The Megablast is the new top of the range ASICS trainer. It's very light, very versatile and very energetic. It costs $225.
The Novablast is on its 5th iteration and is one of the most popular daily trainers on the road. It's a versatile workhorse capable of most types of runs.
This comparison will tell you which trainer is better for you.
The Megablast has a single-density midsole made entirely of FF Turbo Squared, an A-TPU foam. This foam compresses and springs back very quickly. It’s also extremely light so the Megablast has a very lightweight build for such a thick midsole.
The Novablast also has a single-density midsole but it’s made entirely of FF Blast Max, an olefin based foam. It compresses and decompresses more slowly than the midsole of the Megablast so it has a plusher ride.
The Megablast has a faster ride than the Novablast and it’s much easier to pick up the pace in the Megablast. The Novablast has a softer, more comfortable ride that’s more suited to easy and recovery runs.
If you’re interested in versatility, the Megablast is more versatile. It can perform most types of runs well whereas the Novablast struggles at faster paces due to its squishy midsole.
Both trainers don’t have plates in their midsoles but the Megablast has a relatively stiff forefoot while the Novablast has a more flexible forefoot. The stiffer forefoot of the Megablast allows its forefoot rocker to work better. This makes transitions feel faster and more efficient in the Megablast.
The outsole of the Novablast is more durable than the outsole of the Megablast because it has more rubber that protects the midsole. If you’re hard on outsoles, you’ll be able to get more mileage out of the Novablast.
When it comes to stability, the Novablast is more stable. It has a wider base and a thinner midsole than the Megablast so foot strikes feel more planted. The Novablast offers more support.
The Megablast has a racing type of upper with a flat tongue and little padding. It’s made from a thin, breathable material that doesn’t absorb much sweat. It’s true to size but it has a very narrow toe box which is not suitable for wide footed runners.
The Novablast has a training type of upper with padding for comfort. It’s made from a soft mesh that conforms to your feet. It also has a narrow toe box and is a bit shorter than most shoes so it’s recommended to go up a half size.
If you’re looking for a lightweight, versatile trainer capable of every type of run, the Megablast is the one you should buy. The Megablast has a really energetic ride with a forefoot rocker. The Megablast is significantly lighter than the Novablast but also much more expensive. It can perform uptempo runs better than the Novablast.
If you prefer a softer, plusher, more comfortable ride, the Novablast is the trainer you should buy. It’s the more durable and more stable of the two. For long and slow runs, the Novablast is the better option.
