ASICS Novablast 5 Review
By Andrea Myers and Matthew Klein
ASICS Novablast 5Price: $139.95 at Running Warehouse
Weight: 9 oz, 255 g (men's size 9), 7.9 oz, 225 g (women's size 8)
Stack Height: M 41.5 mm / 33. 5 mm; W 40.5 mm / 32.5 mm
Drop: 8 mm
Shoe Purpose: Performance Trainer
Pros: Softer ride as compared to v4, more structured upper provides better forefoot security, highly durable outsole, continued great price
Cons: May have same traction issues as v4
RUNNING SHOE SUMMARY
The ASICS Novablast 5 is a performance trainer for those that want a lighter, highly cushioned trainer for easy runs, long runs and uptempo efforts. A new FF Blast Max midsole creates a softer and slightly bouncier ride that comfortable moves you along for a variety of efforts. A new mesh upper provides a slightly wider fit with a lower volume for those who want security but a little wiggle room. A greatly improved transition improves upon the slappiness of version 4, making the Novablast 5 a cushioned, durable, comfortable, lighter training shoe that stays at an excellent price.
SIMILAR SHOES: ASICS Cumulus 26, ASICS Superblast 2
PAST MODEL: ASICS Novablast 4
FIT
(To learn how a shoe should fit, check out our full podcast on fit by Matt Klein.)
Matt: The ASICS Novablast 5 fits me true to size in my normal men's US size 10. The fit is slightly wide throughout the length of the shoe with a slightly lower volume. The mesh upper is light with some mild stretch. The toe box is slightly tapered on the lateral side but opens into a slightly wider forefoot. This transitions into a slightly wider but lower volume midfoot. The tongue is thin and strongly gusseted, keeping it secure and locked onto the foot. I did have to tie down the laces slightly to get a secure fit but did not have to lace lock the shoe. The heel fits slightly wide but is offset by the large amount of heel collar padding. There is a moderately stiff heel counter that I did not notice due to the large amount of padding. Those with heel sensitivities should be fine unless you are really sensitive. I would suggest socks with this upper as the mesh is a bit scratchy against the foot. Overall, this upper will work well if you want a slightly thinner mesh material with a wider but lower volume fit.
Typical Size: Men's US Size 10
Shoes that have fit Matt well: Saucony Guide 17, ASICS Kayano 30, Hoka Gaviota 5, Saucony Endorphin Elite, Nike Ultrafly
Shoes that have fit snug: Hoka Arahi 7, Saucony Kinvara 14
Shoes that have fit large: Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 2, Altra Timp 5
Andrea: The ASICS Novablast 5 fits true to size in my usual women's 9.5. The fit is very similar to the Novablast 4 in terms of length and width. The main difference in fit is that the toe box of the 4 has more stretch than the 5. The soft mesh upper hugs the foot while providing just enough stretch that I did not experience any pressure points. The thin tongue is very similar to the 4: partially gusseted but gaining a lace loop that further assists in holding the tongue in place. The tongue integrates nicely with the upper and I experienced the same wrapping sensation around the dorsum of my midfoot that I liked in v4. There is a rigid counter in the lower half of the rearfoot and there is ample padding internally. I loved the fit of version 4 and version 5 did not disappoint in that I could just lace the shoe up and go, without fussing with the laces or the tongue to get comfortable lockdown.
Andrea's Typical Size: Women's US Size 9.5
Shoes that have fit Andrea well: New Balance Beacon v3, Brooks Hyperion Max, Topo Cyclone 2, Nike Vaporfly 3, Altra Via Olympus 2
Shoes that have fit snug: Saucony Kinvara 14 (length and toe box width), Altra FWD Experience (length and width), Hoka Cielo Road (toe box width), Saucony Endorphin Speed and Pro 1-3 (length)
Shoes that have fit large: Adidas Boston 12 (length), Adidas Adios 8 (length)
Doctors of Running Checklist
Is This a Good Shoe for Walking: Average
Is This a Good Shoe for Standing: No
Is the Forefoot Flexible: Minimal
How Flexible is the Shoe: Minimal
Is This a Good Heel Bevel: Yes
Recommended for Haglunds: Somewhat
Recommended for Sockless: Somewhat
Durability Expectation: Above Average
PERFORMANCE
Matt: The ASICS Novablast 5 is a performance trainer that leans more toward being a trainer. Version 4 was snappy and fast but with a clunky, slappy midsole. Version 5 updates to a new FF BlastMax midsole that feels softer compared to the previous version. It does not feel mushy and there is some bounce to it but it feels more comfortable at easier paces than faster ones. This is mostly consistent throughout the midsole, although the large central lug in the forefoot does provide a bouncier forefoot that feels great picking up the pace if you land farther forward. There is an 8mm drop listed although this feels natural thanks to the amount of midsole compression and a moderate heel bevel. The heel transition is fairly smooth and moves into a slightly stiff midfoot. Unlike the Novablast 4, the Novablast 5 no longer has the slappy heel-to-midfoot contact. It transitions fairly smoothly with no overly aggressive transitions. The midfoot moves into a smooth forefoot that despite being a bit stiff transitions nicely off the toes.
