The Asics Novablast 2 rectifies a minor fault from the first version of the shoe. Now, the shoe has more stability, but you still get the soft and energetic midsole which made the original Novablast a favourite among many. Read the entire review and learn how you can use the modern Asics running shoe.
The first version of the Asics Novablast was a very special running shoe. The ultra-soft midsole paved the way for a new and exciting direction for the honoured (but also a bit dusty) Japanese running brand. However, despite the soft and energetic sole, the shoe was not for everyone. Many runners found it very unstable and therefore the otherwise engaging pair of running shoes were not a hit for everyone. But Asics has made up for that.
Last year, my colleague reviewed the original Novablast, you can read the review here.
I like a simple pair of running shoes made with good materials. Not too much faffing about with all sorts of different midsole materials and weird support mechanisms across the upper of the shoe. Hand me a pair of shoes with a good midsole to absorb the shocks and deliver a brilliant return of energy and a light-weight upper that is not too tight forcing my foot into all sorts of angles, then I will be satisfied. And let me tell you now, I am really satisfied and happy with the Asics Novablast 2!
The best from both worlds
The weight of the Novablast 2 shows it is a running shoe that can be used for a bit of everything. What typically categorises an everyday trainer is how soft and comfortable they are while belonging to the heavier side of the scale. Tempo race-day shoes are, on the other hand, lightweight and fast but are generally not designed for running at a slow pace and lack a bit of comfort. All-round shoes, however, will give you a little bit of both worlds – so you normally get a pair of comfortable shoes without really being comfortable, and a pair of shoes that are fast without being really fast. But this is a pair of all-round shoes that break with this norm.
This is not to say that these are the softest or fastest shoes on the market. But the Novablast 2 is definitely the best all-round shoe I have ever tried.
Because the Novablast 2 is just as comfortable as a classic everyday trainer but it also allows you to run at a high pace. I expected a pair of shoes that would make my regular, calm runs more engaging, but to my surprise, I also learned how I can run interval training or tempo in them.
As mentioned earlier, not many people liked the first version of the Asics Novablast. This was mainly due to the abundance of the very soft and responsive Flytefoam in the midsole. In a way, this was both the strength and weakness of the shoe. Because this made the shoe more engaging, but it also made it a tad too unstable. With the Novablast 2, Asics has found a way to tame the otherwise brilliant midsole.
Stable trampoline
Asics has changed the design of the characteristic zigzag pattern of the Flytefoam Blast in the midsole and has also included a bit of TPU plastic in the heel. Further, they have tweaked what they call the “trampoline effect” (at the middle of the outsole is a wedge to generate a springy effect). Finally, Asics has changed the drop, so now it is 8mm instead of 10mm. All of this is done to make the shoe more stable. And these small changes have worked just as intended, without removing any of the fun parts of the shoe.
The shoes are now more stable. To be clear, the shoes have not suddenly become the most stable shoes on the market, but few people will be able to complain about the lack of stability now. I would have to be running at a very high pace around tight corners to complain about the stability. This is how it is supposed to be when you own a pair of shoes made for the fast runs. And I will gladly sacrifice a bit of stability for a pair of shoes that are as engaging as the Novablast 2!
Not too thick, not too thin – but gets dirty quickly
Novablast 2’s upper is made from a lightweight and comfortable mesh material. Asics has found the right level of thickness for the upper for this type of shoe. It is thick enough to feel soft and comfortable on your feet, but still thin enough for the right amount of ventilation, so your feet will not overheat.
The only (minor) point of criticism I have for the upper is how quickly it gets dirty. The material seems susceptible to dirt and dust, which is a shame as the light blue colour is so beautiful. Even after the first 50 kilometres, the shoes started to look a bit dirty – and I have not been running through mud with them or when it was raining.
A true AHAR experience
AHAR(!), that is how the grip should feel like. A bad attempt to make an introduction to this section about the outsole, but there is a meaning behind the joke. The rubber of the outsole is made with AHAR (Asics High Abrasion Rubber). It is a type of rubber that is also being used to develop car tyres. Asics claim it is twice as durable as regular rubber while being significantly lighter than the regular rubber used for running shoes.
I have had no problems with the grip, and after running about 100km in these shoes, I cannot detect any noticeable wear-and-tear on the sole. I do not think the shoes feel heavy at the bottom either. So, I believe the claims from Asics when it comes to the quality of the AHAR material.
How should you be using this shoe?
As I see it, there are various ways to use the Novablast 2, depending on the type of runner you are. If you are already running in a pair of regular running shoes, like the Asics GEL-Nimbus, Asics GEL-Kayano, ADIDAS Ultraboost or Saucony Triumph, the Asics Novablast 2 is a great shoe to wear for when you want to pick up the pace. The low weight and the great return of energy will give you an engaging shoe that can also help you pick up the pace.
On the other hand, if you use more than one pair of running shoes for your work-out, you will be able to use the Novablast 2 for your regular runs. You can also use it for the long-distance runs where you might be picking up the pace once in a while – that is probably how I will be using the shoe for the most parts in the future.
Hopefully, Asics will keep the Novablast series for many years to come, because it is a model that has seriously brought Asics back to the main stage when we are talking about comfortable, engaging, and fast running shoes. Asics, the Novablast 2 is a winner.
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