ASICS

Novablast 1

Novablast 1
Daily trainer · Neutral · Road
Excellent (95/100)

Shoe details

Weight
9.5 oz
Release
2020 Q1
MSRP
$130
Stack Height
32mm heel - 22mm toe
Drop Height
10mm

Ratings & Reviews

Excellent (95/100)

Better than about 92% of shoes

Based on product-line history, external ratings, and runner reviews.
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This score rates better than 92% of shoes.

Our ratings use detailed reviews from knowledgeable runners, ratings for shoes in the same product line, and reliable product information from trusted retailers.

Rating breakdown

Better Shoes score out of 100. Shading shows the expected rating range.
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Rankings combine runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, direct comparisons to other shoes, related product-line performance, and trusted external ratings.

The darker band shows the central score range. The lighter band shows a wider range of reasonable outcomes. More reviews for this shoe usually narrow both bands.

Overall

Excellent (95/100)

Overall ranking

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.

Estimate

Excellent (95/100)

Rank

Ranks above 92% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Cushioning

Exceptional (96/100)

Cushioning ranking

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.

Estimate

Exceptional (96/100)

Rank

Ranks above 93% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Value

Excellent (92/100)

Value ranking

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.

Estimate

Excellent (92/100)

Rank

Ranks above 89% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Durability

Above average (89/100)

Durability ranking

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.

Estimate

Above average (89/100)

Rank

Ranks above 84% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Comfort

Above average (85/100)

Comfort ranking

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.

Estimate

Above average (85/100)

Rank

Ranks above 75% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Appearance

Good (67/100)

Appearance ranking

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.

Estimate

Good (67/100)

Rank

Ranks above 25% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

50%

1/2

Prefer this shoe over another.

Reviewers said this shoe was better than another shoe they ran in.

All Running Shoes

Better than 92% of 2,541 running shoes ranked.

Excellent (95/100)

Daily Trainers

Better than 92% of 1,841 daily trainers ranked.

92%

ASICS

Better than 95% of 260 ASICS shoes ranked.

95%

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.

Compared to other shoes

See how this shoe compares to others like it.

Current shoe
Reference shoe
Lightest / Lowest price / Best value
Newest / Best overall / Best comfort
Shoe properties
Type
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Pronation
Neutral
Neutral
Neutral
Weight
9.5 oz M
7.8 oz M Lightest
Stack
32/22mm
41/33mm
Drop
1mm
8mm
7mm
Release
2020 Q1
2023 Q4
2024 Q2 Newest
MSRP
$130
$150
$200
Best price
$129.96 Lowest price
$149.99
Ratings
Overall
Excellent (92%)
Excellent (96%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best overall
Comfort
Good (75%)
Very good (89%)
Exceptional (99%) Best comfort
Cushioning
Excellent (93%)
Excellent (92%)
Exceptional (99%) Best cushioning
Durability
Very good (84%)
Average (60%)
Exceptional (99%) Best durability
Appearance
Below average (25%)
Above average (64%)
Excellent (96%) Best appearance
Value
Very good (89%)
Excellent (91%) Best value
Very good (85%)
Specific shoe

Search for the exact model to add to this comparison.

Where to buy

No offers available

Better alternatives

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Reader Ratings

5 reader ratings

Review a shoe

Showing 1–3 of 3 written reviews

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