ASICS Novablast 5 review
A soft, bouncy daily trainer with a lot of foam under you and very little weight on top. Built for easy and long miles, happy to pick up the pace now and then.
- Drop
- 8 mm
- Heel stack
- 41.5 mm
- Forefoot
- 33.5 mm
- Weight
- 252 g
- Support
- Neutral
- Plate
- None
Our verdict
Bounce for the long, easy miles.
The Novablast 5 is a high-stack neutral trainer that feels lighter and livelier than its size suggests, and it is at its best on relaxed, steady runs. It suits runners with a neutral stride, especially midfoot landers and anyone with an average to slightly broad foot who wants comfort first and a little pop when they push.
Strong points
- Softest Novablast yet, with more energy return than the 4
- Steadier base than most soft trainers, almost stable neutral
- Smoother heel landing than the Novablast 4
- Roomy fit, with a wide version alongside the regular
Weak points
- Feels slower than before at tempo pace
- Wet grip is only average for the lab, shaky for some testers
- Upper too generous for narrow, low-volume feet
- Neutral only: no guidance for a marked inward roll
Who it fits
- Neutral runners who want one shoe for most days
- Midfoot landers
- Average to slightly broad feet
- Marathon builds on a non-super shoe
Who should skip it
- Narrow, low-volume feet
- Runners who live on fast sessions
- Wet roads, often
- Runners who need guidance
Shoe profile
Where the Novablast 5 sits among the 395 shoes in our catalogue.
| Axis | Novablast 5 |
|---|---|
| Cushioning | 78 |
| Lightness | 61 |
| Stability | 30 |
| Drop | 45 |
| Response | 20 |
Fig. 1 · How to read it. Each axis runs from 0 at the centre to 100 at the edge. Cushioning, lightness and drop are the shoe’s rank in the catalogue from listed figures; stability and response are scored from the support type, the plate, the rocker and the intended use. The dotted grey line is the catalogue median. Source: Strideprint catalogue (cat).
Where it sits in the catalogue
Weight252 g, lighter than 60% of shoes
Drop8 mm, higher than 45% of shoes
Heel stack41.5 mm, higher than 78% of shoes
Forefoot stack33.5 mm, higher than 68% of shoes
How it feels
Written from 3 published tests. We quote measurements, not impressions we did not have.
Soft, with a spring in it. Full-length FF Blast Max makes it the softest Novablast yet at 30.3 AC; reviewers call it plush but not mushy.
Neutral, but not wobbly. Sole flare, a wider midfoot and rear sidewalls make this soft, tall shoe almost a stable neutral, says Doctors of Running.
Lively at easy pace, honest at speed. Energy return of 63.6 percent in the heel makes pickups fun, but at tempo pace for long, reviewers say the softness costs you.
Soft, with a spring in it. The headline change is the FF Blast Max midsole. RunRepeat measured it as the softest Novablast so far, at 30.3 on their durometer, and recorded a 5.3% gain in energy return over the Novablast 4.
There is a lot of it: 41.5 mm at the heel and 33.5 mm at the forefoot on the brand figures. Reviewers describe the result as plush but not mushy, with landings that feel well protected and a bounce that keeps easy runs from feeling flat.
Neutral, but not wobbly. Soft and tall usually means unsteady. Here the base does a lot of the work: Doctors of Running call it almost a stable neutral shoe, thanks to sole flare, a wider midfoot and sidewalls at the rear.
They also note a forefoot flare biased to the outside, which can help runners who land far to the outer edge. The awkward rear flare of the Novablast 4 is gone, which makes heel landings cleaner.
Lively at easy pace, honest at speed. The foam gives back enough to make pickups and strides fun. Push into tempo territory for long and reviewers say the softness starts to cost you: it feels slower than the old version, which is good news for recovery days and less so for intervals.
The forefoot is fairly stiff, so the shoe rolls you through toe-off rather than flexing with you. RunRepeat still found it more flexible than the previous version.
Read more
Soft, with a spring in it. The headline change is the FF Blast Max midsole. RunRepeat measured it as the softest Novablast so far, at 30.3 on their durometer, and recorded a 5.3% gain in energy return over the Novablast 4.
There is a lot of it: 41.5 mm at the heel and 33.5 mm at the forefoot on the brand figures. Reviewers describe the result as plush but not mushy, with landings that feel well protected and a bounce that keeps easy runs from feeling flat.
Neutral, but not wobbly. Soft and tall usually means unsteady. Here the base does a lot of the work: Doctors of Running call it almost a stable neutral shoe, thanks to sole flare, a wider midfoot and sidewalls at the rear.
They also note a forefoot flare biased to the outside, which can help runners who land far to the outer edge. The awkward rear flare of the Novablast 4 is gone, which makes heel landings cleaner.
