Asics Novablast 4 - Women's Review

The Asics Novablast 4 is an innovative running shoe that marries well-rounded comfort with performance, making it one of our runner's all-time favorite options for just about any type of run.

Landing Comfort

Running can feel punishing when you're in the throes of training, but the Novablast 4 offers a luxurious edge to your endurance efforts. The Asics-specific FF Blast Plus Eco landing comfort of this running shoe is a testament to a true commitment to comfort.

With a total stack of 38 mm at the heel and 30 mm at the forefoot, as measured by our in-house testing team — that includes a 5.1 mm insole — there is plenty of cushion between your feet and the unrelenting pavement. The Novablast features FF Blast Plus Eco cushion technology that seamlessly absorbs impact, delivering noticeably gentle landings. Whether you're embarking on a long-distance run or tackling high-intensity workouts, the underfoot design of the Novablast ensures that your feet are snuggled in a cocoon of comfort, allowing you to focus on reaching that runner's high. The marriage between high-tech running features and comfort on the Novablast is better than we are used to seeing. Read on to see if our new favorite daily runner might be a shoe that is a match for you.

Responsiveness

Asics unveiled a surprising twist with the creation of the Novablast 4. Many supremely comfortable kicks fall flat when it comes to responsiveness, but the Novablast is a rare exception.

The plush comfort of its well-cushioned design seamlessly coexists with an unexpected level of responsiveness. As you hit the pavement, the Novablast responds dynamically to each footfall, providing an energizing push-off that efficiently propels you forward. The geometric heel shape adds to the overall oomph that this shoe has to offer. While the technology of the Novablast isn't as advanced as some of the race-specific shoes in our lineup, its “trampoline-inspired” outsole design provides fun energy return. This may not be a speed demon's go-to racing steed, but it is a great training shoe for runners looking to ratchet up their leg turnover and mileage in comfort. This uncommon harmony between superior cushioning and responsiveness sets the Novablast apart, which helps secure its standing as an all-around great running shoe.

Stability

The Novablast is a neutral runner, which adds to its universal-ish appeal. The latest iteration put forth by Asics offers a comfortably stable ride without the confines of rigid side walls, perfect for runners who are seeking a middle ground between minimalism and overbuilt stability.

The design of the Novablast seems to embrace flexibility, with all of its eco-minded textiles gently securing feet. The absence of rigid side walls allows for an adaptive-style fit, with the chunkiness of the heel your main source of stability. Because of this, the Novablast is suitable for runners who might mildly overpronate but may not be a good choice for runners needing serious gait corrections. For runners seeking a neutral stability shoe that balances comfort and adaptability, the Novablast stands out as a worthy contender.

Upper Comfort

The flexible upper comfort of the updated Novablast will suit runners who want a snug fit and those who want space for their toes to splay.

This running shoe's upper takes the concept of comfort above and beyond the standard, offering an experience that is nothing short of awesome. The upper is crafted with a pliably strong engineered mesh that gently wraps around your foot, providing a snug and customized-feeling fit. The textile of the upper is breathable and soft enough to prevent hotspots from forming. Our only gripe — and it's a minor one — is that a women's 7 Novablast is a bit shorter than other women's size 7s. We occasionally felt like our toes were pressing against the toe wall of the shoe. This wasn't a dealbreaker for us at all, but it is certainly worth considering, especially if you are between sizes. Ultimately, you'll revel in the breezy and soft-to-the-touch upper comfort of the Novablast 4.

Weight

The weight metric might be the only metric in which the updated Novablast didn't majorly exceed expectations. A women's size 6.5 weighs 7.36 ounces per shoe, slightly above average and just heavy enough to edge the Novablast out of the lightweight category.

For how much cushion the Novablast offers, we think the weight is worth it. It may not be the lightest shoe in our lineup, but the balance between comfort and weight is prime. The entirety of the shoe feels light during runs, making it a great shoe for runners seeking comfort without fully delving into maximalist shoe territory.

Traction

It is worth noting that on wet roads, the Novablast lacks significant traction.

We didn't find this to be a huge issue on our day-to-day runs where we'd cross a bit of wet pavement, but it was noticeable across wet grass, mud, and slick sidewalks.

Should You Buy the Asics Novablast 4?

Even though our recommendations change based on your running style and goals, the Novablast is one that we recommend to very nearly everyone. While runners seeking a carbon-plated speed shoe for Ferrari-fast racing will find the Novablast lacking, those searching for a near-perfect daily running shoe will enjoy what this one has to offer. Its comfort is as close to universal as a shoe can get.

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