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: Nathaniel Bailey
By Nathaniel Bailey ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ October 10, 2025
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Our Verdict
The Asics Novablast 5 is our favorite daily trainer, pairing excellent cushioning with versatility. With Asics' new FF Blast Max midsole, this Novablast is more resilient and has a bouncier ride. It's noticeably more compressible and 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. Thanks to Asics' 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, from easy jogs to faster workouts, potentially even racing. It improves on the previous version and earns our highest praise once again.
Our Analysis and Test Results
This version of the Novablast is a bouncier and softer shoe with a similar overall experience to the prior version.
A closer look at the Novablast's FF Blast Max midsole helps us to see why this daily trainer is so comfortable.
Cushioning
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 versatility and comfort. This version maintains the fun geometry but adds a more resilient foam in the form of Asics' FF Blast Max. The end result is a bouncier and softer shoe with a similar overall experience.
The more compressible foam aids smooth transitions, feeling 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. We measured 41 mm of foam at the heel and 36 mm at the forefoot, which makes it slightly lower at the heel than the previous version, potentially contributing to the smoother midfoot transitions.
Novablast 5 midsole Novablast 4 midsole
Comparing the midsole of the Novablast 5 to the previous version. The new compound is softer and springier, making this shoe more comfortable and somewhat faster.
We loved the Novablast 5 for our daily mileage. It shines on long runs, with plenty of cushioning to keep the legs protected. Heel-strikers will likely appreciate the smooth transitions and ample cushioning, and mid/forefoot strikers will enjoy the forefoot geometry and stack height, especially on longer efforts. This is one of the most universally comfortable daily trainers we've tested.
The new midsole feels great, even when your legs feel heavy and slow.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
Upper Comfort
Along with the midsole, the Novablast 5's upper has changed. This year, it has a more breathable engineered jacquard mesh upper. We had no heat issues with the shoe, but it isn't the most breathable compared to some. The soft knit material around the ankle and heel does a good job of preventing any rubbing or chafing.
The Novablast has an average breathability performance.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
The fit is spot on, with a standard midfoot width widening into a slightly wider-than-average toe box. The padded and winged tongue allows for significant adjustment of the upper fit without laces rubbing on the top of the foot.
New upper materials save the Novablast 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 Asics' FF Blast Max is softer, it allows for 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.
The wide platform creates a shoe with good inherent stability, although the soft foam doesn't provide guidance.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
Responsiveness
The Novablast 5 has an uncommon blend of max-cushioning comfort and decent responsiveness. It's positioned as a versatile daily trainer designed to handle easy paces and workouts, but 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.
The Novablast does well on easy runs, where the bounce and lighter build are a blast.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
The Novablast works well for marathon pace and threshold workouts, but the overall size and comfort work against it around 10K pace and faster. In the previous version, 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.
The new midsole foam makes this shoe feel fantastic when you're out cruising.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
Weight
The Novablast 5 weighs 9.50 ounces, trimming about a quarter ounce off the previous version.
It's on the lighter end of high-stack shoes, and it's about right for a daily trainer. It feels noticeably nimbler.
The Novablast is a great blend of weight and comfort.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Traction
Asics' new AHAR LO compound on the Novablast 5 is significantly better than the outsole on the previous model. During early winter, we didn't experience the (near-dangerous) levels of slipping and sliding that we did last year.
However, traction still isn't excellent. It's not great for winter conditions, but it does the job in a 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 will likely start to slip when snow and ice are on the ground.
Novablast 5 tread Novablast 4 tread
Comparing the outsoles and tread of the Novablast 5 to the Novablast 4.
Should You Buy the Asics Novablast 5?
The Novablast 5 makes our shortlist of recommendations for almost every runner. It's exceptionally comfortable and versatile enough to cover the needs of most recreational runners. It works in a rotation and as a single shoe, with a reasonably stable design. It significantly outperforms its price. Runners who prefer a firmer, lower-stack ride will like other options better. Runners who value stability over everything else might also look elsewhere. 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?
Compared to the Novablast, the Asics Superblast 2 is better positioned to handle faster running, while the Novablast 5 is better for easy cruising. We prefer the additional support of the Superblast for long runs, while the Novablast is better for daily mileage. For a versatile daily trainer at a reasonable price, look for marked-down versions of the previous version, the Novablast 4. Alternatively, the Adidas Adizero SL2 is a great option. It runs narrower than the Novablast and has a firmer ride. Finally, the Saucony Ride 18 is a simple and reliable daily trainer at a similar price. It provides excellent day-to-day value and more stability than the Novablast.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Compare Asics Novablast 5 versus top competing products:
—Nathaniel Bailey
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