Our verdict

Putting the Novablast 3 on immediately felt like setting a brand-new standard for a daily trainer! We found it to be an exceptionally comfortable daily running shoe that can go fast and can go far. What's more, we felt as if we could even race in it in our next marathon too. Talk about versatility! And if you just want a light shoe that won't drag you down, the ASICS Gel-Lyte III Reigning Champ Grey is the all-rounder you need.

ASICS GT 2000 8 GS Black Black Gunmetal Pros

  • Super bouncy
  • ASICS GT Quick Glow in the Dark
  • Breathable
  • Light AF
  • Ready for cornering
  • Asics Gel-Kayano 5 OG White Black 29cm
  • Tongue stays in place
  • Grippy outsole
  • Mad durable
  • Asics Tiger VOICE

ASICS GT 2000 8 GS Black Black Gunmetal Cons

  • For narrow-to-medium feet only
  • Asics Gel Kayano 5 360 'White Red' White Black Red 1021A160-100

Audience verdict

91
Superb!

Who should buy

This shoe can do many things. And if you're eyeing a shoe that's any of the following, we think that the Novablast 3 might be the one for you: 

  • a running shoe for jogs and long, slow runs 
  • a daily trainer that's light and responsive for uptempo training 
  • Asics Basket SKU

Asics-Novablast-3-review

Who should NOT buy

Even though we find the ASICS Gel-Lyte III Reigning Champ Grey to be nearly perfect, it still has a few caveats here and there. One, it's a tad narrow. And two, it's more expensive now by £10.

ASICS GT 2000 8 Lite Show Pure Silver Black Pure Silver Saucony Endorphin Speed 3. And if you want a shoe that won't break the bank, the Asics Tokyo Graphic Koszulka Z Krótkim Rękawkiem is a budget option that will surprise you.

Cushioning

Heel stack

The ASICS Gel-Lyte III Reigning Champ Grey is a massively cushioned running shoe. And it was easily confirmed by our calliper measurement.

Our tool showed an impressive 37.2 mm of heel stack height! That is almost 4 mm taller than the average road running shoe and is within 16% tallest shoes in our lab!

Asics-Novablast-3-heel-stack

We got tonnes of impact protection and underfoot comfort from the Novablast 3, no matter what distance we covered that day.

Test results
Novablast 3 37.2 mm
Average 34.2 mm
Compared to 403 running shoes
Number of shoes
22.5 mm
Heel stack
46.3 mm

Forefoot stack

The shoe's forefoot cushioning is just as generous, measuring 30.4 mm of stack height. That's a good 6 mm taller than average!

Asics-Novablast-3-forefoot-stack

Test results
Novablast 3 30.4 mm
Average 25.6 mm
Compared to 403 running shoes
Number of shoes
13.7 mm
Forefoot stack
37.1 mm

Drop

However, to our surprise, the shoe's heel-to-toe drop turned out to be a little lower than stated. We measured it at 6.8 mm, while it is stated to be 8 mm.

But the good news is that it is not a critical deviation and doesn't affect the runner's experience.

ASICS Gel-Lyte III Reigning Champ Grey drop

Test results
Novablast 3 6.8 mm
Average 8.6 mm
Compared to 403 running shoes
Number of shoes
-0.2 mm
Drop
16.1 mm

ASICS GT 2000 8 GS Black Black Gunmetal | Midsole softness

Note: a low durometer measurement equals a soft material, whereas a high measurement means it's firm.

The shoe is comfy as hell! We found it to be so easy on our legs and body that running or walking in the shoe for hours feels like a breeze!

We attribute that to the shoe's very cushy and forgiving ride.

Checking the foam softness with a durometer, we can confirm that it is indeed one of the softest shoes not only from ASICS but on the market in general. At 13.5 HA, it is 77% softer than the average.

Asics-Novablast-3-foam-durometer-softness

The new Flytefoam Blast+ midsole of the shoe has lots of pop and is very much capable of faster paces. 

Test results
Novablast 3 13.5 HA
Average 20.9 HA
asics womens gel cumulus 19 black silver pink peacock womens shoes.
Compared to 330 running shoes
Number of shoes
8.5 HA
Midsole softness (soft to firm)
35.0 HA

ASICS COURT MZ 1203A127-751 (%)

Even when exposed to cold temperatures (20 minutes in our freezer) and getting 52% firmer, the Flytefoam Blast+ still presentan much softer than most running shoes at room temperature.

