Asics Novablast 3 - The most overbuilt daily trainer

[@SagasuRunning]

June 2023: I have an update to this video here, Asics Novablast 3 after 100 Miles kzbin.info/www/bejne/on2mfWifpc56rM0 with further thoughts on this shoe.

[@haydenlittle947]

Love your vids dude. Genuinely the best shoe reviews out here

[@SagasuRunning]

Thanks so much 🙏🏻

[@iGo0gIe]

Dude spot on. I thought I was crazy because everyone loves this shoe. It’s so bulky for me! Glad I’m not the only one. Not enough reviews talk about this. Great video

[@SagasuRunning]

Glad to know I’m not alone with the NB3.

[@grankvarsvik4153]

Me too! Did 1000k inn NB1, 1000k in the NB2 and are at 600 on the NB3 I just never came to enjoy the 2 & 3. So I got another pair of 1`s and are on 600+ on those. Strangely they are both the most entertaining of the three versions and also feels fairly fast. Thinking of getting the NB4 for this winter and the Superblast for spring when it`s time for uptempo long runs.

[@SagasuRunning]

The NB4 is a lovely shoe… I have no reservations saying that. I have alot of NB4 content on the channel now and one more video coming about how the NB4 and SB can work together. It will be up this weekend.

[@Arki2019]

Completely agree, I could not get on with mine. I tried it for 100 miles and just found it hard work. Funnily enough I said I’d recommend it to a beginner runner

[@SagasuRunning]

It’s a great beginner shoe for sure. But beyond that… definitely an acquired taste. Glad I’m not alone here

[@林尚輝-b7s]

I couldn't agree more. You are very real.

[@SagasuRunning]

I’ll have an update on this shoe in tomorrow’s video. Stay tuned. Thanks for the kind words. 🙏🏻

[@SagasuRunning]

The edition of the shoe I am actually holding in this video is the “Platinum” edition of the Novablast 3. As far as I can determine it is only some minor cosmetic differences over the standard Novablast 3 and should not impact the performance of the shoe in anyway. Please let me know in the comments if this is not the case.

[@lauchkraft7026]

No Idea what you`re talking about. This shoe is an fantastic daily trainer. I`m coming back to this shoe constantly in my rotation and it just works perfectly. Really good mixture of the foam - not to stiff, not to soft with a little bounce.

[@SagasuRunning]

Different shoes for different people I guess.

[@noorheshamnoordin8664]

ShutUp bold man,,,,

[@supermitendo9654]

What’s weird is that he said the Novablast is not as soft as the Pegasus. It’s like we’re wearing different shoes, because Pegasus is probably one of the least soft daily trainers to me. Not that I’m saying it’s bad.

[@SagasuRunning]

At the time I was comparing a fresh pair of NB3s to a pair of Peg 39s with over 200km on them, so well broken in. But my first experience with the NB3 was it was a very firm and stiff shoe, at least compared to what I expect from a daily trainer. I have multiple videos on the NB3 after this first impressions. The shoe overall was a journey… it started as too stiff and firm, became great after 60km’ish and they got too soft and squishy after 140km or so… But I have many more videos on this shoe chronically my journey with it.

[@corrvvette]

I am a somewhat new runner, and i saw the asics novablast 3’s online and the pictures looked so cool. I instantly wanted this shoe for my running sessions. My mind has changed and i am planning on getting on the nike pegasus 40’s now. Thank you so much for the honest review! I can see the amount of effort for put into this! I cant wait for the next review and keep up the great work!

[@SagasuRunning]

Thank you for the support! 🙏🏻 I will say, that as a newer runner the NB3 may not be a bad idea. Especially if you are a bigger runner and a heel striker. The NB3 will help you learn to run better while protecting your heel strikes. You can’t go wrong with a Peg though. So if you are on the lighter side and a mid to forefoot striker… the Peg is the better call. Good luck on your running journey!

[@thomasmueller77911]

I find the peg 40 much too heavy...

