ASICS Novablast 4 Review: A Max-Cushion Daily Trainer That Finally Gains Some Versatility

Introduction

If you are looking for a daily trainer that leans hard into big cushion comfort, the ASICS Novablast 4 makes a strong case for itself. This max-cushioned mid-pack trainer goes all in on plushness, and ASICS positions it as a shoe that can cope with everything from easy recovery miles up to uptempo efforts. The big question with this generation is whether the significant changes to the midsole, upper, and ride make it a genuine improvement over the Novablast 3.

Overview and Key Specs

The Novablast 4 puts a sizable wedge of midsole foam underfoot: 41.5mm in the heel and 33.5mm in the forefoot for an 8mm drop. It weighs 9.4oz (267g) in a UK 8.5, marginally heavier than its predecessor but still quite light given how much midsole there is. At launch it was priced at £135 or $140, the same as the Novablast 3, which keeps it fairly middling in the daily trainer bracket.

Design and Upper Updates

The silhouette remains a giant shoe with a unique geometric midsole and a jutting heel, but there are meaningful tweaks. The midsole now uses FF Blast Plus Eco foam, which includes a small percentage of recycled materials. The geometry has changed too: there is a much more pronounced rocker for smoother, snappier heel-to-toe transitions, and the forefoot and heel flare out wider, creating a more reliable and stable platform.

The new engineered woven upper is softer and smoother than before, with ASICS claiming more stretch, ventilation, and durability. The sidewalls rise higher on the foot for security, and the toe box sweeps up following the rocker shape, creating noticeably more room above your toes, a positive change for long miles. The tongue now has thin neoprene-like wings that wrap the foot nicely and take the edge off any potential lace pinch. Underneath, a generous covering of AHAR rubber provides grip and durability.

Fit and Sizing

The consensus across testing is that the Novablast 4 runs true to size, perhaps a touch longer than average, but with comfortable forefoot space and a secure, plush lockdown. Testers found the fit roomy with decent toe-box wiggle room, good midfoot hold, and a largely secure heel. Unless you like your shoes very snug, stick to your usual size; only consider going half a size down if you prefer a tight fit.

Midsole and Ride: Firmer, Bouncier, More Responsive

This is where the Novablast 4 earns its update. The soft sink of previous versions has not gone completely, but the midsole is now tuned to be slightly firmer and more responsive. The more aggressive rocker creates better rolling efficiency, with much less sinking and more of an immediate, responsive ride.

Easy-day comfort and security remain by the bucket load, but if you want to crank up the pace, the Novablast 4 now responds a shade faster than previous generations, which boosts its versatility as a daily trainer. One tester compared the feel to the Superblast: livelier and better suited to consistent paces and tempo efforts, where the Novablast 3 felt dull and workmanlike. The shoe even held up reasonably well on the track. It is not as fast as a carbon-plated race shoe, but it is now a contender for runners who want one shoe that can do easy runs all the way up to race day.

On some test runs, the shoe still felt soggy and sluggish, particularly on tired legs, and its broad, bulky footprint remains a defining trait. The wider base of foam does cradle the foot and create a more stable ride, but if you dislike maximalist shoes that feel big on the foot, these may not be for you. Runners who found previous Novablasts unstable will appreciate the added firmness and stability, while longtime fans of the bouncier, more exciting ride of the original may feel this generation has been slightly tamed.

Who Should Buy the Novablast 4

After roughly 40 to 50 test kilometers at mixed paces, the overall verdict is positive. The Novablast 4 has become a shoe testers would happily put into a rotation for daily runs, something that was not true of the second and third versions. If you love a firmer, more responsive ride, this is a clear improvement. If you want maximum plushness for long runs above all else, the ASICS Gel Nimbus 25 remains softer and more stable. And if you want more bounce for faster sessions, the Novablast 4 is the better pick of the two.

Durability and Traction

The outsole is largely unchanged from previous versions and performs well. It feels durable, and testers reported no slippage in the conditions they encountered. Note that the Novablast 3 had some issues in wet, slippy conditions, which is why many runners opted for the TR trail version; no wet-weather problems have surfaced with the Novablast 4 so far in testing. For the eco-conscious, the shoe carries a CO2 label putting its footprint at 11.2kg, notably higher than some competitors.

Alternatives to Consider

If you prefer a more compact, precise-feeling shoe, the Saucony Ride 17 is a better-balanced option at the same price. With a bit more budget, the Brooks Ghost Max and On Cloudmonster-class alternatives like the On Cloudsurfer offer similar cushion benefits, and the New Balance 1080 v13 delivers plush cushioning without the oversized footprint. For pure easy-day softness, the Gel Nimbus 25 is the pick.

Conclusion

The ASICS Novablast 4 is a good improvement on its predecessors. The midsole tweaks bring additional immediacy and response to each step, giving the shoe much more versatility without sacrificing the soft cushion protection that made the line popular. You still need to get on with a big, wide, maximalist shoe with a softer edge, but if that suits you, the Novablast 4 is a solid all-round trainer that can tick a lot of boxes, whether as part of a rotation or as your one daily shoe, and it is well priced compared with much of the competition.