ASICS NOVABLAST 5 vs SUPERBLAST 2: Shoe Comparison Review

[@Potomekopice]

The only person in the world who has these shoes 😅👍

[@oneschance]

True

[@stephenwouw8624]

Superblast 2 in this colour way is still up for grabs. Just have to search a little. Got mine last week.

[@oneschance]

@ Kudos got my Paris three weeks ago in a brick and mortar.

[@Potomekopice]

@@stephenwouw8624 I mean the Novablast 5

[@run-are]

@@Potomekopice there will be plenty released soon enough. SB2 is out there in some of the speciality running retail stores. Thanks for the comment

[@unscstormtrooper8964]

Thank you for the review. The superblast 2 never restocks in where I live, so I was considering getting the novablast 4. But because of the nature of my work, I do weighted runs regularly, which quickly wore out my nike pegasus 40. Eventually, I bought a pair of novablast 4 tr for the thicker outsole. But hearing comments from reviewers about the novablast 5, I'm tempted to get a pair for normal runs (or maybe I'll wait for the tr version)

[@run-are]

Thanks for the comment!

[@timtrenholm3698]

Here's the thing...wearing your Superblast for anything besides long run with pace injection is like taking your maserati to get groceries. A pair of Novablast will handle everything from LSD down to easy/strides and even tempo for most people. Save your Superblasts and burn through your daily trainers. If not for the cost savings....do it for the frustration of trying to replace your 1st pair of Superblast! LOL I paid $260 CAD for the SB V2 at release direct from Asics, but it's now gone up to $280 CAD. While the NB VB4 is $180 CAD, no price listed for the NB V5 yet. But I'm suspecting $180 since the daily trainer market is very crowded, but the number of shoes that directly compete with the Superblast is VERY limited.

[@run-are]

@@timtrenholm3698 taking the Maserati to get groceries 🤣🤣 love the comment!!

[@stephenmorton6732]

I am jealous that you already have the Novablast 5 :-) I have the Superblast 2 and Novablast 4 and use them exactly as you described. My SB2 is for my longruns and I use the NB4 for my tempo runs.

[@run-are]

@@stephenmorton6732 not long to wait until the 5 is here!

[@seoul2seoul_hoosier]

Very informative review! One limitation of the Superblast 2, besides it being difficult to find at the moment, is its size range. It appears to go up to only size 13 for men. The Novablast goes up to only size 15, but it runs a little big and fits my size 16 foot. I look forward to buying a couple pairs of the new Novablast 5 at the Harajuku, Tokyo, ASICS store soon. I was able to try on the Novablast 4 there earlier this year, the first time in decades I was able to try on shoes in a store. 😄

[@run-are]

@@seoul2seoul_hoosier you are a size 16? 🤯

[@seoul2seoul_hoosier]

@@run-are Yeah, so no super shoes for me. Thankfully, even running shoes in my size have gotten significantly lighter over the years. When I hear reviewers mention the weight of a new shoe in a more common men’s size, I always wonder how much heavier it would be for me.

[@Kaisersozze]

Id say this is the best looking Novablast as far as the shape, definitely tempting to get this over a Superblast especially since I still have the V1.

[@run-are]

@@Kaisersozze thanks for the comment

[@philipppuchner1115]

Me too. Still haven't broken in my SB1 and more than plenty of live in my NB4TR, looking forward to NB5 :) I was critical at first, now it's only the softness which concerns me as a heavier guy with 90kg/200lbs/180cm/150-160cadence/5-6min/km. NB4TR feels perfect and soft enough, so i fear the NB5 beeing too soft for me. And I don't want a shoe to only use 30min max at asphalt ;)

[@haakonhaga]

Just got my Superblast 2 and I'm buying two pairs of Novablast 5 when they come out 🎉

[@run-are]

@@haakonhaga Awesome!!

[@MiracleWarriors]

There are so many great shoes from Asics launching all the time ! I'm not sure if I will get a GT 2000 13 or a Nova Blast 5 for Christmas and then in January/February, the new Gel-Nimbus 27 will launch . I love most running shoes brands, but Asics is my favorite in terms of the amount of great ahoes that interests me every year ! It beats Adidas and Nike easy in the amount of great shoes and also in the overall quality.