[@SagasuRunning]

@thomasmueller77911 There are definitely lighter trainers out there… but the Peg is right in the middle.

[@wfschuch]

Appreciate this! I don't know how I feel about this shoe. Since I have put in about 50 miles, my feet always hurt. Definitely not as squishy video has said. Much prefer the Mach 5.

[@SagasuRunning]

I’m glad this was useful. I also struggled in many ways with this shoe, much more than I talked about in the video. I found this one of the firmest and stiffest (non-plated) shoes I’ve ever run in. I’m just not a fan of Asics foams it seems. I definitely prefer the Mach series as well.

[@m.ch4rmaland3r10]

I really enjoy the novablast series. I had the novablast 2, it was a great easy to tempo shoe that last more than 800km and it just wont die. I agree novablast 3 is getting big and bulky but I could say the same with invincible. In my opinion the 3 had a downgrade in outsole to the 2 which AHAR plus and I agree with you on the wear. In saying that everyone shoe wear is different. For daily trainer I dont mind relacing the shoe as I am not in racing mode, even though I never had the issue once I have runner knots. Great honest review, keep it up.

[@SagasuRunning]

Thanks for the kind words. When I put the Invincible 3 on, it feels like a racing flat to me. All the bulk disappears and the shoe runs much small than it is. The exact opposite of the Novablast 3 (for me). I agree about how shoe wear is different for everyone though. The runner I mentioned in this video says he gets up to 1000k in a pair if NB3...where I doubt I would have gotten 200k if i could have forced myself to keep running in them. I'm not even that hard on shoes.

[@anjalirawat5378]

Your reviews are so good! Keep it up 👍

[@SagasuRunning]

Thank you for the kind words! 🙏🏻

[@klipk7296]

The heel striking observation makes sense. I was similarly let down by the endorphin speed 3. I just didn't see where all the praise came from with that shoe, to me it feels like an unstable squishy circus under foot, but everyone on youtube was calling it "responsive". Genuinely, walking up an incline in that shoe is one of the most unsettling sensations. Having said that, I can definitely imagine heel strikers getting along with it, as the excessive squishy mound under its heel will probably help heel strikers avoid injury

[@SagasuRunning]

Super squishy and overly designed shoes seem to be what’s hot currently. The NB3 is better than most others but still far from the perfection it was made out to be. I am curious where the Novablast 4 need out in a few weeks though.

[@antic4312]

I haven’t run in the Novablast 3, but I put 600+ miles on version 2 and I had a hard time with it as a daily trainer. However, I realized that as a recovery day shoe for those really easy runs it really worked out and the durability was really on point. Basically a similar use case to the Nike Invincible, except that with the invincible 3 I felt like I could pick up the pace a lot more.

[@SagasuRunning]

This makes a lot of sense. Like I said in the video I do remember the original NB being much more of a max cushion shoe competing against the Invincible. The invincible 3 is a all around better shoe than the NB3 now. I said this in my Invincible 3 video, but the NB3 makes the I3 feel like a racing flat. The NB3 runs much bigger than it is on foot but the I3 disappears while offering more cushion. Two very different shoes.

[@IndraTan01]

This week I tried a bit of running with my NB 3, just to see how it compares with Superblast, while many reviewers love it, I can't say that it's a "love at first sight (or run)" for me, because as you said, this shoe 'forces' us to run with midfoot/heel strike. I ran 1 km using forefoot strike and it felt really weird (plus the loud clip-clop sound) whenever I struck the ground. I still think it's a great shoes, but it will take longer time for me to get used to it. Thank you for your honest and helpful review!

