Most runners can’t get enough of the Asics Blast series, and at Marathon Sports, we’re in the same boat. Among the Novablast, Sonicblast, Megablast, and Superblast, this energetic Asics lineup has something to appeal to nearly every runner, walker, gym-goer, and beyond.
This series has always focused on bringing bounce, energy, and fun to road runs. That is, until now.
The Asics Blast series is taking to the trails with the all-new Asics Blazeblast. This trail shoe features some similarities to one of the most popular running shoes of all time – the Asics Novablast – but with a trail makeover built to help you tackle unpaved paths, gravel roads, and uneven terrain.
Over the years, we’ve tested and reviewed lots of models in this series, and we were eager to add the Blazeblast to the list. So our review team took to the roads and trails to better understand this brand-new trail model, the innovative technology it features, and who should consider it for their next trail shoe.
Asics Blazeblast Specs and Highlights
Throughout this Asics Blazeblast review, we’ll take an in-depth look at the shoe and cover everything we learned throughout our research and road testing. But before we dive into all the nitty-gritty details, here’s a brief overview of the shoe.
- Advertised as an energetic, high cushion trail shoe
- Stack height: 43/35 mm (M), 42/34 mm (W)
- 8 mm heel-to-toe drop
- Weight: 8.9 oz (M), 7.8 oz (W)
- Midsole made from soft yet responsive FF BLAST MAX foam
- Trampoline pod in the forefoot is built for energetic toe-offs
- Proprietary ASICSGRIP rubber outsole with 2.5 mm lugs made for versatile and adaptable traction across various terrains
- Upper is made from a breathable engineered woven material for a secure fit with superior durability
- Sustainable design features recycled polyester and a dope dyed sockliner
- Price: $155
A Closer Look at the Blazeblast
Now that you know what to expect from the newest model in the Asics Blast series, here’s a deeper dive into all these features.
FF BLAST MAX Midsole
Historically, models from Asics’ Blast lineup have been centered around a fun, energetic, and dynamic ride. The Blazeblast is no exception, using an FF BLAST MAX midsole to deliver this bounce and responsiveness as you take to the trails.
FF BLAST MAX foam boasts a blend of cloud-like softness and energy return. Shoes with this cushioning, including the Novablast and Blazeblast, prioritize comfort and protection above all else, absorbing shock and impact as you move across any type of surface.
And with so much of this foam underfoot, you can expect a plush, luxurious underfoot ride. The 43/35 mm stack height in men’s shoes and 42/34 mm stack height in women’s shoes provides maximum cushioning and comfort over rocks, roots, gravel, and other debris.
Trampoline Forefoot Pod
The Blazeblast’s cushioning is designed to be soft, dependable, and responsive. And the shoe gets an extra pop of energy due to the Trampoline Pod incorporated into the forefoot.
The trampoline-inspired geometry at the front of the shoe propels you forward, ensuring bouncy, energetic toe-offs through each stride. A mild rocker is paired with this forefoot geometry for smooth, effortless transitions.
ASICSGRIP Outsole
The proprietary Hybrid ASICSGRIP rubber outsole is responsible for the Blazeblast’s incredibly versatile and adaptable design. While it’s technically a trail shoe, this outsole provides reliable traction over a huge range of terrains.
The minimal 2.5 mm lugs excel on gravel and light trails, offering superior grip without adding extra stiffness or weight to the shoe. The outsole is mild enough to work on roads and packed pathways without sacrificing grip as you cross over to more slippery, uneven surfaces.
Engineered Woven Upper
With trail shoes, you need a durable upper that will protect your feet from rocks, roots, and debris. The Blazeblast’s engineered woven upper provides exactly that, keeping your feet comfortable and secure throughout runs, walks, or hikes.
The upper material itself is light and breathable, which helps keep feet cool and dry in warm weather conditions. But even with the lightweight design, it maintains a plush step-in feel that will keep you comfortable mile after mile. The additional padding around the heel and tongue locks the feet in place to reduce any unwanted movement.
Finally, a rubber toe bumper provides an additional layer of protection and prevents any early wear or breakdown in the woven fabric.
Fit & Overall Geometry
Our review team found that the Blazeblast fit pretty true to size. The toe box is relatively narrow, so you may need to size up for a roomier fit, although the upper material is soft, flexible, and accommodating for a wide range of foot shapes and sizes.
The moderate 8 mm heel-to-toe drop makes the shoe even more versatile for a vast range of runners. There’s also a wide platform for some inherent stability on uneven surfaces.
Road & Trail Test Results
Asics boasts that the Blazeblast lets you fly through runs with more energy and cloud-like softness. So our review team put these claims to the test, lacing up the brand-new model and completing a series of trail, road, and gravel runs.
After some initial steps and strides in the Blazeblast, we drew some immediate comparisons to the renowned Asics Novablast. Both shoes feature a lightweight woven upper, FF BLAST MAX cushioning, and a springy, energetic ride. As we took to the roads and trails, the responsive, smooth landings quickly reminded us of other springy members of the Asics Blast family.
