ASICS - The Differences in the Blast Range

Interested in the ASICS Blast range, but not sure which one to choose? Here we'll run through the different aspects of each model, so you can feel confident in your decision.

If you’re looking into ASICS road running shoes, four popular models worth knowing about are the Novablast 5, Sonicblast, Superblast 2 and Megablast. The “Blast” range, if you will. All four are a neutral, high-cushion trainer designed for comfort, responsiveness and long kms. However, each serves a slightly different purpose depending on your running style, need and goals. We are going to discuss those differences here today. Along with our discussion, we have some reviews to share from some of our staff who regularly use these particular shoes. 

Novablast 5

The Novablast 5 is the most versatile and budget-friendly option of the four shoes in this range. That being said, "budget friendly" does not = less quality, or mean that it's necessarily worse than the other three. The Novablast 5 is simply more affordable and has slightly different uses. It still features the ASICS FF Blast Max foam, giving it a soft, yet bouncy ride that feels great for easy to long runs, or even picking up the pace a little. It’s lightweight with a roomy toebox, and offers fantastic comfort without coming with the higher price tag. This one would make a great daily trainer shoe paired with the right race day shoe!

Dylan's thoughts: "I came to this shoe wanting something a bit more exciting than the GT-2000 series, and have been very happy. I like the foam for feeling bouncy and light when I'm doing faster work, and it's structure supports a firm midfoot landing as I get more fatigued during long runs. Excellent all rounder training shoe.”

Sonicblast

The Sonicblast fits between the Novablast and Superblast in terms of performance. With a dual foam midsole consisting of ASICS FF Blast Max & FF Turbo Squared, to provide a lightweight and energetic feel, but in a slightly more low-profile design. It also features an Astroplate, allowing for an even more responsive and snappy feel. It’s designed for runners who want speed and responsiveness for sessions such as tempos or intervals, but don’t need or want the max stack height or bulk of the Superblast or Megablast. Think of it as a lightweight performance trainer, ideal for faster days, but still cushioned enough for longer efforts.


Superblast

The Superblast then steps things up even further. It also uses a dual foam setup with FF Turbo+ on top and FF Blast+ underneath, to give even more energy return through every stride, making it ideal for runners who want to mix in faster workouts like intervals and tempos, but also want enough cushioning for long runs. It’s a little chunkier under the heel than the other shoes in this range, making it ideal for all runners including the heel strikers out there! And amazingly, ASICS managed to keep the weight down relatively low, considering the chunkier heel. It is a bit more on the expensive side, but if you want a shoe that does it all, the Superblast makes a fantastic option.

Hermieny's thoughts: “I have been using the Superblast 2’s for a few months now and I absolutely love them. What drew me to the shoe was the big stack height of 45mm heel/37mm forefoot! This huge level of cushioning helps absorb a lot of impact and I was looking for a shoe to help reduce any joint pain through the knees and reduce calf strain while I started training for a half marathon. Another factor that I love about these shoes is the versatility. They are designed for all types of running: fast sessions, recovery, long runs and daily jogs. Up until I got the megablasts recently, I have been using them for all my training sessions. While they are lightweight and have responsive foam, they also have a good level of stiffness that provides a bit of stability for me. I have noticed a huge difference in my body’s ability to recover, go further and pick up the  pace wearing these shoes. I like that they are not plated as I find I'm really not fast enough for it to do anything - plated shoes are overrated in my opinion unless you are at an elite/very high performance level. Although they are pricer, I found it worth it as I don't need a huge shoe rotation for different types of sessions, so really I'm spending less when not buying 2-3 other shoes!”

Megablast

Then there’s the Megablast, ASICS' newest and most cushioned option. It takes max comfort to the next level using FF Turbo Squared foam throughout. The ride is very plush and energetic, making it perfect for runners who prioritize soft landings and comfort above all else, but still want some bounce. It’s best for long and easy runs, though it can handle moderate efforts if needed. It’s also the priciest of the bunch and may feel a bit over-cushioned or unstable for those who prefer a firmer or more grounded feel. There are a few reviews already on this shoe, saying it feels a bit like a more refined Superblast, but - with it having more of a pop, being lighter and a bit more plush - a lot of people have gone on and said: “it feels like you can keep pushing the pace for a longer period of time, when doing a neg split long run etc.”

Hermieny's thoughts: "I recently got the Megablasts as a speed shoe and potential race day shoe for my upcoming half marathon. I wanted a shoe that felt a little bit springier than what the superblast provides while still being very similar and this shoe is perfect! I also wanted a non-plated race shoe for reasons explained above. When I put these on I couldn't believe how light and springy they were. I noticed the extra pop in my step immediately in my first speed session in them. These shoes are again very versatile and can be used for all types of sessions, however I prefer the firmness of my superblasts for my long runs and recovery runs.”