Daily trainer · Neutral · Road · 8.6 oz · Men's 42/34mm · women's 41/33mm stack · 8mm drop
Discontinued — we no longer see this shoe in stock. The ASICS Novablast 5 replaced it
How it ranks
The ASICS Novablast 4 is one of the strongest daily trainers in our data. Value and comfort are its strongest sub-ratings. Looks scores well below its other sub-ratings. The rating is based on 47 runner reviews and 5 other rated shoes in the Novablast product line.
Confidence
How settled the rating is against every other rated shoe. A shoe can rate high on confidence with relatively few reviews of its own when its product line has a long record and external ratings from retailer sites agree. Confidence is low when we have few ratings or when runners disagree.
Confidence
96 Very high
External retailer ratings
We break apart ratings from mass-market retailers and specialty running shops since they serve different audiences.
The middle of the bar marks the typical shoe at each type of retailer. The dot shows where this shoe ranks in comparison.
Based on
The bars show roughly how much each source contributes to this shoe’s rating. Their influence depends on how many reviews we’ve collected, how many earlier versions are in the product line, and the external ratings available.
“These run narrow. If you have wide toes your toes might be a little cramped.”
“It is bouncy but stable, durable enough for slow work, and quick enough for fast work.”
“They have a distinct bounce with each step that helps my cadence be higher.”
“Way more stable than the previous ones—that was my biggest complaint with the first two.”
“I love the rocker in the shoe that makes the transitions mindless (in a good way).”
“I feel like I can push the 4s to around 500 miles maybe even more.”
“Great shoe—very cushioned and comfortable but not really for anything else except easy days and hills.”
“Responsive enough to use for some workouts and cushioned enough for easy too.”
“It's not plush, but good, medium plush that feels fast.”
“Pressure on middle forefoot the first run—then never came back.”
“Narrower than average in width, average in volume.”
“The cush isn't dead—it just doesn't give you any pop/spring.”
“Comfortable shoe, fits true to size, and really pops off the ground.”
“Traction good with surfaces ranging from concrete to gravel and mud.”
“The foam is a bit firm but it works decent.”
“Cushion is firmer and responsive than average.”
63% 12/19
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Prices updated daily. Last checked Oct 22.
Rating & Confidence vs. other shoes for sale
Each dot is one rated shoe for sale, placed by its rating and by how much evidence sits behind it. Shoes toward the top right are both well rated and well established.
Better Shoes Rating
Each dot is one version of the Novablast, placed by its rating and release year. The gold dot is this shoe.
Release year
2026 · 5 reviews
89 Good
73 Confidence
2025 · 19 reviews
98 Exceptional
89 Confidence
Novablast 4 This shoe
2023 · 47 reviews
98 Exceptional
96 Confidence
2022 · 88 reviews
98 Exceptional
99 Confidence
2021 · 7 reviews
75 Decent
85 Confidence
2020 · 5 reviews
80 Good
78 Confidence
Sizing and ride details at a glance.
4/5
Overall
I'll use this shoe for most runs/workouts that dont involve a track. Solid/firm cushioning with a wide platform provides some stability. I would like a bit more arch support, and the cush could be a bit springier. The cush isnt dead...it just doesnt give you any pop/spring.
Anonymous runner · Dec 3, 2024
training for a half marathon
5/5
Overall
I've had 3 pairs of novablasts, and they are amazing. Responsive enough to use for some workouts and cushioned enough for easy too. They are durable. Fit: narrower than average in width, average in volume. Cushion: firmer and responsive than average. The lining of the shoe is more plush and padded than most.
Anonymous runner · Dec 2, 2024
53 mpw training for 5K and 10K
5/5
Overall
Overall good shoe, the foam is a bit firm but it works decent
Anonymous runner · Nov 20, 2024
5/5
Overall
I love the Novablast 4, it is bouncy but stable, durable enough for slow work, and quick enough for fast work. Workhorse. I rave about this shoe to anyone that will listen.
Anonymous runner · Nov 8, 2024
50 mpw training for a marathon came from the HOKA Arahi 6
4/5
Overall
I love the Asics Nova Blast 4 but they cost a ton. There are a lot budget friendly shoes that are nearly as good but I just cant get away from the Nova Blast. The Blast are so soft and fast. I use them for everything including workouts and easy runs. Therefore, if you want one overall great par of shoes to do everything in I think these are great.
JonathanDoty · Nov 8, 2024
38 mpw training for 5K and 10K came from the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 39
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