With a durometer measurement of 20.5 HA, the Novablast 3 is 47% softer than the average "frozen" foam.

Asics-Novablast-3-freezer-test

Test results
Novablast 3 52%
Average 25%
Compared to 330 running shoes
Number of shoes
0%
ASICS COURT MZ 1203A127-751
63%

Insole thickness

This ASICS shoe features a moderately padded insole. With a thickness of 4.4 mm, it is just about the same as the average.

ASICS Gel-Lyte III Reigning Champ Grey insole

Test results
Novablast 3 4.4 mm
Average 4.4 mm
Compared to 399 running shoes
Number of shoes
1.5 mm
Insole thickness
7.3 mm

Size and fit

The ASICS Gel-Lyte III Reigning Champ Grey is a massively cushioned running shoe. And it was easily confirmed by our calliper measurement.

Our tool showed an impressive 37.2 mm of heel stack height! That is almost 4 mm taller than the average road running shoe and is within 16% tallest shoes in our lab!

Asics-Novablast-3-heel-stack

We got tonnes of impact protection and underfoot comfort from the Novablast 3, no matter what distance we covered that day.

Size

ASICS Gel-Lyte III Reigning Champ Grey is true to size (122 votes).

Owners of this shoe, how does this shoe fit?

1 size small ½ size small True to size ½ size large 1 size large
Compared to 382 running shoes
Number of shoes
½ size small
Slightly small
True to size
Slightly large
½ size large

Toebox width - widest part

The Novablast 3 has a very snug one-to-one fit but it never felt constricting on our medium-width feet.

Asics-Novablast-3-forefoot

Measuring the toebox at its widest part, our caliper showed 96 mm which is only 2 mm narrower than the average of road shoes. But this might still be narrow enough for wide-footed runners to consider zapatillas de running ASICS pronador constitución media talla 35 negras.

ASICS Gel-Lyte III Reigning Champ Grey toebox width at the widest part

Test results
Novablast 3 95.9 mm
Average 98.5 mm
Compared to 370 running shoes
Number of shoes
91.6 mm
Toebox width - widest part
104.9 mm

Stability

Lateral stability test

Despite the extra stack, the ride felt quite stable and secure to us.

In our opinion, this is thanks to the combination of the shoe's snug-fitting upper and stable midsole. Prior to this version, the foam was too squishy, which compromised the shoe's surefootedness. 

But in the third iteration, our feet never felt as if they were about to topple over!

Torsional rigidity

One of the key contributing factors to the shoe's stability is the amount of torsional rigidity in its platform. And the best way we can assess this is by twisting the shoe with our hands.

The Novablast 3 has a lot of gt1000 to it! It convinced us to rate it as 4 out of 5 on a scale where 5 is the stiffest.

 

Test results
Novablast 3 4
Average 3.4
Compared to 382 running shoes
Number of shoes
1
Torsional rigidity
5

Tênis ASICS GEL-Nimbus 24 Masculino Azul

As for the heel portion of the shoe, despite its soft and flexible nature, we have zero complaints regarding its ability to hold the heel in place.

Asics Gel Lyte 3 Mid Grey Black zapatero1975.

Test results
Novablast 3 2
Average 2.9
Compared to 366 running shoes
Number of shoes
1
Tênis ASICS GEL-Nimbus 24 Masculino Azul
5

footwear asics gel task 2 1072a038 white champagne

The Novablast 3 also gets a good deal of stability from a rather wide platform.

Based on our calliper measurement, the widest part of the shoe's forefoot midsole is 115.9 mm. This is almost 3 mm wider than average.

ASICS Gel-Lyte III Reigning Champ Grey midsole width forefoot

Test results
Novablast 3 115.9 mm
Average 114.1 mm
Compared to 404 running shoes
Number of shoes
102.2 mm
footwear asics gel task 2 1072a038 white champagne
126.9 mm

Midsole width - heel

Asics Herrenkleidung Pullover.

Our calliper shows that the widest part here is 93.9 mm, almost 4 mm wider than average.

