I like the Novablast 3 very much in a rotation with Puma Velocity Nitro 2 and Saucony Endorphin Speed 3. The Novablast 3 is very cushioned and responsive for my daily miles. I run a lot on hard concrete and I love how the shoe protects my feet. Speed 3 is uset for speed workout and fast, long runs. Velocity Nitro 2 is great when it is more slippery. I like having a 3 shoe rotation to mix things up a bit
Oh no my favourite shoe tubers don't love my new awesome shoe... never mind I don't discriminate - love running in Speeds and Machs too. Speeds have never been a perfect fit for me. Machs are a little minimal for me (as a recent running convert I'm definitely in the maximalist shoe generation). Novas just work and fit well! Thanks for your honest reviews gentlemen - and all the great work you do on the Run Testers - always in my RU-vid viewing rotation - you're reliable, versatile and consistent - and a perfect combination of personalities too!
Got this a few weeks ago and enjoying it. Use the Puma Liberate Nitro for speed work, Glideride 3 for long runs, Endorphin Pro 3 for races and the Novablast for easy miles up to 10 miles.
must be a preference thing, having tried the endorphin speed 3 and the N3 for me the N3 is the clear winner, the way it wraps up my foot, the comfort, the spring effect it checks almost every box for me except the desing and the color which i dont like
I appreciate the honest and thorough review! You guys are cranking out a ton of fantastic videos in the past few days :) Personally, I would place these shoes in the "very good" category as these shoes fit my primary type of runs (80% slow / 20% less slow but never fast). It's ok for an occasional pick-up of speed but there are many other speed-oriented daily trainers that are better for that. I am cruiser and this shoe fits that role perfectly. Interestingly, the midsole is showing quite a bit of creasing after 50-ish miles. I do wonder if that will have long-term performance implications.
Have not tried the Hoka Mach 5, but the Mach 4 feels dead under foot to me. Love the Endorphin Speed series...cannot go wrong with these shoes for versatility.
Same, I was a bit m'eh with the Mach 4, though it was the smoothest contact with the ground I've ever experienced. Buttery smooth! But sold them after about 30 miles :)
Same here! Kinda disappointed with the Mach 4s, have had some good sessions in them but overall meh. The Novablast 3 however felt really nice and are now my daily trainers, comfortable and pleasant bounce in them.
Just sharing for those interested....biggest drawback(s) i come across is folks complaining that it is rather slippery in the wet, and perhaps that it is just AHAR outsole and not tAHAR+. We do get a fair number of rainy days here (it's actually raining now) and was my concern. Bought the TR and am glad to share that there are no issues cornering 90 deg in ~ 3m radius @ 10kmh, on wet outdoor tiles, tried many times already like around 100+ corners due to usual place that i usually run at. The thicker AHAR outsole also makes it a good value shoe for the mileage that you can squeeze out of it (i got it at usd 120). With that said, i don't run on mud and it probably is not a serious trail shoe. Not a pro runner too.
Excellent review 🤙 I went down half a size on the NB3 and it fits perfectly. Easily one of my favorite daily shoe this year...along with the GlideRide 3 and Endorphin Speed 2.
A lot of early reviews were completely off on this one. I totally agree with you guys! The V3 has lost its bouncyness, sad but true. FF blast + maybe its lighter, but at this density It does not work.
I just got some. Have done about 30 miles so far. Half marathon yesterday. They're right about it losing it's excitement after about the first couple runs. It also fits kind of narrow. I got a little blister so far. There definitely are better trainers out there. But this is just another rung in the ladder. Excited to get my more v4s soon. As well as the laceless 1080 from New balance. Even got the Boston 10 coming. Looking forward to them
Isn't this constant comparing of novablast 3 with the speed 3 a little off? I got my novablasts last weekend, set me back 95€. ..compared to speed 3 for almost double the price, they will always be a great deal. First run as a just starting amateur was definitely feeling good. Only stairs are a little tricky with that huge heel xD
I ordered my true to size (12) and half size down. Although it feels a bit long in my regular size, I don't think half a size down works. It was just that tiny bit too snug and could tell on long runs eventually it would lead to rubbing.
The snug feel was great when i was younger, but it causes stress on the nerves in your foot. That can lead to a whole lot of issues. So now i mainly use shoes that give a bit of space in the toe box in order not to agitate the nerves. Anyone with a bit of a wider foot is better off in the NB3 imho for this reason.
Glad I held off ordering these, I am weirdly getting lots of miles in my Streakfly if I want an easyish run with some speed work involved, otherwise it's Speed 3 all the way for easy run days
It's interesting to notice the difference in opinion regarding the Novablast 3 between the US and the UK reviewers. I've seen at least two US reviewers saying it was their "shoe of the year". Is it because NA reviewers prefer a more spongy cushioned ride? I wonder.
