ASICS - NOVABLAST (1011B072)

Really? I’m on 600km and still going strong on Novablast 3s.

Seems like durability is a bit downgraded from earlier versions. My two NB1 is probably on 1200 km each and still feels kinda soft and protective, but not very bouncy ofc.

I think an important distinction to figure out is whether you want a big tall max-stack shoe (like the Nimbus but lighter and bouncier) for your speed sessions, or you want something lower and nimbler (which I'd prefer for sprinting). The Novablast, Superblast, Megablast, Vomero Plus are all examples of very high-stack shoes which do well at faster paces but they are all so tall I personally wouldn't prefer them for sprinting (100-800m repeats). But they will be excellent for sustained tempo efforts like your 5k pace or longer. The Endorphin Speed 5, Hoka Mach 6, Brooks Hyperion 3, Puma Velocity Nitro 4 are examples of shoes with more traditional stacks (more substantial than a flat or track spike, but less clownshoe-like than the max stack stuff) that personally I prefer to do sprinting or track workouts in due to better stability and not getting in the way of turning the feet over quickly.

The overall fit and shape of the Superblast is very similar to the Novablast. However, it is definitely firmer. The Novablast felt way softer and bouncier. I just hit about 30 miles on my SB2 after getting them the previous weekend, so will have to pay attention! So far have loved them on a 12 and a 13 mile run. I think the Superblasts feel good to me at easy paces, moderate paces, and 5 mile tempo paces, but nothing special if I kick it into a stride/sprint - I'd rather a more compact shoe (like the Endorphin Speed) for a 5k or speed workout. However, despite the stiffer foam, the cushioning effect (from the height) of the Superblast is still way more than the Ghost (I also ran in only Ghosts for 10+ years) - the Ghost has 10mm less stack on the heel and nearly 20mm less on the forefoot. I think if you love the Novablast you should keep running in them and they could even work for a marathon. The main reason I got the Superblast is the durability and cold weather performance seemed more worth it in the long term, and I felt the firmness is actually a good fit for me.

Could be worth trying the Novablast. Foam life is not as good as the Superblast, but it does feel springier and cushier underfoot without being too sloppy. And the entry price is pretty standard for a trainer. I borrowed a friend's Novablast and eventually went to the Superblast for long-run stability and longevity (despite the price the shoe is a 500km+ tank for many runners) - I was used to running in lower stack shoes so all the Asics Blasts are plenty cushy enough for me.

Asics Novablast if you can find the prior model on sale. I always buy last year’s model for around $100.

Between those two, definitely the Novablast. Curious on how you settled on those two specific styles?

I’m a heavy runner, the Novablasts are a good shoe but they feel dead to me too quickly. I ran a half in them and they were fine.

Check out the Superblasts. I’m 191 lbs and I rotate between the Superblasts and Novablasts. The Superblasts are much firmer but have some really nice energy return.

Yes I run in the SC trainer too. I suppose the V1 is still my favorite (1h 55m half marathon times in those) the V2 seemed to be faster on my feet and a bit firmer. The V3’s I feel like I’m working a bit harder than the V1’s but my legs are fine after a two hour run in them. No soreness at all. However I seem to be locked into a 5m 30s/6m 00s km pace in them. I think what I like is the fact NB realised that they are high and soft so by putting in the carbon plate it’s more about stability than speed and it works well (for me). The new sonicblast I find interesting because it’s a similar philosophy. No one seems to want them so may keep an eye out in the next lot of sales. lol. The biggest issue with New Balance is almost all their shoes are soft in the foam design. It does feel like you have work a little harder in them than other brands. Hoka may be the softest I’ve tried (I think), followed by NB, maybe then ASICS, Adidas are probably the least comfortable for me (the few I’ve tried, I know they vary, the prime x strung is quite soft). As for shoes not agreeing with me. Tried the Superblast V1 and I just couldn’t get on with them. Felt like bricks and my legs were beaten up after every run. The other surprise was the latest Novablast. I love them. Bouncy, light, great energy return, but I get toe joint pain in my right foot after every run in them. I was so upset. Could be that they are too tight in the toe box and I need to go a few sizes up but a real shame. I’m 5ft 7", 12st 10lbs.

Novablast is good for a daily trainer and can handle all paces. They do bottom out at around the 10k mark for me. So depends on how long your long runs are. Superblasts are.. well, I just love these. They can do it all. Nimbus, bottoms out for me so I use them mainly for walking now. Clifton and Bondi are okay, feels heavy after some time. Really good for those easy miles but that’s about it.

I would say it depends on your mileage and rotation. SB will work better for longer runs and if you dont have a shoe rotation. NB is good all around if you dont go past 10k on long runs.

235lb runner here. Novablast is the best answer. Evo SL is good but the lack of stability especially for heavier guy can be a deal breaker, but worth a try.

I loved the feel of the sl in store but on runs yes I was much quicker but hated the instability. Novablast as slowly become the shoe I grab if im just heading out to do whatever run sub 10k

6 hour marathon runner. 100kg 225-235 runner. I trained up to half marathon in 1 shoe nimbus 24. To marathon i rotated novablast, nimbus 25, super blast. I did not like the superblast too firm but it does make me faster for same effort level. The nimbus handled long runs and even marathon with comfort but did require more energy aka as slower. This years marathon rotation is adidas sl, novablast and nimbus 27. Next year I expect to be faster and swapping to new balance sc trainer for long run and race day. Hope that helped.

Novablast isn't the speediest, but will be speedier than Kayanos. The NB Rebel v5 may be another option.