Head-to-Head Comparison
ASICS · Max Cushion
WINNER

Novablast 4

82
ASICS Novablast 4
Stack41.5mm
Weight260g
Drop8mm
Saucony · Max Cushion

Triumph 22

81
Saucony Triumph 22
Stack37mm
Weight286g
Drop10mm

Key Differences & Advantages

82–81 · strong

Why choose Novablast 4?Buy Novablast 4 if

+2.1 Weight Efficiency

+2.1 Weight Efficiency: Better measured rating in wear-test consensus.

Why choose Triumph 22?Buy Triumph 22 if

+1.5 Stability & Support

+1.5 Stability & Support: Better measured rating in wear-test consensus.

The Runner's Pick

Final Decision: Who Buys Which Model?

Side-by-side selection criteria grounded in verified mechanical specs

ASICS Novablast 4
ASICS

Novablast 4

82
Choose the Novablast 4 if:

Choose the Novablast 4 if your priority is an ultralight chassis with effortless turnover powered by FF BLAST+ Eco supercritical foam and a noticeably lighter weight (260g vs 286g). It is the better match for runners targeting minimizing leg fatigue across late-mile splits over the Triumph 22's focus on neutral support and surefooted stride containment.

8mm drop · 260g · $140Audit
Saucony Triumph 22
Saucony

Triumph 22

81
Choose the Triumph 22 if:

Choose the Triumph 22 if your priority is a secure, planted base with confident guidance powered by Full-length PWRRUN PB beaded PEBA superfoam (286g). It is the better match for runners targeting neutral support and surefooted stride containment over the Novablast 4's focus on high-mileage protection and low-impact recovery cruising.

10mm drop · 286g · $160Audit
!

Dealbreaker Warnings · Who Should Skip These

Critical biomechanical trade-offs to avoid buying the wrong shoe

ASICS Novablast 4

Skip Novablast 4 if you need medial guidance for moderate to severe overpronation; the tall, softly sculpted platform shifts under lateral load.

Saucony Triumph 22

Skip Triumph 22 if you want a featherweight speed-day shoe; at 286g, it is calibrated for workhorse longevity rather than race pace.

8-Axis Telemetry Radar

Novablast 4 leads by +1.0 PTS

Novablast82vsTriumph81
CushioningEnergy ReturnWeight EfficiencyStabilityTractionUpper ComfortBreathabilityDurability
🔬 Inspect Granular Lab Specs & Fit Telemetry▼

Fit & Sizing Consensus

Real-world wear-test consensus across runner foot profiles

Novablast 4
Triumph 22
Sizing LengthMatch
Runs Small
True to Size
Novablast63%Triumph85%
Runs Large
Novablast 4: True to size(n=19)
Triumph 22: True to size(n=36)
Toe Box WidthSizing differs
Performance Tight
Standard
Triumph77%
Wide
Novablast74%
Novablast 4: Roomy / wide toe box(n=18)
Triumph 22: Standard width(n=31)
Arch SupportSizing differs
Flat / Low
Novablast61%
Neutral Stability
Triumph80%
High Arch
Novablast 4: Flat / low arch(n=15)
Triumph 22: Neutral stability / moderate arch(n=25)
ASICS Novablast 4 vs Saucony Triumph 22 — eight cohort-calibrated radar axes scored one to ten. Delta is Novablast 4 minus Triumph 22; positive favors Novablast 4. Score provenance: v1.0, data vintage 2026-10-24. Meta-Score weights score band names.
RADAR AXISNovablast 4Triumph 22Δ DELTACOHORT RANK
Cushioning & Softness9.19.0+0.1 (Novablast 4 higher by 0.1)#4/18
Energy Return & Bounce9.07.6+1.4 (Novablast 4 higher by 1.4)#4/18
Weight Efficiency8.76.6+2.1 (Novablast 4 higher by 2.1)#4/18
Stability & Support6.27.7−1.5 (Triumph 22 higher by NaN)#4/18
Traction & Grip7.68.0−0.4 (Triumph 22 higher by NaN)#4/18
Upper Comfort & Lockdown8.38.5−0.2 (Triumph 22 higher by NaN)#4/18
Breathability8.67.4+1.2 (Novablast 4 higher by 1.2)#4/18
Durability7.98.1−0.2 (Triumph 22 higher by NaN)#4/18
Meta-Score82strong81contender+1.0Calibrated

The Record · Specification Telemetry

Cohort-relative percentiles and verified technical specs

Novablast 4
Triumph 22
Weight (US Men's 9)Lighter than 78% of daily trainers
Novablast 4260g
Triumph 22286g

›ASICS Novablast 4 saves 26g per stride, noticeable after mile 6 of continuous running.

Heel Cushion StackMore underfoot foam than 65% of trainers
Novablast 441.5mm
Triumph 2237.0mm

›ASICS Novablast 4 delivers 4.5mm more vibration isolation for long recovery efforts than Triumph 22.

Heel-to-Toe DropΔ 2.0mm
Novablast 48.0mm
Triumph 2210.0mm

›Triumph 22's 10mm drop shifts load toward the knees/quads, while Novablast 4's 8mm drop engages the Achilles and calves.

Midsole Foam & Energy ReturnHigher rebound than 92% of tested foams
FF BLAST+ Eco supercritical foam9.0/10
Full-length PWRRUN PB beaded PEBA superfoam7.6/10

›FF BLAST+ Eco supercritical foam yields a springier, high-rebound toe-off compared to Full-length PWRRUN PB beaded PEBA superfoam's grounded, stable feel.

Outsole Durability & TractionTougher rubber than 85% of road shoes
ASICSGRIP with exposed midsole foam patches7.9/10
XT-900 carbon rubber pods8.1/10

›Triumph 22 utilizes XT-900 carbon rubber pods compound formulated for extended 500+ mile abrasive asphalt longevity.

Quiver Overlap

Direct Max Cushion Rivals

2-Shoe Rotation Strategy

Both models occupy the exact same max cushion slot on your shoe rack. Rather than buying both, runner consensus suggests picking the lighter Novablast 4 (260g) for quicker cadence, or the Triumph 22 for its Full-length PWRRUN PB beaded PEBA superfoam ride feel and structure.

Novablast 4 RoleMax Cushion Workhorse
Triumph 22 RoleAlternative Max Cushion

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