In the year of the New Normal a welcome development is the newness coming out of Asics.
There is an air of refreshing innovation accompanying the new models introduced in 2020 that are being added to the old reliable Asics stables of Kayanos, Cumulus and Nimbus. These fun new models are the Glideride, Novablast, and several others that are powered by Asics new design direction.
This is welcome news for the countless Asics afficionados in the running universe. After all, Asics is one of the world's oldest sports brands. It was actually started post-war Japan (1949) by Kihachiro Otsuka who believed that in order to raise the spirit and morale of the Japanese youth, he needed to promote healthy lifestyles through sports and athletics. Mr. Onitsuka's first big venture was to revolutionize the basketball shoe with the Onitsuka Tiger which was designed for the fast-paced movement and much-needed grip on the court. It would go on to be worn by the Japanese Olympic basketball team and pave the way for decades of tecnical development, innovative footwear and the growth of a global sporting brand. Throughout the 50s and 60s, Onitsuka developed innovative tennis, volleyball and running shoes. Technical innovation continued on through the 80s, when ASICS (in 1977 Onitsuka Tiger merged with GTO and JELENK to formed ASICS Corporation) released GEL material to running shoes - a revolutionary cushioning technology at that time.
Asics is older than Nike, Reebok, Hoka and Altra. Actually, it was Mr. Onitsuka who gave Phil Knight and NIke their start. Mr. Knight, a recent Stanford graduate in 1962 had an MBA thesis paper entitled "Can Japanese Sports Shoes Do to German Sports Does What Japanese Cameras Did to Germans Cameras?" In 1962, to satisfy his intellectual curiosity and to explore business opportunities, Mr. Knight visited Mr. Onitsuka in Japan and was able to get an exclusive deal to sell Tiger running shoes in the US.
Fast forward to the first 2 decades of 21st Century and the then upstart Nike has introduced into the market innovative ways of cushioning with Air, Zoom (1995) and React (2017). Not to be outdone, the German giant Adidas, partnering with BASF, undid the world of cushioning by introducing Boost in 2013.
What about the old samurai warrior Asics? In cushioning technology, it remained ronin-like in its devotion to the Gel technology for a long time since its 1986 debut. Sure, Asics literature tells us that the GEL technology has evolved no less than 9 times since its introduction. But it has been the main go-to technology for Asics longer that the 24-year reign of Belarusian's Alexander Lukashenko as dictator. Just like citizens under a despot for decades long, the runtizens of the Asics nation hunger for a cool change.
Fret no more as the science of Asics looks like it has come up with another winner and keeper with the company's trademark Flytefoam midsole technology which uses cellulose nanofibers (CNF). It is a material made from the biomass of plants. The new midsole technology provides excellent cushioning and performance with improved durability and strength. That is due to the fact that CNFs are approximately one-fifth the weight of steel while managing to be five times stronger.
With the new midsole technology and the new design direction, Asics looks to be cool and cutting edge again. That is why the Bicolano Penguin was uber excited when visiting the Asics store in Alabang Town Center a weekend before the first week of the first "ber" month, signalling the start of the longest Christmas season in the world.
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| Three colorways for the Asics Novablast available at the Asics store in Alabang Town Center. |
What greeted the BP on the wall of the Asics store was a sight for for sore and weary eyes - 3 pairs of Asics Novablast sporting its exciting colorways: Orange Pop/White; Black/Graphite Grey; and Grey Floss/Black.
Orange is a catchy color so it was the pair the BP took home. Based on first impression after running with it for more than 20 kms, here are what makes the Asics Novablast very appealing to both the eyes and sole:
1. Best Blend of Cushioning and Weight.
For a weekend running warrior like the Bicolano Penguin who is classified as overweight per BMI calculations, maximum cushioning is a big big plus. The more cushioning the better it is for our knees and soles. But oftentimes, max cushioning comes with a prize of a heavy weight for a pair. You see it with the sumo wrestler of all max shoes - the G18 from Masai Barefoot Technology (MBT) which has a heel height of 43.3 mm but weights the scale at 14.1 oz. Similarly, the Hoka Bondi with a heel height of 36mm has had a clunky weight issue, although its latest reincarnation, the Bondi 7 is now at 10.7 oz, still double digit numbers.