[@SagasuRunning]

This shoe is an odd one. Once FFBlast+ softens up (after 40-50km) it’s much nice for a forefoot strike (I have 100mile review of this shoe on this channel with further thoughts.)… but it’s a shoe that has a huge range for me. From one of my least favorite I’ve ever run in, to a shoe I had some great runs in, to a shoe that was just too soft and squishy to be any use to me… all in 100miles… I’ve never had that in any other shoe. I’m glad this review was helpful. Do check the 100 mile review I did… I have much more evolved thoughts on this shoe there. 🤙🏻

[@bersonlee]

Personally, I had very similar thoughts as you (bulky, boaty, not nimble enough) in my first few runs in the novablast 3. But as I ran in them more and more, I started to like them. They are my easy day shoes which I just don't think too much to put on, and they feel plush and comfy with sufficient stability, and fairly light for the structure and cushion they have.

[@SagasuRunning]

I actually have an updated review on this shoe, after 100 miles. I came around on it though it wasn’t perfect at all. It is definitely a shoe that breaks in and changes quite a bit.

[@07truth]

Noosa Tri 14’s are awesome DT’s. I love Pegasus but can’t get more than a few months out of them before I have to buy another pair. Have the Novablast 3 platinums in white purely for casual wear as their aesthetic is 👌

[@SagasuRunning]

The Noosa Tri 14 is a shoe I’m curious about. Undecided if I want to cover it or not on this channel (I already have a backlog) but it’s on the list. I also go through Pegs rather fast… but that means I generally have casual shoes to wear. The NB3 Platinum sure has an aesthetic… not my thing… but I can see the appeal. 🤙🏻

[@ichimarugin3352]

i own both novablast 3 & infinity 3. built quality wise, infinity is superior. foam wise, at easy pace, both feels 'dead', but at faster pace, novablast will start to feel 'alive' while the infinity remains 'dead'. outsole, novablast wears out fast, infinity still grips well at 600+km for me. for tempo & interval, it's tempo next vs magic speed 2, again, i own both; magic speed 2 is 'snappy' & fast because of the stiff plate, better for shorter reps; while tempo next is 'effortless at speed' kind of feel, best at threshold, tempo, long reps kind of stuff.. i know vaporfly would be better for both fast short & long rep, but i'm too stingy to use race shoe as speed trainer i guess 😂

[@SagasuRunning]

I’ve run thousands of kms in Nike Infinity Reacts over the years. I agree the react foam in that shoe can feel dead… but it’s very consistent form 0k to 500k… and the durability of the foam and the outsole on the Infinity is outstanding. My main issue with it is the guide rails in the heel, they are even more present than the built up heel in the NB3… I have never run in the Magic speeds but has used Tempos for tempo and threshold runs… they work just fine… but I still prefer doing those runs in a proper plated racer.

[@Ryan_Tinney]

Really nice breakdown on the Novablast 3. I totally agree that this shoe is not a good daily trainer for myself. I normally use both the Nike Pegasus and Brooks Ghost as my dailys.

[@SagasuRunning]

The Pegasus is the gold standard for a daily trainer, IMO… I haven’t run in a Ghost for many many years… I feel like if I did now I’d have a similar negative reaction to it like the NB3. I am considering trying on out just to know how a modern Ghost feels. I will say the Ghost will be much more durable and versatile over the NB3, no doubt. But that 12mm drop… 🫠

[@Ryan_Tinney]

@@SagasuRunning The new Ghost 15 is in my opinion the best one yet.

[@i.p2088]

I bought it half a size down. Novablast 3 felt boring to me and I was having foot slapping with every step. Not something I like. I got the Asics Superblast in the same half size down. Superblast is a blast. Great comfort and energy return at any speed.

[@SagasuRunning]

Good to know Asics can make a shoe that is fun to run in.

[@luizbertoncini]

Thank you

[@SagasuRunning]

You are welcome…

[@kylestephens9593]

4:15 From RunRepeat lab data: Heel stack 37.2 mm, Forefoot stack 30.4 mm for a 6.8mm drop

[@SagasuRunning]

I always go by Running Warehouse’s specs now. They have similar numbers for this one.

