Asics Novablast Review: The Everyday Super-Trainer Runners Can’t Stop Talking About

Asics Novablast turns boring, punishing miles into something you actually look forward to. This energetic daily trainer blends trampoline-like bounce with surprising stability, making it a go?to shoe for runners who want speed, comfort, and durability in one do?it?all package.

You know that feeling: you lace up, step outside, and within five minutes every stride feels like work. Your shoes feel dead, your legs feel heavy, and that run you promised yourself becomes a negotiation to just make it to the next lamppost. The pavement wins. Again.

Most running shoes promise comfort. A few offer speed. But very rarely do you find a pair that makes everyday miles feel fun – like the ground is actually giving something back instead of taking it away.

Thats where the Asics Novablast comes in.

Asics Novablast: The Daily Trainer That Feels Like a Trampoline

The Asics Novablast line has quietly become one of the most loved daily trainers on the market. Its designed to do almost everything: easy jogs, tempo efforts, long runs, even the occasional race. What sets it apart is the ride  a deeply cushioned, springy platform that feels more like a fun, bouncy trampoline than a traditional running shoe.

Asics Corp. (ISIN: JP3118000003) built the Novablast series around two ideas: big cushioning and big energy return. Instead of a flat, boring midsole, you get a sculpted, responsive platform that launches you forward with each step.

Why this specific model?

Across the different generations of the Asics Novablast (from the original up through the more refined recent versions), Asics has kept the same core promise: a lightweight, highly cushioned trainer with a distinctly bouncy feel. Heres what that means in real life, based on current specs from Asics and what runners are reporting in forums and on Reddit:

• FF BLAST / FF BLAST PLUS Cushioning (model-dependent): Asics own foam technology is tuned to be softer underfoot while still snapping back into shape as you toe-off. On the run, it feels plush when you land yet energetic when you push off  less "mattress", more "mini-pogo stick".
• High Stack Height: The Novablast line uses a relatively thick midsole. That means more foam between you and the road, translating into better shock absorption on long runs and reduced muscle fatigue the day after.
• AHAR / AHAR+ Outsole Rubber (model-dependent): Asics High Abrasion Rubber is placed in key impact zones. Runners consistently report excellent durability, even past the 300500 mile mark, and dependable grip on both dry pavement and mild wet conditions.
• Breathable Engineered Mesh Upper: Asics uses a lightweight engineered mesh with strategically placed overlays for structure. In practice, that means your foot stays cooler on hotter runs, with enough support to keep you locked in during cornering or speed work.
• Gusseted or Secure Tongue Design (depending on version): Many runners mention that the tongue stays in place and avoids pressure points, which helps on longer efforts when swelling can make a bad tongue design really noticeable.
• Neutral, Slightly Stable Ride: Officially, the Novablast is a neutral shoe. But the wide base and geometry give it a touch of inherent stability. Runners who dont want a full stability shoe still appreciate that they dont feel wobbly despite all that foam.

The upshot: if youre coming from a firm, traditional trainer, the Novablast can feel like flipping on the "fun" switch for your daily miles.

At a Glance: The Facts

Feature	User Benefit
FF BLAST / FF BLAST PLUS cushioning (model-dependent)	Delivers a soft landing with a springy rebound, making everyday runs feel lighter and more energetic.
High stack midsole with rocker-like geometry	Soaks up impact on long runs while gently rolling you forward, helping reduce fatigue over distance.
AHAR / AHAR+ outsole rubber in key zones	Improves durability and grip, so the shoe holds up for hundreds of miles on road and light paths.
Engineered breathable mesh upper	Keeps feet cooler and more comfortable, with enough structure to prevent sliding on turns or faster efforts.
Neutral platform with a wide base	Works for a broad range of runners, offering a touch of inherent stability without intrusive support posts.
Lightweight construction for the cushioning level	Gives you a big-cushion feel without feeling like youre dragging around heavy bricks on your feet.
Versatile daily-trainer design	Covers easy runs, tempo days, and long runs in one shoe, simplifying your rotation and saving money.

What Users Are Saying

A quick dive into Reddit threads and running forums shows a consistent pattern around the Asics Novablast line:

What runners love:

• That signature bounce: Many describe it as "trampoline-like" or "super fun" underfoot. It makes easy days feel less sloggy and gives a bit of free speed when you pick up the pace.
• Cushioning without mush: Users repeatedly call out that while the shoe is soft, it doesnt feel unstable or overly squishy. Theres a noticeable snap when you toe off.
• Comfort for long distances: Marathon and half-marathon trainees praise the Novablast for staying comfortable beyond 1012 miles and holding up well as a main long-run shoe.
• Durability: Reports of the shoe easily hitting 300+ miles with the midsole still feeling lively are common, especially compared with similarly soft trainers.
• Value as a do-it-all trainer: Many runners use it as their primary trainer for everything except all-out race day, calling it a "workhorse with personality".

Common complaints:

• Fit can be specific: Some runners with very narrow or very wide feet mention that they need to tweak lacing or consider wider/narrower options, depending on the version.
• Stack height feels tall to some: If youre coming from lower-profile shoes, the extra foam can feel a bit "high" initially, especially on tight corners.
• Not ideal for serious off-road: The outsole is built for roads and mild paths. On technical trail, grip and stability are not its strengths.

Overall sentiment: overwhelmingly positive. In many community threads, the Novablast line is mentioned in the same breath as category-leading daily trainers from Nike and New Balance, but with a distinctively more playful, bouncy ride.

Alternatives vs. Asics Novablast

The performance running market is crowded, and right now the trend is clear: more foam, more energy return, more "super shoe DNA" even in daily trainers. Heres how the Asics Novablast tends to stack up against some common alternatives:

• Vs. traditional cushioned trainers: Compared with older-school, flatter cushioning, the Novablast feels livelier and more modern. If your current shoe feels like a brick, this will feel like a revelation.
• Vs. other bouncy daily trainers: Shoes from competing brands may offer comparable softness, but runners frequently call the Novablast more "playful"  a touch less serious, a lot more fun, with enough structure to keep it practical for everyday use.
• Vs. carbon-plated super shoes: The Novablast doesnt use a carbon plate. That means its easier on the legs for daily use and generally more stable for casual runners, while still giving you some of that energetic feel.
• Vs. stability models: If you need heavy-duty motion control, the Novablast is not positioned as that type of shoe. However, many neutral runners and even mild overpronators report the broad base and geometry feel stable enough for them.

If you want a shoe that can serve as your main trainer for everything from daily mileage to tempo work, but youre not ready to jump into a fragile, race-only super shoe, the Novablast line often hits the sweet spot.

Final Verdict

If your running feels stale, it might not be you. It might be your shoes.

The Asics Novablast is built for runners who want their daily miles to feel exciting again. It takes the big-cushion, high-stack trend and turns it into something joyful and practical: soft landings, energetic take-offs, and enough durability to survive a full training cycle.

Is it for everyone? Not quite. If you demand aggressive stability or prefer a super-low, minimal shoe, the Novablasts tall, bouncy ride might not click for you. But if youre a neutral runner (or close to it) who wants a shoe that makes you actually look forward to lacing up, this is where the magic happens.

For many runners, the Asics Novablast becomes that rare thing in a gear-obsessed world: the shoe you reach for without thinking. The one that makes running feel less like a chore and more like a small daily celebration of movement.

If that sounds like something your training could use, it might be time to give the Novablast a try.

For full specs and the latest versions and colorways, you can explore the official Novablast lineup directly on Asics site at this link, and learn more about the company itself at Asics Corp..

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