Asics’ versatile daily trainer returns with new FF Blast Max cushioning.
By Ali Ball
- Weight: 255g (UK 8)
- Stack height: 40.5mm (heel), 32.5mm (forefoot)
- Drop: 8mm
- Best for: Easy runs, long runs, uptempo efforts
Asics Novablast 5
Pros
- Softer than v4
- Smooth transitions
- Incredibly versatile
- Bouncy and responsive
Cons
- Upper may be too wide for narrow feet
- You prefer a firmer ride
The shoe
Since its inception five years, the Asics Novablast has risen through the ranks to become, arguably, one of the best running shoes on the market. Bouncy, versatile and hard-wearing, its blend of cushioning and zip makes it an ideal daily trainer for easy runs, long runs, tempo runs and pretty much anything in between. But with the choice of versatile daily trainers ever growing, can the latest version take things to the next level and continue to uphold the Novablast’s reputation? Let’s get into things.
The Novablast 5 features a fully FF Blast Max midsole.
Asics Novablast 4 vs Novablast 5: What’s new?
The headline update on the Novablast 5 is a brand-new midsole foam, known as FF Blast Max. Asics claims that it helps to increase the shoe’s ‘bounce properties’ by 8.5% compared with the v4’s FF Blast Plus Eco foam. So far, the Novablast 5 and the newly released Glideride Max are the only Asics running shoes to utilise a fully FF Blast Max midsole, but this leads me to suspect that we could see the new formula popping up in the (unconfirmed) Asics Superblast 3. FF Blast Max meets FF Blast Turbo? It’s an exciting prospect.
As well as a new midsole, the Novablast 5 features a pod-like groove in the forefoot to improve spring (more on this later). It’s also got a brand new upper, upgrading the v4’s woven knit material to an engineered Jacquard mesh. Meanwhile, the tongue mirrors that of the Superblast 2, with a gusseted wing design.
So, what about the price? Well, in my experience, an upgraded midsole and a reduction in weight usually equals a hike in price. However, I was pleasantly surprised to see that the Novablast 5 retains its solid £135 price tag. Bravo Asics.
How does the Asics Novablast 5 fit?
Full transparency: Asics actually sent my test sample of the Novablast 5 in a UK size 8. I usually opt for a UK 8.5 in running shoes, so I was a bit worried that I might sustain a bruised toenail in the process of testing them. Thankfully, that hasn’t been the case, although my toes are encroaching the top of the toe box more than I’d like – so I’d recommend opting for your standard running shoe size.
The Novablast 5 fits a little on the wide side, particularly around the midfoot. This is great if you’re someone with wider feet, higher volume feet or even higher arches, but those with narrow feet may struggle to get the required foot-hugging fit they’re after. As someone with standard to wider feet, I’ve not had any issues with heel slippage, rubbing or hotpots, but if I’m splitting hairs (which I am), I’d like to see a little less flexibility in the midfoot area.
The Novablast 5 features a new lacing system.
The shoe features a new lacing system – a combination of bungee cord eyelets and standard eyelets – which creates a secure lockdown on the top of the foot, without the need to use a lace lock. I’m a big fan of the gusseted tongue, which wraps snuggly around the top of the foot, with just the right amount of padding and perforations to improve breathability. The heel collar, although again on the wide side, offers plenty of cushioning to help lock in your ankle. There’s also a heel pull tab for easy on/off. All in all, I found this to be a faff-free shoe that I could quickly lace up and head out in.
What’s the Novablast 5 like to run in?
I’ve been running in the Novablast 5s for around five weeks now, using them for easy runs, speed sessions and longer runs, including a half marathon. As someone who reviews running shoes for a living, it’s worth noting that I’ve genuinely looked forward to lacing these up every session – something that can’t be said for every shoe I test. This speaks volumes about the Novablast’s appeal.
With a heel stack that now exceeds 40mm, I’d argue that we’ve officially entered max-cushioned shoe territory with the Novablast 5, too. That said, it doesn’t feel like a max-cushioned shoe when you’re running in it.
The new midsole is noticeably softer underfoot than the v4, which my college Jen Bozon, Membership Director, described as having a ‘bouncy stiffness [that] really encourages you to push the pace’. However, that doesn’t mean that you’re sacrificing responsiveness here. In fact, for the price point, I’d say that you’re still getting a good amount of versatility from the Novablast 5. I wore the shoe for a mixed tempo session – consisting of a 1.5km easy warm up, 5km at 4:20 min/km, 4 x 1km at 4:05 min/km, followed by a 1.5km cool down – and it felt smooth during the easy sections, but also capable of handling those pacier efforts. While I might prefer something slightly firmer and snappier for dedicated speed work, the Novablast 5 excels as an all-rounder, particularly for £135. For runners wanting to avoid the expense of a multi-shoe rotation, this model is a great one-shoe solution.
The Novablast 5 also caters well to various running styles. If you’re someone who lands further forward, there’s a large central lug in the forefoot for additional bounce, as well as a large forefoot rocker that’s been carried over from the v4. For heel strikers, like me, you’ll benefit from an 8mm heel-to-toe drop and a shaved down heel bevel, which both promote a smoother transition than the v4. Additionally, the cushioning and stability make it a strong choice for heavier runners or those seeking a reliable shoe for uptempo long runs.
But it’s not all gold stars for the Novablast 5. Once again, Asics loses marks for its outsole, despite the new AHAR LO material being an upgrade on the v4. Having tested this shoe on wet, slippy roads over the festive period, I can’t say that I felt particular secure – this is much more of a dry-weather shoe. Either Asics needs to introduce the Superblast’s Asicsgrip technology to the Novablast, or the brand needs to go back to the drawing board and find a grippier outsole that works for the shoe’s price point.
RW verdict
The Novablast 5, in my opinion, remains an excellent running shoe for beginners or someone who doesn’t want to fork out for a ton of different shoes for different sessions. Its soft, cushioned and smooth ride is perfect for munching up easy and long kilometres, all the while retaining enough bounce and responsiveness to handle some faster efforts. In short, the versatility that this shoe offers for its price tag is outstanding. Kudos to Asics – they could have pumped even more responsiveness into this shoe and pushed the price up by £20, but they chose not to.
When it comes to recommending this shoe over other daily trainers, it really comes down to three factors. If you’re someone with a particularly narrow foot, the Novablast 5 will likely be too wide for you, especially in the midfoot. If you prefer a firmer feeling ride, or want a snappier, more performance-orientated shoe, the Asics Superblast is a superior option. Or, for something at a similar price point to the Novablast, consider the Saucony Ride 17 or Brooks Ghost 16. Finally, if you’re a road-to-trail runner, or live in a fairly wet environment, the Novablast 5’s outsole probably isn’t going to cut it.
All in all, though, Asics has once again delivered a comfortable, excellent value daily trainer that works best at easier efforts, but retains enough versatility to cope with uptempo efforts. With a couple of minor tweaks, I’m excited to see where the Novablast goes next.