Lively at easy pace, honest at speed. The foam gives back enough to make pickups and strides fun. Push into tempo territory for long and reviewers say the softness starts to cost you: it feels slower than the old version, which is good news for recovery days and less so for intervals.
The forefoot is fairly stiff, so the shoe rolls you through toe-off rather than flexing with you. RunRepeat still found it more flexible than the previous version.
Which runs it’s for
| Run | Fit | Why | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Easy runs | Made for it | Its natural job. Reviewers found it as comfortable at slow pace as during pickups. | Doctors of Running |
| Long runs | Made for it | Long, steady efforts are where the soft foam shines, according to both Doctors of Running and Believe in the Run. | Doctors of Running, Believe in the Run |
| Recovery runs | Made for it | Soft, protective landings make it an easy pick for the day after a hard session. | Doctors of Running, Believe in the Run |
| Tempo | Can do | The bounce allows pace changes, but reviewers say it feels slower than the Novablast 4 when you push. | Doctors of Running, Running Warehouse |
| Intervals | Not for it | Too soft to feel sharp on fast repeats; Believe in the Run testers kept it for easier running. | Believe in the Run |
| Marathon race | Can do | A possible marathon shoe for runners who prefer a trainer without a carbon plate, per one Doctors of Running tester. | Doctors of Running |
Source: Doctors of Running, Believe in the Run, Running Warehouse
What the tests say
Published reviews agree the Novablast 5 is the softest and most comfortable version yet, at its best on easy and long runs. They split on how it fits and on how much speed it still has.
| Test | Type | Our reading | In one sentence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RunRepeat | Lab | Positive | RunRepeat scores it 93 out of 100 and calls it an outstanding choice for plush cushioning, versatility and comfort. | Read |
| Doctors of Running | Review | Positive | Doctors of Running grade it A minus or A and call it greatly improved, one tester loving it even more than the 4. | Read |
| Believe in the Run | Review | Positive | Believe in the Run puts it in its A tier as a solid shoe, though two testers found the upper too generous. | Read |
They agree
- Softer and more comfortable than the Novablast 4RunRepeat’s lab found the softest Novablast foam so far, and Doctors of Running and Believe in the Run both describe a plush ride that still has some bounce.
- An easy and long-run shoe firstDoctors of Running and Believe in the Run both place it on relaxed runs, long runs and marathon training rather than on workouts.
- Steadier than a soft shoe usually isDoctors of Running call it close to a stable neutral shoe thanks to its wide midfoot and sidewalls, and RunRepeat’s measurements back up a broad base.
- Grip is middlingRunRepeat measured wet grip right at its lab average, better than on the 4, and a Believe in the Run tester slipped a little on wet pavement. Doctors of Running had no trouble on wet roads but slipped on leaves and dirt.
They split
- How roomy the upper isDoctors of Running describe a fit that runs slightly wide, while two Believe in the Run testers with low-volume feet found the upper too generous to hold the foot.
- How fast it still feelsRunRepeat measured more energy return than on the Novablast 4, yet Believe in the Run testers felt it slower than the previous version once the pace went up.
How it’s built
A one-foam, plate-free trainer: a full slab of FF BLAST MAX on a trampoline-shaped forefoot, a jacquard mesh upper and AHAR LO rubber only where it wears.
A one-foam, plate-free trainer: a full slab of FF Blast Max on a trampoline-shaped forefoot, a jacquard mesh upper with a paper-thin tongue, and 3.3 mm of AHAR LO rubber only where it wears.
| # | Part | Measure |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | UpperEngineered jacquard mesh | Breathability 3 / 5 |
| 2 | Tongue | 5.0 mm |
| 3 | Heel | Stiffness 3 / 5 |
| 4 | MidsoleFF BLAST MAX | Hardness 30.3 AC |
| 5 | Insole | 4.4 mm |
| 6 | OutsoleAHAR LO | 3.3 mm |
Fig. 3 · Side profile. Stack heights to scale (listed: 41.5 mm heel, 33.5 mm forefoot; measured: 3.3 mm outsole); the split between the two foams is not measured and is drawn at mid-height. Dashed: insole, hidden. Sources: Fleet Feet, RunRepeat, Believe in the Run, Running Warehouse, Doctors of Running.
Upper. An engineered jacquard mesh, mostly recycled material according to Running Warehouse, replaces the woven upper of the Novablast 4. RunRepeat found thinner zones over the toes for airflow and scored breathability 3 out of 5; Believe in the Run found it less structured than the 4’s upper.
Tongue. Paper thin except for a 5.0 mm padded zone where the laces tie, in RunRepeat’s measurement, with large vent holes and a tongue-wing construction to stop it moving. Doctors of Running describe it as gusseted; tie the laces over the padded part to avoid lace bite.
