Asics SONICBLAST Introduction
The Novablast has constructed its repute on smooth, springy cushioning and versatile consolation. Right here in Malaysia, it’s some of the well-liked each day trainers and it’s one of many first trainers I like to recommend to runners who’re in search of an lively, sturdy workhorse that received’t break the financial institution.
Constructing on the success of the Novablast, ASICS has now created the Sonicblast. The Sonicblast comes from client perception analysis that confirmed that runners needed a plated Novablast. The Sonicblast is designed for each pace coaching and each day coaching.
ASICS already has the Magic Velocity which is their plated pace coach for uptempo runs nonetheless, the Magic Velocity feels vastly totally different to the Novablast: it’s a lot firmer and it doesn’t have a bouncy trip. Its carbon plate can be very stiff.
The Sonicblast weighs 9 oz (255 g) for a males’s US 9, so it’s 0.3 oz (8 g) heavier than the Novablast 5. It has stack heights of 45 mm/37 mm and it has a Pebax plate sandwiched in its midsole. It prices $180, $30 greater than the Novablast 5.
Testing Particulars
- 18 km simple run at 6:30 per km
- 4.5 km treadmill run at 6:35 per km
- 14 km restoration run at 6:43 per km
- 3 km heat up at 7:42 per km
- 8 km restoration run at 8:21 per km
- 12 km simple run at 6:30 per km
- 9 km restoration run at 7:09 per km
- 12 km simple run at 6:25 per km
Asics SONICBLAST First Impressions
My first run was a simple Sunday 18 kilometre run at 6:30 per km (10:29 per m). It felt lots firmer than the Novablast 5 and it didn’t have the bounce of the Novablast both. The highest layer and backside layer felt actually comparable: it didn’t really feel like 2 totally different foams within the midsole.
The higher was actually comfy and it match me like a glove. There have been no hotspots and no break in interval was wanted. Throughout that first run, it felt like a mean plated trainer- it didn’t impress me that a lot.
The shoe that it jogged my memory of was the ASICS Gel Kinsei Max. Each trainers really feel extra like each day trainers than pace trainers for exercises.
Asics SONICBLAST Higher
Sonicblast higher is likely one of the finest ASICS uppers I’ve tried in a very long time. It conforms to my ft, it’s gentle & breathable, and it supplies glorious foot lockdown.
It has a flat tongue that’s semi-gusseted so it doesn’t transfer round throughout runs and there’s no heel slippage. It’s true to measurement however it has a slender forefoot so it’s not appropriate for runners with broad ft. Its solely flaw is that it doesn’t have any reflective parts.
Asics SONICBLAST Sole Unit
The trip of the Sonicblast is complicated as a result of it doesn’t really feel quick or propulsive like a pace coach however it additionally doesn’t really feel smooth and bouncy like an ASICS each day coach. It looks like a cushioned coach for relaxed lengthy runs.
It’s a dual-density midsole with the brand new FF Turbo Squared on the highest and FF Blast Max on the underside. FF Turbo Squared is an aliphatic TPU however it doesn’t really feel like it- it doesn’t have that nice squish and quick launch of different A-TPUs. FF Leap within the Metaspeed sequence can be A-TPU however it feels utterly totally different to FF Turbo Squared.
The Sonicblast has a firmer trip than you’d count on for a shoe with such a thick midsole. It’s not as agency because the Magic Velocity 4 however it’s firmer than the Novablast 5, GlideRide Max and Kinsei Max. Its trip additionally feels a bit flat and lacks the vitality return of the Novablast.
I solely loved the Sonicblast on simple runs slower than 6 minutes per km (9:40 per m). Its substantial 9 oz weight makes it really feel a bit clunky so it doesn’t get pleasure from selecting up the tempo. It’s finest suited to sluggish, lengthy runs due to how steady its trip is. The Pebax plate additionally improves effectivity on lengthy runs.
The Astroplate within the Sonicblast is comparatively inflexible contemplating it’s Pebax and never carbon. It’s stiffer than the Saucony Endorphin Velocity 5 however not as stiff because the ASICS Magic Velocity 4. It’s about the identical stiffness because the Adidas Boston 13, PUMA Deviate Nitro 3 and New Steadiness SC Coach v3. The Astroplate feels prefer it isn’t offering a lot propulsion within the Sonicblast however it does make the trip very steady.
The Sonicblast has a very good outsole which may be very sturdy. ASICSGRIP rubber protects all of the excessive put on areas and supplies very good traction on moist surfaces. There’s minimal seen put on on my pair after 80 kilometres; the lugs are powerful and the uncovered midsole foam can be very sturdy.
Asics SONICBLAST Conclusions
The Sonicblast is a disappointing launch as a result of it lacks the bounce and the joy {that a} $180 tremendous coach ought to have. The layer of recent FF Turbo Squared in its midsole is just too agency and too flat. Its trip isn’t as energetic as different ASICS trainers.
I want the ASICS GlideRide Max (has an EVA mini plate) to the Sonicblast for each day coaching as a result of it has a plusher trip. It’s additionally $10 cheaper than the Sonicblast.
The Sonicblast’s existence within the ASICS lineup is irrelevant. For exercises I’m selecting the Magic Velocity, for simple runs I’m selecting the Novablast or GlideRide Max, and for lengthy runs I’m selecting the Superblast.
The Sonicblast is designed for runners who need to do their simple runs in a steady, plated coach. It feels extra steady than the Novablast 5 however it doesn’t have the identical smooth, energetic trip.
The benefit of the Sonicblast is that there’s loads of inventory presently obtainable, in contrast to the costlier Superblast and Megablast within the Blast household.
