TEST: ASICS Blazeblast - running shoes for gravel and trails

In autumn, choosing shoes can be tricky. Some running shoes feel slippery when the pavement is wet or when I run through gravel paths and fields after rain. For such runs, most trail shoes can feel like overkill. So, what do you do?

In cycling, gravel is a known term. A gravel bike isn't a mountain bike, nor is it the fastest for road rides. But it's great for mixed surfaces. Gravel roads combined with pavement, field paths, forest trails, and all those routes where the surface changes multiple times.

With Blazeblast ASICS has tried to do the same with a running shoe: create a gravel shoe that's not the fastest on pavement, nor the best for technical terrain. But instead excels on gravel, trails, and all runs with changing surfaces. And spoiler: I think they've succeeded.

Blazeblast: A Blast shoe with new possibilities

Having a running shoe that handles both pavement and forest trails isn't new. Trabuco has been described as a door-to-trail shoe, and we know several ATR models (all terrain). But Blazeblast feels different. It doesn't feel like a trail shoe that can handle pavement, but more like a road shoe that can handle gravel and trails.

Blazeblast is part of ASICS' Blast family, a cousin to Novablast and Superblast. In the Blast series, foam and cushioning are key. Blazeblast is the first in the Blast family to leave the pavement and venture onto trails.

That's good news if you know the others in the family. If you run in Novablast and like it, there's a good chance you'll also like Blazeblast. It's the same foam, and the feel underfoot is similar. You just get an outsole that doesn't give up when the pavement ends.

Soft heel mixed with FF BLAST MAX

When I run in Blazeblast, one thing stands out. How soft and comfortable it feels. Especially in the heel. It's most noticeable in the first kilometers on the road, before I even hit gravel. It just feels like a regular training shoe, and I don't notice the lugs underneath. That's not a given in a shoe with grip, and it's a bigger part of why I like them than I expected.

The midsole is FF BLAST MAX, and there's plenty of it. On top is a trampoline pod in the forefoot, meant to give extra energy in the push-off. However, I don't feel the pod as much as in Novablast; it's more subdued here. I can sense the idea behind the soft heel and more responsive forefoot, but the pod doesn't steal the show.

ASICS Blazeblast: Upper and fit

The first time I put my foot in, I didn't think "trail shoe". There's plenty of padding in the heel, and none of the stiff reinforcements typical in trail shoes. The upper is engineered woven mesh, comfortable and nice on the foot.

The shoe is slightly narrower than ASICS Novablast , which I've also tested recently. It's not the forefoot in general, but more at the toes, where it's a bit narrower. It's not been an issue for me. If you have wider toes and run long distances, it's worth considering.

I usually wear US 7.5, and I've gone with the same size here with Blazeblast. So, I'd call it true to size.

ASICS Blazeblast

Grip on wet gravel

There's a field path on one of my regular routes, where the gravel lies loose on the hard surface. I've skated a bit on it in my regular running shoes after rain. I didn't do that with ASICS Blazeblast. It's hard to put precise numbers on such things, but it just feels more secure, as if the shoe grips the surface a bit instead of sliding over it. 

And just as importantly: the lugs don't feel noticeable when running on pavement. There's no sense of standing "on top of something". The lugs are 2.5 millimeters, where a trail shoe typically has four to five. The rubber is a hybrid version of ASICSGRIP, and the outsole doesn't cover the entire surface but has a cut through the middle to save weight.

Who is ASICS Blazeblast for?

After more than a month in them, I think Blazeblast lives up to its purpose.

First and foremost, it's a shoe for mixed surfaces. If you run like me, with routes that include pavement, field paths, and some forest trails, it can be used year-round. Additionally, it offers something extra in autumn and winter when even the pavement can get slippery.

However, if you're running dedicated trails, it's not the shoe. Soft ground, mud, and technical terrain are beyond what the 2.5 millimeters can handle, and the soft and relatively high build makes it less stable on uneven surfaces. And if you only run on dry pavement, you won't benefit from the grip. So, you're carrying an outsole you'll never use, and there are faster and more direct shoes for those runs.

But if you find yourself somewhere in between, it's a shoe worth considering. I can easily see myself reaching for it now that autumn has started. I run a lot between fields and roads, and I do miss a bit of extra grip.

Need more for autumn?

If it gets dark and wet on your runs, shoes are only half the story. We have a wide selection of running jackets and reflectors , so you can keep going when the weather turns.

Curious about the rest of ASICS' range? Check out our full selection of shoes and clothing from the brand. You can also read my review of ASICS Novablast 6 .