Heel. A moderately stiff counter, 3 out of 5 for RunRepeat, with more padding than before, a collar that extends up toward the Achilles and a sturdy finger-loop tab. The rear flare of the Novablast 4 is gone, replaced by a heel bevel that Doctors of Running credit for smoother landings.
Midsole. Full-length FF BLAST MAX replaces FF BLAST PLUS ECO. RunRepeat measured 30.3 AC, the plushest Novablast so far, and a forefoot that bends with 11.2 N against 17.8 N on the 4. Doctors of Running relay ASICS’s claim of 8.5 percent more bounce.
Insole. A standard EVA insole, 4.4 mm thick, removable, in RunRepeat’s teardown.
Outsole. AHAR LO, a lower-density version of ASICS’s abrasion-resistant rubber, in pads under the forefoot, outer edges and heel around a carved central channel. ASICS trimmed it from 3.9 mm to 3.3 mm. Wet traction reached 0.53 in RunRepeat’s test, up from 0.47 on the 4.
Read more
A one-foam, plate-free trainer: a full slab of FF BLAST MAX on a trampoline-shaped forefoot, a jacquard mesh upper and AHAR LO rubber only where it wears.
1. Upper. An engineered jacquard mesh, mostly recycled material according to Running Warehouse, replaces the woven upper of the Novablast 4. RunRepeat found thinner zones over the toes for airflow and scored breathability 3 out of 5; Believe in the Run found it less structured than the 4’s upper.
2. Tongue. Paper thin except for a 5.0 mm padded zone where the laces tie, in RunRepeat’s measurement, with large vent holes and a tongue-wing construction to stop it moving. Doctors of Running describe it as gusseted; tie the laces over the padded part to avoid lace bite.
3. Heel. A moderately stiff counter, 3 out of 5 for RunRepeat, with more padding than before, a collar that extends up toward the Achilles and a sturdy finger-loop tab. The rear flare of the Novablast 4 is gone, replaced by a heel bevel that Doctors of Running credit for smoother landings.
4. Midsole. Full-length FF BLAST MAX replaces FF BLAST PLUS ECO. RunRepeat measured 30.3 AC, the plushest Novablast so far, and a forefoot that bends with 11.2 N against 17.8 N on the 4. Doctors of Running relay ASICS’s claim of 8.5 percent more bounce.
5. Insole. A standard EVA insole, 4.4 mm thick, removable, in RunRepeat’s teardown.
6. Outsole. AHAR LO, a lower-density version of ASICS’s abrasion-resistant rubber, in pads under the forefoot, outer edges and heel around a carved central channel. ASICS trimmed it from 3.9 mm to 3.3 mm. Wet traction reached 0.53 in RunRepeat’s test, up from 0.47 on the 4.
Durability. A durable outsole under a fragile upper. RunRepeat measured only 0.9 mm of outsole wear and expects it to last beyond 500 miles, and Doctors of Running saw no outsole wear after 40 miles. The thin mesh scored 1 out of 5 for toe box durability, and the new heel lining dropped from 5 to 3 out of 5.
Durability. A durable outsole under a fragile upper. RunRepeat measured only 0.9 mm of outsole wear and expects it to last beyond 500 miles, and Doctors of Running saw no outsole wear after 40 miles. The thin mesh scored 1 out of 5 for toe box durability, and the new heel lining dropped from 5 to 3 out of 5.
Specs, listed and measured
Every figure carries its source.
Drop, mm
Heel stack, mm
Weight (men’s), g
| Spec | Listed | Measured |
|---|---|---|
| Drop |
|
|
| Heel stack |
|
|
| Forefoot stack |
| – |
| Weight, US M9 |
|
|
| Support |
| – |
| Plate |
| – |
| Surface |
| – |
| Release year |
| – |
Fig. 4 · Listed vs measured. Bars start at zero. Sources: Fleet Feet, RunRepeat, Running Warehouse.
Lab measurements
| Spec | Measured |
|---|---|
| Midsole hardness |
|
| Energy return (heel) |
|
| Torsional rigidity |
|
| Heel counter stiffness |
|
| Traction coefficient |
|
| Breathability |
|
| Spec | Measured |
|---|---|
| Toe box width |
|
| Toe box height |
|
| Outsole thickness |
|
| Insole thickness |
|
| Tongue thickness |
|
| Flex force |
|
Sizing and fit
True to size for length, roomy in volume.
Length
True to size
Widths
standard and wide
Toe room
Roomy overall. RunRepeat measured a 74.4 mm toe box at the big toe and 27.2 mm of height, Doctors of Running describe a toe box that tapers on the outer side before widening, and Believe in the Run testers found it generous, even too much for low-volume feet.
