What replaced the Asics Novablast 3?
Updated August 2, 2026. Specs are men's US 9.
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THE SHORT ANSWER
The Novablast 4 replaced the 3 in December 2023. It went firmer and more stable: denser FF Blast+ Eco foam, a platform 5 mm wider, thicker outsole rubber, about 0.2 oz more weight, same $140. The quoted stack jumped to 41.5/33.5 mm, but that is mostly a change in how Asics states the number. Fans of the 3's wild bounce called the 4 dull; runners the 3 had been rolling inward called it the fix.
- Asics Novablast 3Sizes running outWomen's
- Asics Novablast 4Sizes running outMen's at AmazonWomen's
Availability last checked Aug 2, 2026. Prices and stock change without notice.
At a glance
- The Novablast 4 is 0.2 oz heavier
- 10.5 mm more heel stack
- Drop is unchanged at 8 mm
- New midsole foam
Every spec side by side, with the reason behind each change: Novablast 3 vs 4.
Stay on your shoe, or switch?
Changed characterThe 4 traded fun for control. Firmer FF Blast+ Eco, a wider base and thicker rubber made it the most stable, most durable Novablast yet, and Doctors of Running testers ranked it among their favorite daily trainers of 2023. But the bounce that made the line's name got flattened. RoadTrailRun testers said it was not as bouncy, dramatic or quick-moving as the 3, and the 3's fans agreed loudly.
Stick with the Novablast 3 if
- The 3's bounce is why you buy this shoe; the 4 dialed it back deliberately
- You want the lighter, softer shoe and accept the wobble that comes with it
Old stock is gone; see alternatives below.
Move to the Novablast 4 if
- The 3 rolled your ankles or wore out fast; the 4 is more stable and more durable
- You want the same $140 trainer tuned for steady miles rather than pop
Where the Asics Novablast is now
The line has moved three versions past the Asics Novablast 3, and the current model is now the Novablast 6 (2026). Measured against your shoe:
- Weight is unchanged
- 10.5 mm more heel stack
- Drop is unchanged at 8 mm
- New midsole foam
- List price up $15
What loyalists said about the update
Genuinely split, the divide this line is now known for. One camp found it rather meh and underwhelming in cushion, and the loudest negative thread called its wet grip the worst the poster had seen in a running shoe. The other camp logged 150-mile reviews calling it a workhorse of a daily trainer, and even in 2026 some runners say they prefer the 4's steadier cruiser ride to the bouncier versions on either side of it.
Still want the original?
Buy remaining Novablast 3 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.
Men's stock is gone.
Women's: Check remaining stockAvailability last checked Aug 2, 2026.
Ready to move on?
Beyond the Novablast 4, these come closest to what the Novablast 3 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 3: 1 oz lighter, 6 mm more heel stack, 3 mm less drop, $5 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 3: 0.3 oz heavier, 11 mm more heel stack, the same drop, $15 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 3: the same weight, 7 mm more heel stack, the same drop, $5 more at list.
Questions runners ask
- Is the Asics Novablast 3 still available?
- Partially. Women's sizes still turn up on Amazon, but men's stock is gone. If your size shows up, decide quickly; discontinued stock only shrinks.
- Is the Novablast 4 a downgrade from the Asics Novablast 3?
- Not a downgrade, but a different shoe. The Novablast 4 scores well with new buyers while changing the ride that Asics Novablast 3 loyalists bought it for. Read the spec changes before assuming it will feel familiar.
- How much heavier is the Novablast 4?
- 0.2 oz heavier in a men's US 9: 9.1 oz against the Asics Novablast 3's 8.9 oz.
- Is the Asics Novablast still made?
- Yes. The current version is the Asics Novablast 6, released in 2026, 3 versions on from the Asics Novablast 3.
- What is the closest current alternative to the Asics Novablast 3?
- 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.