By Keiran Alger
The ASICS Novblast has always held its own as a more affordable, big-stack, versatile all-rounder that’s a pretty good tool for a marathon training block. More recently it dropped into the shade of the Superblast and Megablast. But with a new midsole set up that features a forefoot wedge of ASICS’ energetic FF Turbo Squared foam, the Novablast is aiming for a new livelier ride.
So is this new Novablast back to being a serious contender among best running shoes of 2026? Read my ASICS Novablast 6 review to find out.
If you click, or buy from, links on this page, we may receive compensation. Learn more
ASICS Novablast 6
Stack Height, Drop, Weight and Price
The ASICS Novablast 6 stack height stays the same with 41.5mmmm in the heel and 33.5mm in the forefoot for an 8mm drop.
ASICS Novablast 6 - Heel Collar
In my US men’s 9.5 test shoe size, the ASICS Novablast 6 weighs in at 9.1oz or 258g. That’s a shade heavier than its predecessor which tipped the scales at 8.9oz.
On price, it’s bumped up a few bucks in the US. It’s now $155 dollars. The Novablast 5 was $140.
Stats
ASICS | Novablast 6 |
|---|---|
Best for | Daily training |
Support | Neutral |
Cushion | Max cushioning |
Stack Height | 41mm Heel |
Drop | 8mm |
Weight | 9.1oz / 258g |
Suggested Retail Price | $155 |
Fit | True to size |
Rating | 9.3/ 10 |
Design
Put the Novablast 6 next to the Novablast 5 and it’s quite hard to see the difference between these two high-stack neutral daily trainers. The biggest change comes in the midsole where ASICS added a slab of higher-response FlyteFoam Turbo Squared foam – the same foam you’ll find in the Megablast – under the forefoot.
That works alongside FlyteFoam Blast Max in a dual-foam setup that aims to bring more life to the toe offs and a more propulsive ride without losing the balance that made the Novablast 5 a reliable ride.
ASICS Novablast 6 - Heel rear
Up top you’ve got woven uppers that feel and support pretty similar to those you find on the Novablast 5. The heel package looks largely unchanged including well-padded collars and rigid heel counter. ASICS sticks with the flat wrapping gusseted tongues that have worked well across its daily trainers and there’s a standard lacing set up.
Flip them over and the grip has been upgraded. You now get ASICSGRIP rubber. The outsole coverage is quite minimal for a daily mileage shoe. With strategic sections running down the These sneakers are perfect for running.
Novablast 6
Shop Now at
Fit
In testing, I ran in my regular US 9.5 ASICS shoe size and the fit was excellent. Not much has changed here from the Novablast 5. It’s marginally more dialled in and a touch more breathable. But if you got on ok true to size in the Novablast 5, the same will be true here.
ASCS Novablast 6 - Forefoot
You’ve got a nicely roomy toe box, that’s accommodating and airy – exactly what you want in a daily trainer and a shoe you might lace up for longer runs. The midfoot lockdown is secure and the padded heel collars deliver comfort and hold with no slipping.
Performance
In testing I’ve done around 35 miles in the ASICS Novblast 6 with a mix of paces, distances and time on feet. The longest run was up to 90 minutes and I put the shoe through a six mile progression run, moving from easy up to – and beyond – marathon pace.
Across the generations, the Novablast has flip-flopped between soft and firmer rides. The Novablast 6 feels like it's back to being a bit softer. But the big upgrade here is the ramped up bounce and energy. So you get cushion under the forefoot but the shoe springs you out of those softer landings with a decent dose of energy.
ASICS Novablast 6 - Uppers
If you found the old Novablast a bit too bricky, or a bit tame, the softer, more responsive forefoot should bring some of that cushion you crave but with a lot more fun and pop.
I personally didn’t mind the setup of the Novablast 5. But the Novablast 6 is a really nicely cushioned shoe. There's loads of softness underfoot for that welcoming, cradled feel that suits cruising miles.
ASICS Novablast 6 Tongue
The shoe still feels built but manages to avoid being cumbersome. There’s still maybe more shoe than I’d want for my very fastest efforts and for top paces sessions, I’d also look for a midsole that snaps back with more rigidity. But I think for everything from easy pace to cruising around marathon pace this setup has a lot of merit.
The shoe still feels built but manages to avoid being cumbersome. There’s still maybe more shoe than I’d want for my very fastest efforts and for top paces sessions, I’d also look for a midsole that snaps back with more rigidity. But I think for everything from easy pace to cruising around marathon pace this setup has a lot of merit.
When you start to really punch and engage the midsole, it feeds back with quite a lot of bounce and forefoot spring. Up on your forefoot, that FF Turbo Squared foam locks in a bit quicker than across the rest of the shoe.
Then when you rock back slower, there’s plenty of cushioned comfort towards the back of the shoe that really cradles and softens.
ASICS Novablast 6 - Upper Close
It's nice and wide and feels controlled and reliable for a big, old, soft stacked shoe. Though there are more stable options out there.
My Verdict
The Novablast 6 delivers on its brief. A cushioned, energetic daily cruiser that’s serving up some excellent versatility. Assistive and protective when you’re running easy, enough life and feedback in the forefoot for when you move up around marathon pace, this would be a useful weapon for a marathon training block. Also a good option for a beginner runner who only wants to invest in one pair of shoes.
If you’re running mostly easy miles with the occasional faster workout, the Novablast 6 will cover you nicely.
If we’re comparing it to other non-played daily trainers around this price, it’s a bit more mallowy and stacked than the Deviate Pure, has a softer edge than the saucony Endorphin Azura and isn’t as capable at top pace as the EVO SL.
But for runners who want good cushion with good performance in a non plated shoe, this could hit the sweet spot. I can definitely see some runners using this effectively for a steady, controlled marathon – or those long and mixed pace training runs – where comfort trumps all out speed.
Leave a Reply