ASICS Gel-Venture 11 vs Merrell Nova 4

Gel-Venture 11 or Nova 4? Here’s how they compare on feel, fit, brand specs and price, from the fitting team at The Run House.

The short answer

Want an affordable, durable trail shoe? Get the Gel-Venture 11.

Want a comfortable, beginner-friendly trail shoe? Get the Nova 4.

Get the Gel-Venture 11 if

You like a firmer, more stable feel
You want more foam underfoot (7mm more at the heel)
You have slimmer feet and like a snug fit
You like a higher heel-to-toe drop (10mm vs 8mm)

Get the Nova 4 if

You want a little more give underfoot
You need a roomier fit
You want the lighter shoe, by about 2.3 oz
You prefer a lower drop (8mm vs 10mm)

On the run

Gel-Venture 11: The tough, budget trail shoe. Firm, stable and grounded, with a wider base for confidence on rougher trails. It’s heavy and doesn’t absorb impact or return energy well.

Nova 4: The beginner-friendly trail shoe. Flexible and beginner-friendly, ideal for heel strikers, with a breathable upper. Very low energy return, and the high drop can feel awkward.

Specs side by side

	Gel-Venture 11	Nova 4
Price	$90	$140
Stack height (heel / forefoot)	36 / 26mm*	29 / 21mm
Drop	10mm*	8mm
Weight, men’s	11.5 oz*	9.2 oz
Weight, women’s	Not available	Not listed by Merrell
Support	Neutral	Neutral
Plate	None	None
Widths	Standard	Standard, Wide
Built for	Trails, Walking & all-day wear, Easy days	Trails, Easy days, Walking & all-day wear
Expected life	450–550 miles	350–450 miles

Stack, drop and weight come from each brand’s own website. Numbers marked * aren’t published by the brand and come from other published specs. Weights are for the size each brand quotes. Expected life is our estimate.

Fit

Gel-Venture 11. True to size, but not great for wide feet.

Nova 4. True to size with a comfortable, fully redesigned upper. Wide available.

Try them on

Come try on both at The Run House in Walpole, Needham or Falmouth. Gait analysis is always free.