Asics Dynablast 4 review

10 expert score
0 user's score
As editorial policy, we do not accept free samples. We purchased this pair at Running Warehouse with our own money.
Review written on 28th March by Jim Coulson Fast Road and Trail Runner. Career Firefighter.
98 other reviews

Asics Dynablast 4 Verdict

The Dynablast is a marvelous everyday shoe. The lightweight feel and additional midsole foam give the Dynablast a mildly lively ride that is uniform and classic. With a reasonable price tag this shoe is within reach of everyone’s budget, a solid choice for runners looking for an affordable daily shoe.

The pros

  • Responsive midsole
  • Additional foam provides a more protective and consistent ride
  • Budget friendly
  • Lightweight

The cons

  • Only available in standard widths

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Rating breakdown

Comfort
9.0
Build quality
10
Upper
9.0
Sole unit
9.0
Landing
8.0
Transition
8.0
Toe-off
8.0
Traction
9.0
Durability
10
Value / Price
10

Facts / Specs

Brand
Model
Dynablast 4
Previous model
Weight
9.3 oz (264 g)
MSRP
110.00

Heel
34 mm.
Toe
26 mm.
Heel drop
8 mm.
Carbon plate
No plate

Size/Fit

Sizing
True to size
Heel fit
Normal
Midfoot fit
Normal
Toebox fit
Normal

Cushioning & ride

Type of cushioning
Balanced
Amount of cushioning
Medium cushioning
Stability
Some stability
Flexibility
Medium

Usage

Racing
Speedwork
Daily training  
Long distance racing
Ultra distance racing

Who should buy the Asics Dynablast 4 ?

The budget conscious runner wanting a durable and comfortable daily trainer that is multi-use for gym days.

Who should not buy the Asics Dynablast 4 ?

Runners with higher volume feet or wanting a maximal cushioned shoe.

Asics Dynablast 4 Introduction

Picture of ASICS Dynablast 4

The Dynablast returns with its 4th iteration.

The 4 continues to be the lower stack height counterpart to the Novablast but with slightly more foam under foot than the 3 targeting the ball and heel striking zones.

This creates a bit more energy return and bounce while still keeping the stack height low.

The upper also has a few updates to improve breathability and comfort.

Asics Dynablast 4 First Impressions

Picture of ASICS Dynablast 4

I had the privilege to run in the first version of this shoe and was excited to be able to put some miles in this version and see how it has evolved.

I was super pleased at how far the shoe has come and the overall ride. Unboxing the shoe for the first time I was super impressed with how light this shoe is.

It has been my experience that typically with a more budget friendly shoe that this is an area that you generally are going to have to make a sacrifice, so it’s refreshing to see that this is not the case here.

I really enjoyed the ride on my first outings in the shoe as it was lively but consistent and glad that they gravitated away from the 12mm drop making them feel less clunky.

The Dynablast 4 is comfortable right out of the box and the extra foam under foot helped me feel stable and protected.

Asics Dynablast 4 Upper

Picture of ASICS Dynablast 4

The biggest change in the upper of the Dynablast 4 is the Engineered woven upper. Since its inception Asics has chosen to use a knit upper in the shoe which has come with mixed reviews, but in my experience nothing that was a deal breaker.

The woven upper hopefully will eliminate any trepidation runners might have with a knit upper. This new upper was pliable without feeling overly constrictive or sloppy providing a secure but flexible fit that was nice and breathable.

The heel is perfectly padded with a rigid counter that was snug without any excess movement or bulk.

The one downside I see is that lack of stretch to accommodate higher volume feet, and since the Dynablast is only available in standard widths could be a deal breaker for those runners.

Asics Dynablast 4 Sole Unit

Picture of ASICS Dynablast 4

FlyteFoam Blast continues to be the star of the sole unit delivering a subtle bounce while absorbing shock and keeping load of my foot and feeling relaxed.

My biggest complaint with the first version was the lack of forefoot cushioning which is not the case here.

Version 4 has an additional 1.5 mm of height added across the entire midsole. This really helped soften the ride and also adds a bit more responsiveness to the shoe that is consistent from heel to toe and ideal for easy to moderate paces.

Additionally, the increase also makes the shoe not only comfortable but protective making is optimal for longer outings, and also a bit more attractive to heavier runners that want the higher stack height to feel supported but don’t want or require a maximal cushioned shoe .

Picture of ASICS Dynablast 4

The AHARPLUS rubber outsole appears less aggressive in the 4 and not quite as thick. I am sure this helped to keep the weight down, but hasn’t affected durability at all.

Traction is still reliable on paved and asphalt surfaces even in wet conditions. I did find that they aren’t quite as versatile as I remember and perform reasonably well on maintained crushed gravel trail but not much outside of that.

Asics Dynablast 4 Conclusions

Picture of ASICS Dynablast 4

The DynaBlast is a work horse and consistent solid everyday trainer, and version 4 continues to reinforce that.

While it doesn’t have any particular features that make it great it’s all the components complimenting each other that make this shoe one that can be enjoyed by just about every runner.

While looking at its simple design it really doesn’t seem that the Dynablast has evolved greatly, but I can tell you it has.

The simple adjustments that have been made to the shoe over time are thoughtful and have really evolved it into a reliable, comfortable , durable, and importantly affordable daily trainer that I would recommend to just about everyone.

How does the Dynablast 4 compare?

Nike Winflo 10
Asics Dynablast 4
Saucony Axon 3
Expert score
10
10
10
User score
Best price
Retail price
US$99.99
US$109.95
US$89.95
Weight
9.9 oz
9.3 oz
8.5 oz
Heel Drop
10 mm
8 mm
4 mm
Recommended for
Daily training
Daily training
Daily training
Cushioning type
balanced
balanced
balanced
Cushioning amount
Medium cushioning
Medium cushioning
Highly cushioned
Flexibility
flexible
medium
medium
Stability
very stable
some stability
not particularly stable
Sizing
true to size
true to size
true to size

Why you can trust us

As editorial policy, we do not accept free samples from companies.
We purchased this pair of Asics at Running Warehouse  with our own money.

This page contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Read more about our policy.
Lowest price:

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Asics Dynablast 4 price comparison

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Reviewed by Jim

This review was written by Jim Coulson on 28th March.
Jim Coulson is a career firefighter, husband, and father of two children hailing from the foothills of Colorado. Jim has been an avid road and trail runner since the age of 12, and loves to race locally and around the state a much as possible. A native Coloradoan Jim enjoys its trails, mountains, and outdoors taking advantage of all they have to offer as much as possible.

User feedback (0)

Lowest price:
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Where to buy

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