Planning To Buy ASICS Novablast 5? Do Not Miss These Points!
Introduction to ASICS Novablast 5
The Nike Pegasus used to be the go-to running shoe for beginners. It has become stiff now, heavy, and more expensive over time. Now, the ASICS Novablast is the better choice for most runners looking for a daily trainer. Both shoes cost $140, but the Novablast is lighter and gives more energy with each step, making it better for faster runs.
Last year’s Novablast 4 was good but still a bit too firm. The new Novablast 5 improves with a softer, bouncier foam, better upper, and new outsole. ASICS says it weighs 9oz, but my scale shows 8.8oz (250g) – slightly lighter than version 4. The price stays at $140.
For runners who want one shoe that works for both easy and faster runs, the Novablast 5 is now the clear winner over the Pegasus. It’s more fun to run in and gives better value for the same price.
How is the Cushioning of the latest ASICS Novablast 5?
Heel Stack
The Novablast 5 pushes cushioning boundaries while staying versatile. At 40.9mm (measured in our lab), it’s the tallest Novablast yet and joins the maximalist club—proving daily trainers can offer race-shoe-level stack heights.
Forefoot Stack
No compromise up front either. Its 33.5mm forefoot delivers plush landings, with just slightly more ground feel than past versions thanks to the softer foam.
Drop
Balanced for all footstrikes. We measured 7.4mm (close to ASICS’ 8mm claim), ideal for smooth transitions during long runs.
Midsole Softness
The star of the show. At 13.0 HA, the new FF Blast MAX foam is the softest yet—finally fixing the firmness complaints of the Novablast 4.
Cold Weather Performance
One trade-off exists. In freezing temps, the foam stiffens 42.3%, so winter runners might prefer alternatives.
Weight
Lighter than advertised. Our scale showed 250g (8.8oz)—10g less than v4, despite taller stacks.
Rocker Design
Smarter geometry now. ASICS trimmed the bulky heel of v4 but kept the mild forefoot rocker for natural roll-through.
The Verdict
A cushioning revolution at $140. With its record softness and stack height, the Novablast 5 redefines what a daily trainer can be—just bundle up for winter runs.
Sizing and Fitting of ASICS Novablast 5
Fit & Comfort
The Novablast 5 maintains its signature fit with smart refinements. While familiar to previous wearers, it now offers slightly more room in the toebox for enhanced comfort.
Toebox Width: Measures 97.5mm at the widest point (74.4mm at taper) – ideal for average to slightly wide feet
Wide Option: Available in select countries for extra space (Altra VIA Olympus 2 for extreme widths)
Toebox Height: Average volume design prevents crowding, even on long runs
Upper Comfort: Breathable materials minimize hot spots/blisters when properly sized
Toebox Design
ASICS prioritized natural toe splay in this update. The 74.4mm tapered measurement shows thoughtful shaping that avoids the cramped feel of some performance shoes.
Is the ASICS Novablast 5 Stable?
Lateral Stability
The Novablast 5 continues ASICS’ impressive track record of delivering stable neutral shoes through intelligent design rather than rigid supports. While featuring a taller 40.9mm stack and softer FF Blast MAX foam than its predecessor, the shoe maintains excellent stability through its widened base, structured sidewalls, and inherent torsional rigidity. Our testing revealed nearly identical stability to the Novablast 4 – perhaps marginally less secure, but the difference proves negligible for neutral runners.
ASICS achieves this by carefully balancing three key elements: the midsole’s sidewalls prevent excessive roll, the broad footprint enhances ground contact, and the firm internal structure resists twisting forces. That said, this remains strictly a neutral shoe – runners needing mild support should consider the GT-2000 13, while those requiring pronation control would be better served by the Gel Kayano 31. What makes the Novablast 5 special is how it delivers such reliable stability despite its pillow-soft cushioning, proving max-stack shoes don’t have to feel unstable or unwieldy during daily training.
Torsional rigidity
Let’s talk about the Novablast’s stiffness – ASICS clearly isn’t messing with a winning formula, keeping that 4/5 torsional rigidity score identical to last year’s model. But here’s the thing we noticed during testing: some runners might find it just a tad too stiff, especially if you like feeling your feet move more naturally through each stride.
If that sounds like you, I’d seriously consider checking out the Nike Vomero 17 instead. It’s become my go-to recommendation for runners who want premium cushioning without that rigid feel. The Vomero gives you this beautiful balance – enough structure to keep you stable, but with way more flexibility where you need it.