On any type of run, the high stack of plush, bouncy foam felt soft and protective without feeling like the shoe was weighing us down. The midsole, which features a wide base, subtle rockered platform, and Trampoline Pod, provided a nice balance of speed and protection on both everyday runs and uptempo miles.
Grip and versatility are the biggest standout elements between the Blazeblast and other models in the Blast lineup. Instead of a smooth outsole, you’ll find an ASICSGRIP outsole with 2.5 mm lugs. These lugs provide effective grip and traction on rough terrain, but are minimal enough to keep the shoe soft and lightweight as you cross over to other surfaces and types of runs.
The shoes excelled on light, packed trails and gravel roads, but you could certainly use them on more uneven, rugged terrain as well. The proprietary outsole rubber offers reliable traction and grip, no matter where your outdoor, off-road adventures take you.
However, some runners may find that the soft cushioning underfoot isn’t as ideal or stable on more technical trails. While Asics takes some steps to improve stability, the high stack of soft foam underfoot still limits groundfeel and may not secure with each step. For athletes who enjoy feeling stable and close to the ground, especially on slippery, uneven terrain, the Blazeblast may not be for you.
Sizing and fit could be another downside for some runners. The model isn’t available in a wide width, and while the engineered woven upper is flexible, adaptive, and lightweight, we could easily see the tapered toe box feeling too snug and narrow for those who need a roomier fit.
Throughout our testing, we did discover a few downsides that might not work for everyone. However, there was also a lot to love about this newest Asics trail shoe.
The versatile design makes it a great choice for anyone who moves between road and trail and is looking for a single, do-it-all shoe. The shoe is incredibly lightweight for the amount of cushioning it offers, and the FF BLAST MAX foam makes you feel like you’re running on clouds without sacrificing any responsiveness and energy return.
Pros and Cons
As we stated in our road and trail test findings, some elements of the Blazeblast worked really well, while others could use some improvement. Here’s a complete summary of these upsides and downsides.
Pros
- ASICSGRIP rubber outsole with 2.5 mm lugs offers exceptional versatility on nearly any terrain
- Engineered woven upper is flexible and lightweight with some extra padding along the heel and tongue for maximum step-in comfort
- FF BLAST MAX midsole provides soft landings and helps protect your feet on pavement, gravel, packed dirt, technical trails, and more. The foam has enough responsiveness for faster runs, with plenty of shock absorption for easy or long runs
- Trampoline Pod provides additional energy return and spring to keep you moving forward with more momentum
Cons
- Soft midsole design and high stack of foam may result in some instability and limited groundfeel on more technical terrain
- Has a snug fit throughout the heel and toe box – may feel secure and stable for those who prefer a snug fit but will likely be too narrow and restrictive for athletes with wide feet
The Asics Blazeblast vs the Competition: How Does it Compare?
In the Asics lineup, the new Blazeblast is one of a kind. It adapts everything runners love about the brand’s other models – the reliable cushioning, soft landings, and energetic ride – and delivers a versatile trail shoe designed to help you fly across almost any terrain.
However, the best way to decide what shoe works for you is to compare all your options. You can learn more about these options and what type of shoes to consider with a free, personalized fitting at your nearest Marathon Sports. However, if you’re looking for a quick answer, we’ll highlight just two of the many alternative running shoe options available.
The Hoka Challenger is another cushioned, all-terrain shoe that can tackle both road and trail runs. Like the Blazeblast, the Challenger has a high stack midsole and adaptable lugs meant to bridge the gap between pavement and trail.
However, while the Blazeblast is centered around energy and responsiveness, the Challenger is designed to be soft and spongy to help you go further with max protection. The Blazeblast is also lighter compared to its Hoka counterpart, making it a better option for anyone looking for a faster, more energetic trail running experience.
The Mount to Coast H1 is another great option for road-to-trail runners. This hybrid shoe has a lightweight, energetic design and flexible VersaGrip outsole for superior grip across both roads and trails. And despite the similar underfoot feel and ride, the H1’s TUNEDFIT Dual Lacing and high-volume toe box may appeal more to runners who enjoy extra wiggle room in their shoes.
The Finish Line: Asics Blazeblast Final Thoughts
The legendary Asics Novablast has become a fan-favorite both among our review team and countless runners out there, so we were thrilled to see Asics take this winning formula and adapt it to a trail/all-terrain shoe. This resulted in the Blazeblast, a shoe that successfully brings more energy return, bounce, and fun to the trail running world.
Across paved bike paths, gravel roads, and uneven mountainous terrain, the Blazeblast proved that it earned a spot in the celebrated Blast lineup. The midsole design with a Trampoline Pod, versatile grip, and lightweight construction ensured protection and propulsion in every step.
It’s always a good sign when a shoe makes you want to hit the trails and get outside more, and the Blazeblast definitely succeeded in this aspect. We found ourselves looking forward to the next time we could slide on these cushiony shoes and bound forward through our runs and workouts.
The Blazeblast is out now, and you can try the model on for yourself at your nearest Marathon Sports. If you’re ready to kick your trail runs up a notch, these fun, bouncy, and energetic new Asics shoes may be the perfect choice for you.
