We reviewed the New Balance Rebel v4 last month. If we had to pick another shoe that has challenged the notion of daily trainers, it would be the Asics Novablast. The Novablast is part of the Asics Blast & Beyond line of shoes, which includes the Versa Blast, Dynablast, Novablast, and Super Blast, known for their unique silhouette and sharp-cut edges that make them stand out from regular running shoes. Among them, the Novablast has a cult following because of its high stack and bounce that uses top-of-the-line foam, and yet has a price point comparable to other daily trainers.

The first edition of Novablast was launched in 2019, and quickly gained a loyal fan base. What made that possible was the amazing bounce, added to that are its edgy look and distinct silhouette that made it stood out among the myriad daily trainers. Ever Since, Asics has been improving it year after year. I first saw Novablast 4 at the NYC Marathon Expo in Nov 2023, where it was first launched. Finally I got my hands on Novablast 4, thanks to the discounted sale on TataCliq.

What really surprised me when I opened the box is that Novablast 4 is Made in India. This is the first time I see a world class shoe manufactured in India. The shoe is manufactured by SSIPL in their Himchal Pradesh facility.

Made in India

I have put them to the test over the past 2 weeks and ran over 150 kms and here is my take on this.

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What makes up Novablast 4?

The first thing that catches your attention in Novablast 4 is the mid stack height. It looks huge, more than any other shoe that I can think of, matches the “super trainers” like Kinvara Pro. This is due to the 41.5 mm stack height (race illegal as per World Athletics rules) and the raised wall. With 8mm heel-to-toe offset it is an ideal shoe for midfoot strikers.

The second standout feature of the Novablast design is the aggressive rocker, both on the front and the back. The extended bevel with a high-cut heel and the diamond-like pattern on the midsole give it a unique character.

Quite light for the 41.5mm stack

At 262g for UK 10, it is quite light for daily trainer. Especially if you consider the stack height, it is super impressive.

Midsole

The midsole uses the FF Blast Plus Eco foam, the same foam used in Asics’ super trainer Super Blast and Magic Speed 3. The foam composition used for Novablast is quite firm. I think Asics reserved the softer version for the Super Blast. Asics claims this foam is eco friendly and CO2 emissions are 23% less than industry average.

FF Blast Plus Eco is quite firm

On the HA Durometer, the softness was measured at about 32. This is by no means soft, but in the similar range as classic daily trainers like Pegasus and Boston.

Upper

Woven engineered upper is really well made and seems durable. One could mistake it for a Knit upper. It doesn't seem very breathable though. Extra perforations have been added for breathability.

The eyelet design is interesting. It has 5+1 configuration, with 5 eyelets for regular use, and an extra eyelet for heel lock lacing. The gusseted tongue is stretchy and nice.

High quality upper is durable but not so breathable

Heel

Heel area is very wide and feels very stable. It has got plenty of padding, and the heel counter is quite supportive. There is a full length pull tab attached to the heel which makes it easy to get in and out of the shoe; very thoughtful design for a daily trainer. The extra bevel and the spring makes it quite nice to ride.

Outsole

The outsole is made from a highly durable AHAR rubber compound. There is plenty of rubber spread through the entire outsole. The outsole has a huge inset in the middle, which I think contributes to the trampoline effect. This material is known for its exceptional resistance to wear and tear, providing reliable traction and extending the lifespan of the shoe.

Plenty of Rubber on the outsole

Why did you consider the shoe?

Having missed the first 3 editions, I wanted to try the 4, but the price of ₹15k seemed a bit high for daily trainers. Though most premium daily trainers are priced at that point, I felt it is quite high for a daily trainer.

A rare discount of 30% brought it down to ₹10k, which convinced me to buy it. It would be an excellent trainer for my marathon training block.

Ride Experience

I have already put 140 km on it in a couple of weeks. Extremely good for daily runs - speed is there, so is the bounce. I ran a long 8K tempo at a pace faster than my half marathon pace in it. Quite impressive, though it may not match the performance of super shoes. For threshold runs, it works great, and there is noticeable trampoline effect as you get faster. However, I would have preferred it to be a bit lighter.

It's also very comfortable for long runs; I ran 30K in it. It is really a fun shoe. For speed intervals, I definitely would have preferred a lighter shoe. While it works, I would definitely choose a lighter shoe for that purpose.

Rocker is quite aggressive

Comfort and Fit

The Fit is super comfortable. The shoe hugs your feet nicely and gives the confidence to run confidently despite the high stack. However, the last is tapered a bit too sharply on the lateral side. If your foot is wide at the toes that could be a problem as the little toes can feel a bit cramped.

Stability

Excellent stability is provided by the wide midsole. The firmness of the midsole contributes to the shoe's stability, and despite the high stack height, it feels secure and handles uneven surfaces with ease.

Wide midsole offers very good stability

Road Grip

The road grip is very good on tarred roads. The monsoon season is on with plenty of rain. The shoe could handle the rain quite nicely. Even on roads with loose sand, and wet patches, the grip has been very good.

Aesthetics & Ergonomics

The design is hip and bold, and I really like it. If you are used to running in classic designs, this design will probably take some time to like it. The shoe upper is quite easy to clean, especially the Blue Teal colorway that takes very little dirt despite running in rains.

Review Summary

Aravind

Aravind is a techie, running geek, and a marathoner. He is a CrossFit Level 1 Trainer. He loves all things technology and technology in running, with special interest in running form analysis.