Our verdict

Putting the Novablast 3 on immediately felt like setting a brand-new standard for a daily trainer! We found it to be an exceptionally comfortable daily running shoe that can go fast and can go far. What's more, we felt as if we could even race in it in our next marathon too. Talk about versatility! And if you just want a light shoe that won't drag you down, the ASICS Novablast 3 is the all-rounder you need.

no box asics noosa tri 14 tropical hazard green Pros

  • Super bouncy
  • Cushy feel for miles
  • Breathable
  • Light AF
  • Ready for cornering
  • Locks you in
  • Tongue stays in place
  • Grippy outsole
  • Mad durable
  • ASICS Gel-Lyte III Kicks Lab Hikeshi Hanten

no box asics noosa tri 14 tropical hazard green Cons

  • Asics Running Gel-Contend 7 Sneakers i sort
  • ASICS Aaron 1201A014-100

Audience verdict

91
Superb!

Who should buy

This shoe can do many things. And if you're eyeing a shoe that's any of the following, we think that the Novablast 3 might be the one for you: 

  • a running shoe for jogs and long, slow runs 
  • a daily trainer that's light and responsive for uptempo training 
  • F-LAGSTUF-F × ASICS GEL-PTG MT G-TX FS WHEAT

Asics-Novablast-3-review

Who should NOT buy

Even though we find the ASICS Novablast 3 to be nearly perfect, it still has a few caveats here and there. One, it's a tad narrow. And two, it's more expensive now by £10.

If you need a little more wiggle room, have a look at Saucony Endorphin Speed 3. And if you want a shoe that won't break the bank, the Mita Sneakers et Asics joignent leurs forces afin de sortir un modèle is a budget option that will surprise you.

Breathability

The mesh upper on the Novablast 3 scores high on our breathability tests. You can see how much more smoke passes through it compared to the zapatillas de running ASICS mujer pronador talla 37.5 Asics Smsb Run.

But on a 1-5 scale, where 5 is the most breathable, we had to give it a 3 because it took a few seconds for the toebox material to release the smoke.

You can also see how porous the upper is not only in the toebox but all throughout its length.

Test results
Novablast 3 3
Average 3.8
Compared to 234 running shoes
zapatillas de running ASICS pronador constitución fuerte talla 39
1
Breathability
5

Durability

Outsole hardness

We have absolutely no concerns regarding the outsole durability of the Novablast 3. First of all, it's the brand's reputable AHAR range and second, it's pretty hard!

Our durometer shows a reading of 83.0 HC which is firmer than the average measurement of road shoes.

ASICS Novablast 3 outsole hardness

Test results
Novablast 3 83.0 HC
Average 80.5 HC
We use an average of four tests. The photo shows one of those tests.
Compared to 285 running shoes
zapatillas de running ASICS pronador constitución fuerte talla 39
52.1 HC
Outsole hardness
93.0 HC

no box asics noosa tri 14 tropical hazard green | Outsole thickness

The Novablast 3 manages to be a lightweight speed trainer without sacrificing outsole protection.

Measuring the thickness of range layering the shoe's bottom, we got 3.1 mm. This is as thick as the average!

ASICS Novablast 3 outsole thickness

Test results
Novablast 3 3.1 mm
Average 3.2 mm
Compared to 304 running shoes
zapatillas de running ASICS pronador constitución fuerte talla 39
0.0 mm
Outsole thickness
6.6 mm

Weight

The lightness of this ASICS shoe made it feel at home for both fast and slow paces. 

Putting the shoe on our scale, we found that the ASICS Novablast 3 weighs only 8.5 oz (242g)! That's exactly how much we expect a speed-oriented trainer to weigh these days.

Test results
Novablast 3 8.54 oz (242g)
Average 9.38 oz (266g)
Compared to 305 running shoes
zapatillas de running ASICS pronador constitución fuerte talla 39
5.26 oz (149g)
Weight
12.56 oz (356g)

Cushioning

no box asics noosa tri 14 tropical hazard green | Heel stack

The ASICS Novablast 3 is a massively cushioned running shoe. And it was easily confirmed by our calliper measurement.

Our tool showed an impressive 37.2 mm of heel stack height! That is almost 4 mm taller than the average road running shoe and is within 16% tallest shoes in our lab!

