Asics Novablast 5 Review: The OG Fun Daily Trainer is Back

Novablast 5: Quick Facts

What’s the Novablast 5 all about?

The Asics Novablast series has carved out a strong reputation as one of the most exciting daily trainers on the market. Known for its fun, bouncy and versatile ride, the Novablast has been a go-to for many runners. We’ve seen the majority of runners use the Novablast series as a workhorse daily trainer suited to easy jogging and long runs, but we’ve also seen some runners use it as a protective uptempo training shoe.

With Novablast 5, Asics have injected the shoe with some key updates, while staying true to the DNA that has made this series a favourite among the Adelaide and broader Australian running community.

The Good, The Bad and The Run: Josh’s Take on the Novablast 5

The Novablast 5 is very versatile for me and would be a shoe that can nearly do it all. It's a light and effortless ride at a cruisy pace which is fantastic and a great mid week shoe for those seeking protection under the body. I rate the execution of the new jacquard mesh in the upper as it has certainly increased the breathability which was quite noticeable during my runs in the shoe. If you are a runner looking for a shoe that can do a bit of everything, the Novablast 5 is certainly one to consider.

It is hard to fault the shoe but for me, it maxes out at 60 minutes. Whilst the cushioning is soft and plush, 90 minutes in this shoe would result in my feet feeling the ground too much, as the shoe becomes “marshmellow” soft. This might be a good thing for some runners but for me, personally, I need a shoe with a bit more guts for longer runs. One small issue that is worth pointing out, is that I’d need to go up a half size in the Novablast 5 compared to the previous few models as I do find this one fits a little bit short.

My first run in the shoe was an easy 30 minute recovery run where my legs felt a little banged up from a 90 minute long run the day before and the Novablast’s felt excellent! They probably aren’t as responsive as I would have liked but the wider platform through the forefoot gives me a lot more confidence through transition. Based on my initial thoughts with this shoe, if you have a mileage shoe and are looking for a cost effective, light and versatile shoe to add into your rotation, then I would highly recommend considering the Asics Novablast 5.

The Good, The Bad and The Run: Georgia's Take on the Novablast 5

I was able to take the Asics Novablast 5 on a 10km run straight out the box and my first thought was how it felt notably softer than the v4, offering a more cushioned ride, which is great for shorter runs. Its responsiveness when toeing off is fantastic, with a nice pop through the forefoot. The new engineered jacquard mesh offers excellent support and lock down through the midfoot as I didn’t feel any movement on my foot whilst running. The weight of the shoe is also noticeably lighter which I know many runners will appreciate. Asics have also done a fantastic job from an aesthetics point of view offering the shoe in a wide range of colours for both men and women, including an all-black and all-white, but the white/coral reef colourway that I ran in is certainly my favourite!

The big question, however, will be durability. The v4’s didn’t last as long for me as the v3’s, and I’m concerned that the added softness in this latest model might mean a similar shorter lifespan. I think a midsole density somewhere between the v4 and v5 would have potentially been better received by some runners, myself included.

That said, I see the Novablast 5 as a great shoe for runs in the 30-60 minute range which I have previously used them for and would also consider putting them on for tempo efforts when I’m looking for something without an aggressive rocker or a carbon plate. It’s definitely a solid addition to my rotation, but I’ll be keeping an eye on how it holds up over time.

There are three key changes in Novablast 5:

1) Midsole gets FF Blast Max

Before we discuss the midsole change in Novablast 5, it’s important to highlight how the midsole of the Novablast series has been on a bit of a rollercoaster over the years. Novablast 1 was FUN and a real game changer, it came out and was so different and polarising from shoes on the market at the time. Novablast 2 was more refined, but less fun. Novablast 3 was a return to form and felt like a combination of the first two iterations, while Novablast 4 moved back to being one of the firmer, but most stable Novablasts in the series.

This year with Novablast 5, the most significant change is the move to FF Blast Max foam in the midsole. We saw this midsole foam debut in the top layer of the Asics Glideride Max earlier in the year, but this is the first Asics shoe to get the full length Blast Max treatment.

Compared to the FF Blast+ found in the Novablast 4, this new foam is softer and provides a more cushioned ride, it also feels lighter weight in the hand. It enhances the shoe's fun factor, with a plush underfoot feel, but thankfully doesn’t sacrifice responsiveness the Novablast series is known for. To me the underfoot ride feels closer to Novablast 3 than Novablast 4, which is a good thing!

2) New jacquard mesh upper is comfy

The upper has transitioned to a jacquard mesh design, which actually reminded me of the Novablast 3’s look and feel. This update improves breathability, stretch and fit while giving the shoe a sleeker appearance. It’s a subtle but welcome shift from the woven upper used in the Novablast 4. 

We still get a full gusset tongue setup through the midfoot which I always appreciate to see in a daily trainer like this. I also love a pull tab at the back of a shoe and I'm glad to see it's now bigger and more functional than what we saw with Novablast 4. Fit wise, I feel as though this Novablast fits true to size, I’m going for the same size as I am in the Asics Superblast 2.

3) Elevated traction 

The outsole design has been slightly tweaked, with AHAR LO and deeper lugs to improve traction. It's a nice update, but I’ve never really had any issues with underfoot grip in the Novablast series, however it will provide an extra layer of confidence on varied surfaces.

Despite these changes, Asics have kept the signature forefoot “trampoline pod” midsole/outsole execution (it's a little wider in the Novablast 5), ensuring the energetic bounce through toe off that has defined the Novablast remains intact.

Where does it fit in the rotation?

For me, the Novablast 5 shines as an easy day and midweek long run shoe. Its soft, lightweight and responsive feel make it ideal for those looking for a comfortable shoe to absorb daily training. I could see some runners with the bounce and fun ride provided by the FF Blast Max midsole use the Novablast 5 for some uptempo runs, depending on their preferences.

For those who run with a shoe rotation, the Novablast 5 works exceptionally well alongside the Asics Superblast 2. In fact, the updates in the Novablast 5 help it stand out more distinctly from the Superblast compared to Novablast 4.

Nathan’s final thoughts

The Asics Novablast 5 continues to deliver on the fun, bouncy ride that has made the series so popular, with thoughtful updates to its midsole, upper, and outsole. Whether you’re seeking a shoe for easy days or something versatile enough to handle occasional tempo efforts, the Novablast 5 fits the bill.

My main concern with the Novablast 5 is the durability for higher mileage runners. The softer FF Blast Max midsole, while providing an improved underfoot feel, might not hold up as long as the slightly firmer FF Blast+ foam from Novablast 4 (which I found wasn't super durable anyway!). It’ll be interesting to see how this one tracks along with more runs.

I really feel Asics have curated one of the better offerings of shoes to cover the variety of runs within a training week. For runners that love to keep with one brand, I’d use the Novablast 5 for easy days, Superblast 2 for Sunday long runs and whip out the Metaspeed Edge Paris for speed workouts and race day.

About the author

Nathan Pope - Runner and Shoe Nerd

I'm really passionate about running footwear and how shoes can be used as a tool to get the best of your running, whether that be general fitness or performance.

My favourite event is the marathon. I feel as though the marathon is the ultimate test both physically and mentally! It requires careful planning both within the race and during the training block and it can be super satisfying when it comes together on race day.