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Products
ASICS NOVABLAST 4
ASICS GEL-KAYANO 31
Tested using Methodology v0.8.1
Updated Jul 24, 2025 12:40 PM
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Amazon.comTested using Methodology v0.8.1
Updated Aug 11, 2025 02:56 PM
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Asics.com
Weight255.4 g (9.01 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop9.1 mm
PlateNone
Weight308.4 g (10.88 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop10.9 mm
PlateNone
Our Verdict
ASICS NOVABLAST 4
ASICS GEL-KAYANO 31
The ASICS NOVABLAST 4 is a more well-rounded shoe than the ASICS GEL-KAYANO 31. It's significantly lighter and uses more responsive foam, making it better for faster paces. It isn't as stable as the GEL-KAYANO 31, which is a better fit for heavier runners or those who need support elements.
Variants
- NOVABLAST 4 (Black/Blue Expanse - (Men - US 9))
- NOVABLAST 4 (Black/Blue Expanse - (Women - US 7))
- NOVABLAST 4 (Black/Graphite Grey - (Women - US 7))
- NOVABLAST 4 (Blue Expanse/Black - (Men - US 9))
- NOVABLAST 4 (Blue Expanse/Champagne - (Men - US 9))
- NOVABLAST 4 (Blue Expanse/Pink - (Women - US 7))
- NOVABLAST 4 (Bold Magenta/Black - (Women - US 7))
- NOVABLAST 4 (Cool Grey/Blue Expanse - (Men - US 9))
- NOVABLAST 4 (Cool Grey/Blue Expanse - (Women - US 7))
- NOVABLAST 4 (Cool Grey/Grey Blue - (Men - US 9))
- NOVABLAST 4 (Cool Grey/Grey Blue - (Women - US 7))
- NOVABLAST 4 (Cool Matcha/Safety Yellow - (Men - US 9))
- NOVABLAST 4 (Cool Matcha/Safety Yellow - (Women - US 7))
- NOVABLAST 4 (Faded Orange/Deep Red - (Women - US 7))
- NOVABLAST 4 (Nature Bathing/Pearl Pink - (Women - US 7))
- NOVABLAST 4 (Nature Bathing/Red Snapper - (Men - US 9))
- NOVABLAST 4 (Oatmeal/Moonrock - (Women - US 7))
- NOVABLAST 4 (White/Moonrock - (Men - US 9))
- NOVABLAST 4 (White/Soothing Sea - (Women - US 7))
- NOVABLAST 4 (White/Sunrise Red - (Women - US 7))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (Birch/Energy Aqua - (Women - US 7))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (Black/Black - (Men - US 9))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (Black/Black - (Women - US 7))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (Black/Bold Magenta - (Women - US 7))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (Black/Cool Matcha - (Men - US 9))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (Black/Pure Silver - (Women - US 7))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (Black/Rainy Lake - (Men - US 9))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (Blue Expanse/Champagne - (Men - US 9))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (Blue Expanse/Rose Gold - (Women - US 7))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (Bold Magenta/Purple Spectrum - (Women - US 7))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (Breeze/White - (Women - US 7))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (Carbon/Taupe Grey - (Men - US 9))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (Coffee/Nova Orange - (Women - US 7))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (Cool Grey/Pure Silver - (Women - US 7))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (Cool Matcha/Celadon - (Men - US 9))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (Cool Matcha/Light Celadon - (Women - US 7))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (Cream/Steel Blue - (Women - US 7))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (Deep Mars/Black - (Men - US 9))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (Desert Red/White - (Women - US 7))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (Digital Aqua/Bright Cyan - (Men - US 9))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (Illuminate Mint/Pure Silver - (Women - US 7))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (Indigo Blue/Gunmetal - (Men - US 9))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (Indigo Blue/Pure Silver - (Women - US 7))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (Light Celadon/Safety Yellow - (Men - US 9))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (Light Celadon/Safety Yellow - (Women - US 7))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (Lite-show/Digital Aqua - (Men - US 9))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (Oatmeal/Pearl Pink - (Women - US 7))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (Piedmont Grey/Digital Aqua - (Women - US 7))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (Piedmont Grey/Fiery Red - (Men - US 9))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (Piedmont Grey/Papaya - (Women - US 7))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (Pure Aqua/Pure Silver - (Men - US 9))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (Pure Aqua/Pure Silver - (Women - US 7))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (Rich Navy/Spice Latte - (Men - US 9))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (Sheet Rock/White - (Women - US 7))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (Smog Green/Black - (Men - US 9))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (Steel Grey/Piedmont Grey - (Men - US 9))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (White Sage/Birch - (Men - US 9))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (White/Breeze - (Men - US 9))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (White/Bright Cyan - (Men - US 9))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (White/Concrete - (Men - US 9))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (White/Dolphin Grey - (Women - US 7))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (White/Faded Orange - (Women - US 7))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (White/Piedmont Grey - (Men - US 9))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (White/White - (Women - US 7))
Main Differences forMarathon Racing
Marathon Racing
Threshold
Marathon Racing
6.6
5.0
Forefoot Energy Return
5.1
0.7
Weight
6.2
4.0
Heel Energy Return
3.1
1.6
Full Comparison
Design
Weight
6.2
4.0
Right Shoe Weight Photo
Left Shoe Weight Photo
Weight
255.4 g (9.01 oz)
308.4 g (10.88 oz)
Stack Heights
Stack Height Photo
Heel Stack Height
41.3 mm
42.2 mm
Forefoot Stack Height
32.2 mm
31.3 mm
Heel-To-Toe Drop
9.1 mm
10.9 mm
Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop
8.0 mm
10.0 mm
External Shape
3D Model Full Shoe
Outsole Heel Width
89 mm (3.5")
95 mm (3.7")
Outsole Arch Width
72 mm (2.8")
84 mm (3.3")
Outsole Forefoot Width
116 mm (4.6")
117 mm (4.6")
Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio
2.15
2.25
Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio
3.60
3.73
Internal Shape
3D Model Internal
Internal Length
280 mm (11.0")
279 mm (11.0")
Internal Heel Width
61 mm (2.4")
66 mm (2.6")
Internal Forefoot Width
96 mm (3.8")
96 mm (3.8")
Wide Sizing Available
Yes
Yes
Other Features
Other Features Photo
Tongue Gusset Type
Fully-gusseted
Fully-gusseted
Plate
None
None
Performance
Heel Energy Return
3.1
1.6
Heel Compression Video
Heel Energy Return
Heel Energy Return
74.6%
72.6%
Forefoot Energy Return
5.1
0.7
Forefoot Compression Video
Forefoot Energy Return
Forefoot Energy Return
76.6%
70.5%
Heel Cushioning
7.2
6.8
Heel Cushioning Picture
Heel Cushioning
Energy Absorbed At 300N
1.05 J
1.05 J
Energy Absorbed At 600N
3.57 J
3.43 J
Energy Absorbed At 900N
6.83 J
6.29 J
Forefoot Cushioning
8.3
3.6
Forefoot Cushioning Picture
Forefoot Cushioning
Energy Absorbed At 300N
1.10 J
0.72 J
Energy Absorbed At 600N
3.14 J
2.10 J
Energy Absorbed At 900N
5.49 J
3.84 J
Heel Firmness
6.2
6.7
Heel Firmness
Average Firmness 0 To 300N
41.3 N/mm
41.0 N/mm
Average Firmness 300 To 600N
53.1 N/mm
56.2 N/mm
Average Firmness 600 To 900N
70.1 N/mm
78.8 N/mm
Forefoot Firmness
7.7
9.4
Forefoot Firmness
Average Firmness 0 To 300N
38.4 N/mm
59.6 N/mm
Average Firmness 300 To 600N
65.4 N/mm
97.0 N/mm
Average Firmness 600 To 900N
96.6 N/mm
129.2 N/mm
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ASICS NOVABLAST 4
ASICS GEL-KAYANO 31
Comments
ASICS NOVABLAST 4 vs ASICS GEL-KAYANO 31: Main Discussion
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