Asics Novablast 3 after 100 miles

In this video I discuss my further thoughts on the Asics Novablast 3.
0:00 Intro
0:45 What changed my mind on the Asics Novablast 3?
1:56 Let’s talk about FFBlast+
5:29 New experiences in the Asics Novablast 3
7:06 But, things changed again
10:48 The future of the Asics Novablast series?
15:42 Outro
Asics Magic Speed 3 - First Impressions: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eJ29nIyCqLyApbc
Asics Novablast 3 - The most overbuilt daily trainer: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qoS6l3iFa9ism6M
What is foam resiliency and why is it important in running shoes?: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eIqYd6ysqqaBhpY
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Thanks for watching! Leave a comment and let me know what you think.
Disclosures: No one is paying me to make this video and no one has any editorial control over the contents of this video. Additionally, I have no connection into Asics’s design or marketing process. Everything I cover in this video is my own opinion and experience.
Intro & outro music from Epidemic Sound:
All is Now - Ave Air
www.epidemicsound.com/artists/ave-air/
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Subscriber count at time of upload: 975
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[@jontay1987]

I am enjoying your thoughtful reviews. You've given me hope on the Novoblast 3- I have 26 miles in 2 runs on mine and it has felt like a blocky, heavy, brick so far. Maybe I just have to give it a few more runs. I am loving the Magic Speed 3 too.

[@SagasuRunning]

Interesting. We are the same. I felt that for sure with the NB3s at first… but more time in them they (should) came around. Once the shoe “clicks” for you it will feel totally different. However the Magic Speed 3s were perfect straight out of the box and within the first 1km. I do have thoughts as to why and will have a MS3 follow up video in a few weeks. Thank you for the kind words. 🤙🏻

[@edwinduisburg8138]

Novablast 3 reviews were so hyped I couldn't find a single negative review on YT. I gave it a try and I had to return the shoe after the 1st run and Novablast probably the only shoe I had to return in the last 5 years. I ran in bulky heavy shoes before like Vomero 16 from Nike. But I never felt this bad when running and it was really shocking because I really didn't expect it to be this bad for me. After that they released superblast which people called it a 'Supertrainer' which doesn't even have any plate in it and doesn't even have a full premium foam yet they are charging a premium price for it. No doubt Asics made a great upselling move where they painted the superblast like 'do it all shoe' for daily trainer catagory. But that was the exact definition of daily trainer before superblast came along. That also raises the question of what is novablast then? Max cushion shoe? Tempo shoe? I don't see the asics beloved running brand like other people do. I think they are trying to manipulate the consumers by creating a phantom product catagory so they can charge the premium price without any issues.

[@SagasuRunning]

I do think Asics has had alot of hype behind it lately but overall I respect the brand. They have always made great shoes and not always jumped on whatever trend was hot in running. As for the Superblast… I agree the price is too high but the design of the shoe is a good balance between training and racing foams. It’s doesn’t need to be all FFTurbo, in fact the FFBlast+ makes it better. I am looking forward to SB2 and if we get an NB4… but am realistic that they aren’t in techs same league with Nike of Adidas when it comes to performance.

[@IndraTan01]

Thanks for bringing me here, just noticed that you are in Taipei 很高兴认识你. In my city, Surabaya, Indonesia, the current temperature is around 22-32C depending on the time of the day. But again, never had chance to wear my NB3 to the break-in point, as I intend wearing it for my casual wear (weird choice, I know). Glad to see the change in your POVs about NB3 and also to know your take on ASICS developmental stage. I agree on what you think of how ASICS will take a different direction in separating their max-cushioned shoes like Nimbus 25 and training shoes like Novablast line. What I haven't been able to wrap my mind around are their Gel-Kinsei and Gel-Kayano 😅. For now I think I'll do my 'casually-training days' with my Superblast while looking forward to your further observation and experiments on these shoes. Enjoying your videos so far, keep up the good works, mate!