Thus, it was to my amazement when I started reading about the Asics Novablast weighing at single digit 9.2 oz with a considerable heel height of 32 mm. That is svelte with a hump.
How is it possible for Asics Novablast to generate these numbers? Thank the geeky guys of ASICS Institute of Sports Science for crafting the FlyteFoam midsole technology which uses a lightweight yet firm block of foam that was blended with CNFs. This Flytefoam is calculated to be 55% lighter than the typical ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA) materials that are commonly used by the various running brands. The Bondi and the G18 are behemoths that uses EVA.
Studies in Biomechanics are showing that with the right material, a thicker sole is producing more spring. .
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| The Astra Novablast has the same heel height as the Hoka Carbon X. |
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| Comparison of Daily Trainers with max cushioning. The ones highlighted in green are considered super shoes with their hugely ample cushioning and pricey tags . For the Daily Trainers, the Astra Novablast has the best blend of cushioning and weight. |
Forget the numbers, but how does a pair of Asics Novablast feels when first worn and when used to romance the road?
Wearing a pair of the Novablast for the first time feels like a blast for my sole. It is very cushy. It has the same pillow-soft feeling on a big homer scale I first experienced when I first wore a Hoka Stinson Evo Tarmac back in 2013. Speaking of pillows, truth be told, I took a nap while wearing a pair of Novablast on. It is that comfortable to wear.
Running on the road with the Novablast, and I have logged 20 kms with it already, is truly a fun experience for the Bicolano Penguin. I agree with what the Running Shoes Guru wrote of Novablast that "...it felt like I was running on a mini padded trampoline due to the fact that there is bounce while running." To be fair, I have felt the same trampoline effect with the Hoka Stinson (shame on the new owners of Hoka for discontinuing this model) and Hoka Carbon X but the former is more than an ounce heavier than the Novablast and the latter is US$ 30 more pricey.
Asic's Flytefoam midsole technology promises more cushioning and less weight. Asics Novablast delivers on that promise.
2. A Promise of a More Durable Midsole and Outsole.
Being not lithe of built but more of the big-boned Neanderthal variety, the Bicolano Penguin has a punishing toll on the Altras and Hokas I have grown to prefer for my long distance running adventures. One look at the outsole(s) and midsole(s) would confirm this. Pudpod na pudpod after almost a handful of hundreds of kilometers.
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| After running for more than 400kms, the Altra Paradigm 4 is showing some significant wear and tear. Fairly new in the line up, Asics Novablast's outsole is not yet showing some visible wear and tear. , |
Thus, I am not expecting the outsole and midsole of the Asics Novablast to fare any differently. But wait, what do I read about the CNF-reinforced FlyteFoam of Asics? In a Digitaltrends article, Asics says that when it incorporated CNfs into the Gel-Kayono 25, the strength of the midsole was increased by 20% and durability went up by as much as 7 percent. Looks promising.
Even more promising is the discussion on AHARPLUS compound which Asics say they have strategically positioned in the outsole of the Novablast. Asics claims that abrasion resistance has been improved by using a rubber material that is also used for car tires which requires high durability as the main material for the outer sole, and mixing it with a reinforcing material. AHARPLUS has an abrasion resistance about three times higher than conventional rubber.
This morning, after logging 20kms already with the Asics Novablast, I took a peek at the outsole and thus far there is no visible wear and tear. Promises are meant to be kept.
3. Roomy Fit in the Toebox.
As an ultra runner, albeit a very slow one, the Bicolano Penguin delights in running in shoes with ample room, especially in the toebox, for our foot to spread out and allow for swelling as the distance gets longer. That is why Altra running shoes like the Paradigm and Olympus, with its wide toebox, are a favorite. .
