Asics Novablast 5 Performance Review

The Asics Novablast 5 is yet another iteration of Asics’ popular, $140, do-it-all daily running shoe. Last year’s Novablast 4 added support and durability but lost some of the pop that made the Novablast 3 one of our favorite running shoes of 2022. 

Even losing a little bounce, the Novablast 4 still appeared on many of our best running shoes lists. The value of a comfortable, $140 shoe that can do almost everything is high, and Asics gets points for delivering something versatile year after year.

But returning to this year’s Novablast 5. My hope is Asics would tweak it to include the best parts of the Novablast 3 and 4. But is that even possible? Let’s find out.

What is the Asics Novablast 5?

Asics gives the Novablast 5 an interesting moniker on its website: “feel comfort, find energy.” And while that’s exactly what I want from the majority of running shoes these days, I appreciate Asics just coming out and saying that’s the idea with this one. And with Asics changing up quite a bit of tech in the Novablast 5, it’s reassuring that the goal seems to be the same.

New for the Asics Novablast 5 is its FF BLAST MAX midsole. It’s a squishier, softer foam than the FF BLAST PLUS ECO used on the Novablast 4. We first saw FF BLAST MAX as a top layer of foam on this year’s Asics GlideRide Max, and it did deliver squish – but not bounce. So its inclusion here is interesting as the Novablast 5 needs bounce to truly appear among the best Novablasts.

Also, (sadly) gone is the engineered woven upper which is replaced with an engineered jacquard mesh. And while that’s most likely a small downgrade, the comfortable, neoprene-esque tongue remains. And that tongue is now gusseted, which should put an end to the slippy tongues of previous Novablasts.

Rubber coverage via AHAR LO outsole rubber is pretty much the same, but the pattern is deeper and gives me even more faith in its durability over time.

How did the Asics Novablast 5 perform?

My first run in the Asics Novablast 5 was a comfortable, easy recovery run. The FF BLAST MAX was squishy, and I felt the shoe was more protective of my joints and feet than previous Novablast models. I got that sink-in-with-every-step feeling that many runners are looking for these days. But I worried that sinking into the midsole with every step would blunt the response when I tried to speed up.

So, I patiently waited for a run where I could try and rip an uptempo section in the middle. And when the time came to speed up, I was nervous. But, I came away appreciating what the Asics Novablast 5 can do.

Pushing harder into the ground to get up to my marathon pace and faster happened fairly effortlessly, reminding me of my love affair with the Novablast 3. All of sudden, I was running at a quick pace (for me) and staying there without worrying about pace with every step. The Novablast 5 remained smooth and protective, and my toe-offs felt quick for all my uptempo work. 

Unequivocally, the Novablast 5 feels faster and more versatile than the Novablast 4. And while it’s maybe not the rocket the Novablast 3 was, the extra stability, durability, and comfort make that trade-off worth it. I’d use this shoe for any distance up to 10-12 miles, and I’d even take it on the track if I wanted to train fast without a plate (similar to the Hoka Mach 6).

The upper, though, is a downgrade. It’s perfectly comfortable, but the toe area has some extra volume which creates some weird flexing or poofing when the Novablast 5 is tied tightly. It’s more an aesthetic issue, but the forefoot does need some work to look pristine.

I imagine this upper change saved Asics money and allowed them to keep the Novablast price point at a competitive $140. And seeing as it didn’t sacrifice performance, I can’t argue with that choice…. But it’s not ideal [Editor’s Note: He has HIGH standards for his Novablasts].

Well…not ideal except for the tongue. The now-gusseted tongue is super comfy while still being light and unobtrusive. And now there’s no slippage (finally!).

The outsole is showing zero wear, and it gripped well across multiple surfaces. Great traction plus durability means it’s among the better daily trainer outsoles and will deliver in most conditions.

Combine that with the wide base and extra support via basically unchanged midsole geometry, and the Asics Novablast 5 feels like a slight upgrade from the Novablast 4 that delivers a very Novablast experience sure to make fans of the line happy.

Pros

• Squish and energy from FF BLAST MAX midsole
• Comfortable, gusseted, neoprene-ish tongue
• AHAR LO outsole traction and durability
• Versatility

Cons

• Forefoot volume of the dual-layered jacquard upper

Is the Asics Novablast 5 wide foot friendly?

Yes, the Asics Novablast 5 has good forefoot room, and the heel should accommodate a wide variety of foot types. There is also a wide version of the Novablast 5 for those who have a more considerably wide foot.

Lengthwise, the Asics Novablast 5 fits true-to-size.

Is the Asics Novablast 5 worth $140?

The Asics Novablast 5 is priced right at $140. It delivers value more in line with $150 shoes. It’s a shoe that can do everything you need while training for races from 5K to marathon distances. The Novablast 5 keeping the same $140 price point from previous years, despite our current high-inflation environment, is a nice win for runners.

Asics Novablast 5 Summary

The Asics Novablast 5 brings a bit more energy and bounce back to the Novablast line while still offering plenty of squish and support for daily easy or recovery miles. It’s a $140 shoe that can do almost anything. You’ll find it on many of our best running shoes lists because of its versatility and price point.

How does the Author Run?

Drew Whitcomb (age 42, 6’6″ 195lbs): Runs daily with a once a week rest day. Runs a lot of miles due to testing needs and a growing affinity for long-distance races. Regularly competes in marathons, half-marathons, 10k, and 5k races.

Disclosure

While Asics did provide a pair of the Asics Novablast 5 to facilitate this review, the company had no involvement in this review, didn’t receive an advance look at it, and has not attempted to influence it.