Best For

The “high-altitude” road running shoe from ASICS lands on the marketplace in 2022. By high-altitude, I mean STACK HEIGHT! My oh my, the NOVA line continues to evolve into new road running shoe paradigms that no one could have foreseen after the launch of the Novablast 1. You’re looking at one of the highest stacked midsoles of 2022. Let’s just say this neutral road running shoe is for the maximalist fans around the world, think the opposite of lean. 

Upper

Breathability is the name of the game for this thin engineered mesh. Although I miss the jacquard mesh of the original Novablast, this mesh certainly has made big strides. Combined with the thin tongue, the Superblast takes a very lightweight approach for the upper construction. Thankfully, ASICS opted for the semi-gusset design with the tongue. Moving toward the back of the upper the collar wraps around the ankle well, maybe too well. The collar opening is certainly smaller when compared to the past Novablast line-up, like the ASICS Novablast 3. For the heel counter construction it is not plush, but approaching plush, which means it gets the job done quite well on the comfort scale. Overall, the ASICS Superblast lockdown is on point and ready for many daily trainer miles in your training regimen.

Midsole

After many miles of testing this road shoe, the upper is certainly the highlight for me. Although ASICS went for the high stack height approach in the Superblast, I did not feel a direct translation to more comfort or energy return through my stride. With 45 mm of midsole foam understep, one would think a direct connection to more comfort. Not the case for my weary legs that train at 100+ miles a week on the regular. Let’s just say, I’d opt for the Novablast 3 or even the Novablast 2 over the Superblast midsole ride. With a low to mid-40s score from the Shore C Durometer, it just felt a little too firm understep for so much midsole foam. Here’s a key caveat when assessing this midsole, the bigger and stronger runner will likely enjoy this midsole ride much more than me. I suspect the FlyteFoam Turbo approach will be very popular for runners who want a lightweight and high stack height approach to their daily training miles. My idea for the Superblast 2 is to keep the midsole composition but maybe chop off 5-6mm of midsole foam so we’re not all riding so high on a bland ride.

Outsole

ASICS High Abrasion Rubber+ lands on the streets with flying colors. Strategically placed rubber is the highlight for this outsole. If you prefer an outsole that is completely covered with rubber, in order to boost that durability, I would avoid picking up the ASICS Superblast. 

Now the perplexing evolution of the “BLAST” line, whether Nova or Super, is the de-escalation of the decoupled groove. Frankly, the original Novablast was the best with regards to the decoupled groove on the outsole design. Reports were spread that the ASICS Novablast 1 and 2 were a little unstable understep, which likely has led to the elimination of the decoupled groove in the Superblast…. unfortunately. Bring it back ASICS! 

Would I Buy This Shoe Again?

Sit down for a minute… $220!!! No, I absolutely, 100%, would not buy this shoe again…at that price point. Maybe $160??? I think the entire running shoe fanatic community was taken aback the first time they saw the ASICS Superblast price point, it’s on the same level as marathon road racing shoes, with carbon in the midsole, like the Saucony Endorphin Pro 3. I know for certain it is time to take a breath and wait for the ASICS Superblast 2. Let us runners hope that the stack height and price point deflate in the next iteration.