Can I go straight from the Asics Novablast 1 to the Novablast 3 and skip the Novablast 2?

Yes, but going Novablast 1 to Novablast 3 means taking one change in a single step: the Novablast 3 is where the ride moved. The drop also goes 10 mm to 8 mm across the jump, so give it a week of easy running.

How much did the weight change across these two updates?

0.3 oz off in total, 9.2 oz to 8.9 oz in a men's US 9. The Novablast 2 took it to 9.7 oz first.

Is the Novablast 2 the better buy than either of these?

On paper it splits them: 9.7 oz against 9.2 oz for the Novablast 1 and 8.9 oz for the Novablast 3, on a 30 mm heel and a $130 list price. Whether that is worth chasing depends on what the Novablast 2 update actually did, which the section above works through.

Did the Novablast get taller between the Novablast 1 and the Novablast 3?

Heel stack went 32 mm to 31 mm, by way of 30 mm on the Novablast 2. Drop moved 10 mm to 8 mm, which is the change your calves and Achilles notice.

Where does the Novablast 3 sit in the Novablast lineup now?

Two versions on from the Novablast 1, and already replaced itself: the Novablast 4 arrived in 2023. If you are shopping old stock anyway, price the Novablast 3 against it before deciding.

Asics Novablast 1 vs Novablast 3

Two versions apart. Updated August 2, 2026. Specs are men's US 9.

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THE SHORT ANSWER

Two updates and 2 years separate the Asics Novablast 1 from the Novablast 3. Net change: 0.3 oz lighter, 1 mm less heel stack, a drop change from 10 mm to 8 mm, a new midsole, $10 more at list. The Novablast 3 is where the character changed, and that is the update Novablast 1 owners notice first.

Asics Novablast 1Sizes running outMen's at Amazon Women's
Asics Novablast 3Sizes running outWomen's

Availability last checked Aug 2, 2026. Prices and stock change without notice.

Novablast 1 · 2020

Novablast 3 · 2022

The two updates in between

Each step has its own page with the full change list and the verdict on that update.

Step 1Novablast 1 to Novablast 22021Refined, same shoe
Novablast 1 vs 2 What replaced the Asics Novablast 1?
Step 2Novablast 2 to Novablast 32022Changed character
Novablast 2 vs 3 What replaced the Asics Novablast 2?

Novablast 1 vs Novablast 3: every spec, side by side

The net of both updates. Per-update change notes stay on the step pages above, because they explain changes measured from a different starting point than this table uses.

Spec	Novablast 1	Novablast 3
FIT AND WEIGHT
Weight	9.2 oz	8.9 oz
Widths	D	D, 2E
Upper	Two-layer jacquard mesh	Knit mesh with a gusseted tongue wing
CUSHIONING GEOMETRY
Heel stack	32 mm	31 mm
Forefoot stack	22 mm	23 mm
Drop	10 mm	8 mm
MATERIALS
Midsole	FF Blast (FlyteFoam Blast)	FF Blast+
VALUE
List price at launch	$130	$140

Or buy the Novablast 2 instead?

The Novablast 2 is the value play if you find it discounted. It carries most of what the Novablast 3 added while selling as an older model, and moving one version at a time is the smaller adjustment.

Buy the Novablast 2

Sizes running out

Discontinued at retail. Amazon carries what remains, so treat an in-stock size as a closing window, and expect prices to swing.

Men's: Check remaining stock Women's: Check remaining stock

Availability last checked Aug 2, 2026.

Questions runners ask

Can I go straight from the Asics Novablast 1 to the Novablast 3 and skip the Novablast 2?: Yes, but going Novablast 1 to Novablast 3 means taking one change in a single step: the Novablast 3 is where the ride moved. The drop also goes 10 mm to 8 mm across the jump, so give it a week of easy running.
How much did the weight change across these two updates?: 0.3 oz off in total, 9.2 oz to 8.9 oz in a men's US 9. The Novablast 2 took it to 9.7 oz first.
Is the Novablast 2 the better buy than either of these?: On paper it splits them: 9.7 oz against 9.2 oz for the Novablast 1 and 8.9 oz for the Novablast 3, on a 30 mm heel and a $130 list price. Whether that is worth chasing depends on what the Novablast 2 update actually did, which the section above works through.
Did the Novablast get taller between the Novablast 1 and the Novablast 3?: Heel stack went 32 mm to 31 mm, by way of 30 mm on the Novablast 2. Drop moved 10 mm to 8 mm, which is the change your calves and Achilles notice.
Where does the Novablast 3 sit in the Novablast lineup now?: Two versions on from the Novablast 1, and already replaced itself: the Novablast 4 arrived in 2023. If you are shopping old stock anyway, price the Novablast 3 against it before deciding.