[@SagasuRunning]

Weather has been similar here, but warmer, 26-35c depending on time of day. It's been a very hot summer here in Taipei. Something to add here... is that we have now seen the Novablast 4 leaks...and that shoe is sort of a cross between a Nimbus and a Novablast, equal parts of both... which seems to make the NB4 more of a proper daily trainer now. It will take another year or two for Asics to fully update their running line, so we will still see some changes in the older models and the newer models replacing them. Thank you for the support and kind words. I'm glad my content is usefula nd enjoyable. 加油!

[@dhalsimflood]

another great video, very similar experience to what i have in novablast 3. it felt weird for the first couple of runs, but it suddenly turned great after broken in feeling bouncy and fun, and it became squishy like you said, but the change is very subtle throughout the runs and I dont realize it has became squishy, but i still enjoy it as my daily trainer even though it has lost its bounce like you mention.

[@SagasuRunning]

It’s a very odd shoe. But I am very intrigued by it. Just wish it could stay the “bouncy” version.

[@dhalsimflood]

@@SagasuRunning i wonder will the magic speed 3 will lose its bounce too? you definitely have to cover this up in the next 100 miles review

[@SagasuRunning]

@@dhalsimflood Trust me. It’s something I’m watching now and will definitely talk about it. Stay tuned!

[@i.p2088]

You nailed it. The Superblast is all the Novablast 3 should have been.

[@SagasuRunning]

I agree, fully. From a product POV the Superblast totally makes sense.

[@ryhawks1496]

I had a similar experience. I heard it was versatile and I tried it on in store and it was. Then when I bought a pair it felt like it wanted me to heel plant and run slow. Randomly 2 weeks later I was on my toes running tempo pace

[@ryhawks1496]

note i maybe got 15 miles in on them in those 2 weeks so it probably wasnt break in time

[@SagasuRunning]

It is a very dynamic shoe, for sure. I can’t think of any other shoe that has changed so much over a short period of normal use.

[@SagasuRunning]

Likely not. 🤙🏻

[@macoyupadoodle]

I agree . Im from the Philippines, and in summer, it can reach 30-35 and soften up the Nova quite a bit . The brick feeling is there and it can get so soft that it feels like it gets stuck a bit after impact. TBH, though , i like the Puma Deviate Nitro more (though heavier it's less brick like geometry, and rebound makes feel as light while running)

[@SagasuRunning]

I think our summer weather is very similar here in Taipei. I’ve never run in the Pumas, only seen them in a store. Maybe I’ll try one this fall. We will see.

[@macoyupadoodle]

@@SagasuRunning it is like hell over here right now . Hahahahahaha

[@SagasuRunning]

@@macoyupadoodle Stay cool. It’s the same Here. Will be 35c all week in Taipei.

[@i.p2088]

I have so much foot slapping in the Novablast 3 that my foot hurts after about an hour or so. Donated them. Got the Superblast which I find amazing.

[@SagasuRunning]

Interesting. I can imagine the Superblast would fix that. I’m curious what they do with the Superblast 2 and looking forward to it.

[@davidmcquade4743]

I've put over 300 miles on to my Novablast 2s. It feels great on my long easy runs. Last weekend I went on a marathon pace split long run and my foot felt lost in the shoe, at times. I definitely needed something more springy and more forgiving. I'll probably reserve them for only recovery/long easy runs. Novablast with a nylon or carbon plate would be very interesting.

[@SagasuRunning]

There are enough carbon plated shoes out there. The Magic Speed 3, is that show basically...though it is a race fit compared to the Novablast 3, so keep that in mind. The Superblast is essentially what you are asking for. That huge block of FFTurbo acts as a stiffener for the shoe overall.

