ASICS Novablast 5 Running Shoe

The ASICS Novablast 5 Running Shoe is a versatile, lightweight, dynamic neutral running shoe that is one of the most popular everyday ASICS running shoes due to its low price for performance. The Novablast is a shoe of joy, famous for putting a smile on every runner’s face, at least for the first few hundred metres. The 5th version doesn’t deviate from this, although the shoe has changed a lot since the previous Novablast 4. Despite all the changes, ASICS has managed to improve the Novablast feel, making it even more fun, comfortable and dynamic for an even wider range of people.

Why is it appropriate to capitalise the brand name ASICS?

Because it’s an acronym made up of the first letters of the words “Anima Sana In Corpore Sano“. The meaning is A healthy mind in a healthy body, A Sound Mind in a Sound Body.

ASICS Novablast 5 upper

The upper of the ASICS Novablast 5 Running Shoe is made from a dual-layer mesh fabric that provides superior breathability. The outer layer is a thin, dense mesh, while the inner layer is a mesh with larger holes. Compared to the woven mesh of the previous version, the new upper is softer and less rigid, allowing it to better conform to the foot. The upper fits true to size and is wider than the previous version, but you can also buy a wider version of the Novablast running shoe. The front of the upper, the toe box, is less elongated and pointed than the previous version, but rather wider and more rounded, allowing more room for the toes. The tongue of the shoe is a fixed, thin tongue with little padding, but with a little more padding at the top where you tie your shoelace to prevent it from biting your shoelace. The heel collar is stiff and padded with more cushioning than the previous version to keep the foot comfortably and securely in place. The upper is a perfect balance between comfort and performance optimised uppers.

ASICS Novablast 5 midsole

The ASICS Novablast 5 running shoe midsole is made from ASICS new FlyteFoam Blast Max foam, which debuted in the Glideride Max running shoe a few weeks ago. FF Blast Max is a lightweight, soft, flexible and dynamic foam that is comfortable and fun to run in, even during longer half marathons. It is lighter and has better cushioning than the previous foam, FlyteFoam Blast Plus Eco. The midsole height and drop remain the same, 41.5mm at the heel with an 8mm drop, but the geometry has changed in a number of ways. For one thing, the heel is less angled and shorter, so you don’t have to lift your foot so high that it scrapes the ground when you run. The heel flexion is also different, as is the flexion of the forefoot, which is slightly less pronounced. This is less conducive to fast transitions, but the Novablast still makes for very fast and smooth transitions. The midfoot, like the upper, is more rounded at the front than the previous version. One of the reasons the Novablast is able to be faster and more dynamic than other high cushioned ASICS everyday running shoes is that it’s lighter and ASICS achieves some of the weight reduction by using a narrower midsole. This makes the Novablast less stable and the softer foam doesn’t help. After prolonged use, after hundreds of miles of running, if your foot position is not neutral, it tends to lean inwards, which can lead to injury. The Novablast 5 midsole is very dynamic and very comfortable, but if you don’t have a neutral foot position, you should use it carefully, even alternating it with other shoes that offer more stability.

ASICS Novablast 5 outsole

The ASICS Novablast 5 running shoe outsole is made of AHAR Lo rubber compound, like the outsole of the previous version. This rubber compound is lighter, so it does not add too much weight to the shoe, despite its high volume. The shape of the outsole remains the same, but the pattern has been improved to support faster running and forward kicks rather than quick manoeuvres. The outsole of the previous version, made from a similar material, was very durable in my experience, but it depends on your weight and running style. A minor point of interest is that the outsole material was changed at the last minute from a hybrid rubber compound to the previous AHAR Lo rubber compound; the Novablast 5 running shoes released for testing still had two different coloured hybrid outsoles.

For whom and for what kind of runs is the ASICS Novablast 5 recommended? Summary

The ASICS Novablast 5 is a fast but comfortable everyday running shoe that offers a lot of performance for its price, with a very good price/performance ratio. Versatile, suitable for most types of running (distance, speed). The Novablast is not a running shoe that you just run your training, this shoe will put a smile on your face. Its weakest point is stability, as the high and soft midsole has a narrow construction, but otherwise it has a lightweight, comfortable and breathable upper, a dynamic and comfortable midsole and a durable outsole with good traction. It’s a big change from the previous version, with a lighter weight, a new softer upper and midsole, and a patterned outsole that’s more supportive for fast running. One thing that hasn’t changed is the price, which is good news.