ASICS Novablast 5 vs ASICS Gel Nimbus 27 – Battle of the Big Softies

Stack Height, Drop, Weight and Price

One of the bigger updates to the ASICS Novablast 5 is that it now has a bigger wedge of midsole than the Novablast 4. It packs 41.5mm in the heel and 33.5mm in the forefoot for an 8mm drop. The ASICS Gel Nimbus 27 also packs in more foam underfoot rising to 43.5mm in the heel and 35.5mm in the forefoot for a 8mm drop.

When it comes to weight, in our US 9.5 test shoe, the now lighter ASICS Novablast 5 tips the scales at a pretty impressive 8.9oz / 251g. The ASICS Gel Nimbus 27 is marginally lighter than the Nimbus 26 despite the bigger stack but the weight loss still leaves it considerably heavier than the Novablast 5 at 10.8oz / 307g.

The ASICS Novablast 5 comes in a couple of Starbucks Venti lattes cheaper at $140 to the ASICS Gel Nimbus’ $165.

Design

The ASICS Gel Nimbus 27 and the Novablast 5 are both big stack shoes but they tread a very different design path.

The Novablast 5’s Flytefoam Blast Max foam is tuned to be softer and bouncier than its predecessor, the Novablast 4. There’s a large rocker to smooth the transitions and a reduced heel extension to cut the weight and improve the ride for heel strikers.

The ASICS Gel Nimbus 27 prioritizes plush comfort with a thick slab of Flytefoam Blast+ Eco foam underfoot. There’s also a full-length PureGEL insert in the heel to improve shock absorption – particularly for heel strikers.

Up top, the Nimbus 27 features a redesigned mesh upper that balances breathability with a snug, supportive fit. The ASICS Novablast 5 has a more premium Jacquard mesh that takes styling cues from the Superblast 2.

Both shoes have big padded heel collars. The Nimbus 27 heel cup is a touch more rounded compared to the narrowing collars on the Novablast 5. But it’s all about plush comfort for both.

The gusseted tongues offer a similar amount of padding. The Novablast 5 wrapping design is not far off the fit and feel we’d usually find in faster training shoes. Meanwhile the Nimbus 27 has a knitted tongue that also does a good job of preventing lace pinch but takes a little more fiddling to get in place.

Flip them over, and the Novablast 5 outsole features a relatively standard covering of ASICS AHAR Lo rubber. The Gel Nimbus 27 has a good covering of AHAR Plus, a much grippier outsole compound that you’ll find on the Superblast 2.

Fit

When it comes to fit I ran in a US 9.5, which is my regular size in both shoes. The fit is roomy and accommodating with plenty of length and wiggle room in the toe box. Ideal for shoes you might choose for longer, easier miles. The Novablast 5 is a really spacious shoe but the Nimbus 27 offers even more.

The heel collars held my foot securely, the midfoot lockdown was reliable with no lace pinch and I had no slipping or hotspots. So I’d recommend going true to size in both shoes. Unless you’ve got narrower feet or you like the fit more snug. In which case, it might be worth trying half a size down.

Performance

In testing, I’ve covered well north of 50 miles in the Novablast 5, including a full 4-hour solo marathon test. I’ve run north of 30 miles in the ASICS Gel Nimbus 27, including one run up to 2 hours on feet.

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Both shoes feature large, cushioned platforms designed to absorb road impact and protect your feet over long miles. However, the ASICS Gel Nimbus 27 takes softness to another level. This generation is just as Nimbussy as the previous generations. If you liked that before, you’ll like it here.

The plush, almost “soggy” feel underfoot creates a highly protective ride but it definitely lacks the agility and quicker return of the Novablast 5.

The ASICS Novablast 5 is noticeably lighter, bouncier and feels faster and more dynamic, particularly when you pick up the pace. The ASICS Gel Nimbus 27’s soft, cushioned protection makes it more tuned for slower paces or when you’re focusing on cruising through long, easy miles. It’s perfect for those days when you don’t want to feel much of the road at all.

When it comes to stability, the Nimbus 27 offers a firmer platform, especially in the heel, giving a more reliable, steady ride. The Novablast 5 has more wobble, especially at slower paces, which some runners may find more challenging. That slight instability is less of a concern at faster speeds, when you’re running mid-to-forefoot but at slower – or heavier – efforts, the Novablast 5 can feel a bit less solid.

One of the other differences I noticed between the two shoes is in their overall feel. The Nimbus 27 feels a bit “slappy”, especially when comparing it directly with the Novablast 5. The Novablast 5 has a quieter, more fluid transition with its softer foam.

Both shoes happily cater for the slower miles. But only the Novablast 5 has the capacity to shift up to the faster gears. The Nimbus 27 excels when you’re looking for a plush, cushioned ride over longer, more relaxed runs, while the Novablast 5 offers more versatility, particularly for those who want a snappier, more responsive shoe for faster efforts.

My Verdict

Both shoes are competent at what they aim to deliver. But for me, there's one clear winner. The ASICS Novablast 5 strikes a better balance for a wider range of runners, with enough cushioning for comfort, but also enough energy return to keep you moving at pace. It’s the more versatile option that’ll cover more runs than the Nimbus 27.

The ASICS Nimbus 27 is the shoe to choose if all you want is reliable road-dampening softness. It's super soft, incredibly foot-cradling and offers excellent protection. But for most runners, it’s just not really going to get out of first or second gear. It’s simply too heavy, cumbersome and sluggish.

The caveat: If you're a bigger or heavier runner and you want to run longer distances in absolute comfort, well-cradled, well looked after, then the Nimbus 27 might be for you.