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| Toebox to toebox, the Altra Paradigm 4 and the Asics Novablast showing not much of a discernible difference in width. |
What about the Altra Novablast? I would have to agree with a shoe reviewer of www.runningxpert.com , it has a very roomy fit, especially in the toebox. There is plenty of room for the toes to move freely inside the shoe. In addition, it feels airy due to the breathable upper material.
4 A bit of Sustainability embedded in the shoes.
The Bicolano Penguin believes in the wisdom of taking loving care of our planet. The BP works for a business group whose mission is "to forge collaborative pathways towards a decarbonized and regenerative future." It does bring joy to my beating heart to know that Asics has a Sustainability Vision which says "We will inspire more people now and in the future to MOVE body and mind to create a stronger world."
I believe Asics works hard in seeking ways, guided by scientific research, to minimize the environmental impacts of its products. For the Asics Novablast, this commitment is manifested in at least 2 ways.
First, the AHARPLUS outsole of the Novablast has been developed based on the concept of contributing to environmental load reduction by prolonging the life of products, using abrasion-resistant materials for soles to make them durable for long-term use. Second, the use of CNFs in addition to making the Novablast a better running shoes, has the green benefit of reducing its carbon footprint as the CNFs are created from natural plant materials. In theory, shoes made from cellulose nanofibers will last longer, but if they do end up in a landfill, they will have less of an environmental impact.
5. Lively Colorways.
Some would consider the choice of color to be a trivial thing. Perhaps it is during ordinary times. But these are no ordinary times. With a global pandemic raging for more than half a dozen months already and claiming nearly 1 million human lives already, these are extraordinary, challenging, and at times, depressing months for humanity.
So it does make perfectly practical and altruistic sense for running shoes to come in lively and cheerful colorways. Now is not the time to have gloomy cloudy sad colors. Homo sapiens, by nature, is a visual creature. Colors have an effect on our moods. A study at the University Hospital South Manchester found that people with depression or anxiety were more likely to associate their mood with the color gra, while happier people preferred yellow and the like.
Thankful indeed that Asics Novablast is available in brighter and lively colorways that are cool to the eyes.
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| Running with the Novablast,, the Bicolano Penguin in an Anima Sana In Corpore Sano vibe |
Conclusion
In concluding this shoe review, there is this overwhelming idea that the Asics Novablast is a most appealing running shoes coming out of Asics. Just with the name alone, we are already having a blast. And when one looks at the technology and sustainability brought to bear to make the Novablast happen, one comes to face to face with the strength of the Asics brand which lies in the technical and performance aspects.
More bounce is more fun. The Novablast has more bounce than any of the other Asics models I have worn in the past like the Cumulus and the Nimbus. It has more bounce than the Altra Paradigm and Hoka Clifton. As lithe and as bouncy as a Hoka Carbon X, it feels like a super shoes minus the pricey tag.
For the Bicolano Penguin, the Asics Novoblast will be my favorite for daily training runs. It will be my go-to daily trainer in the coming months.
Interesting interview of a top executive of Asics a few years back. He said:
"The biggest challenge for Asics is the 'running' aspect of the running industry. We are a market leader, but do not behave as such. And we must learn to act like a market leader. We know what a runner needs, and this is not just limited to shoes. Most runners know: when you're starting out, you buy whatever appeals to you, but once you get serious about running, you switch to Asics...We have a significant and very cool design team in Japan...This team has an amazing Japanese signature, which shows in the designs. We didn't have a clearly defined DNA before, but I think that's what we'll be launching now. What exactly is Asics' DNA? It's high quality, Japanese, attention to detail. craftsmanship and high tech, and very reliable."
That interview was in May 2017 and the top executive is no longer with Asics, having left the company in Nov 2019. But I have a feeling that the launch of fun models in 2020 like the Novablast, Glideride and several others is a signal that the launch of Asics DNA has come into fruition.
We are having a blast with all the possibilities.
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