Asics Novablast 4 Introduction

I went to my native ASICS retailer on the Novablast 4 launch day and there have been 5 completely different individuals all making an attempt it on. At the newest weekly Sunday morning KL metropolis run, I counted 12 individuals carrying the Novablast 4.

In a really quick time, the Novablast has grow to be one of the crucial well-liked ASICS trainers and right here in Malaysia it has a cult following. Not solely does it have a extremely fashionable and futuristic design nevertheless it’s additionally comparatively light-weight and inexpensive (in comparison with the Nimbus/Kayano).

When the unique Novablast got here out, it was the exact opposite of the opposite ASICS trainers which had been out there on the time. It was gentle, it was energetic and most significantly, it was enjoyable. Its principal downside was that its trip was wild and unstable- a small worth to pay for such an interesting coach. It was certainly one of my favorite day by day trainers as a result of it was so completely different.

Through the years, the wild Novablast has been tamed and it has grow to be increasingly like day by day trainers from different manufacturers: firmer, stabler and fewer bouncy. I didn’t use final yr’s Novablast 3 a lot for working after testing it. It felt like a really abnormal day by day coach and it was lacking the Novablast essence.

Like most of ASICS’ bestsellers, this yr’s Novablast will get a considerable replace with a model new higher, midsole and outsole.

The Novablast 4 weighs 9.2 oz (260 g) which is 0.3 oz (8.5 g) heavier than the Novablast 3. There’s a further 0.5 mm of stack peak in each the heel and forefoot, making it 41.5 mm/33.5 mm. It stays $140, the identical worth as final yr.

Asics Novablast 4 First Impressions

My first Novablast 4 run was a really gradual restoration run, slower than 6 minutes per km (9:40 per mile). I didn’t take pleasure in that run due to how agency the brand new midsole felt.

It felt blocky and with none vitality return, like an EVA foam shoe from 5 years in the past. It jogged my memory of the Brooks Ghost 14 & 15 however in a barely lighter bundle.

It felt to me prefer it was extra of a velocity coach than a flexible day by day coach. The trip felt too agency for straightforward and restoration runs.

The brand new higher fitted like a glove and it was extraordinarily comfy. The higher match was the spotlight of that first run however general, I used to be disillusioned with the Novablast 4 after the primary run and it didn’t have the wow issue.

Asics Novablast 4 Higher

The Novablast 4’s higher is my favorite characteristic and the very best Novablast higher thus far. It now makes use of a skinny, woven materials which feels extra premium and extra foot-conforming than earlier Novablasts.

There are small holes on the highest of the toe-box so breathability is barely higher and a heel pull tab has additionally been added to a brand new raised heel tab.

The tongue remains to be flat and gusseted nevertheless it has a skinny layer of padding within the center which feels extra comfy on the highest of my ft. There’s a considerable amount of downward tongue slide as a result of there’s no loop on the tongue to carry it in place. I’m undecided how ASICS let this occur when a lot put on testing takes place when it’s developed.

In earlier years, the Novablast match was a half dimension too massive however this model’s sizing is ideal and is true to dimension. For me, the match is the very best with medium thickness socks.

Asics Novablast 4 Sole Unit

The Novablast 4 rides not solely firmer than most day by day trainers, but in addition firmer than most velocity trainers. The Magic Pace 3, Endorphin Pace 4 and Boston 12 are all softer than the Novablast 4. That is fantastic in the event you’re solely doing uptempo runs, however the Novablast is meant to deal with all forms of runs, together with very gradual paces.

The FF Blast+ Eco within the midsole of the Novablast 4 is totally completely different to the one within the Nimbus 25. The Nimbus 25 midsole has a pleasing squishiness while you load it. The Novablast model feels extra like ASICS’ outdated Flytefoam from a pair years in the past: light-weight however agency.

I solely benefit from the Novablast 4 after I’m doing uptempo runs: hill repeats, regular runs, intervals or quick tempo runs. That is primarily as a result of its midsole doesn’t compress a lot when loaded so it offers a agency platform to push off from. I’ve to be working sooner than 5:30 per kilometre with a view to take pleasure in it. It has clean transitions that are fast for a non-plated coach and a stiff forefoot which feels snappy.

I really feel that FF Blast+ (like within the Cumulus 25) would make the Novablast 4 a way more participating shoe and would improve its enjoyable issue. ASICS says that the Novablast 4 has an energised trip however I disagree. To me, it feels very flat. The longest run I did in it was 35 kilometres and whereas it was cushioned sufficient, it didn’t give me a heat and fuzzy feeling.

ASICS says that the Novablast 4 has a trampoline-inspired outsole to extend vitality return. Whereas that was the case within the first 2 variations of the shoe, I can’t really feel the trampoline impact in model 4; the midsole is simply too agency and doesn’t compress sufficient to make the most of the geometry.

The decoupled groove beneath the shoe that runs from the rearfoot to the forefoot is barely deeper than the Novablast 3. Whereas it’s supposed to assist in cushioning and vitality return, the agency midsole prevents this from taking place.

There’s a brand new outsole rubber (AHAR Lo) on the Novablast 4 which is a decrease density than on the earlier variations. The decrease density is designed to extend traction however I didn’t discover a giant distinction in comparison with earlier variations. Traction is simply common.

Outsole sturdiness can be common. After 80 kilometres, I’ve seen some put on on the forefoot part, on the froth half which isn’t coated with rubber and on the outer lateral heel.

Asics Novablast 4 Conclusions

By going firmer than earlier variations, I believe ASICS has gone within the flawed course with the Novablast 4. It not looks like a flexible day by day trainer- it now looks like a velocity coach. ASICS already has the Noosa Tri (non-plated), EvoRide (non-plated) and the Magic Pace (plated), so one other velocity coach isn’t wanted.

The Novablast 4 has misplaced the enjoyable, bouncy essence which made it such a preferred coach to start with. I’d choose all of the earlier variations over this newest model. Within the ASICS center vary, I’d choose the Cumulus 25 over the Novablast 4 for day by day coaching. Its softer trip offers extra consolation and extra safety. It’s the identical worth because the Novablast.

The Saucony Experience 17 is an oz heavier than the Novablast 4 however it could deal with a wider vary of paces: it’s softer and it returns extra vitality. The Supernova Rise can be rather more versatile. Each are the identical worth because the Novablast 4.

I nonetheless suppose the Novablast 4 will proceed to be a bestseller and one of the crucial well-liked trainers in the marketplace, primarily due to its smooth, fashionable design and the hype round it.