ASICS

NOVABLAST 5

ASICS NOVABLAST 5

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TL;DR: Versatile and comfortable, but midsole dies early, poor wet grip.

Overall

#9 in

Road Running Shoes

according to Reddit Icon Reddit

Sentiment score62% positive
394
84
155

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Last updated: Oct 11, 2026

Reddit Reviews

Reddit Icon010490
Reddit Icon762x35supremacy
11 months ago

Literally any modern shoe you buy is probably going to feel like a Cadillac on your feet compared to Nike Frees. If you like that lower stack kinda ground feel I’d look at something like the Pegasus or the brooks hyperion. If you want something with a little bit more underfoot without being bulky I’d look at the asics Novablast 5, Vomero Plus, Saucony ride or Saucony Triumph.

Reddit Icon88Smilesz
5 months ago

For my first ever sub-4 hour marathon last month, I trained mostly in the ASICS Gel-Nimbus 27 and race day I used the ASICS Novablast 5. I’ve now retired the ASICS Gel-Nimbus 27 and I’ve done a few training runs in the ASICS Gel-Nimbus 28, so far so good!

Reddit IconAble-Donut1445
7 months ago

I've been running properly for the last year and a bit and looking to replace my Novablast 5s as my easy run shoe. They've been fine, nothing special, and are starting to feel flat and looking for something new/fun. In the middle of my first marathon training block with 2 easy runs a week between 8km-16km. Currently using Novablast 5 for easy run. Endorphin speed 4 for intervals and tempos. Boston 13 for long runs and Endorphin Pro 4 for race day 5'9", 165lbs, HM PB: 1:33:35, 10k PB: 40:28, 5k PB: 19:11. Any suggestion appreciated and welcomed!

7 months ago

Not looking for anything in particular in terms of specifics just some suggestions or recommendations of what other people like or have used. I'm open to anything as the Novablast was my first proper running shoe. It was a good shoe, not amazing but not awful. It was pretty bouncy for the first 100km but after that it became fairly ordinary

Reddit Iconaboi_11
10 months ago

This came at the perfect time. Been casually running on and off for years maybe. I'm overweight at 77kgs, 5'5. To give you an idea of my pace I can run a sub 30 5k. Completed a half marathon in 2024 at 2:45. Mostly do tempo runs but recently started zone 2:tempo at 80:20 split. But my usual week will be 2-3 5-10k runs at 6:30 pace with occasional 15k at a 7:15 pace. Been using Pegasus 40 for 2 years. Recently got a Novablast 5. Super shoes - made me faster. Did a gait analysis but I still feel a slight feet pain but it's fine for now as I'm assuming I'm just breaking in. My question is this - what secondary trainer should I get in my rotation? Mostly to prolong the life of the Novablast 5. Been considering Cumulus, Nimbus, Noosa Tri and Kayano. Leaning towards Cumulus. Much appreciated.

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