Asics Novablast 4 running shoes

The Asics Novablast 4 running shoe is a versatile, highly cushioned, dynamic running shoe that can be worn for longer distances and the midfoot supports fast runs. The Novablast name stands for versatility itself. The release of the first version in 2019 was a turning point in the life of Asics, marking the beginning of a technological change that we’ve been enjoying ever since. They’ve come out with new developments one after the other, which we’ve written about in our Asics shoes reviews so far. The Novablast is the most popular shoe from the Asics brand, as it caters to a wide range of people and is a good option for those who only use one running shoe. They’re comfortable, fun, fast when you need them to be, and can be used for longer distances. The Novablast 4 has a number of improvements over the previous version, making it more stable and comfortable, so it will be the running shoe of choice for more runners.

The upper of the Asics Novablast 4 running shoe has changed the most. Immediately apparent is the switch from the previous mesh material to a knit upper. It’s much more comfortable, softer, more flexible, fits better on the foot, and also holds the foot better. The front of the shoe has tiny ventilation holes, which makes the shoe very breathable. The tongue of the shoe is fixed on both sides, wider and a little thicker than its predecessor, with a thinner curved section at the top to prevent any debris from entering the shoe as it fits snugly against the carcass. The tongue also has lots of tiny holes to help the shoe’s breathability. The heel collar is not too stiff and has a lot of cushioning, and is also higher than the previous version. Even though the heel collar has become softer and looser it holds the foot well and is much more comfortable.

The midfoot of the Asics Novablast 4 running shoe has also changed a lot. It’s been made 0.5mm taller and 5mm wider, so it’s both more stable and softer. It has better shock absorption and is even more dynamic thanks to the soft but flexible foam. The midsole is made of FlyteFoam Blast Plus Eco foam, which is essentially the same as the previous version, except that it wasn’t ECO, which means it didn’t contain recycled material. This is one of the best foams Asics has to offer, because although it’s soft, it’s also flexible, so it doesn’t sink into the foot but bounces back, which helps with fast runs. Not only is the foam soft and flexible, it’s also lightweight, so although it made the midsole thicker and wider, the weight of the shoe didn’t increase much. The Novablast was famous among runners for being fun to run in because it was soft and flexible, a feature that hasn’t been lost in version 4. For a fast and perfect rollover, the sole has been given a rocker geometry as before. The increased midsole thickness is clearly noticeable in the kick, it’s more flexible and dynamic, but the increased width makes it a bit harder to keep the pace for fast runs.

The outsole of the Asics Novablast 4 running shoe has also changed. They have switched from the previous AHAR rubber to the AHAR Lo rubber compound, which is a lower density material. This compound is lighter, softer and has better traction. Because it is lighter, they have been able to increase the thickness, so it will also be durable, even though the softer material wears faster. The outsole does not cover the entire midsole, it is articulated so it does not stiffen the sole. The outsole is well grooved, which improves the grip of the shoe, even though the outsole is only where the shoe is subjected to higher loads. The Novablast 4 can stay stable and grippy, although it doesn’t have perfect grip on wet surfaces.

Overall, the Asics Novablast 4 running shoe remains one of the best, most versatile running shoes. Soft, flexible, stable, fun. Despite the thick midfoot, it’s not heavy, the new knit upper has good breathability, and it hasn’t added any extra weight to the shoe. Ideal for beginner runners, because if someone doesn’t like running in this shoe they won’t like running in any other shoe. Its versatility makes it the best choice for runners who only use one running shoe, but experienced runners with many shoes should also add the Novablast to their running shoe collection, because it is suitable for fast training, races and even on relaxing days it will put a smile on your face.