[@Hana_shorts8436]

Thanks for sharing your great insights.. I will try keeping my shoes on Oven when I need some bouncy! :P

[@SagasuRunning]

Hahaha. 🤙🏻

[@markoljustina]

Hi 🙂 What energy gels do you use in marathon? Or hard trainings? What do you recommend me to buy in NYC for fast marathon in November? Oooor you will make video about gels? 😀

[@SagasuRunning]

I’ve used Maurten products as long as I can remember. Generally a “Drink Mix 320 + Caf 100” a few hours before a race and then alternating “Gel 100” and “ Gel 100 + Caf 100” every 5-8km. It’s unlikely I’ll make any content around gels and fueling, as there is already alot of great content out there on it. Check the “Fuel Guide” on Maurten’s website. As far as what to buy in NYC? What do you need? Plenty of running shops around Manhattan and Brooklyn. Also around marathon weekend there will be plenty or pop up shops from just about any running brand you can think of!

[@markoljustina]

@@SagasuRunning ok😀 i wanted to say: what gels to buy.. but thx; stay in touch for marathon

[@SagasuRunning]

@@markoljustina Cool. Then I answered your question. I listed two specific gels Maurten males and a drink mix of their’s. You want to buy those three products.

[@markoljustina]

@@SagasuRunning yes

[@SagasuRunning]

@@markoljustina 🤙🏻

[@jmac13131]

Funny that ASICS designers didn’t even consider the original novablast a running shoe when they launched it.

[@SagasuRunning]

That’s right, it was a walking shoe originally. Oddly… in Japan you rarely see Japanese runners wearing Novablast but you’ll often see elderly wearing them as their causal shoes.

[@ThomasLaang]

Funny, to me the Novablast 3 always feel too soft and mushy, and not springy at all. I much prefer the Glideride 3, perhaps due to the "plate" in that one.

[@SagasuRunning]

The NB3 Is mushy and squishy, especially after 100 miles. I had a sweet spot around 60-85mi there is felt great and I had great runs… but then it got way to mushy for me.

[@i.p2088]

Magicspeed 3 along needs to break in?

[@SagasuRunning]

It felt great out-of-the-box, within the first run. Now I'm approaching 45km in them and they feel a tiny bit more bouncy, but not in a massive way.

[@swenderich]

It’s crazy how much temperature changes the properties of EVA! I had exactly the opposite experience with the Novablast: loved it in winter, don’t like how soft and mushy it feels now it’s been around 30 degrees here for a while. Goes to show how different it is depending on temperature. The rest is personal preference and mechanics 😊 During these warm days I’ve fallen in love with the Hoka Mach 5 by the way. Wasn’t bad at all in the winter, bit it’s amazing, so smooth in the transitions!!

[@SagasuRunning]

Interesting. To test it… I put these shoes in front of the AC overnight, so by the time I grabbed them in the morning they were very cold. But it made little difference. I’m a native New Yorker… so I have YEARS of experience running in Nike React (and Hoka EVA) all winter. I do not miss that… AT ALL. I’ll take the heat.

[@paulmulks]

Where was the card on the screen? Why do youtubers keep saying this and then not putting "the card" on the screen? 😂 In other words the link is in the description

[@SagasuRunning]

It depends on what device you are watching from. Usually it will be in the upper right corner, sometimes as an actual card and other times as an “i”, but yes… I’ll always put the kinks in the description.

[@i.p2088]

My wife has 2 pairs of the Novablast 3 and thinks it's amazing. She now hates the REBEL V2, Hoka Clifton 8, 361 Meraki.. All just looking at us.. Every run Novablast 3 🙄

[@SagasuRunning]

I know people fall in love with the NB3 for sure. I saw that in my comments on my first NB3 video...

[@iainbareham]

Thank you very much for another very interesting informative video, your channel is a breath of fresh air. Whilst very particular to the person, what is your recovery if you use one, daily trainer, speed/race shoe. Pleasure to subscribe to this great content.

[@SagasuRunning]

Thank you for the kind words and support! I’m glad the content is enjoyable. My rotation is a bit all over the place, especially when I’m not in a build for a race. Right now I have been usually the Novablast 3 and Invicible 3 as a daily trainer (mostly due to recently videos, going back to a Pegasus 40 for thet now).spending a lot of time in the Adios 8 and Streakfly for some easy running and workouts, Magic Speed 3 for tempo and VF3 and AP3 for race pace type running. Recovery shoe is always a Luna Sandal. I’ll start a marathon build in August… depending on what I’m going to race in I’ll build a rotation from that. I’ll likely do a video on that when I get there. Also if you check my “Nike Rotation” video you can see what my rotation has been for sometime.