Despite the large forefoot rocker, the toe spring is on the lower side. With the taller stack height, there is only a little flexibility in the forefoot and the ride relies more on bounce from the midsole and a somewhat rockered geometry to keep it going forward. That bounce does allow some pace pick ups but the new foam still feels far better at easy, long, consistent efforts. I have already accumulated 40 miles on my pair and have used the Novablast 5 for long runs, easy runs and workouts. It has done best with long and easy runs but can still handle some less intense fartlek or uptempo efforts. However, if you want a truly propulsive ride, I would consider the Novablast 5's faster sibling, the Superblast 2.
After 40 miles, the outsole is holding up extremely well. Despite my normal mechanics, there is no wear on the outsole, even in my normal spots. The cushioning has also retained its resilience and compliance, so I expect the Novablast 5 to last far longer than other shoes in its category. The traction from the outsole is slightly better than the last version but is still best for roads. It has done well on the wet pavement I run on in the Northwest but leaves and dirt cause a bit more slipping. Overall, the Novablast 5 is an excellent lighter/performance trainer that improves the comfort and transition compared to the previous version.
Andrea: The Novablast 4 was one of my favorite daily trainers of the end of 2023 and all of 2024, so I was excited to test v5. To give you an idea of how much I ended up liking v5, I received the shoe on a Friday, and I used it for five of my next seven runs (basically every run that wasn't a workout). Most of the runs were easy, but one had some pickups at marathon pace to threshold pace and another was an 8 mile easy runs with strides at the end. The shoe was immediately comfortable on foot, with a firmer and bouncier ride than v4, and the more structured toe box made the shoe feel more stable during strides as compared to v4. What was particularly impressive to me is that the shoe felt just as comfortable at slow recovery pace as it did during pickups and strides.
While I found the Novablast 4 most comfortable for easy running, the updated FF BLAST MAX midsole makes v5 a more versatile training shoe. The wider midfoot and forefoot make midfoot landings feel natural and I had no awareness of the heel getting in the way, even at recovery paces, thanks to the well designed heel bevel. The heel bevel also makes the shoe feel a little less than its 8mm drop. The later forefoot rocker works well with the bouncy midsole to assist with transition to push off, but never felt aggressive, even when running slowly. For me, the shoe is best for recovery to regular easy run paces, but the slightly firmer ride and more structured upper make it just as well-suited to pickups and strides. I could see many runners using this shoe as a uptempo long run shoe or even a marathon racer for those who do not want a super shoe.
We have been in an extreme drought here in CT, so I have not been able to test the shoe on wet roads. I have 30 miles on my pair and there is zero visible wear on the outsole. I would expect higher than average durability out of the shoe.
STABILITY
(Learn more about stability in our full guide)
Matt: The ASICS Novablast 5 is a neutral shoe with several stable elements that makes it almost stable neutral. There are several guidance methods present in this shoe including sole flare, a wider midfoot and rearfoot sidewalls. The rearfoot and forefoot feature a large amount of sole flare. This is particularly prominent in the forefoot, which helps provide a mildly centered ride that works well with the good forefoot rocker. The heel features large sidewalls that combined with the heel bevel provide decently centered rearfoot transitions. The midfoot is wider with outsole pieces on the medial and lateral sides, which adds additional stiffness and guidance to this area. These methods are offset slightly by the softer midsole but still provide decent guidance for those with mild stability needs.
Andrea: The ASICS Novablast 5 is a neutral shoe that borders on a stable neutral shoe (like Novablast 4). The wide base, particularly in the midfoot and forefoot, provides a stable platform for midfoot landings. The forefoot sole flare is wider laterally than medially, which is helpful for runners like me who tend to land too far laterally. The later forefoot rocker and firmer but bouncy foam provide guidance into push off that is not too aggressive for easy paces. I will also say that the increase in toe box structure as compared to v4 has resulted in better foot lockdown at faster paces.
Thoughts as a DPT: Novablast 4 vs 5
By Andrea Myers
The ASICS Novablast 5 is primarily a midsole update, with a full length FF BLAST MAX midsole as compared to FF BLAST+ ECO in v4. ASICS states that this change has increased the "bounce properties" by 8.5% over v4. The other changes to the shoe include a change in upper material, with v5 utilizing a Jacquard mesh as compared to the woven upper of v4. ASICS also says the tongue design is different in v5, but I don't see any differences beside the addition of a lace loop. The other more significant difference is that the posterior sole flare of v4 has been reduced in v5. The midsole foam change and the posterior sole flare change are the two most noticeable changes in the ride for me. FF BLAST MAX definitely feels like a more resilient and less compliant foam as compared to FF BLAST ECO+. This is particularly noticeable to me at push off, with the mild sinking in feeling of v4 completely eliminated in v5. A less compliant and more resilient foam will also typically feel better at faster paces, which is what I experienced in v5. The more structured mesh toe box of v5 also helped stabilize my forefoot better than the woven upper of v4, which was most noticeable during strides.