[@kylestephens9593]

​@@SagasuRunning Got it. Just to share info on 2 pairs that I have and personally checked the stack with calipers. Nike Invincible 2 is definitely NOT 9mm drop, I checked it to be 12mm, also I have Noosa Tri 14, it should be 5mm, it's more like 8mm... I know it because I can't run in shoes with more than 7-8mm drop, Nike is killing my hip joint with that drop 😂

[@SagasuRunning]

@@kylestephens9593 I always did think the I2 had a higher drop. However, it was so soft that you sunk into it so much the drop was very relative to where you were/how standing. The I2 did force you into your toes in a rather extreme way. I do make a point to run in 0-10mm drop shoes so my legs have a range. The though as a forefoot striker drop is much less important to me.

[@onjoro5291]

Hi Segasu I was wondering if you could help me, I got these shoes thinking I was going to use them for my workouts and session and for some of my easy runs but I really don't like the way the feel running at speed; it feels like I'm thinking way too much about my foot placements and getting some hot spots which I don't get when I do easy runs in them. I want something morse stiff, similar to the ON Cloudflow 3.0's which is what I was using for the fast track sessions before but they where too hard for me. I might just use the Novablast 3's for my easy runs but I have no idea what shoe that isn't a racing shoe to use for my workouts. Some advice/recommendations would be much appreciated. Great vid as always.

[@SagasuRunning]

The only things I can think of would be looking at Adidas Lighstrike… mainly the Adidas SL or possibly the Boston 11. Neither are racers but both are stiff, especially the Boston. Those are all I can think of besides more On shoes that still have the speedboats in them. Good luck!

[@onjoro5291]

@@SagasuRunning Yes I was thinking of the Boston 11s also, ill have to look around. Thank you.

[@nv7213]

My Nike Pegasus 39s feel very firm and cause the ball of my foot to feel sore when I forefoot strike, kind of forcing me to use a heel strike to avoid the pain. They are at 630 miles, but I am very light so I don't think the midsole foam should be too hard. Do you have this problem? I got the NB3s and I feel like they are much more cushioned in the forefoot and allow me to keep a better strike

[@SagasuRunning]

630miles is ALOT on a running shoe, even if you are light. The forefoot air unit in the Peg can shift in the pocket it sits in on the midsole, especially with that much wear on the shoe. If the forefoot air unit looses pressure of moves in the pocket it can cause discomfort. As for the foam… I’ll take react foam over FFBlast+ any day. I just do not get on with Asics foam at all.

[@nv7213]

@@SagasuRunning Huh, I have friends with 1000+ miles that feel fine in their shoes, I'll see how the NB3 handles usage over time and maybe consider getting another Pegasus afterwards

[@SagasuRunning]

@@nv7213 everyone has different standards for wear. I rarely will take a shoe over 200 miles, 250 tops. Given how overbuilt the NB3 is and how much foam is in the midsole… it should provide more miles… that is if the soft runner outsole stands up for you, which if you are a lighter runner maybe will work for you.

[@patrickmatsinko4054]

Thanks for this. I absolutely could not run in this shoe.

[@SagasuRunning]

It does seem to be a show that works for most but those it doesn’t… we REALLY don’t get on with it at all.

[@patrickmatsinko4054]

@@SagasuRunning no doubt haha no matter how hard I tried 🤷‍♂️

[@Hana_shorts8436]

Just curious to know your thoughts on "Asics Super Blast" :) Great video.. thank you!

[@SagasuRunning]

After how much I disliked this shoe… I didn’t bother trying it. So low expectations and nothing to say. 😎 I will have some more Asics content coming eventually… I will find an Asics that I like or works for me beyond the Hyoer Speed series.

[@jeremycahill]

Where are you getting your stats from? Running Warehouse has 41mm/33mm…

[@SagasuRunning]

Asics themselves (which I believe they JUST quote the midsole foam only). On this channel I quote the manufacturer specs, though personally I go by Runninfwarehouse’s (which adds the insole and outsole to the stack height). But yes, I find RW stats more believable than Asics.

