ASICS Novablast 2
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Characteristics
- Gender
- Men
- Women
- Men weight
- 275 gr
- Women weight
- 221 gr
- Drop
- 8 mm
- Cushion
- High
- Runner weight
- Medium
- Running gait
- Neutral
- Surface
- Road
- Use
- training
- Pace
- Low
- Medium
- Distance
- Half-marathon
- Marathon
- Year
- 2021
- Lightness 8.0
- Cushioning 9.0
- Flexibility 7.0
- Responsive 8.0
- Stability 8.0
- Grip 8.0
Photos ASICS Novablast 2
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The ASICS Novablast 2 has arrived with some important new features but without losing its essence: a training shoe with optimal cushioning for completing long distance races. In this second version, the Japanese firm has opted for a more complete silhouette that features significant aesthetic and technological changes, whilst still retaining its essence.
The Novablast 2 is still a running shoe for neutral runners looking to complete half marathon or marathon distances in their day-to-day training with maximum performance guaranteed and the same bold aesthetics of its previous version.
ASICS Novablast 2, unprecedented energy return
If there was one thing that characterised the first version of the ASICS Novablast, it was its great energy return on runs. Designed to enhance its bounce with every stride, this second edition comes to reinforce that sensation and guarantee greater fit and stability over long distances.
Although the core of this model remains unchanged, the Japanese firm has introduced some changes, mainly concentrated in the outsole, so it can continue to offer the quality response that the most demanding athletes deserve. Stay tuned, because here at RUNNEA we are going to give you the low-down on the ASICS Novablast 2. Take note!
Let's start with the midsole of this ASICS model, whose previous version was the first to include FLYTEFOAM BLAST technology, and has been repeated in this second version due to its great energy return results. Thus, this foam guarantees superior shock absorption and better bounce during the run, all of which translates into a better feel and performance for the runner who chooses to wear them.
The upper of these top-of-the-range cushioning shoes has also been adapted to even further enhance the bounce effect. Let's take a closer look at the most important components of the upper:
- The jacquard mesh fabric is notable for offering great comfort and better support while increasing foot ventilation to keep your feet cool at all times.
- The heel stabiliser improves foot support and ensures a smoother, more secure ride whilst reinforcing that responsive feel.
- The tongue closure system provides a superior fit while reducing slippage.
As we were expecting, the outsole is the section that contains the biggest changes in the new Novablast 2. Unlike the previous version, their design inspired by the trampoline effect, and they favour a more sensitive rebound as well as a greater energy return. Located in strategic areas that are more prone to wear, the AHAR® Plus compound offers 50% more durability than the company's standard high-abrasion rubber.
Thus, the ASICS Novablast 2 is the perfect runner to face the most demanding distances up to marathon on asphalt surfaces, with superior durability and reactivity!
ASICS Novablast 2, technical specifications
To summarise, we can say that the ASICS Novablast 2 are running shoes for men and women that come with aesthetic and technological improvements to reinforce the main benefit for which they were conceived, ensuring an unlimited energy return.
Whilst they still feature FF Blast foam in the midsole, we can see some changes in the upper to improve stability, fit and ventilation of the foot while running. In addition, the outsole comes with an innovative trampoline design to ensure an optimal rebound effect without sacrificing durability, which is increased by 50% compared to other compounds of the Japanese firm.
If you are looking for a top of the range cushioning shoe which is comfortable, stable and has unlimited reactivity to complete half marathon or marathon distances at a medium pace in your daily runs, the ASICS Novablast 2 is a great option .
Finally, it is worth mentioning that, in terms of technical specifications, they have a drop of 8 mm and a light weight of 275 grams for their male version and 221 grams for the female version .
Review of ASICS Novablast 2
Gorka Cabañas
TesterPros
- Great versatility
- Soft, light and responsive ride
Cons
- Should be more stable
Asics Novablast 2: Equally cushioned and faster but more stable
The first version of the Asics Novablast I really liked aesthetically but I was not completely convinced when running with them. The main criticism in that review was their instability. A shoe that had a new midsole compound (FF Blast) with a soft feel, very reactive, but with an oversized midsole in the heel area, it was not very stable. That 's why I was so eager to try the second version, the Asics Novablast 2 Have things changed? Let's take a look...