[@run-are]

@@MiracleWarriors ASICS are certainly releasing some great shoes these days, I think they are the brand that's really stepped up over the last 4 years.

[@philipppuchner1115]

Forget GT2000 11+12! I don't know the new #13 but if they are not softer than #11 or MUCH softer than #12 then please forget them! #10 is perfect, a normal, boring FF midsole shoe. #11 is wider and way stiffer, it is hard! And #12 is like a brickstone! I'm not kidding. It is an unrunable planket of wood. There is no rolling, there is just slapping! No matter how you try to strike: heel, forefoot, somehow middle... Just hard and slapping the rest of the outsole to the ground. If you manage to find the very tiny sweet spot, the slapping and the shock to your body disappear. You have to land with the whole outsole at the excact same time on the ground - so perfectly midfoot striking i guess. And i am 90kg size eu 46 and never had this, not even close. If i cannot bend the midsole, who can? 200kg people? As is said i don't know the GT2000-13, but 11+12: no! I keep my new grey #10 and i have sold the rest. I don't know when i will use this, since my NB4TR is way more fun and the way better shoe + i have more shoes and everyone is better than the gt2000-10. It is totally ok, just with FF midsole it is boring and a little too hard i feel.

[@philipppuchner1115]

Oh, and i exchanged my gt2000-12 in the store against the Nimbus 26 (with price difference since both have an uvp of 160 vs 200€). Nimbus beeing way better shoe. BUT: i also don't like it. Why? Because of meniscus problems i switched from heel- to forefoot striking and there the Nimbus is... sh*t. Extreme loud slapping to the ground, so loud that you feel silly and people are looking. I kid you not. When heel striking it is very nice! For walking, no matter how fast, it is very nice :) Stability comes from the wide shoe. You may feel like you are swimming in the shoe a bit, because of the high stack height in the heel + maybe the Gel insert plays a role in this? Anyway, because of this sink in, the shoe saps (your) energy over time. If you are a heel striker and don't run too fast for too long in the shoe, you may feel like it is the comfiest shoe ever! :) But don't run on your forefoot in there, because then you will hate them. Ah and back to gt2000: if you want a harder, more to the ground feel and FF midsole, look at the Noosa Tri 15. But only if you don't need something for stability - then the Noosa series is NOT for you. The new Noosa Tri 16 has finally gotten the midsole upgrade to FF Blast+ which makes the shoes bouncy for the first time in the series :)

[@MiracleWarriors]

@philipppuchner1115 that Noosa seems interesting for being lightweight and can be used without socks since the insole is not removable. I heard it is very strange too with the guardrails. I got to try then some time. Thanks for the suggestion.

[@Filo_Ed]

Good review thank you. Novablast 5 for me as it is more affordable and hopefully more readily available than the Superblast.

[@run-are]

I am sure they will be more readily available than the SB. Thanks for the comment!

[@MusicChristo]

SB2 is better than NB4 at least, and my feet love SB2 so ordered my second pair yesterday. Having more than 350K in SB2 Paris edition, and they don't look worn at all, so Yes, def worth the price!

[@run-are]

@@MusicChristo thanks for the comment

[@didiktyopras1456]

Im still use sb1 for my daily and longrun, superb... want to change to sb2 but out of stock everywhere hahahaha

[@rahulmenon4514]

Can you run tempo / LT sessions in SB2 also? Or just long run and easy runs?

[@run-are]

@@rahulmenon4514 Yes...Lots of runners do love the SB2 for tempo, I personally don't, its too bulky for me (same thoughts on LT).

[@rahulmenon4514]

@@run-are thanks mate for the quick reply!

[@marga_asana2run]

Hi! Thanks for the info! I would go for the Nova 5, because I am a lighter runner and the price is much better 😃 and I love just the Novas 😄

[@run-are]

Sounds like you will love the new Nova, thanks for the comment!

