ASICS Novablast 5 Review with A/B Run Comparison to Novablast 4

[@davidlynch9049]

Thanks for the detailed review and comparison from the 4. I have the 4 and it's better than the 3 iterations before. I hope the 5 keeps that up.

[@snowwalker9999]

Novablasts, you can never go wrong with them. I can’t wait to try them.

[@Manuel_712]

Thanks for this information about the novablast 5. Like from Spain. Have a good day.

[@Runstrong_Chris]

This really looks to be the proper successor to the Novablast 3 in style and in what reviewers have been describing it as in terms of performance. I really like the 3 and have 2 pairs with one at 100 miles and the second nearing that. I skipped the 4 since they said it was firmer but intend to give the 5 a shot. Hoping to hear good news about the Nimbus 27 as well as i skipped the 26 too for the same reason.

[@josedescoteaux1]

Love your reviews, thanks

[@RoadTrailRun]

Thanks for watching!

[@karmaforgotme]

I ran 55Ks in both the Novablast 3 and 4. So, I am super excited about 5 with it being lighter. Slightly concern about less width in terms of stability with such a high stack height. I do slightly supinate, but it has never been a problem with the Novablast (only version I didn’t run in was first one). Thanks for this, you just hyping me up for my favorite shoe series.

[@madsolesen2883]

Is that 55 kilometers in each, or 55.000? 🤷

[@karmaforgotme]

@madsolesen2883 Ha I meant 55k races (Damn Yeti race the last 2 years). Total mileage I did like a 1,000+ miles in each (of course I bought multiple pairs of each). Novablast while not my only shoe, it had been my main driver since the Novablast 2. I’ve done all my road races and non technical trail races in them.

[@MLHunt]

Seems more fun but at the cost of some of the solidity and stability I like in the 4. But I guess if you look at Asics' lineup that's maybe the one type of shoe it's missing, a competitor to shoes like the excellent Adizero SL2. And I didn't own them but I gather the 2 and 3 were a lot wilder than the 4, so maybe they're just going back to their roots.

[@RoadTrailRun]

Despite the 5mm difference is platform front and back equally as “stable” meaning neither is the most stable shoe. As far as SL 2 a direct competitor on a lower stack height and slightly heavier weight. See some more details in our written review: www.roadtrailrun.com/2024/11/asics-novablast-5-iniital-review-fun.html

[@MLHunt]

@RoadTrailRun Don't disagree with either point but I'd argue that with its slightly narrower profile and softer stack the 5 certainly looks less stable than the 4. And as far as the SL2 goes I realize it's lower on the stack and a bit heavier so I know it's not a nominal competitor the way the trainer market is segmented. But it *is* a shoe designed to be easy and fun to run in. It's the shoe I pull out when I want something a little bouncy. Seems like the Nova 5 was also designed with that intent. If I were in the market for a shoe of that sort I'd certainly cross-shop them.

[@bradmyers5998]

Still running occasionally in my 2’s, didn’t like the fit of the 3 trying them on, these look cool though for a basic trainer. I’m enjoying the NB rebel v4, wonder how it compares

[@TolunayOrkun]

I had enjoyed my Novablast OG and unfortunately the changes in 3 and in particular 4 took away from the fun. I really didn't like the bulky, sinking soft dull foam (FF Blast+ Eco) in v4. I am glad to hear that Novablast is returning back to its original agility and responsiveness. I am looking forward to trying them in a demo run. I might get a pair of these. I don't know what FF Blast Max is but I hope they put nore Olefin (OBC) than EVA in it.

[@xander0901]

I’ve been a diehard ASICS user and am looking to expand my rotation. I’ve never used any shoes in the Novablast line, but have been using the Kayano and GT 2000s as the core of my rotation. I’ve seen a lot of reviews praising the Novablast as a neutral daily trainer with great versatility, but I’m wondering if this would work for me as someone who typically uses shoes in the stability category.

[@RoadTrailRun]

Maybe but I would say primarily for faster runs "off the heels". It is not as stable as the Kayano and GT in part due to the soft bouncy midsole, in part the more minimal upper.. For more stability in a light (and lighter than Novablast) ASICS uptempo trainer look to Noosa Tri 16. Somewhat lower stack, slightly firmer midsole and more secure upper.

