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Novablast 1

ASICS Novablast 1

Name: ASICS Novablast 1
Brand: ASICS

Daily trainer · Neutral · Road · 9.5 oz · 10mm drop · 32/22mm stack

Discontinued — we no longer see this shoe in stock. The ASICS Novablast 2 replaced it

How it ranks

The ASICS Novablast 1 rates in the 93rd percentile overall among daily trainers. It rates highest on cushioning.

Based on 3 runner reviews.

Excellent

95/100

Overall

Excellent 95

Cushioning

Cushioning rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Exceptional (96/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 94% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

Exceptional 96

Value

Value rating

Better Shoes Rating

Excellent (92/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 88% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

Excellent 92

Comfort

Comfort rating

Better Shoes Rating

Very good (88/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 83% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

Very good 88

Durability

Durability rating

Better Shoes Rating

Very good (87/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 80% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

Very good 87

Appearance

Appearance rating

Better Shoes Rating

Average (65/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 19% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

Average 65

What runners say

“Enough cushion for long runs, but light and springy enough to pick up the pace on fartlek and tempo runs.”

TreyDizzle 5/5 Full review

“Upper uncomfortably tight knit that runs hot and causes pressure points.”

Darryl Bank 4/5 Full review

“Not very stable on trails, would be easy to roll an ankle.”

Bailey Sauter 5/5 Full review

“Interesting springy ride and caused me to run more on my midfoot, which was definitely a good thing.”

TreyDizzle 5/5 Full review

“Fast and soft, quickly became a favorite for workouts and easy days.”

Bailey Sauter 5/5 Full review

“Definitely bouncy — a very different feel than previous Asics models.”

Darryl Bank 4/5 Full review

“Shoelaces suck — thin, short, and uncomfortable.”

Bailey Sauter 5/5 Full review

“High stack and a bit of a rocker so the shoe rolls through the gait cycle.”

Darryl Bank 4/5 Full review

“A bit sluggish when pushing the pace.”

Darryl Bank 4/5 Full review

Prefer this shoe over another

33% 1/3

Where to buy

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No offers available

Pros & Cons

Pros

Rated among the top 25% of shoes on comfort.
Rated among the top 10% of shoes on cushioning.
Rated among the top 25% of shoes on durability.

Cons

Reviewers rate this shoe worse than the most recent version of this shoe.
Rated below average overall.

Reader Ratings

5 reader ratings

5/5

4/5

3/5

2/5

1/5

Runner reviews

Write a review

Decent but not incredible

Darryl Bank · Jul 3, 2023

4/5

Overall

I heard good things about the Novablast and was having trouble finding the updated version of another shoe that had worked well for me, so I gave them a try.

They are definitely bouncy - a very different feel than previous asics models I had tried (like the 1000 and 2000 series years ago). There is a fairly high stack and a bit of a rocker so the shoe rolls through the gait cycle.

However, I have found the upper to be uncomfortable - it's a tight knit that runs a bit hot and causes pressure points on various points of my foot if I lace them too tight.

I have also found them to be a bit sluggish when pushing the pace.

I think this is a shoe that marked a departure for Asics, but my guess is that they've made subsequent improvements in newer models.

Comfort: 4/5
Cushioning: 5/5
Durability: 4/5
Appearance: 4/5
Value: 4/5

Great shoe, soft AND fast

Bailey Sauter · Jun 1, 2023

5/5

Overall

The Novablast is fast and soft and quickly became a favorite of mine for workouts and easy days. I've put 500 miles on two pairs without them breaking down. Two complaints: not very stable/good for trails, would be easy to roll an ankle, and the shoelaces suck, thin, short and uncomfortable

Comfort: 5/5
Cushioning: 5/5
Durability: 5/5
Appearance: 3/5
Value: 5/5

Springy, Comfortable Everyday Ride!

TreyDizzle · Jan 15, 2021

5/5

Overall

I started wearing the Asics Novablast when it came out in early 2020. My initial impression was that it had an interesting springy ride to it and caused me to run more on my mid foot, which was definitely a good thing. The first pair I got chafed against my achilles on both legs pretty bad if my sock wasn't in between. I am on my third pair, and the second two pairs haven't bothered my achilles at all. I use this shoe on road, trail, grass, and everything in between. It is an amazing everyday trainer that has enough cushion for long runs, but is light and springy enough to pick up the pace on fartlek runs and some tempo type runs. I highly recommend this shoe!

Comfort: 5/5
Cushioning: 4/5
Durability: 4/5
Appearance: 4/5
Value: 4/5