What replaced the Asics Novablast 1?
Updated August 2, 2026. Specs are men's US 9.
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THE SHORT ANSWER
The Novablast 2 replaced the original in June 2021. It kept the FF Blast foam and fixed the complaints: a filled-in midfoot, rear sidewalls and a bigger heel counter made it far more stable, the drop went from 10 to 8 mm, and the sloppy upper got softer and better fitting. About half an ounce heavier, same $130.
- Asics Novablast 1Sizes running outMen's at AmazonWomen's
- Asics Novablast 2Sizes running outMen's at AmazonWomen's
Availability last checked Aug 2, 2026. Prices and stock change without notice.
At a glance
- The Novablast 2 is 0.5 oz heavier
- 2 mm less heel stack
- Drop moved from 10 mm to 8 mm
- New midsole foam
Every spec side by side, with the reason behind each change: Novablast 1 vs 2.
Stay on your shoe, or switch?
Refined, same shoeThe 2 is the listening-to-feedback update. Believe in the Run called it fine-tuning a good product into a great one: the same bouncy FF Blast ride on a much more stable platform, with better upper hold and an 8 mm drop. RoadTrailRun's Peter Stuart called it the most enjoyable Asics daily he had run in. It stayed a strictly neutral shoe, and runners who liked the original's wilder, less controlled bounce lost a little of that.
Stick with the Novablast 1 if
- You liked the original's 10 mm drop; the 2 moved to 8 and the line never went back
- The wilder, less controlled bounce of the first version was the fun part for you
Move to the Novablast 2 if
- The original's squirrelly heel or sloppy fit put you off; both are fixed
- You want the same ride with better manners for the same $130
Where the Asics Novablast is now
Four generations separate the Asics Novablast 1 from the Novablast 6 (2026), so the gap is wider than any single update suggests:
- The Novablast 6 is 0.4 oz lighter
- 9.5 mm more heel stack
- Drop moved from 10 mm to 8 mm
- New midsole foam
- List price up $25
What loyalists said about the update
Aggregated Reddit reviews run 57 percent positive across 248 mentions. Fans called it versatile, bouncy and a bargain on sale. The complaints became the line's chronic ones: foam that goes flat early (one owner said his pair "shuts down" right after 300 miles) and a soft ride with no help at all for overpronators.
Still want the original?
Buy remaining Novablast 1 stock
Sizes running outDiscontinued at retail. Amazon carries what remains, so treat an in-stock size as a closing window, and expect prices to swing.
Availability last checked Aug 2, 2026.
Ready to move on?
Beyond the Novablast 2, these come closest to what the Novablast 1 did.
- 7.9 oz
- 5 mm drop
- 37 mm heel
- $145 list
The Mach is the other fun, light daily that can pick up the pace. It is firmer, snappier and about an ounce lighter; the Novablast carries more foam and a lot more bounce.
Against your Asics Novablast 1: 1.3 oz lighter, 5 mm more heel stack, 5 mm less drop, $15 more at list.
- 9.2 oz
- 8 mm drop
- 42 mm heel
- $155 list
The comparison goes back to the first Novablast, which one tester called the shoe the Clifton was supposed to be. The Clifton is the calmer, more rockered easy-day cruiser at a similar stack; the Novablast is bouncier and handles a wider range of paces.
Against your Asics Novablast 1: the same weight, 10 mm more heel stack, 2 mm less drop, $25 more at list.
- 8.9 oz
- 8 mm drop
- 38 mm heel
- $145 list
The Ride is the traditional take on the same daily-trainer job: firmer, lower, more stable, less exciting. Runners who find the Novablast too soft or too tall usually land here.
Against your Asics Novablast 1: 0.3 oz lighter, 6 mm more heel stack, 2 mm less drop, $15 more at list.
Questions runners ask
- Is the Asics Novablast 1 still available?
- For now. Amazon still lists the Asics Novablast 1, but the size run is thinning and prices swing with remaining stock. If your size is there, this is the late window, not the early one.
- Is the Novablast 2 a downgrade from the Asics Novablast 1?
- No. Most runners rate the Novablast 2 as the same shoe done slightly better. The changes are real but none of them alter what the shoe is.
- How much heavier is the Novablast 2?
- 0.5 oz heavier in a men's US 9: 9.7 oz against the Asics Novablast 1's 9.2 oz.
- Did the drop change from the Asics Novablast 1 to the Novablast 2?
- Yes, from 10 mm to 8 mm. A drop change this size affects where your foot loads at landing, so plan a few easy runs to adapt.
- Is the Asics Novablast still made?
- Yes. The current version is the Asics Novablast 6, released in 2026, 5 versions on from the Asics Novablast 1.
- What is the closest current alternative to the Asics Novablast 1?
- The Hoka Mach 7. The Mach is the other fun, light daily that can pick up the pace. It is firmer, snappier and about an ounce lighter; the Novablast carries more foam and a lot more bounce.