Visually the first feeling may give the impression that not much has changed. The perception is that of a shoe with a traditional Asics style upper, and a Novablast core midsole. Lots of cushioning in the heel area and arrowhead cutouts that give it a racing look. In the first edition and although it may seem very similar, the cuts in the midsole were completely different. A kind of diamonds dug into the FF Blast that were not very stable when landing on the heel.
And you may wonder if it is still an unstable shoe. The answer is, NO. Asics designers have tried to solve the problem in 3 ways. Firstly, the geometry of its midsole. That design simulating arrow heads gives it a soft feel but much more stable in the first version. Secondly, the new design of the heel area. A mouth with buttresses on both sides of the heel that allow you to feel secure in every step. And thirdly, the fit provided by the new lacing design.
But although the stability has been improved compared to the first edition, I think they still need a plus of stability, especially for runners over 80 kg.
What type of runners are the Asics Novablast 2 suitable for?
The Asics Novablast 2 is a shoes with maximum cushioning for runners of medium or medium-high weight who are looking for smoothness in running, reactivity and lightness with good protection for their joints. In other words, a shoe with maximum cushioning for medium and long distances and all types of paces. We are talking about a really wide segment of runners. Popular runners Do we want protection for our joints? Yes. Do we want a shoe that is as light as possible? Yes. Do we want a fast shoe? Yes Do we want a durable shoe? Yes... Well, to these four questions, the Asics Novablast 2 answers with a Yes.
You'll be able to use them for your long runs at easy paces, but you'll also get a lot of mileage out of them during more demanding workouts at faster paces. The midsole compound, the FF Blast we were talking about before, responds and does it very well.
They will also be useful on race days. Preferably in half marathon. Also in marathon, but if you don't have a decent running technique, you may need a little more support as the kilometers go by.
Its drop is 8 mm, which may require some adaptation in those runners who heel clearly, used to drops around 10mm.
What we liked the most about the Asics Novablast 2
Undoubtedly the versatility of the model. It is a shoe for almost everything if you are looking for shoes with good cushioning. For those who only want or can count on one pair of running shoes. A winning bet that adds comfort in running, softness in the tread, reactivity, lightness.
It is also a more stable shoe than the first version of the Asics Novablast. And more ventilated. Its new wide upper in the toe area has a design that emulates torn fabric in two layers that gives it good breathability.
Its outsole provides very good durability, but only in the areas where we find AHAR® Plus rubber. In the areas of the sole where we do not find this compound, the FF Blast suffers greater wear when exposed to the abrasion of the asphalt.
Finally, the new lacing and laces fit really well. A joy if you are one of those who prioritize comfort and fit when you go out to run.
Possible improvements of the Asics Novablast 2
We start from the fact that we are talking about a model that corrects the main point of improvement that we raised in the review of the first version. And that is to be welcomed. Brands like Asics listen to their users and Novablast 2 are a clear example. But we think they should still be more stable. Especially in runners over 80 kg, they are still shoes that do not give you full security in the race.
If we had to look for any other point of improvement, it would be in the aesthetic part. A shoe that was a big change in Asics' maximum cushioning shoes, moving away from the Asics Gel Nimbus or Asics Gel Cumulus concept, we see that its upper returns to that more classic aesthetic. Perhaps for many this is not a point of improvement (especially if the Nimbus is one of the best-selling shoes in the history of Asics) but it's time to take risks and we like how well the Japanese brand is doing with models like the Ride saga: Metaride, evoride...
What are the rivals of the Asics Novablast 2?
There are not too many models on the market that occupy the space of these Novablast 2. But there are, and we present them to you below:
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SCOREASICS Novablast 2 shoe is ranked 313 in the ranking of the best rated running shoes.
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