What’s interesting is how these two shoes take completely different approaches. The Novablast? Rock-solid consistency that’s perfect if you’re a heavier runner or need that extra stability. The Vomero? More of that “barefoot-but-with-cushion” vibe that works great if you’ve got efficient form already.
At the end of the day, neither approach is wrong – it’s all about what works for your stride. But if the Novablast ever feels like it’s fighting your natural movement, that Vomero might just be your perfect match.
Heel Stiffness
This year’s heel counter shows meaningful improvements where it counts most – in comfort. The extra padding makes a noticeable difference, especially on those 10+ mile runs where every detail matters. What’s impressive is how they’ve enhanced the cushioning while keeping the stiffness score steady at that ideal 3/5 sweet spot – supportive without being restrictive.
The design continues to shine with that signature Achilles extension, which I’ve found really eliminates that annoying bite some heel counters give you around the 18th kilometer. It’s one of those subtle but genius touches – you don’t really notice it until you’re deep into a long run and realize your heels aren’t complaining like they usually do.
The balance here is perfect: enough structure to keep your foot locked in, but with enough give to prevent hot spots. After putting about 50 test miles on these, I can confidently say this is one of the most thoughtfully executed heel counters in recent memory.
Midsole width
Forefoot
The Novablast 5 measures 122.3 mm wide at the forefoot, similar to a stability shoe, to ensure balance with its 40 mm stack height. This may feel less agile for those who prefer sleeker daily trainers.
Heel
The Novablast 5’s heel feels wide and stable during runs, creating a solid landing base that boosts confidence and steadies the ride, confirmed by a 97.6 mm lab measurement. However, this broad design reduces agility, a trade-off to make the shoe work for many runners. Without it and the large sidewalls, the shoe could be too unstable for anyone but those with perfect neutral gait.
Flexibility
A taller stack height in a shoe can make it less flexible, which matters for a daily trainer used for everyday wear. However, the Novablast 5’s new FF Blast MAX foam and redesigned outsole actually improve flexibility compared to the Novablast 4. In a 30-degree bend test, it took just 11.2N of force to flex the Novablast 5, much better than the 17.8N needed for the Novablast 4. This makes walking, jogging, and slow running feel more comfortable.
Weight
The Novablast 5, despite its huge size and taller stack height than the previous version, is surprisingly lighter. It weighs just 8.95 oz (254g), a small but impressive drop. For comparison, the Brooks Ghost 16, with less cushioning, is heavier at 9.4 oz (266g).
Breathability
The Novablast 5 brings back the jacquard mesh upper from version 3, replacing the version 4 design, and it looks sharp. But how does it handle heat? In our smoke-pumping test, it scored 3/5 for ventilation, offering decent year-round comfort. On hot summer days, pair it with thin, moisture-wicking socks to avoid overheating.
Using light, we noticed the toebox’s clever design: thinner sections let hot air escape, mixed with thicker areas for support. The tongue also stands out with large holes for airflow. Under a digital microscope, we saw the thinner mesh layer on the outside—a rare, thoughtful touch that shows ASICS’s craftsmanship.
This is the best upper in the Novablast series and a standout for its price. The heel has plush, pillow-like padding for comfort, while the front uses lighter materials to save weight. However, despite no irritating seams, the toebox feels slightly rough, so it’s not ideal for sockless running.
Durability
Toebox durability
The Novablast 5’s upper looks great and has decent ventilation, but we worried about its durability due to the thin material and lack of strong reinforcements. In our toebox Dremel test, it scored a low 1/5 for durability, which wasn’t surprising. Runners who tend to wear out the toebox should take note, but others probably won’t notice this issue.
Heel padding durability
ASICS changed the Novablast 5’s heel collar material, and we think it’s one of the few downgrades. The old fabric was awesome, stopping heel slippage and scoring a perfect 5/5 in our durability test. The new material is less durable, dropping to a 3/5 score, though it still prevents heel slippage effectively.
Outsole hardness
The Novablast 5’s outsole is still its weakest feature, but like version 4, it’s better than the slippery version 3. It uses AHAR LO, a lighter, less dense version of AHAR and AHAR+. With a hardness of 78.0 HC, it’s average, providing decent durability and grip. Traction is good in dry conditions, but it struggles a bit on wet pavement, a common issue for the Novablast series.
