ASICS Novablast 5 vs Novablast 4 – Same Run, Different Style

Stack Height, Drop, Weight and Price

The ASICS Novablast 5 stack height retains the same 41.5mm / 33.5mm wedge of FlyteFoam Blast Max across the midsole – and the same 8mm drop – as the Novablast 4.

When it comes to weight, ASICS managed to shave a little off the ASICS Novablast 5. In our US Men’s 9.5 test shoe, the ASICS Novablast 5 now tips the scales at 8.9oz / 251g, compared to the Novablast 4 at 9.4oz / 267g.

That’s broadly the same weight as the ASICS Superblast 2 and among the lighter big-stack daily trainers.

The ASICS Novablast 5 price stays the same at $140, sitting firmly in the midrange bracket for a daily trainer. That’s $60 cheaper than the ASICS Superblast 2 and $30 cheaper than the Nike ZoomFly 6.

Design

At first glance, fresh out of the box, it doesn’t look like much has changed between the ASICS Novablast 5 and the Novablast 4. The design sticks largely to the Novablast blueprint with a max-stack midsole, large rocker and plush cruiser comfort details up top. But there are important changes, including a new midsole foam with a wider footprint, new uppers and an updated outsole pattern.

The ASICS Novablast 5 is currently the only shoe in the ASICS range with a full Flytefoam Blast Max midsole, a foam first seen on the ASICS Glideride Max. ASICS says it offers around 8.5% more bounce than the midsole of the Novablast 4.

Up top, the woven upper of Novablast 4 has been replaced by a more premium Jacquard mesh that adds more structure and takes styling cues from the Superblast model. The new mesh improves breathability and has a degree of natural ‘stretch’ that holds the foot well without restricting.

The Novablast 5 heel collars are slightly more padded, the gusseted tongues are virtually identical with quite a thin, nicely wrapping design. Though ASICS added a tongue pull/lace loop to the Novablast 5.

The outsole sticks to a relatively standard covering of ASICS AHAR Lo rubber. Aside from a changed pattern this is the same across the Novablast 4 and Novablast 5. Sadly we still don’t get the top-level grip of the AHAR Plus you find on the ASICS Superblast 2.

Fit

In testing, I ran in my regular running shoe size (a US 9.5) in the new Novablast 5 and the Novablast 4.

In both shoes, I found the fit secure but roomy with decent wiggle room in the toe box. There’s good hold across the midfoot and a largely secure heel.

The Novablast 5 is roomier overall. That’s fine if you have wider, higher volume feet like mine where the space is welcome but some testers with narrower feet have found this latest Novablast a bit cavernous. The Novablast 4 certainly fit more snug and secure.

However, unless you like your shoes very snug, I’d recommend going true to size.

Performance

In testing I’ve covered well north of 40 miles in the Novablast 5 and more than 50 miles in the Novablast 4. I’ve used them across the same range of paces and terrain. As usual I’ve run everything from slow and easy long runs, to faster intervals and progression runs. That’s on a mix of road and light off-road.

I’ve had a bit of an up and down relationship with the ASICS Novablast. There’s no doubting the plush comfort but I found the very early generations a bit too soft and mushy, a bit uncontrolled. While others raved about the bouncy energy, I had to work hard to energise the sinky midsole.

That changed with the Novablast 4 which brought some welcome firmness and snap to the ride. A bit of midsole-outsole stiffness added an immediacy, making the Novablast 4 better for faster runs, boosting the versatility.

With the Novablast 5 things have gone back towards the soft. But there’s definitely some extra bounce, too. It’s quite a different feel to the Novablast 4 which is snappier in the toe off and I’m back to being torn. At times I’ve loved this shoe, others I’ve felt like I wanted it to give me more.

We often talk about how pace impacts the ride but for me, the ASICS Novablast 5 performance – and my enjoyment of the shoe – relies much more on form than speed.

I find the Novablast 5 amplifies how you’re running on the day, regardless of pace. When you’re moving heavy legged, at times they feel sluggish. There’s still plenty of cushion, comfort and protection and they’re still capable easy-mile shoes. But you have to work harder.

However, when you’re moving light and full of energy, the ASICS Novablast 5 responds well and gives it all straight back. Like the Novablast 4, I still wouldn’t use them for my all-out top pace runs, there are better shoes for that – like the speedier Superblast 2, or the more compact and nimble Saucony Endorphin Speed 4. But you can shift up the gears in the Novablast 5 and they respond well, right up to tempo efforts. 

The Novablast 4 also offers that range but it’s more consistent across the paces, even when you’re not feeling on top form. There’s less sink to work your way out of through the transition. The trade off is that there’s less cushion to protect your feet when you’re running heavy.

I like that the Novablast 5 is a more compact shoe than the Novablast 4. Some of the length has been cut by dropping the heel extension. Plus I’m always happy to save weight, particularly in the larger shoes.

The Novablast 5 now runs lighter on the foot than you’d think and feels more nimble by comparison to the Novablast 4. You’re getting a big-stack shoe without as much heft. Heel strikers may well notice the reduced heel extension helps smooth the ride, too.

My Verdict

These are both good daily trainers that will largely cover similar runs – everything from slow and easy up to tempo, maybe even some picks ups and intervals if you don’t mind doing those in a larger shoe. How they deliver that capability is the major difference. And ultimately that’ll dictate which shoe would suit you best.

If you like a shoe that’s softer but bouncier, the Novablast 5 is your best bet. If you like a ride that’s stiffer, snappier and more responsive, choose the Novablast 4.

If you prioritise soft landings on your slow miles, the Novablast 5’s more cushioned edge probably makes it better. The Novablast 4 is still an impact-eating, cushioned shoe but the extra firmness might not be what you want on the easiest of easy runs, or the longer slow miles.

I don’t normally sit on the fence in these reviews but in this case, I think both generations have merit. I get a similar performance, just delivered in a different way. For the way I run, and my preference for a snappier, firmer ride, I think the Novablast 4 would probably be my first choice. But I can see other runners enjoying the bounce of the Novablast 5.

Overall you’ve got two good, versatile dailies that can eat most of the types of run you’d encounter in a marathon training block. Some runners might even be able to race a marathon in them. At the price, they represent pretty good value, too.