[@xander0901]

@@RoadTrailRunThanks for the advice. Triathlon is actually my primary training goal, so I’ve been looking at the Noosa Tri for a while too.

[@kouvang6256]

I'm excited for the 5. The 4 was... okay... made me miss the 3. It was still good, but the excitement of the 3 went away. Hoping we get that back in the 5. Not novablast related, but was that part of the Eastern States course? Really looked like it.

[@RoadTrailRun]

Indeed ES course! By Rye Harbor. Live 1 mile South. The “Sweet Misery” white fishing boat up on stilts and been there for years featured in Tracksmith catalog a few years ago

[@Feanaro5503]

6:00 Wow, I’ve never seen a Novablast 1 before 😮

[@i.p2088]

I am Novablast 3. I find them foot slapping and narrow midfoot clunky at slow pace.. How does the 5 compare.

[@RoadTrailRun]

Been a while since the 3 for me. I can say 5 is not very slappy, the midfoot is broader with the stack height higher, the foam definitely more dynamic and they are still not the best shoe for slower paces.

[@MrYorkshire1978]

You said the base is around 5mm narrower ? The NB4 was too narrow for me despite having a wide platform, the upper was too snug. You said this has more toebox room do you mean in length or width?

[@RoadTrailRun]

It is hard to say for your foot. My narrow to medium foot found the 4 toe box border line sloppy. Here there is less platform width but the new mesh clearly has more stretch. You can see in my written review (and in the video) that the lacing sides are closer together in the 5 I think indicating more volume and more adaptable room for different foot shapes. www.roadtrailrun.com/2024/11/asics-novablast-5-iniital-review-fun.html

[@ianlowe4126]

My last novablast was the 2 and I didn’t get on with the midsole which I found a tad too soft. If you can remember back to that one would you say this is firmer or softer please ?

[@RoadTrailRun]

Ouch. Far back. What I think you would find here is softer in feel as higher but a wider more stable platform

[@RoadTrailRun]

There is no question it is still a relatively soft ride. For a bit firmer in ASICS and lower stack at low weight also look at Noosa Tri 16

[@johnsonch7292]

how much more bounce percentage wise vs SB2 and the stability how much less vs sb2?

[@RoadTrailRun]

Sorry did not personally run SB2 but in our upcoming multi tester written review other testers have and will compare. The SB2 is higher stack at 45 mm heel / 37 mm forefoot of Turbo foam and has a slightly wider platform . Neither is very stable per say

[@dsac8]

Is this shoe for heel strikers?

[@RoadTrailRun]

Not that good at slower paces heel striking.

[@thomasmueller77911]

pls compare to the noosa... :)

[@RoadTrailRun]

See our written review below for Noosa Tri 16 details but it is lower stack and sits on a narrower platform, so somewhat firmer but I would say more stable. It is 1 oz / 28g lighter as a result It has a considerably more performance oriented upper as well. A really fine choice if you prefer a more "direct" responsive ride as opposed to bouncier less stable one. Yes not as much fun but maybe more practical if you require more security and stability. www.roadtrailrun.com/2024/07/asics-noosa-tri-16-review-perfect.html

[@Fozzee.1970]

vs Glideride Max?

[@RoadTrailRun]

I might think of the Glideride Max as the easy run shoe after a hard one in the Nova 5 or the longer slower run shoe. It has the same foam but is 3.5mm higher at the heel and 5mm higher up frontI and has a hardened EVA plate. It is 1.6 oz heavier as a result have not personally tested but we do have a review here; www.roadtrailrun.com/2024/10/asics-glideride-max-review-4-comparisons.html

[@nitinbalayan]

Hi, I'm from India and have watched 100s of videos, i want to buy a shoe for my daily training and physical test of 1600 m which i have to run under 5:30 min, i can buy one shoe only, i have Nike Pegasus 40 and Asics noosa tri 16 in my mind, please help me!!!

[@RoadTrailRun]

Noosa Tri 16 would be my pick. More responsive

[@RunningInJapan]

Two runs and them soles are full of rocks!

[@MrFrescocotone]

5 is too soft, the 4 is perfect

[@raya472]

Was this friendly fire.

[@jakeva9802]

That spit was nasty AF

[@oledevo]

Haha, yeah