I was also happy to see that ASICS got rid of the excessive posterior sole flare of v4. Excessive posterior sole flare can be particularly detrimental to rearfoot strikers, because it can result in early initial contact, increased dorsiflexion at initial contact, and increased work done by the tibialis anterior, extensor hallucis longus, extensor digitorum longus, and peroneus tertius, potentially contributing to shin pain. I am definitely aware of the heel of v4 when running slowly, but was never aware of the heel getting in the way of v5. The update to the rearfoot geometry makes v5 a better designed shoe, and the midsole update makes v5 a more versatile shoe. This is a nicely done update that should work well for many runners.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Matt: The ASICS Novablast 5 is a solid update that greatly improves the transition and comfort over version 5. The new FF BLAST MAX seems to smooth out the geometry, making for a comfortable ride that works better for easier efforts than version 4, which felt like it was made for uptempo efforts. While this is great, I think there needs to be some clarification of the Novablast's place in the ASICS line up compared to shoes like the Cumulus. I have found the Novablast 5 to be a far superior shoe to the Cumulus and they both retail for the same price. Outside of that clarification, this is the best Novablast I have run in.
Andrea: As someone who loved the Novablast 4, I think ASICS has done a great job with updating the shoe in v5. The change to FF BLAST MAX has resulted in a more versatile shoe and the small change to the structure of the toe box has made it better at faster paces for me. While I did not get to test the shoe on wet roads, the outsole is supposed to be the same AHAR LO as v4, which did not perform well on wet roads. If traction remains an issue in v5, I would highly recommend that ASICS figure this out to make this shoe a truly versatile daily trainer and/or performance trainer.
WHO IS THIS SHOE FOR?
Matt: The ASICS Novablast 5 is a performance trainer for those who want a slightly wider-fitting, cushioned, comfortable riding shoe for easier and longer runs. The fit will work best for those with standard or slightly wider feet who want good security and a lower volume. The ride will work best for a variety of footstrikes thanks to the new FF Blast Max cushioning providing a soft and bouncy feel. The ride also works best for easier efforts but does have some versatility into uptempo efforts if you want to go there. The price point for this shoe at $140 is fantastic given the lighter weight and high durability. While those wanting more performance and speed may want to look at the ASICS Superblast 2, the Novablast 5 still does that well for $60 less (with a better fitting upper in my opinion). With the solid updates, the Novablast 5 will continue to be popular thanks to its good cushioning, lighter weight and ride versatility.
Andrea: The ASICS Novablast 5 is an enjoyable update on an already great shoe. If you liked v4, imagine the same shoe with a firmer, bouncier ride and that is what you get in v5. Like v4, this shoe works well for me as a midfoot striker thanks to the well designed heel bevel, laterally biased forefoot sole flare, and later forefoot rocker. At $140, this shoe is an incredible value and probably the best shoe I can think of at that price point. For me, the shoe is best at easy paces, but is versatile enough for faster paces. This shoe could be a do-it-all performance trainer and potential marathon racer for those who prefer a non-super shoe as well.
GRADES
Matt
Fit: A- (Comfortable mesh upper that fits slightly wider. Toe box tapers a little due to the lower volume but otherwise comfortable)
Performance: A- (Cushioned, smooth riding daily trainer/long run shoe. Can handle some uptempo runs and is a great all around training shoe)
Stability: A- [Borderline Stable Neutral] (Wider midfoot, large heel sidewalls and large sole flare makes this shoe almost stable neutral if not for the softer midsole)
Value: A (A great, comfortable, durable shoe that only costs $140. This is a great deal)
Personal: A- (A greatly improved shoe and far better riding one for me compared to version 4. This has been the shoe I keep reaching for during all daily and long runs)
Overall Design: A-
Andrea
Fit: A (Mesh upper wraps around foot nicely, without pressure points. Ample width in toe box and overall fits true to size.)
Performance: A (Updated midsole foam has made this shoe versatile at a greater range of paces. I enjoyed it so much I used it for the majority of my runs over the course of a week.)
Stability: [neutral] A (Borderline stable neutral thanks to laterally biased forefoot sole flare, later forefoot rocker, and wide base)
Value: A+ (I honestly was shocked when I saw this shoe is $140. The ride and fit are comparable to $180 shoes. Excellent value.)
Personal: A (I loved Novablast 4 and I loved v5 even more. I will definitely get more miles on it, so stay tuned for 100 mi+ update.)
Overall Design: A
SHOP | SUPPORT DORASICS Novablast 5Price: $139.95 at Running Warehouse
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