[@nikkom8627]

thank you so much

[@SagasuRunning]

You are welcome 🙏🏻

[@patrickmatsinko4054]

It just felt like they loaded up the back of the shoe, and it made me feel the need to heel strike. I tend to run up on my toes, and could never find a rhythm in this shoe. It’s like the distribution throughout the shoe just didn’t work.

[@SagasuRunning]

It definitely seems as if they really beefed up the rear of the shoe to counter some of the original models issues. I know the feeling and did read and watch other reviews that reference it too. I am curious how (or if) they evolve it in the NB4. I’ve run in the Nimbus 25, which is also very overbuilt for me, but does not suffer from the same problems.

[@patrickmatsinko4054]

@@SagasuRunning I had the first version of the Novablast and wasn’t too impressed. Never tried V2. With so much hype positive stuff coming out around V3 I thought it would be an amazing all-around shoe. So bummed with it. I still think the Pegasus 39 is one of my favorite shoes that has come out recently. It just does so many things well. Kind of excited to try the Pegasus 40.

[@SagasuRunning]

The peg 39/40 is a great shoe. That’s why I talked about them equally in my Peg 40 review. I have a bunch more kms in the 40 since I recorded my initial review and I’m really beginning to prefer the upper on it for sure.

[@patrickmatsinko4054]

@@SagasuRunning that’s good to know! It’s definitely something I’ll pick up in the near future. Thanks for all that you do with these reviews!

[@SagasuRunning]

@@patrickmatsinko4054 No thank you for watching and engaging! 🙏🏻

[@DillonJan]

Hurt my shin running on the novablast 3, over hyped shoe. Preferably hoka Mach 5 than this as a daily trainer, feels more natural.

[@SagasuRunning]

I’m not a Hoka fan… but I enjoyed the Mach 4 quite a bit. I will be covering the Mach 6 (or whatever comes out next) on this channel. For a non heel striker who wanted a more cushioned daily trainer… I would list the Hoka Mach series for sure… especially for midfoot/forefoot strikers. The lack of an outsole is a issue for me for versatility, but stick to road running the Mach does do well.

[@DillonJan]

@@SagasuRunning agreed and totally agreed on your reviews on the novablast 3. Felt like running on bricks and totally disliked the bulging feelings on the forefoot, im a lightweight runner, relatively small, felt like I could not get the plushiness of the FFblast+ foam and the heel is too bulky for a forefoot/midfoot runner. What are your thoughts on the pegasus 39 in comparison to the hoka mach?

[@SagasuRunning]

The Peg is the gold standard for daily trainer for me. I also really like react foam. Hoka foam is “meh” and very uninspiring to me. I liked the geometry and rocker of the Mach 4 but the lack of an outsole and generic foam in it limited the use case for me. Like I said I’m curious about the next Mach and will run in it for this channel

[@DillonJan]

@@SagasuRunning thanks! Very informative

[@i.p2088]

By the way, novablast 3 has the worst outsole traction..

[@SagasuRunning]

I agree. Plus the rubber material is far to soft for any durability.

[@Ben-yw8be]

I got the Glideride 3 instead.

[@SagasuRunning]

Nice… totally different ride… but I know it’s a well loved shoe.

[@deshkanagrikhoon]

Ok this is totally opposite to the review given by other KZbin running influencers. Got me confused now.

[@SagasuRunning]

It’s a very polarizing shoe. Not for everyone. I have multiple videos after this first impressions about the NB3… my thoughts evolved but it’s still a hit or miss shoe. I think it has a use case and works well for certain types of runners. If you fit that runner type you love the shoe. If not it’s nothing but a problematic and confusing shoe.

[@HowIsThat69]

Novablast 3 is no where as an infinity run. By far. The nova blast is more bouncy less stiff and a hell of a lot more fun to run in. Having said so, the invincible 1 and 2 are way better shoes. Yeah they heavier but the bounce at least to me is way better. But comparing them to infinity is not correct

[@SagasuRunning]

We are going to have to agree to disagree on the NB3. I do agree that the Invincible 1 & 2 were better shoes than the NB3… but the Invincible 3 is the superior shoe over all of them.