REASONS TO BUY
Comfortable underfoot
Smooth transitions
Energetic ride
Versatile
REASONS TO AVOID
Slightly less stable than the previous version
Asics Novablast 5 Review
Our most recommended daily trainer will reliably handle almost all your runs
Credit: Natalie Kafader
RELATED: The Best Running Shoes for Men
Our Verdict
The Asics Novablast 5 is our favorite daily trainer, pairing excellent cushioning with versatility. This version had big shoes to fill: in 2024, we said that the Novablast 4 was the shoe we'd choose if we could only run in one shoe. So, we were nervous when Asics announced a new midsole foam for this version. But we didn't need to be; the new FF Blast Max midsole is more resilient, resulting in a bouncier ride. It's also noticeably more compressible and feels softer underfoot. The trampoline effect of the forefoot is less overt, thanks to the bouncier midsole, but the shoe can still pick up the pace easily. Last year, we complained that the traction of the previous model was atrocious in wet conditions and that the heel was too chunky. Thanks to a new AHAR LO outsole rubber compound, the Novablast 5 grabs better on cold and wet tarmac (although it still isn't outstanding), and the heel foam is slimmed down. This shoe is comfortable, easy to run in, enjoyable, and reliable. It can handle nearly any run you take it on, from easy jogs to faster workouts. Some runners might even choose it to race in. Overall, it improves on the previous version, and earns our highest recommendations once again. We love it, and we think many other runners will, too.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Asics Novablast 5 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Overall Men's Road Running Shoes |  Most Stable Road Running Shoe for Men | Excellent Performance without a Plate |  Best Value Men's Road Running Shoes | Another Great Value Road Shoe |
| Price | $140.00 at REI Compare at 2 sellers | $160 List $159.95 at Amazon | $140.00 at REI Compare at 3 sellers | $135 List $111.49 at Amazon | $130 List $127.95 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
|||||
| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | A versatile and comfortable option we think most runners will love | Stability combined with a responsive ride makes for a great option | Bouncy, responsive and well-cushioned, this shoe is performance-oriented but still versatile | A daily trainer that blends comfort and versatility at a reasonable price | One of the best value daily trainers we’ve tested |
| Rating Categories | Asics Novablast 5 | Saucony Tempus 2 | New Balance FuelCel... | Puma Velocity Nitro 3 | Adidas Adizero SL2 |
| Landing Comfort (30%) | |||||
| Responsiveness (20%) | |||||
| Stability (15%) | |||||
| Upper Comfort (15%) | |||||
| Weight (15%) | |||||
| Traction (5.0%) | |||||
| Specs | Asics Novablast 5 | Saucony Tempus 2 | New Balance FuelCel... | Puma Velocity Nitro 3 | Adidas Adizero SL2 |
| Sizes Available | 6-15 US, regular & wide | 7-15 US, regular | 7-16 US, regular & wide | 7 - 14 US, regular | 4-19 US, regular & wide |
| Style | Daily Trainer | Daily Trainer | Daily Trainer | Daily Trainer | Daily Trainer |
| Measured Heel Stack Height | 41 mm | 38 mm | 30 mm | 38 mm | 38 mm |
| Measured Heel-to-Toe Drop | 5 mm | 10 mm | 7 mm | 11 mm | 9 mm |
| Plate Type | None | None | None | None | None |
| Rocker Angle | 25.0 deg | 25.0 deg | 19.5 deg | 18.0 deg | 21.0 deg |
| Rocker Apex Location | 56.0% | 62.8% | 62.2% | 66.7% | 53.3% |
| Measured Weight | 9.50 oz | 9.11 oz | 7.98 oz | 10.07 oz | 9.36 oz |
| Upper | Engineered jacquard mesh | Engineered mesh | FantomFit | Engineered knit | Engineered mesh |
| Midsole | FF Blast Max | PWRRUN/PWRRUN PB | FuelCell | Profoam | Lightstrike Pro, Lightstrike |
| Outsole | AHAR LO | Rubber | Rubber | PumaGrip | Rubber |
| Heel Tab Type | Finger loop | Finger loop | None | None | Pull tab |
Show full specification details ▼Hide full specification details ▲
Our Analysis and Test Results
Midsole updates to very popular shoes are risky. The last version of the Novablast utilized a firmer, less energetic foam paired with a fun geometry to create a shoe we loved for its combination of versatility and comfort. This version maintains the fun geometry but adds a more resilient foam in the form of FF Blast Max. The end result is a bouncier and softer shoe with a largely similar overall experience.
Performance Comparison
The Novablast 5 is our go-to daily trainer.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
Landing Comfort
The biggest change to the Novablast in this version is the FF Blast Max midsole foam. It's a more resilient compound, meaning it has higher energy return. The rocker geometry and trampoline-inspired forefoot are still present but are slightly less noticeable thanks to the more bouncy foam. That results in smoother transitions.
The new midsole foam is bouncier and softer. It's a change, but we like it.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Also aiding those smooth transitions is the more compressible foam. It feels softer underfoot, but not to the detriment of overall versatility. Transitions at the midfoot are seamless, and the midsole shape is slightly trimmer than last year, making landings at faster paces feel nimble. Our standardized testing measured 41 mm of foam at the heel and 36 mm at the forefoot. That's slightly lower at the heel than the previous version, which may also contribute to the smoother midfoot transitions.