I wonder if Asics also sent the shoe to the UK reviewers. Not trying to say that the US reviews are biased because of that but I feel like something is strange when you compare some reviews…
'Shoe of the year' maybe is just catchy title for clicks. I guess for some it may be the best daily trainer, depending on what you are looking for. Better to look for the ranking/matrix for different uses eg race shoe, recovery shoe, tempo and daily trainer
I am entirely convinced that every reviewer on this channel likes their toes too close to the end of the shoe. Every time that they show via footage that a shoe feels too long, they look like they fit perfectly. You never want the side of your foot to spill off the edge, and your toes should be at least a thumbnail from the end of the shoe so that you can actually spread your toes out and support your body, limit foot issues, and have a stronger toe-off.
The shoe fits long. Way too much room at the front of your toes. Novablast 2 were the exact same. Even by going down 1/2 size you still have the correct amount of room in front of your toe.
This is daily trainer of the year for me. It has more responsiveness than my rc elite v2's and just works. I much prefer it to the speed 1's and seems much more bouncy than the NB version 2's to me. Idk I disagree with about every run tester about this shoe personally. To each their own I suppose!
So funny how we all have such different preferences. I like more planted rides in shoes that others find “dead” or “wooden”. I’m the same with race mountain bikes, I’ve always liked bikes that are planted instead of poppy. I’m the only guy I know that loves the stiff ride of the Mach supersonic.
I ran a PB on my first ran with Novablast3, but it might be influenced and biased by the fact that's my 5th or 6th day without a cigarette after smoking almost 1 pack a day.... Am on and off on those damm cigs... Let's just not smoke today, and I will use this v3 tomorrow morning
Have to say, I love the way the middle and outsole is cutted out from sides and bottom, I can surely feel how that forefront sole just "trampolines" my feet striking the asphalt, so soft yet reliable.
I loved the Novablast 2 and confess to a small measure of disappointment with the 3. To me, it feels like it has lost a little bounce. No much but enough that I noticed. I agree with Nick that it runs heavier than it is.
I run with the Novablast 2, I had to take half a size smaller than usual at Asics. My foot is 25cm long (size 40) and the NB2 size 40.5 (US7.5) is perfect. I tried the Novablast 3 in store, and size 41.5 was perfect. Weird. About the NB3, it was only a test in store but I have the impression that there is twice as much foam under the forefoot as the NB2. I'm looking for a pair of shoes focused on cushioning, comfort while remaining dynamic for long and slow runs. I hesitate to switch to the NB3 or go for example to the New Balance More V3/V4. I don't particularly like the Saucony Speed 3.
Prefer nova blast 2 for me that has more bounce and a softer feeling foam If the made the nova blast 3 with the same ff blast as the 2 I bet that would be awesome
These are Marathon shoes and also Ultramarathon 50-100Km shoes weighing around 70-73 kg and anyone who says no either doesn't understand anything or has never tried them seriously.
I've got both, definitely the Novablast V3. I left my Rebel V2 back home with 300km on them, the sole is much more flexible and less structure in the Rebel V2, although my favorite for 200km , after Nimbus FFBlast+ that was it... And after 50km on them I just got today and ran my first 7km on NovaV3 and FlyteFoamBlast+ and that sole and how it cushions beneath me is doing the trick. 4:50min/km the best shoe for my daily asphalt miles, I don't know on the track... I will definitely use these for my next long run instead of Speeds v2
no criticizing you guys but I find it confusing that you used your normal sizing when this line has always ran ½ size large. I like but don't love my pair but it would be much worse if I didn't go a half size down.
i am a litle bit confused...," too much cushion,but i like firmer shoes,lost a lot of Weight but feells heavy " does not make much sense to me. what else can i say. it seems the shoe of the year became a flop in just a few weeks, judjing by These reviews!
I think the more you wear it(same with all shoes) the more you realize where it fits in your training options. So the final reviews lead you to what it does well and what it doesn't/limitations. No shoe does everything
5:57 definitely looks like some pronation happening (left foot). Judging by the running footage Ive seen also elsewhere this version still just doesn't seem as stable as other shoes in the category.
@@David.Horton It covers all types of runs, only thing it may lack in is like the sub 3:30/km pace (which you'd tend to be in a plated shoe for anyway). Wouldn't worry about the funky colour, running isn't exactly an image sport unless your deluded 🙂
Love the tri 13 and will pick up the 14- i assume it does not do the same job as the nb3. Tri 13 nice and light, a bit more stiff ride with a more aggressive roll forward. Nice non plated option. Oh love the colors:-)
@@palmyarmyswim I dunno I rekon it does the nb3’s job and some, I’ve used it for a 40k plod on trails and for loads of easy/recovery runs.. each to their own obv.. I guess what ultimately matters is a shoe that fits properly and efficient running form.
It’s a good shoe, but when I put my pro 3 on next day then your talking ! Yes I know different shoes, but the pro 3 can also be used for anything ( yes it’s expensive ).