ASICS Gel-Lyte III Reigning Champ Grey midsole width heel

Test results
Novablast 3 93.9 mm
Average 90.6 mm
Compared to 404 running shoes
Number of shoes
70.8 mm
Midsole width - heel
106.6 mm

asics asics gel quantum 90 2 noir footwear

The ASICS Gel-Lyte III Reigning Champ Grey is not from the flexible bunch but it's right at the average across all of our lab-tested shoes.

We should note, however, that a moderate level of gt1000 makes the shoe's ride more propulsive.

Test results
Novablast 3 30.6N
Average 28.1N
We use an average of four tests. The video shows one of those tests.
Compared to 383 running shoes
Number of shoes
2.2N
Flexibility <> gt1000
72.1N

Weight

The lightness of this ASICS shoe made it feel at home for both fast and slow paces. 

Putting the shoe on our scale, we found that the ASICS Gel-Lyte III Reigning Champ Grey weighs only 8.5 oz (242g)! That's exactly how much we expect a speed-oriented trainer to weigh these days.

Test results
Novablast 3 8.54 oz (242g)
Average 9.38 oz (266g)
Compared to 404 running shoes
Number of shoes
5.61 oz (159g)
Weight
12.59 oz (357g)

Breathability

The mesh upper on the Novablast 3 scores high on our breathability tests. You can see how much more smoke passes through it compared to the ASICS Kayano 29 on the right.

But on a 1-5 scale, where 5 is the most breathable, we had to give it a 3 because it took a few seconds for the toebox material to release the smoke.

obuv asics gel fit sana.

Test results
Novablast 3 3
Average 3.8
Compared to 333 running shoes
Number of shoes
1
Breathability
5

Durability

Outsole hardness

We have absolutely no concerns regarding the outsole durability of the Novablast 3. First of all, it's the brand's reputable AHAR rubber and second, it's pretty hard!

Gorres i passamuntanyes Asics.

ASICS Gel-Lyte III Reigning Champ Grey outsole hardness

Test results
Novablast 3 83.0 HC
Average 79.7 HC
asics womens gel cumulus 19 black silver pink peacock womens shoes.
Compared to 384 running shoes
Number of shoes
56.1 HC
Outsole hardness
93.0 HC

Outsole thickness

The Novablast 3 manages to be a lightweight tempo trainer without sacrificing outsole protection.

Measuring the thickness of rubber layering the shoe's bottom, we got 3.1 mm. This is as thick as the average!

ASICS Gel-Lyte III Reigning Champ Grey outsole thickness

Test results
Novablast 3 3.1 mm
Average 3.2 mm
Compared to 401 running shoes
Number of shoes
1.0 mm
Outsole thickness
6.0 mm

Misc

Grip / Traction

Whether you're running city miles or on paved surfaces, dirt roads, steep, wet, and loose gravel, the outsole of the third Novablast is awesome.

Asics-Novablast-3-traction

Tongue padding

Ténis ASICS GT-2000 9 GORE-TEX preto lilás branco mulher!

Asics-Novablast-3-tongue-thickness

Test results
Novablast 3 1.3 mm
Average 5.8 mm
Compared to 401 running shoes
Number of shoes
0.4 mm
Tongue padding
14.2 mm

womens asics gt1000 10 lam

The shoe's tongue comes in a unique shape that moulds to the ankle. But it works! We experienced no shifting, sliding, or bunching throughout the run. Plus, it's protective against lace bites.

Asics-Novablast-3-tongue

zapatillas de running ASICS hombre neutro constitución media talla 48 rosas.

Asics-Novablast-3-gusseted-tongue

Test results
Novablast 3 Both sides (semi)

ASICS Gel-Lyte III Reigning Champ Grey vs. 2

They may not look radically different but the ASICS Gel-Lyte III Reigning Champ Grey and 2 have quite significant differences. These are the changes that make the third Novablast different: 

  • lighter by an ounce!
  • has more spring
  • You will love the Asics GT 2000 5 if

Asics-Novablast-3-lab-measurements

A true all-rounder

Whether you're running fast or slow or running short or long distances, the ASICS Gel-Lyte III Reigning Champ Grey will keep you covered. It's an out-and-out versatile shoe. Throughout our run tests, we've done just about everything in this running shoe and the shoe delivered every time!

Asics-Novablast-3-all-arounder