We loved the Novablast 5 for our daily mileage. It shines on long runs, with plenty of cushioning to keep the legs insulated. Heel-strikers will likely appreciate the smooth transitions and ample cushioning, and mid/forefoot strikers will likely appreciate the forefoot geometry and stack height, especially on longer efforts. This is one of the most universally comfortable daily trainers we've tested.
With a geometry that will work for many runners, we think this is a very approachable shoe.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Responsiveness
The Novablast 5 has an uncommon blend of max-cushioning comfort and decent responsiveness. It's very much positioned as a versatile daily trainer designed to handle both easy paces and workouts. Some runners may find it works as a race shoe. We think the Novablast feels best at easy-to-steady paces, but it has excellent pace versatility. We found that it works well for marathon pace and threshold workouts, but the overall size and comfort bias work against it around 10K pace and faster. In the previous version, we found that the shoe felt clunky when paces started accelerating. This new midsole design is slimmer, and the heel, while still very well-cushioned, is less bulbous. This results in a more nimble-feeling shoe that can accelerate more easily.
Asics fans will likely want to know how the shoe compares to the incredibly versatile Asics Superblast 2. The Superblast is better positioned to handle faster running, while we think the Novablast 5 is a bit better for easy cruising. There is some overlap between the two. We tend to prefer the additional support of the Superblast for our long runs, while the Novablast tends to find its way into our personal rotation for daily mileage. Neither is our first choice for workouts, but that comes down to personal preference. Given the choice between the two for a faster threshold session, we'd choose the Superblast.
Thanks to its versatility, we think the Novablast 5 would be a great daily trainer in a 2-3 shoe rotation or as the sole shoe for runners with a single shoe rotation. As we mentioned, some runners may also find its comfort and decent versatility ideal for their races.
The lighter weight and smaller heel make this version a bit livelier.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Upper Comfort
Along with the midsole, the upper of the Novablast 5 has changed. This year, it has a more breathable engineered jacquard mesh upper. We had no heat issues with the shoe. The soft knit material around the ankle and heel does a good job of preventing any rubbing or chafing.
The fit is spot on, with a typical width midfoot widening into a slightly wider than average toe box. The padded and winged tongue allows for significant adjustment of upper fit without lace rub on the top of the foot. We noted no issues with the upper.
New upper materials save weight without sacrificing comfort.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Stability
Thanks to the different midsole foam, this iteration of the Novablast is slightly less stable. Because the FF Blast Max is softer, it allows for a bit more wobble on landing. Overall, the difference is relatively low. The shoe still has a wide platform and is reasonably stiff. The heel cup is moderately stiff, and small sidewalls at the heel taper away by the end of the arch.
This is still a stable-neutral daily trainer, and we wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to most runners as a result.
The wide platform creates a shoe with good inherent stability, although the soft foam doesn't provide guidance.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Weight
The Novablast 5 weighs in at 9.50 ounces, trimming about a quarter ounce off from the previous version.
As we mentioned earlier, the shoe feels noticeably nimbler. It's on the lighter end of high-stack shoes, and it's about right for a daily trainer.
We think this shoe is a great blend of weight and comfort.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Traction
The new AHAR LO compound on the Novablast 5 is significantly better than the outsole on the previous year's model. During early winter, we didn't experience the (near-dangerous) levels of slipping and sliding that we did last year.
To be clear, traction still isn't excellent. It's not great for winter conditions, but it does the job in the pinch, something we couldn't say for the Novablast 4. You'll be fine if you're a runner who rarely ventures out when it's wet and cold, much less icy. But runners in harsher climates should be aware that they'll likely start to slip when snow and ice are on the ground. As a fun side note, Clayton Young, who represented the USA in the marathon at the Paris Olympics — and is sponsored by Asics — has said he prefers the Novablast Trail for winter running if there is snow or ice on the roads, thanks to the improved traction.
We're thankful the new AHAR LO compound grabs better than previous versions.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Should You Buy the Asics Novablast 5?
The Novablast 5 makes our shortlist of recommendations for almost every runner we talk to. It's exceptionally comfortable. It's versatile enough to cover the needs of most recreational runners. It works both in a rotation and as a single shoe. It's reasonably stable. It significantly outperforms its price. It's our top recommendation for most runners for two consecutive versions now, which is extremely hard to do. Runners who prefer a firmer, lower-stack ride will like other options better. Runners who value stability over everything else should consider other options. But, we really think most runners should try on a pair next time they're considering a new option.
What Other Running Shoes Should You Consider?
You may want a versatile daily trainer at a reasonable price. In that case, look for marked down versions of the previous version, the Novablast 4. Alternatively, the Puma Velocity Nitro 3 or Adidas Adizero SL2 are both great options — especially if you find last year's models discounted. Both run narrower than the Novablast, and both have a firmer ride. It's hard to talk about the Novablast without mentioning the Asics Superblast 2, which takes everything we love about the Novablast 5 to an even higher level… but for a significant price. If you want a similarly comfortable shoe that handles faster paces better, check out the New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4.
—Nathaniel Bailey
You Might Also Like
