Saucony Triumph 21 vs Asics Novablast 4: Which Cushioned Daily Trainer Fits Your Running?

Introduction

Both of these shoes occupy a similar space: max-cushioned daily trainers that try to be more versatile than the average soft ride. They are a fair pairing, because if you want one pair to handle everything from easy runs up to marathon pace, without a carbon plate or a race-day shoe, both can credibly do the job. The question is which one suits your taste in foam, fit and feel.

Quick spec snapshot before we dig in. The Saucony Triumph 21 costs £170 / $160, weighs 280g (9.9oz) for men in a size 8, and has a 10mm drop. The Asics Novablast 4 costs £135 / $140 and has an 8mm drop, making it the lighter-priced option of the two.

Saucony Triumph 21: The All-Round Max Cushion Trainer

While the Triumph 20 saw a number of updates over its predecessor, the 21’s changes are largely made across the upper. The new design gets a revamped flat knit material to improve fit and breathability, along with a modified lacing system for better lockdown. The shoe keeps the same PWRRUN+ cushioning in the midsole and sock liner, a impressively balanced foam that manages to feel soft while still providing a good level of energy return. There is also a generous layer of outsole rubber to protect that foam and deliver strong grip across varied road conditions, a heel lock design to hold the foot in place, and a pull tab at the rear for easier on and off.

That foam is the headline here. PWRRUN+ is one of the best midsole foams around for daily and cushioned shoes, because it has a lot to offer: nicely soft, but with a compressive energy return you rarely get from max-cushion trainers. The result is a shoe that feels genuinely comfortable for easy and long runs, yet is surprisingly versatile, with a little bounce that turns it into a genuine every-run option. The outsole grips well in the wet and does a good job of protecting the midsole foam, which speaks to its durability over high mileage.

Asics Novablast 4: A Big Step Forward

The Novablast 4 sees some big changes from the previous version. The biggest is the new FF Blast Eco Plus foam, which aims to provide a softer ride with more energy return when you pick up the pace. There is also updated shoe geometry that combines a trampoline-inspired midsole with a higher stack of midsole foam. The engineered mesh upper offers a plush fit with plenty of breathability and flexibility, plus a gusseted tongue to prevent slip. A healthy covering of outsole rubber improves grip and durability.

This is the most well-rounded Novablast so far. Earlier versions had issues: the first was a bit wobbly and unstable, and the third lost some of the original’s magic and became a fairly dull, easy-run-only shoe. The 4’s bigger midsole foam and redesigned geometry fix a lot of that. The foam compresses nicely and gives back a decent bounce, the shoe feels light on the foot, and the pronounced front geometry plus an extensive heel section creates a smooth rolling action. It handles faster paces much better than the Novablast 3, though it still does not feel as immediate or springy as the Triumph 21.

Fit and Sizing

Both shoes run true to size, and testers recommend sticking with your regular size in each. The Novablast 4 offers a bit more room up top from the midfoot through the toe box, with more clearance across the top of the toes. That extra wiggle room could suit longer runs of two to three hours where foot swelling and black toenails become a concern. It is also a more forgiving upper than the narrower previous generations.

The Triumph 21 is still roomy, but a touch more snug overall, with a tighter, faster, more racer-like fit than the Novablast. It has a flexible upper with lots of forefoot space for your toes, and is one of the most comfortable shoes many testers have worn. In terms of overall comfort, the two are on a par, but the Triumph feels more natural on the foot, partly because of the Novablast’s bigger platform.

Head to Head: Foam, Ride and Feel

Run side by side, the biggest difference is the midsole platform. The Novablast 4 has a bigger stack, not only in overall height but in width, with much more flaring in the forefoot and heel, giving you more volume of foam underfoot. The Triumph 21 feels more compact, precise and dialed in, with a decent stack of its own but less sheer bulk.

The Novablast 4 is tuned firmer than the 3, sinks less, and is more responsive with a noticeable rocker. It is better for clipping along at happy paces than its predecessors, but it still cradles the foot in a wide, soft bed, and you sink into it and wait for the foam to come back. It is a shoe best at the easier end of the pace scale. The Triumph 21, by contrast, feels like it whips you through each step with early rebound. It works anywhere from easy to fast, but it is arguably better at the faster end, and even at easy paces it delivers a firmer, more protective ride.

Grip and Durability

The Triumph 21’s outsole is fantastic: an extensive layer of rubber that grips really well in the wet and does a great job of protecting the midsole foam. The Novablast 4’s outsole is good too, with improvements over the Novablast 3, though it is not quite as strong in wet traction. Both are solid, well-covered outsoles, and the Triumph feels like a shoe you could rack up mile after mile in.

Which One Should You Buy?

The pick between these two is fairly clear once you know what you like. If you prefer a firmer, more responsive ride, even at your easy pace, the Triumph 21 is the shoe to go for. It is also the better choice if you want a shoe that is more capable at top paces, and it makes a fantastic long-run or high-mileage trainer thanks to its comfort, cushioning and support.

If you like pillowy softness, sinky cushioned landings, oodles of plushness and a big old shoe, the Novablast 4 is the one. It is a vast improvement over the Novablast 3, considerably cheaper than the Triumph 21, and better for long runs than it has ever been, but it is missing a little of the midsole magic of the PWRRUN+ foam. If you want something in between at Novablast money, the Saucony Ride 17 is worth a look.

View more details for Asics Novablast 4

Conclusion

These are two of the more versatile max-cushion trainers around, and both would happily carry you through a first or fifth marathon at a comfortable pace. The Triumph 21 edges it on foam quality, precision and pace range, while the Novablast 4 wins on price and plush, forgiving cushioning. Choose the Triumph 21 if you want one shoe that does everything well, and the Novablast 4 if soft, sinky comfort is what gets you out the door.