ASICS Novablast 4 Review: Audited 41.5/33.5mm Daily Trainer

ASICS Novablast 4 Review: Audited 41.5/33.5mm Daily Trainer

Disclosure: TrainingPlan has not hands-on tested this exact model. This research-based review uses ASICS exact-model information and independent exact-model testing. No Amazon US listing is currently verified.

Quick Verdict

ASICS Novablast 4 is a superseded neutral road trainer with a high 41.5mm heel, 33.5mm forefoot, 8mm drop, and FF BLAST PLUS ECO midsole. Doctors of Running reports 9.1 ounces for the men's reference and 7.9 ounces for women. It launched December 1, 2023 at MSRP: $140.

The shoe delivers a responsive, rolling ride without a plate. It works across easy runs, steady aerobic sessions, long runs, and moderate progression efforts. Version 4 is more controlled than the notably lively early Novablast designs, but it remains a tall neutral platform rather than a stability shoe or low-to-the-ground trainer.

Key Specifications

What Changed

The prior catalog listed 9.3/8.1-ounce weights and rounded the stack to 41/33mm. Doctors of Running reports 9.1/7.9 ounces and men's geometry of 41.5/33.5mm. The half-millimeter precision is retained because it is clearly sourced, not because stack can be treated as identical across every size and measurement method.

The description now names FF BLAST PLUS ECO and explicitly states that the shoe has no plate. ASICS's launch announcement confirms the December 2023 date, MSRP: $140 US price, new foam, and trampoline-inspired geometry. The prior Amazon URL was removed because the catalog lacked a dated exact-model title and ASIN match.

Ride and Intended Use

FF BLAST PLUS ECO combines high stack with relatively low mass. The midsole sidewalls and broad base improve control, while the outsole geometry creates compression and rebound under the forefoot. There is no rigid plate dictating transition, so the shoe preserves more flex and works at a wider range of paces than a dedicated racer.

Independent testing describes a balanced-to-bouncy ride that is less wild than Novablast 3. Easy and steady runs are the center of its use case, with enough response for progression efforts and moderate workouts. Its high stack can protect over longer road runs, though runners who need a planted feel on sharp turns may prefer a lower shoe.

Fit and Sizing

The engineered woven upper uses a tongue-wing construction to reduce tongue movement and secure the midfoot. Independent reviewers generally found the length true to size, a secure heel, and a normal-to-slightly accommodating forefoot. Standard and wide versions were offered, but availability differs by gender, region, and color.

Begin with normal running-shoe length and verify heel hold, instep pressure, toe clearance, and lateral security. The wide version changes volume and shape; it is not simply extra upper material. Use the running-shoe fit guide rather than assuming a high-stack daily trainer will fit like another ASICS model.

What Works Well

Novablast 4 is light relative to its stack, responsive without a plate, and useful across multiple training paces. The broad geometry improves landing confidence compared with earlier versions, and standard-plus-wide availability expands access. At MSRP: $140, it also undercut many high-stack premium trainers.

Tradeoffs

The tall platform reduces ground feel and can feel cumbersome on tight turns or uneven shoulders. The ride is more controlled than older Novablast models, which may disappoint runners seeking maximum bounce. It is neutral rather than guided, and the upper fit still requires individual confirmation.

There is no universal mileage lifespan. Inspect outsole smoothing, exposed foam wear, midsole asymmetry, upper stretch, and changed ride using the shoe replacement guide.

Who Should Consider This Shoe

Consider Novablast 4 if you want one high-stack unplated shoe for ordinary daily mileage, steady long runs, and occasional faster finishes. It particularly suits runners who value a lively ride but find carbon plates too rigid or specialized.

Who Should Look Elsewhere

Look elsewhere for low stack, strong guidance, a narrow race fit, or a very soft recovery feel. The Nike Pegasus 41 is more conventional and lower. The ASICS Gel-Kayano 31 adds 4D Guidance, while the ASICS Superblast 2 is lighter for its even larger stack and costs substantially more.

Cross-Brand Comparison

Pegasus 41 uses a 10mm drop, ReactX, and Air Zoom for a denser, more traditional ride. The Saucony Ride 17 is another balanced unplated workhorse with less dramatic geometry. Novablast 4 is the bouncier, taller option, trading ground contact for energy and protection.

Same-Brand Comparison

Superblast 2 adds FF TURBO PLUS, more stack, less relative mass, and a MSRP: $200 price, but still no plate. Gel-Kayano 31 is heavier and explicitly guided. The ASICS Novablast 5 directly succeeds version 4 with a different foam and ride; it should not be treated as the same shoe.

Value

At MSRP: $140, Novablast 4 offered strong stack-to-weight value and broad training utility. A clearance pair can remain attractive if it is the exact version, correct width, well stored, and returnable. Compare its discount with newer versions rather than assuming older automatically means better value.

Final Verdict

ASICS Novablast 4 is a superseded 41.5/33.5mm, 8mm-drop neutral trainer with 9.1/7.9-ounce references and unplated FF BLAST PLUS ECO cushioning. The audited record is only modestly different numerically, but it is much clearer about construction and scope. It is a versatile high-stack daily shoe, not a stability model or carbon racer.