Asics SuperBlast vs Novablast 4: Which One Actually Fits Your Running

Introduction

Few running shoes generate as much passionate lobbying as the Asics SuperBlast. It is a shoe with enormous fan demand: a non-plated trainer that reportedly rides like a plated shoe, with a towering 45mm stack, race-day foam and a lightweight upper. Next to it sits the Asics Novablast 4, a $140 daily trainer praised for its protection, smooth bounce and overall value. Both share Asics design language and a chunky silhouette, but they are built for noticeably different runners. Here is how they compare after real mileage in both.

Two Similar Looks, Very Different Intentions

Visually, the two shoes are easy to confuse. Both carry the super-chunky heel look, a wide stable base and extended foam at the rear that works for heel, midfoot and forefoot landings. Side by side, though, the intent diverges quickly.

The Novablast 4 is a daily trainer with a $140 price tag, built around 42mm of stack, a wide base and an impressive amount of protection for the money. The SuperBlast costs roughly $60 more and is engineered around Asics top-tier racing foam. Same family, very different jobs.

Asics SuperBlast: The Non-Plated Shoe That Rides Like a Plated One

The SuperBlast stacks FF Turbo foam, Asics racing-grade midsole material, over a firmer layer of FF Blast Plus. The result is 45mm of stack with no plate, yet a ride that has the spirit of a plated trainer: big protection, serious pop and an unusually light 266g in a US men’s 11.

On a first 10-mile run at a 6:52 average pace, the shoe simply encouraged faster running. It pulls you toward steady and marathon-effort zones, which is its defining trait. It is genuinely impressive from an engineering standpoint: that much foam, that much speed, no plate, at that weight. It is also surprisingly comfortable for walking, more so than for slow running.

Asics Novablast 4: The Value Daily Trainer

The Novablast 4 earns its reputation on protection and value. Runners repeatedly walk away from long efforts feeling fresh, including a three-hour long run in the shoe. It delivers a smooth bounce, a wide stable platform and enough foam to double as a recovery-day option.

The one recurring criticism is a slightly disconnected feeling in the ride, with some midsole slapping sensation at times, plus mediocre outsole grip in dry conditions. But at $140, the engineering feat of 42mm of stack and a big wide base makes it an easy recommendation for a lot of runners.

Foam, Stack and Ride Feel

Here is where careful comparison matters. Both shoes list FF Blast Plus in the midsole, but the SuperBlast’s version feels softer to the touch than the Novablast 4’s firmer layer, sitting beneath the star of the show, the FF Turbo top layer. The SuperBlast also avoids the disconnected feeling of the Novablast, presenting a smoother, more connected ride despite its taller stack.

Do not assume the Novablast 4 is a soft squishy shoe either. It rides with structure, and its geometry feels like a conventional trainer simply scaled up. The SuperBlast feels the same way on foot: 45mm of foam that does not feel as tall or unstable as the number suggests, though it does feel long, with an extended rear platform both shoes share.

Overall Buying Advice

The SuperBlast’s trade-off is real: FF Turbo is fast, bouncy and fun, but it performs best at marathon pace or slightly slower, and it is a little firm even for relaxed aerobic running. For high-mileage runners adding 90-minute runs who want maximum protection at speed, it is excellent. For everyday moderate-pace running, a max-cushion shoe like the Novablast 4 or similar alternatives is the better fit.

One practical note: the SuperBlast sells out quickly, with many sizes and colorways hard to find. The writer had to size up half a size in the only colorway available, so plan ahead if you want your usual size.

Conclusion

The SuperBlast lives up to its hype as a protective, fast, non-plated shoe that rides like a plated trainer, best suited to faster running and longer up-tempo efforts. The Novablast 4 remains the smarter value pick for protective daily training and recovery runs. Choose the SuperBlast for speed with protection, the Novablast 4 for everyday mileage on a budget.