[@WellnessWarriorRunner]

I believe Asics is the best for trainer shoes cant beat em.

[@run-are]

Thanks for the comment

[@MyFatAdaptedLife]

A shoe(t)out between the NB5 and the Glideride Max would be interesting.

[@run-are]

@@MyFatAdaptedLife thanks for the suggestion!

[@MyFatAdaptedLife]

@@run-are you're welcome

[@Daisy5025]

Vote for this. ❤

[@GT-kx6hm]

Great vid as always. How's the Nova5 compare to the Neovista for softness and fun factor?

[@run-are]

@@GT-kx6hm Thanks! Neo Vista wins there for me, softer and more fun.

[@bryno9019]

Brilliant review mate. Earnt a new sub

[@run-are]

@@bryno9019 thanks mate!

[@Pachosk]

The same problem with Superblast 2 and its earlier version it is, that are almost impossible to purchase. They are always out of stock 😩 Every single youtuber runner is saying: this is the best allrounder, but you simply cannot purchase it... i live in Slovakia, but i am searching them in all neighbour countries as well... PS: I am huge Asics fan, but this is something that i don´t understand

[@notall1196]

same, I'm a 12.5 and impossible to find in Canada.

[@run-are]

@@Pachosk have you tried purchasing online from US or in Australia? Postage will be expensive though

[@Pachosk]

@@run-are well, the postage will be around 40-50 € so it will be way expensive then...original price of Superblast 2 here is 220€ ... but only small sizes are available in central Europe... like 40 or so... I have 46 :/

[@run-are]

@Pachosk bugger!! Hopefully you will get a pair soon

[@MusicChristo]

Same problem here in Norway. I was very lucky visiting my preferred store just a day or 2 after SB2 Paris edition was launched. Realized quite soon that finding the needle in the haystack would be more easy😅. So when asics.no had it available again in the fascinating color violet light/pure silver, I could'nt resist ordering a pair number 2🤪.

[@snowwalker9999]

I already have the Superblast 2. If NB5 is what I think it is based on your reviews and I didn’t have the Superblast, I would get two NB5’s instead for everything & daily miles and a Noosa Tri 16 for tempo runs.

[@run-are]

@@snowwalker9999 So what's the next shoe for you?

[@snowwalker9999]

@ I thought it was going to be Evo SL. But now I’m thinking maybe Novablast 5, and Noosa Tri 16. I love exciting performance daily trainers. For my next race I need to decide between Metaspeed Sky, Puma Elite 3 or Saucony Pro 4.

[@run-are]

@snowwalker9999 too many great shoes out there atm

[@snowwalker9999]

@ yes it makes it hard to decide

[@kuriosites]

I have the SB1 but the way Asics separates the heel and forefoot and then has a late forefoot rocker makes me feel like I'm fighting to get over the foam. Novablast 5 might be somewhat better because the foam is more compressive but I think the heel-to-toe transitions would be so much smoother if they flattened out the bottom and start the rocker a little earlier.

[@run-are]

@@kuriosites thanks for the comment

[@chinitopogi7511]

Superblast 2 with the new colorway Magenta and White/Cool Grey just got sold out 3 weeks ago. Hoping Asics will do restock these colorways and release new ones this month of November.

[@ChrisLin-d1z]

For walking only will you suggest Novablast 5 or Nimbus 26/Cumulus 26?

[@run-are]

@@ChrisLin-d1z Nimbus or Cumulus

[@garthcox4307]

The soft description makes me nervous, I don't get on with shoes like the nimbus, I love my 4s for easy/daily runs and think they're soft enough. I might try and get another pair of 4s if they are too soft. Failing that maybe the ride 17 or 18 as I already have saucony speeds and the Mach 6.