RunRepeat, Doctors of Running, Believe in the Run
Full sizing notes from testers
Lab and road testers agree on length: it fits true to size. RunRepeat’s user poll points the same way.
Volume is the question. Doctors of Running describe a fit that is slightly wide through the length, with a slightly tapered toe box on the outside. Believe in the Run testers with low-volume feet found it too generous. The jacquard mesh is light and breathable, but it holds the foot less than a more structured upper would.
A wide version exists for broader feet. Narrow feet are better served by a thicker sock, a runner’s loop lacing, or a different shoe.
RunRepeat, Doctors of Running, Fleet Feet, Believe in the Run
Vs Novablast 4
A new, plusher foam is the big story. The Novablast 5 trades some of the 4’s snap for comfort and bounce, and fixes the clumsy heel.
If you loved the Novablast 4 for its firmer, snappier feel at faster paces, or you need a snugger upper, the older version may still suit you better.
Version history: Novablast 4 to Novablast 5
New midsole foam. FF Blast Max replaces FF Blast Plus Eco. Reviewers describe a plusher, bouncier ride; RunRepeat measured more energy return and a softer foam than the 4. (RunRepeat, Believe in the Run)
Cleaner heel. The excessive rear sole flare of the Novablast 4 is gone, and Doctors of Running found the heel-to-midfoot transition smoother, without the slappy feel of the old shoe. (Doctors of Running)
New upper. A jacquard mesh replaces the woven upper, for more breathability. A lace loop was added on the tongue. (Doctors of Running, Fleet Feet)
Same outsole rubber. The outsole stays AHAR Lo, which reviewers rate below the tougher rubbers on comparable trainers. (Believe in the Run)
Alternatives compared
Each one fixes one thing the Novablast 5 does not do.
| ASICS Novablast 5 |  ASICS Superblast 2 |  Adidas Adizero Evo SL |  Hoka Clifton 10 |  ASICS Gel-Nimbus 27 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pick it for | This page | Faster | Lighter | More cushion | Roomier fit |
| Drop | 8 mm | 8 mm | 7 mm | 8 mm | 8 mm |
| Heel stack | 41.5 mm | 45 mm | 37 mm | 43 mm | 43.5 mm |
| Weight | 252 g | 247 g | 230 g | 258 g | 306 g |
| Support | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
Questions runners ask
Is the ASICS Novablast 5 good for beginners?
Often, yes. The Novablast 5 is a neutral, well cushioned trainer that reviewers found comfortable at slow paces, with a broad, steady base for a soft shoe. It is a good fit for a new runner with a neutral stride and an average or slightly wide foot. If your foot is narrow or rolls in a lot, other shoes may suit you better.
Does the Novablast 5 run true to size?
Yes for length. Doctors of Running, Believe in the Run and RunRepeat’s user poll all point to true to size. The upper is roomy, slightly wide through the length, so narrow or low-volume feet may need to lace tighter. A wide version is available.
What is the drop and stack height of the Novablast 5?
The men’s Novablast 5 is listed at 41.5 mm at the heel and 33.5 mm at the forefoot, an 8 mm drop. RunRepeat measured 40.9 mm and 33.5 mm, so a drop closer to 7.4 mm. Women’s sizes are about 1 mm lower at both ends.
Can you run a marathon in the Novablast 5?
Reviewers suggest it for marathon training and long runs, and one Doctors of Running tester sees it as a possible marathon racer for runners who prefer a shoe without a carbon plate. Expect comfort rather than speed: the plush foam feels slower when you push hard.
Novablast 5 or Superblast 2?
The Novablast 5 is the softer, simpler daily trainer for easy and long runs. Doctors of Running point runners who want more speed toward the Superblast 2, a taller, faster trainer that handles quicker sessions better.
How much does the Novablast 5 weigh?
About 255 g (9 oz) in a men’s US 9 and 225 g (7.9 oz) in a women’s US 8, according to Doctors of Running. Running Warehouse lists 247 g for the men’s 9. Either way it is light for a shoe with this much foam.
Sources
- RunRepeat, Cut in half: ASICS Novablast 5 review. Accessed Oct 9, 2026.
- Doctors of Running, ASICS Novablast 5 Review. Accessed Oct 9, 2026.
- Fleet Feet, Men's ASICS Novablast 5. Accessed Oct 9, 2026.
- Believe in the Run, ASICS Novablast 5 Review. Accessed Oct 9, 2026.
- Running Warehouse, ASICS Novablast 5 Men's Shoes. Accessed Oct 9, 2026.
- i-run.fr · Surface, listed
- i-run.fr · Release year, listed
- cat: Strideprint catalogue, 395 shoes
How we review. We read published tests, brand and retailer pages and lab measurements, cross-check the figures and flag where they disagree. We did not test this shoe ourselves. Last updated October 13, 2026.