Asics Novablast 4 Introduction
I went to my native ASICS retailer on the Novablast 4 launch day and there have been 5 totally different folks all making an attempt it on. At the newest weekly Sunday morning KL metropolis run, I counted 12 folks carrying the Novablast 4.
In a really brief time, the Novablast has turn into 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 however it’s additionally comparatively light-weight and reasonably priced (in comparison with the Nimbus/Kayano).
When the unique Novablast got here out, it was the exact opposite of the opposite ASICS trainers which have been out there on the time. It was gentle, it was energetic and most significantly, it was enjoyable. Its foremost 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 each day trainers as a result of it was so totally different.
Over time, the wild Novablast has been tamed and it has turn into an increasing number of like each day trainers from different manufacturers: firmer, stabler and fewer bouncy. I didn’t use final 12 months’s Novablast 3 a lot for working after testing it. It felt like a really unusual each day coach and it was lacking the Novablast essence.
Like most of ASICS’ bestsellers, this 12 months’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 12 months.
Asics Novablast 4 First Impressions
My first Novablast 4 run was a really sluggish restoration run, slower than 6 minutes per km (9:40 per mile). I didn’t get pleasure from 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 pace coach than a flexible each day coach. The trip felt too agency for straightforward and restoration runs.
The brand new higher fitted like a glove and it was extraordinarily snug. The higher match was the spotlight of that first run however total, I used to be disenchanted 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 to this point. 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 however it has a skinny layer of padding within the center which feels extra snug 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 huge 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 each day trainers, but additionally firmer than most pace trainers. The Magic Velocity 3, Endorphin Velocity 4 and Boston 12 are all softer than the Novablast 4. That is tremendous if you happen to’re solely doing uptempo runs, however the Novablast is meant to deal with all sorts of runs, together with very sluggish paces.
The FF Blast+ Eco within the midsole of the Novablast 4 is totally totally different to the one within the Nimbus 25. The Nimbus 25 midsole has a nice 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 once I’m doing uptempo runs: hill repeats, regular runs, intervals or brief tempo runs. That is primarily as a result of its midsole doesn’t compress a lot when loaded so it gives a agency platform to push off from. I’ve to be working sooner than 5:30 per kilometre in an effort to get pleasure from it. It has easy 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 benefit from 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 lined with rubber and on the outer lateral heel.
Asics Novablast 4 Conclusions
By going firmer than earlier variations, I feel ASICS has gone within the unsuitable route with the Novablast 4. It not appears like a flexible each day trainer- it now appears like a pace coach. ASICS already has the Noosa Tri (non-plated), EvoRide (non-plated) and the Magic Velocity (plated), so one other pace coach isn’t wanted.
The Novablast 4 has misplaced the enjoyable, bouncy essence which made it such a well-liked coach to start with. I’d decide all of the earlier variations over this newest model. Within the ASICS center vary, I’d decide the Cumulus 25 over the Novablast 4 for each day coaching. Its softer trip gives extra consolation and extra safety. It’s the identical worth because the Novablast.
The Saucony Journey 17 is an oz heavier than the Novablast 4 however it might probably deal with a wider vary of paces: it’s softer and it returns extra vitality. The Supernova Rise can be way more versatile. Each are the identical worth because the Novablast 4.
I nonetheless assume the Novablast 4 will proceed to be a bestseller and one of the crucial well-liked trainers available on the market, primarily due to its glossy, fashionable design and the hype round it.
