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ASICS

Novablast 3

Novablast 3
Daily trainer · Neutral · Road
Exceptional (99/100)

Shoe details

Weight
8.7 oz
Release
2022 Q3
MSRP
$140
Stack Height
41mm heel - 33mm toe
Drop Height
8mm

Ratings & Reviews

Exceptional (99/100)

Better than about 99% of shoes

Based on product-line history, external ratings, and runner reviews.
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This score rates better than 99% 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

Exceptional (99/100)

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

Exceptional (99/100)

Rank

Ranks above 99% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Cushioning

Exceptional (99/100)

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 (99/100)

Rank

Ranks above 99% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Value

Exceptional (98/100)

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

Exceptional (98/100)

Rank

Ranks above 98% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Comfort

Exceptional (97/100)

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

Exceptional (97/100)

Rank

Ranks above 96% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Appearance

Excellent (91/100)

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

Excellent (91/100)

Rank

Ranks above 91% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Durability

Good (80/100)

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

Good (80/100)

Rank

Ranks above 69% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

80%

36/45

Prefer this shoe over another.

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

All Running Shoes

Better than 99% of 2,541 running shoes ranked.

Exceptional (99/100)

Daily Trainers

Better than 99% of 1,841 daily trainers ranked.

99%

ASICS

Better than 98% of 260 ASICS shoes ranked.

98%

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • A majority of reviewers like this shoe more than their last shoe.
  • Reviewers rate this shoe better than the Novablast 2.
  • One of the most popular shoes among LetsRun.com readers.
  • Rated among the top 5% of shoes overall.
  • Rated among the top 5% of shoes on comfort.

Cons

  • Complaints about traction in bad weather.
  • Rated below average on durability.

Compared to other shoes

See how this shoe compares to others like it.

ASICS Novablast 3
ASICS Novablast 5
ASICS SUPERBLAST 2
Novablast 3
Novablast 5
SUPERBLAST 2
Current shoe
Best value
Lightest / Lowest price
Newest / Best overall / Best comfort
Shoe properties
Type
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Pronation
Neutral
Neutral
Neutral
Weight
8.7 oz M
7.8 oz M Lightest
—
Stack
41/33mm
41/33mm
—
Drop
8mm
8mm
7mm
Release
2022 Q3
2023 Q4
2024 Q2 Newest
MSRP
$140
$150
$200
Best price
—
$129.96 Lowest price
$149.99
Ratings
Overall
Exceptional (99%)
Excellent (96%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best overall
Comfort
Excellent (96%)
Very good (89%)
Exceptional (99%) Best comfort
Cushioning
Exceptional (99%)
Excellent (92%)
Exceptional (99%) Best cushioning
Durability
Above average (69%)
Average (60%)
Exceptional (99%) Best durability
Appearance
Excellent (92%)
Above average (64%)
Excellent (96%) Best appearance
Value
Exceptional (98%) Best value
Excellent (91%)
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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99th percentile

+1 percentile points vs this shoe
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Reader Ratings

87 reader ratings

Review a shoe

Showing 1–5 of 49 written reviews

Mostly perfect, but the heel leaves much to be desired

Anonymous runner · Feb 16, 2025

4/5

Overall

Loved this shoe. Got 3 pairs on Black Friday for $80 each, so in terms of modern day running shoe pricing, a good deal. I loved the level of cushioning and it had a decent rocker shape (something the Novablast 4s and 5s lacked, in my opinion). Got a little less than 400 miles on each pair before the upper developed holes. I found the heels to be extremely clunky and unnecessary and the lack of traction was super annoying, but the forefoot and midfoot of the shoe made up for it. I used these for everything from long runs to track work. Despite the complaints I have I would 100% wear them again if asics brought them back.

Comfort
4/5
Cushioning
4/5
Durability
3/5
Appearance
3/5
Value
2/5

Goated Shoe

Anonymous runner · Nov 18, 2024

5/5

Overall

highly recommend to anyone looking for a soft daily trainer

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

Best shoe.

Anonymous runner · Oct 31, 2024

5/5

Overall

Fantastic shoe. Best ive ever had. The foam is springy, the fit is comfortable, the sizing is true, the tongue is great, i got 1000k out of them which is great for me! Never got any injuries. Must recomend.

Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5

Reader review

Anonymous runner · Jul 27, 2024

5/5

Overall

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

Great shoe, durability only area for improvement

Anonymous runner · Jul 26, 2024

4/5

Overall

At first I was blown away by the responsivenss of the novablast 3s. The build feels sturdy, the trainer as a whole feels fairly light (not the lightest, but certainly not so heavy as to be noticeably an issue in stride). But the bounce is remarkable. I was looking for an affordable alternative to a carbon shoe and this fits the bill. 

My only area for improvement really would be the longevity of the cushioning. For context I am a heavier runner; 183cm 100kgs. I have found that by 300 miles the cushion responsiveness is drastically reduced.

Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
3/5
Value
4/5