[@run-are]

@@garthcox4307 there is more squish and bounce than the Nimbus, heaps more fun but it sounds that they might be a bit soft for your liking

[@jacajr27]

Great video... I have one question: suggest or running shoes rotation for a person over 80kg, and with some pronation in one feet and with the goal of running his first marathon in seconf half of 2025

[@run-are]

@@jacajr27Thanks mate. Best solution is to head to your local running store and try on lots of pairs and find the most comfortable shoes and shoes that you feel stable enough in. If you don't have that available can you please give me some more information?How long have you been running? What shoe has worked for you in the past? What shoes haven't worked for you? Are you a heel/midfoot /forefoot striker? How many miles per week?

[@01lsw]

Great vid! Thank you for your comparison. I've purchased my SB2, pending the shipping. As you mentioned SB2 is good for heavier runner, I am not a bit hesitant to wear that for my long run as I am a lighter runner (about 49kg). As I am training for the Tokyo Marathon, I thought I wanted to get a good pair of shoes for my long run and didn't know Novablast 5 was launched this monthly. Do you have any advise on me? My long run usually is a mix of workouts at half marathon pace instead of pure LSD.

[@run-are]

@@01lsw Thanks! Are you after shoe advice or marathon specific training?

[@01lsw]

Shoe advice 😊

[@geko7843]

Comparison to Nova 3 would be nice

[@run-are]

I don't have the Nova 3 anymore sorry mate. Nova 4 is up on the channel if you haven't watched that one yet

[@joohohome7394]

Great review!👍

[@coatax]

if budget is no issue for u, go for superblast 2. if budget is an issue, novablast 5. both are worth their price. asics are doing amazing shoes based on price.

[@run-are]

@@coatax they are in a good place ATM.

[@idawson998]

I wonder how long itll take before the TR version of the NBs to be released

[@st_ve3333]

Wondering that as well.

[@limta74]

Will the Superblast break in after some time running? Will the forefoot remain stiff for a long time?

[@run-are]

@@limta74 it will eventually. The heavier you are the quicker it should happen or a cheat code with them is to put a softer innersole / sockliner from another pair of softer shoes until it's broken in.

[@limta74]

@@run-are Thank you for answering my question. I prefer stiffer shoes. Currently, I jog in the Boston 12 because it has EnergyRods in the forefoot. I've tested other stiff non-plated shoes like the Ghost Max and Hurricane, but they become flexible after some miles, which hurts my injured plantar plate

[@darre11arvin]

Hi, how does the NB5 compare to the Hoka Mach 6?? Similar feel on foot? Thx in advance

[@philipppuchner1115]

Due to the reviews if should feel like a Novablast 4, just softer. I have a NB4TR + a Mach 6 and i like both :)

[@run-are]

@@darre11arvin more bounce than the Mach 6 and a touch softer. More accommodating upper too. More arch support in the Mach

[@antonioromulodelcarmen283]

I'd buy the NB5… just because that SB2 is not (ever!) going to be available for retail here in Canada!🤦🏻‍♂️

[@run-are]

@@antonioromulodelcarmen283 hopefully some more will be released soon!

[@thiagopiresleite]

Asics maintains an artificial scarcity of the superblast. None of its materials is a revolutionary technology that the brand cannot mass produce. It's never restocked, so they can continue to overprice it by the means of suplly and demand.

[@run-are]

Clever marketing?

[@arvinsandiego2686]

Even the pics of the outsole in the website is different than the one in your hand. Hmmm seems fishy for asics

[@jaccomusic12]

It is exactly the same, just a single color instead of two colors.

[@run-are]

@@arvinsandiego2686 I can't see the wording 'Hybrid ASICS Grip' on the website pic

[@arvinsandiego2686]

@@jaccomusic12 why is it describe in the details as AHAR lo?

[@arvinsandiego2686]

@@run-are that is odd indeed

[@philipppuchner1115]

​@@arvinsandiego2686Ahar-lo is the rubber on Novablast 4 and 4TR. Maybe a copy and paste error where they forgot to change that?

[@wowmawc]

I dont have a budget for these atm(even the nb4). Hope to buy them soon lmao.