[@iainbareham]

@@SagasuRunning Thank you very much for taking the time to reply. Your content really changed my mind on how to look at the streakfly. Trying to decide what to try next, the Streakfly, Adios 8 or even the Magic speed 3!

[@SagasuRunning]

@@iainbareham All three are great and you’ll enjoy all of them. It really depends on what you are looking for. The SF is great for workouts. The A8 is great for workouts and lots of daily training. The MS3 is a great tempo trainer.

[@lleemond]

My hips are destroyed if I ran more than 8k OR 1 hour++ in this shoe. Nevertheless, I've put 100km++ already just for short easy/recovery runs. Tempo run also not good, it felt heavy and not much of energy return. By the way, I've just got the Boston 12 and both these shoes have the same weight despite the thinner upper overall on Boston 12.

[@SagasuRunning]

Ya, these higher and softer midsoles definitely can cause hip issues in some. I saw that post on Reddit about the NB3 & B12 weights. In my mind they don't compete against each other. One is plated (rods) and the other is not. If anything they are complimentary to one another. I don't think I'll be covering the B12, not unless I decide to race in an Adios Pro this fall... so we will see.

[@madfemurfast]

Time to cook all my sneakers 😂👍

[@SagasuRunning]

Hahaha. I tried these in front of the AC overnight and it made no difference. 🤙🏻

[@LuisRamos-qw1gj]

the three stages of the novablast: Flop 1, flop 2 and flop 3. Buy the superblast. you cant go wrong with this one!

[@SagasuRunning]

For me it was 1) Brick, 2) Great, 3) Flop… I do agree the Superblast is really the performance version. I’m looking forward to the Superblast 2.

[@LuisRamos-qw1gj]

@@SagasuRunning the superblast needs a break-in period. 50km.

[@SagasuRunning]

@@LuisRamos-qw1gj good to know!

[@phylosophdotcom]

It does soften up with the heat for sure. It was quite firm in winter and now it's buttery soft. For me personally it excels at 4:45-5:15 min/km pace which is my threshold pace atm. It is very good for easy runs but really shines on tempo.

[@SagasuRunning]

Good to know. I have alot of experience with Nike’s React foam in all climates… but living in Asia now I only get warm or hot. 😂 When the NB3 was in its “bouncy” phase I agree… it felt GREAT for easy-tempo… though for me FFBlast+ falls down as a foam at threshold efforts (compared to ZoomX or FFTurbo). Ill be going a little deeper into this point in my next video.

[@phylosophdotcom]

@@SagasuRunning and Fuelcell foam?

[@SagasuRunning]

@@phylosophdotcom I’m not big on NB. The last NB shoe I ran in was a Rebel V3… but I do remember Beacons becoming bricks in cold NYC winter temps.

[@DillonJan]

Still not a shoe for me, killing my Achilles tendon.

[@SagasuRunning]

Thet was one problem I didn’t have with this shoe. Thankfully.

[@bigbluerios]

Ur channel is good but omg u speak veerry slow 🐌 and i feel like the video is in slo mo! 😅

[@SagasuRunning]

TBH… I notice this too. It’s been a process for me learning to talk into a camera while being clear and allowing for non-native English speakers to follow along (something I have learned as an expat). I am working on it though. I think my more recent videos are a bit better. But my natural speech cadence is what it is. Watching my content on 1.5x to 2x is a good thing. Honestly it’s rare I watch anything not on at least 1.5x speed. 👍🏻

[@bigbluerios]

@SagasuRunning I still watch it sir. No big deal. Keeo them coming! Love the content and information

[@SagasuRunning]

I appreciate the support. Comment again on this in the next couple months and let me know if I’ve improved. 🙌🏻