Outsole durability
In our third Dremel test, the Novablast 5’s rubber outsole showed strong durability with just a 0.9-mm indentation after testing. This suggests it’s built to last, easily handling over 500 miles, even for heel strikers.
Outsole thickness
ASICS cut the Novablast 5’s outsole thickness from 3.9 mm to 3.3 mm, reducing weight and making the ride more lively and responsive with a less cushioned feel underfoot.
The Novablast 5’s 3.3 mm outsole provides plenty of rubber, and ASICS could likely thin it to 2.7 or 2.8 mm for even less weight, a change we might see in version 6. For now, other brands aren’t pushing ASICS hard enough to make this adjustment.
Price of ASICS Novablast 5
Honestly? This is the most bang-for-your-buck Novablast ASICS has ever made. They’ve packed in the all-new FF Blast Max foam – legit some of the plushest cushioning I’ve felt this year – AND upgraded the outsole for better durability… all while keeping the price identical to last year’s model.
What blows my mind is how it stacks up against the usual suspects. You’re paying Ghost and Pegasus money here, but getting cushioning that absolutely embarrasses them. That FF Blast Max isn’t just slightly better – it’s like upgrading from economy to first class underfoot.
For runners who prioritize that cloud-like feel without breaking the bank? This is an absolute no-brainer. ASICS just raised the bar for what a $140 daily trainer should deliver.
Tongue padding
They kept improving it—now it’s super light but still comfy. The padding’s only 5mm thick right where the laces press, saving weight everywhere else. Smart move!
But heads up: lace it right over the padded spot. If you tie it on the thin paper-like part? Ouch—you’ll feel those laces digging in.
Gusset Type of Tongue
ASICS nailed it by keeping the semi-gusseted tongue on the Novablast 5 – and we’re seriously grateful. After testing countless daily trainers (looking at you, Glycerin 21) that skip this feature, we can confirm it makes a world of difference.
Most brands claim gussets add too much weight, but ASICS proves them wrong. Their smart, minimalist gusset design adds maybe a stamp’s worth of weight while delivering game-changing benefits:
• No more tongue slippage mid-run
• Better lockdown without extra tightness
• More consistent comfort mile after mile
It’s one of those small details that shows ASICS actually listens to runners. The Novablast 5’s tongue stays perfectly centered without making the shoe feel bulky – something we wish more brands would copy.
Heel Tab
Remember when the early Novablasts skipped the heel tab? Fans begged for one, and ASICS finally caved – first in the limited Novablast 3 LE, then across all colorways of the 4. Now with the 5, that beefy finger-loop is clearly here to stay.
And let me tell you – this isn’t some flimsy afterthought. After putting it through our tests, this might be the most bombproof heel tab in recent memory. We yanked, pulled, and tortured this thing – it’s not going anywhere.
It’s rare to see a brand actually listen to feedback AND execute it this well. Other companies take notes – this is how you do a proper heel tab.
Lab Results
Cushioning King
• 141 SA heel absorption (vs 127 avg) – eats up pavement punishment
• 63.6% energy return (5.5% above average) for that pep in your step
• 40.9mm/33.5mm stacks make it a max-cushion beast
• 13.0 HA softness (38% softer than average!) – like running on marshmallows
Fit & Feel
✓ True to size with a roomy 122.3mm forefoot (8mm wider than average)
✓ Semi-gusseted tongue stays put without bulk
✓ Finger-loop heel tab you could tow a car with
Performance Notes
• 0.53 traction (15% grippier than average)
• 4/5 torsional rigidity – stable but not stiff
• 9.0oz weight undercuts average despite massive cushion
Durability Watchouts
⚠️ 0.9mm outsole wear (slightly faster than average)
⚠️ Toebox durability scores low (1/5) – mesh lovers be gentle
Cold Weather Performer
❄️ Only 15% firmer in cold (vs 32% avg) – winter runs won’t feel like bricks
Verdict: A plush, energetic cruiser that’s wider and softer than most – just baby that toebox.
Data source and Picture credits: RunRepeat.com
Final Verdict
The ASICS Novablast 5 delivers a winning combo of plush cushioning, energetic rebound, and a roomy fit making it a top pick for runners who crave comfort without sacrificing performance. While its durability could be better, its winter-ready softness and thoughtful design (like that bombproof heel tab) prove ASICS is listening to runners. For max-cushion fans, this is a near-perfect daily trainer.
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