Asics-Novablast-3-heel-stack

We got tonnes of impact protection and underfoot comfort from the Novablast 3, no matter what distance we covered that day.

Test results
Novablast 3 37.2 mm
Average 33.7 mm
Compared to 304 running shoes
zapatillas de running ASICS pronador constitución fuerte talla 39
7.6 mm
Heel stack
45.7 mm

Forefoot stack

The shoe's forefoot cushioning is just as generous, measuring 30.4 mm of stack height. That's a good 6 mm taller than average!

Asics-Novablast-3-forefoot-stack

Test results
Novablast 3 30.4 mm
Average 25.0 mm
Compared to 304 running shoes
zapatillas de running ASICS pronador constitución fuerte talla 39
7.6 mm
Forefoot stack
36.9 mm

Drop

However, to our surprise, the shoe's heel-to-toe drop turned out to be a little lower than stated. We measured it at 6.8 mm, while it is stated to be 8 mm.

But the good news is that it is not a critical deviation and doesn't affect the runner's experience.

ASICS Novablast 3 drop

Test results
Novablast 3 6.8 mm
Average 8.7 mm
Compared to 304 running shoes
zapatillas de running ASICS pronador constitución fuerte talla 39
-0.8 mm
Drop
16.1 mm

Insole thickness

This ASICS shoe features a moderately padded insole. With a thickness of 4.4 mm, it is just about the similar as the average.

ASICS Novablast 3 insole

Test results
Novablast 3 4.4 mm
Average 4.5 mm
Compared to 300 running shoes
zapatillas de running ASICS pronador constitución fuerte talla 39
1.5 mm
Insole thickness
7.3 mm

Midsole softness

Note: a low durometer measurement equals a soft material, whereas a high measurement means it's firm.

The shoe is comfy as hell! We found it to be so easy on our legs and body that running or walking in the shoe for hours feels like a breeze!

We attribute that to the shoe's very cushy and forgiving ride.

Checking the foam softness with a durometer, we can confirm that it is indeed one of the softest shoes not only from ASICS but on the market in general. At 13.5 HA, it is It is 77% softer than the average.

Asics-Novablast-3-foam-durometer-softness

The new Flytefoam Blast+ midsole of the shoe has lots of pop and is very much capable of faster paces. 

Test results
Novablast 3 13.5 HA
Average 21.4 HA
We use an average of four tests. The photo shows one of those tests.
Compared to 232 running shoes
zapatillas de running ASICS pronador constitución fuerte talla 39
8.5 HA
Midsole softness (soft to firm)
41.5 HA

Difference in midsole softness in cold

Even when exposed to cold temperatures (20 minutes in our freezer) and getting 52% firmer, the Flytefoam Blast+ still remains much softer than most running shoes at room temperature.

With a durometer measurement of 20.5 HA, the Novablast 3 is 47% softer than the average "frozen" foam.

Asics-Novablast-3-freezer-test

Test results
Novablast 3 51.9%
Average 25.5%
Compared to 231 running shoes
zapatillas de running ASICS pronador constitución fuerte talla 39
0%
Difference in midsole softness in cold
100%

Stability

Like many Asics shoes

Despite the extra stack, the ride felt quite stable and secure to us.

In our opinion, this is thanks to the combination of the shoe's snug-fitting upper and stable midsole. Prior to this version, the foam was too squishy, which compromised the shoe's surefootedness. 

But in the third iteration, our feet never felt as if they were about to topple over!

Torsional rigidity

One of the key coming factors to the shoe's stability is the amount of torsional rigidity in its platform. And the best way we can assess this is by twisting the shoe with our hands.

The Novablast 3 has a lot of stiffness to it! It convinced us to rate it as 4 out of 5 on a scale where 5 is the stiffest.

Test results
Novablast 3 4
Average 3.2
Compared to 283 running shoes
zapatillas de running ASICS pronador constitución fuerte talla 39
1
Torsional rigidity
5

Heel counter stiffness

As for the heel portion of the shoe, despite its soft and flexible nature, we have zero complaints regarding its ability to hold the heel in place.

Subjectively assessing the heel stiffness, we gave it 2 out of 5, where 5 is the stiffest.

Test results
Novablast 3 2
Average 2.8
Compared to 267 running shoes
zapatillas de running ASICS pronador constitución fuerte talla 39
1
Heel counter stiffness
5

no box asics noosa tri 14 tropical hazard green

asics contend 7 girls grade school running shoes aqua angel white.