[@run-are]

@@wowmawc thanks for the comment

[@philipppuchner1115]

Nova 4 gets discounted for sure to clear out stocks

[@Gregor-em3ws]

I would lovely take the Nova 5 to bounce and push me around to run more 😀 Still on my Nimbus 17 which did not see 200km

[@run-are]

@@Gregor-em3ws the Nova 5 will be a massive upgrade from the Nimbus 17, your feet won't be able to stop smiling 😂

[@Gregor-em3ws]

@ the 17s suddenly retired… 😀

[@garthcox4307]

​​@@Gregor-em3wsI had the 23s and they are the worst shoes I ever owned and were retired at 280 miles. Energy sappingly soft to start with and then the foam suddenly went rock hard, like strapping bricks to my feet. If the nb5 are really soft I will pass on them.

[@philipppuchner1115]

​@@garthcox4307don't compare the Nimbus with the Novablast! I have the Nimbus 26 and the NB4 TR. Also NB2. NB3 i didn't like and sold. Nimbus is still energy sapping! Novablast is NOT!

[@garthcox4307]

@philipppuchner1115 agreed, I love my nb4. I'm concerned how much softer the 5 may be. See more reviews and make my decision.

[@thenoiseph]

How soft is the foam on the Novablast 5? Is it similar to the 1080 v13, or maybe the SL2?

[@run-are]

@@thenoiseph more similar to the 1080 v13 but a bit more pop and not as mushy

[@thenoiseph]

@@run-are thanks, appreciate it! Keep up the great work!

[@jerrydooley7551]

I was horribly disappointed with the SUPERBLAST initially. But, after breaking it in after about 100km, I love it!

[@run-are]

@@jerrydooley7551 thanks for sharing your experience

[@TheValonquar]

Thats more likely your body adapting to the shoes.

[@philipppuchner1115]

​@@TheValonquaralso this 👍

[@Indiangames-c8n]

Is there any shop where I can buy NB5 in china?

[@run-are]

@@Indiangames-c8n I'm not sure sorry

[@MachinesofMayhem]

What's the colorway there on that Novablast 5? I can't find it on the website

[@run-are]

My version is the Indigo Blue / Amber, its on the US website

[@MachinesofMayhem]

​@@run-areThank you!!!!!!

[@TriKsh0t]

Novablast 5 vs New Balance Balos?

[@run-are]

@@TriKsh0t a review or just a quick rundown?

[@TriKsh0t]

@@run-are Quick rundown is fine

[@run-are]

@@TriKsh0t The Balos upper is much thicker / less breathable, the ride has more bounce than the Nova and is much more rockered. Balos bounce is 9/10 - Nova 5 bounce 7/10. Balos is softer as well and so much more expensive here in Oz.

[@TriKsh0t]

@@run-are Thanks so much for your input!

[@philipppuchner1115]

​@@run-aresounds like a mix of those two shoes would be nice :) Softer than NB5 is probably not necessary, more bounce always :) Upper and price of the NB5 👍 How about stability?

[@JamesJones-r8r]

Hey man, can you compare the Noosa 16 to the Novablast 5?

[@run-are]

@@JamesJones-r8r a quick rundown on here or you want to see a comparison review?

[@femaciel]

​@@run-arecomparison review!

[@run-are]

@@femaciel I'll add it to the list

[@JamesJones-r8r]

@@run-area comparison. I’m more interested in the Noosa 16, as I prefer the rocker, lightness, firmness and bounce, like the Noosa 15. I don’t need the crazy max cushion. Even the old FlyteFoam in the 15 is good enough for me, whereas my girlfriend would prefer the Novablast, because she’s a max cushion girl. She just PR’d her half marathon by 7 minutes getting down into the 1:57sin the Glycerin Max. Im 91kg and lightness, firmness and bounce is better than sinking into soft max cushion. It’s hard 😂😂😂.

[@run-are]

@@JamesJones-r8r Great news on your girls PR especially in the Glycerin Max. I'm sure she'll shave some more time off in a lighter pair of max cushioned shoes.

[@Robzabest25]

surely its just premium foam vs decent foam

[@run-are]

@@Robzabest25 thanks for the comment

[@SarwiniHera]

Bagus mana?

[@run-are]

@@SarwiniHera very nice!