Written by

Brandon Law

Marathon Runner and Shoe Expert
The Cumulus is the mid-tier, everyday neutral trainer from Asics; the Novablast is the new, highly cushioned but lightweight trainer from Asics. Here we will be comparing the two shoes.
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The Cumulus, now in its 25th version has always been the shoe for everyone: enough cushioning for long distances and light enough for short distances. It costs $140.

The Novablast is a brand new shoe on its 4th iteration designed to be highly cushioned for long distances with a propulsive, trampoline feel. It costs $140.

Which of these shoes is the right one for you?

Similarity and differences: Gel Cumulus 25 vs Novablast 4

Brand
Expert score
Expert score
8/10
Expert score
7/10
Weight
9.3 oz
9 oz
Heel Drop
8 mm
8 mm
Verdict
The ASICS Gel Cumulus is a plush riding, maximalist daily trainer. It's best suited to easy/recovery runs and it has plenty of long-distance comfort thanks to its thick midsole and comfortable upper. Version 25 has been completely revamped and it now has a softer, smoother, more modern ride.
The ASICS Novablast 4 is a firm-riding daily trainer which is more suited to faster-paced runs than relaxed runs. It doesn’t quite have the same fun, bouncy ride that the early Novablasts had but it still has a relatively lightweight build. Version 4 is firmer and more stable than version 3 due to its new FF Blast+ Eco midsole. It’s also a little bit heavier and not as versatile so it can’t be called an improvement. Runners who prefer a firmer, more stable ride will prefer version 4.
Recommended for
Daily training
Speedwork
Cushioning type
Plush
Responsive
Cushioning amount
Highly cushioned
Highly cushioned
Flexibility
flexible
medium
Stability
very stable
very stable
Sizing
true to size
true to size
Retail price
US$140
US$140

Sole unit: Gel Cumulus 25 vs Novablast 4

The midsole of the Cumulus is made from single-density FF Blast+. The Novablast is also made from FF Blast+ Eco. The Cumulus has gel in the rearfoot whereas the Novablast has no gel in its midsole.

The ride of the Cumulus is super soft and softer than the ride of the Novablast. The firmer Novablast is better suited to short, fast runs and the softer Cumulus better for slower, longer runs.

The Cumulus has a more traditional-feeling midsole which feels cushioned but flat. The Novablast has a more dynamic, modern-feeling midsole which feels cushioned but also bouncy and springy.

The taller midsole height of the Novablast makes it less stable than the Cumulus. The firmer, lower to the ground Cumulus also has a midsole which flares out to create a large, stable base.

The outsoles of both shoes use durable AHAR+ rubber but the Novablast uses a softer kind. The Cumulus has a full contact outsole with flex grooves in the forefoot. The Novablast has a wide channel in the centre of its outsole which is not covered in rubber. The Cumulus outsole should last longer than the Novablast’s outsole as it has less midsole foam that makes contact with the ground.

Ride transitions are very smooth in both shoes but the Cumulus with its full contact outsole results in smoother ride transitions than the Novablast.

Upper unit: Gel Cumulus 25 vs Novablast 4

The Cumulus has a thick and padded upper made from a breathable, porous mesh. Its tongue and heel counter are soft and filled with generous amounts of foam. The Cumulus’s upper is superb at locking the foot down with zero heel slippage. The Cumulus comes in regular, wide and extra wide versions.

The Novablast features an upper made from a breathable net mesh that doesn’t stretch much or conform to the foot. It has a roomy toe box with lots of foot splay room. It also has a long padded tongue and traditional heel counter but the upper takes some adjusting to get a secure fit. The fit is true to size and the Novablast comes in 2 widths.

Which one to buy: Gel Cumulus 25 vs Novablast 4

If you’re a runner looking for a softer shoe for longer runs, get the Cumulus. The Cumulus has a plush upper which comes in a variety of widths and is great value at $140. The Cumulus has a midsole with gel in it for extra shock absorption and has a stable ride with smooth ride transitions.

If you’re a runner looking for a firmer shoe for faster runs, get the Novablast. The Novablast has a bouncy ride, fun ride and a thicker midsole for more foot protection when you need it on longer runs.

This expert review is written by

Brandon Law

Marathon Runner and Shoe Expert
Brandon is a South African who lives and trains in Malaysia. He is a marathon runner who eats, sleeps and dreams running shoes. While most people wear shoes to run, he runs to wear shoes.