Based on our calliper measurement, the widest part of the shoe's forefoot midsole is 115.9 mm. This is almost 3 mm wider than average.

ASICS Novablast 3 midsole width forefoot

Test results
Novablast 3 115.9 mm
Average 113.7 mm
Compared to 305 running shoes
zapatillas de running ASICS pronador constitución fuerte talla 39
100.5 mm
no box asics noosa tri 14 tropical hazard green
126.5 mm

Footwear ASICS Gel-Rocket 10 1071A054 Glacier Grey Sunrise Red 960

Back in the heel, we also found that the midsole gets wider than most road shoes.

Our calliper shows that the widest part here is 93.9 mm, almost 4 mm wider than average.

ASICS Novablast 3 midsole width heel

Test results
Novablast 3 93.9 mm
Average 90.5 mm
Compared to 305 running shoes
zapatillas de running ASICS pronador constitución fuerte talla 39
74.9 mm
Footwear ASICS Gel-Rocket 10 1071A054 Glacier Grey Sunrise Red 960
106.6 mm

Flexibility

Stiffness

The ASICS Novablast 3 is not from the flexible bunch but it's right at the average across all of our lab-tested shoes.

We should note, however, that a moderate level of stiffness makes the shoe's ride more propulsive.

Test results
Novablast 3 30.6N
Average 29.2N
We use an average of four tests. The video shows one of those tests.
Compared to 287 running shoes
zapatillas de running ASICS pronador constitución fuerte talla 39
2.2N
Stiffness
94.4N

ASICS Tiger GEL-LYTE III SEERSUCKER PACK

Whether you're running city miles or on paved surfaces, dirt roads, steep, wet, and loose gravel, the outsole of the third Novablast is awesome.

Asics-Novablast-3-traction

Size and fit

The ASICS Novablast 3 is a massively cushioned running shoe. And it was easily confirmed by our calliper measurement.

Our tool showed an impressive 37.2 mm of heel stack height! That is almost 4 mm taller than the average road running shoe and is within 16% tallest shoes in our lab!

Asics-Novablast-3-heel-stack

We got tonnes of impact protection and underfoot comfort from the Novablast 3, no matter what distance we covered that day.

Toebox width at the widest part

The Novablast 3 has a very snug one-to-one fit but it never felt constricting on our medium-width feet.

Asics-Novablast-3-forefoot

Measuring the toebox at its widest part, our calliper showed 96 mm which is only 2 mm narrower than the average of road shoes. But this might still be narrow enough for wide-footed runners to consider more spacious alternatives.

ASICS Novablast 3 toebox width at the widest part

Test results
Novablast 3 95.9 mm
Average 98.4 mm
Compared to 305 running shoes
zapatillas de running ASICS pronador constitución fuerte talla 39
89.5 mm
Toebox width at the widest part
109.1 mm

Asics Беговое оборудование Аксессуары

The shoe's tongue comes in a unique shape that moulds to the ankle. But it works! We experienced no shifting, sliding, or bunching throughout the run. Plus, it's protective against lace bites.

Asics-Novablast-3-tongue

Лосини asics оригінал.

Asics-Novablast-3-gusseted-tongue

Test results
Novablast 3 Both sides (semi)

Comfort

Tongue padding

To our great surprise, the tongue is only 1.3 mm thick and yet does the job!

Asics-Novablast-3-tongue-thickness

Test results
Novablast 3 1.3 mm
Average 5.6 mm
Compared to 302 running shoes
zapatillas de running ASICS pronador constitución fuerte talla 39
0.5 mm
Tongue padding
14.2 mm

ASICS Novablast 3 vs. 2

They may not look radically different but the ASICS Novablast 3 and 2 have quite significant differences. These are the changes that make the third Novablast different: 

  • lighter by an ounce!
  • has more spring
  • new mesh upper plus gusseted tongue creates a more supportive fit

Asics-Novablast-3-lab-measurements

est disponible au prix de 150€ chez Asics

Whether you're running fast or slow or running short or long distances, the ASICS Novablast 3 will keep you covered. It's an out-and-out versatile shoe. Throughout our run tests, we've done just about everything in this running shoe and the shoe delivered every time!

Asics-Novablast-3-all-arounder