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 zapatillas de running ASICS media maratón más de 100 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.

Vivienne Westwood x ASICS Gel-kayano 26 Birch White Pros

  • Super bouncy
  • asics gel 1090 whitewhite
  • Breathable
  • Light AF
  • Vivienne Westwood x ASICS Gel-kayano 26 Birch White
  • Locks you in
  • Tongue stays in place
  • Grippy outsole
  • Mad durable
  • Extra Butter X Ghostface X Asics Gel Lyte Mt Pretty Toney W

Vivienne Westwood x ASICS Gel-kayano 26 Birch White Cons

  • asics gel quan
  • Stack heights higher than advertised

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 
  • zapatillas de running ASICS competición talla 38

Asics-Novablast-3-review

Vivienne Westwood x ASICS Gel-kayano 26 Birch White | 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 Asics Gel 1090 "White Citrus". And if you want a shoe that won't break the bank, the ASICS Gel Quantum 180 4 Black Laser Pink Mujer 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 ASICS Kayano 29 on the right.

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 209 running shoes
footwear asics versablast 1011a962 black marigold orange
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 rubber and second, it's pretty hard!

Trainers ASICS Gel-Quantum Lyte 1022A110 Black Rose Gold.

ASICS Novablast 3 outsole hardness

Test results
Novablast 3 83.0 HC
Average 80.3 HC
zapatillas de running ASICS amortiguación media media maratón talla 41.5 naranjas.
Compared to 260 running shoes
footwear asics versablast 1011a962 black marigold orange
55.5 HC
Outsole hardness
92.8 HC

Outsole thickness

Chemist Creations Unveils Their Spin on the Asics Gel Kayano 5.

Measuring the thickness of rubber 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 279 running shoes
footwear asics versablast 1011a962 black marigold orange
0.0 mm
Outsole thickness
6.6 mm

Vivienne Westwood x ASICS Gel-kayano 26 Birch White | 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 9.35 oz (265g)
Compared to 280 running shoes
footwear asics versablast 1011a962 black marigold orange
5.26 oz (149g)
Weight
12.56 oz (356g)

Cushioning

Heel stack

The ASICS Novablast 3 is a massively cushioned running shoe. And it was easily confirmed by our caliper 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 tons 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 33.5 mm
Compared to 279 running shoes
footwear asics versablast 1011a962 black marigold orange
7.6 mm
Heel stack
42.7 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 24.9 mm
Compared to 279 running shoes
footwear asics versablast 1011a962 black marigold orange
7.6 mm
Forefoot stack
35.8 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 8.6 mm
Compared to 279 running shoes
footwear asics versablast 1011a962 black marigold orange
-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 same as the average.

ASICS Novablast 3 insole

Test results
Novablast 3 4.4 mm
Average 4.4 mm
Compared to 275 running shoes
footwear asics versablast 1011a962 black marigold orange
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 21.3 HA
zapatillas de running ASICS amortiguación media media maratón talla 41.5 naranjas.
Compared to 207 running shoes
footwear asics versablast 1011a962 black marigold orange
8.5 HA
Midsole softness (soft to firm)
41.5 HA

Grey Tie Dye Asics Gel Lyte V

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 25.7%
Compared to 206 running shoes
footwear asics versablast 1011a962 black marigold orange
0%
Grey Tie Dye Asics Gel Lyte V
100%

Stability

Lateral stability test

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. 

Asics gel-resolution 8 clay navy australian open men tennis shoes 1041a076-500!

Torsional rigidity

One of the key contributing 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 258 running shoes
footwear asics versablast 1011a962 black marigold orange
1
Torsional rigidity
5

Asics Gel Lyte V Rugged Winter 'Light Blue'

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 2.7
Compared to 242 running shoes
footwear asics versablast 1011a962 black marigold orange
1
Asics Gel Lyte V Rugged Winter 'Light Blue'
5

asics gel noosa tri 13 marathon running shoessneakers

Herren-Tennisschuh von Asics.

Based on our caliper 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 113.5 mm
Compared to 280 running shoes
footwear asics versablast 1011a962 black marigold orange
100.5 mm
asics gel noosa tri 13 marathon running shoessneakers
126.5 mm

Midsole width in the heel

Schuhe ASICS Gt-1000 11 1011B354 French Blue Shocking Orange 401.

AFFIX WORKS ASICS.

ASICS Novablast 3 midsole width heel

Test results
Novablast 3 93.9 mm
Average 90.3 mm
Compared to 280 running shoes
footwear asics versablast 1011a962 black marigold orange
74.9 mm
Midsole width in the heel
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 29.4N
We use an average of four tests. The video shows one of those tests.
Compared to 262 running shoes
footwear asics versablast 1011a962 black marigold orange
2.2N
Stiffness
94.4N

Grip / Traction

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

Zapatillas de running asics jolt 3

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 caliper 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

Test results
Novablast 3 95.9 mm
Average 98.3 mm
Compared to 280 running shoes
footwear asics versablast 1011a962 black marigold orange
89.5 mm
Zapatillas de running asics jolt 3
109.1 mm

Unlock exclusive benefits across the ASICS brand family

The shoe's tongue comes in a unique shape that molds 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

And it stays in place, thanks to its gussets.

Asics-Novablast-3-gusseted-tongue

Test results
Novablast 3 Both sides (semi)

Comfort

Tongue padding

zapatillas de running ASICS media maratón talla 40!

Asics-Novablast-3-tongue-thickness

Test results
Novablast 3 1.3 mm
Average 5.6 mm
Compared to 277 running shoes
footwear asics versablast 1011a962 black marigold orange
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
  • Pantofi ASICS Gt-1000 10 1012A878 Black White 004

Asics-Novablast-3-lab-measurements

A true all-rounder

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