS is clearly raising the bar with this upper, but we'd also love to see this shoe reach at least 4/5 in breathability, especially for runners tackling extremely hot conditions.

We had hopes that the Novablast's average breathability might hint at a durable upper. To test this theory, we challenged the mesh with a Dremel at 5K RPM and 3.2N of force.

It turns out, the upper resisted impressively. We rate its durability a strong 3/5, outshining most daily trainers in the market.

We then turned our attention to the heel counter, a critical area for many runners as it often wears out quickly. We put it through its paces with the Dremel, applying the same 5K RPM and 3.2N of force, and the shoe scored a perfect 5 out of 5!

This achievement is particularly impressive considering the ample padding in the heel area and the comfortable fabric ASICS uses. Usually, such a combination tends to wear out faster, but they've somehow managed to make it both durable and comfortable for every run.

Now, let's focus on the outsole, which was the Novablast 3's biggest weak spot. We noticed its grip was lacking on wet surfaces, and it wasn't particularly impressive on dry ones either.

In our initial test, we measured the AHAR (ASICS High Abrassion Rubber) rubber's hardness, which registered at 79.1 HC on our Shore C durometer.

That's 5% softer than the v3, resulting in significantly better grip in both wet and dry conditions. This improvement is partly due to ASICS tweaking the rubber placement and enhancing the overall grip.

Still, there's room for improvement in the Novablast 4's outsole. For runners who often tackle wet tarmac, we suggest exploring alternatives known for superior grip like the PUMA Deviate Nitro 2.

Despite the new AHAR formulation being slightly softer, the Novablast 4 delivered an outstanding performance in our outsole durability test.

After cranking the Dremel up to 10K RPM, we only observed a minor 0.6-mm indentation. This impressive result boosts our confidence in the shoe's longevity.

To ensure durability, ASICS put 3.9 mm of rubber to the Novablast 4's outsole. This thickness is more than sufficient to ensure the midsole wears out before the outsole does.

This is an increase from the previous version's 3.1 mm, once again indicating that ASICS aimed to enhance durability, even if it meant adding a bit of weight.

We're big believers that every daily training shoe should have some reflective elements, and ASICS really nailed it this time.

We measured the Novablast 3's padding at a razor-thin 1.3 mm, which, while great for us in the lab, raised concerns for many runners who prefer tightly tied laces.

With the Novablast 4, you're treated to a properly padded tongue at 5.8 mm, similar to most daily trainers on the market. Yet, this padding isn't continuous; it's sectioned off in a smart design to avoid adding too much weight to the shoe.

The Novablast 3 didn't include a heel tab in its standard version—though it did in the LE variant that was released some months later—but this time, it's a welcome feature right from day one.

This is yet another testament to the wisdom of not fixing what isn't broken.

The 4th edition of the Novablast still features a semi-gusseted tongue, which we believe is the best approach for achieving a balance between comfort and lightness, while ensuring a really good lockdown.

The insole is easy to take out as it's not glued, and thanks to the midsole and upper's standard size, fitting insoles from other shoes or custom orthotics won't be an issue at all.

However, they might feel different compared to the included insole, which is slightly flared to enhance both stability and comfort.