ASICS Novablast 6 running shoe review – opinion, price, comparison, who it is recommended for

Who the ASICS Novablast 6 running shoe is recommended for

• Recommended if you are looking for a versatile everyday running shoe for longer and faster runs.
• Recommended if you want high cushioning but do not want a heavy, sluggish shoe.
• Recommended if you like a dynamic, trampoline-like toe-off.
• Recommended if you are looking for a neutral shoe but good stability is important to you.
• Recommended if you want a comfortable, lightweight shoe that can also be used for faster training runs.

Who the ASICS Novablast 6 running shoe is NOT recommended for

• Not recommended if you are looking for a racing shoe for paces faster than 4-minute kilometres.
• Not recommended if you want a very lightweight running shoe with a minimal upper.
• Not recommended if you are looking for an exceptionally breathable shoe for warm weather.
• Not recommended if you need strong support or a classic stability shoe.

ASICS Novablast 6 running shoe upper

The ASICS Novablast 6 running shoe upper is made from a tightly woven knitted mesh material, which feels slightly stiffer than average at first touch, but it does not rub the top of the foot. There are no large ventilation holes on the upper, and the denser weave does not help airflow either, so the shoe’s breathability is not outstanding. The positive side of this is that the upper is very durable and holds the foot well and securely.

The upper fits true to size in length and is medium-wide, but a wide version is also available. It is wider in the toe area, average-low in height, the midfoot holds well, and the heel section is also average in width.

The tongue is thin, but it has padded strips that protect against lace pressure. The tongue is attached on both sides, so it does not slide around while running. The heel collar is firm, generously padded, holds the foot well and is comfortable. The lacing system is traditional, but the lower two eyelets are hidden and positioned on the inside.

The midsole does not wrap up onto the upper, but it is slightly more raised around the heel, which improves secure foot hold.

ASICS Novablast 6 running shoe midsole

The ASICS Novablast 6 running shoe midsole is made from two different foams, which are not layered one above the other. Most of the midsole is made from FlyteFoam Blast Max foam, just like the entire midsole of the previous version, but at the front, where you toe off, it gets a FlyteFoam Turbo² insert, which helps a lot with push-off and supports the Blast sensation. FF Blast Max is a polyolefin-based foam positioned between EVA and PEBA. It is soft, has good cushioning and is moderately dynamic. FF Turbo², however, is an ATPU (aliphatic TPU) material that is very elastic, energetic, bouncy and durable. The entire midsole of the ASICS Megablast is made from this midsole foam, and that foam has already proven itself there: the shoe became incredibly fast. The essence of Blast shoes is that they get a separate outsole covering under the front part of the midsole, which makes toe-offs noticeably more dynamic. ASICS has amplified this by placing such a dynamic foam insert here. When landing on the heel, transitions are fast and cushioning is good, but the dynamic feeling is less noticeable. When you roll onto the front of the midsole and push off, however, the power of the FF Turbo² foam is clearly felt.

The ASICS Novablast 6 is a neutral running shoe, but its stability has improved a lot, thanks to several factors. First, the midsole has become wider at the heel; second, the heel section is asymmetrical. On the lateral side there is a protrusion and it is strongly curved, as on previous versions, but on the medial side there is no protrusion and it is less curved. The midsole has also become slightly firmer, with greater torsional rigidity, which has not reduced comfort but does improve stability.

Overall, the Novablast 6 midsole has moved in a very positive direction, because ASICS managed to increase its dynamism while also making it more stable.

ASICS Novablast 6 running shoe outsole

The ASICS Novablast 6 running shoe outsole is made from two different rubber compounds. At the rear there is a lightweight, highly abrasion-resistant rubber compound called AHAR LO, while at the front there is a grippier, softer rubber compound, ASICSGRIP. This is a very good pairing, because the area where the wear layer is under greater stress, at the rear under the heel, gets a more durable rubber, while the forefoot, where you push off and where you load the shoe in corners, gets a rubber with better grip.

The outsole is segmented and does not cover the entire outsole, but this is not only for weight reduction. In the forefoot, in the interest of the Blast feel and explosive toe-off, the FF Turbo² foam gets its own separate outsole coverage. At the heel, the more important areas and the wide midsole receive appropriate outsole coverage, but the middle section is uncovered.

The outsole has no deep grooves, but its grip is above average on both dry and wet asphalt. The outsole is moderately thick and has good abrasion resistance, so it can also be considered durable.

What is it like to run in the ASICS Novablast 6 running shoe?

Cushioning and midsole

The ASICS Novablast 6 running shoe has a high midsole, with the men’s version measuring 41.5 mm at the heel, and its cushioning is also high. This is thanks not only to the thick midsole, but also to the FlyteFoam Blast Max foam. Thanks to the FlyteFoam Turbo² foam in the forefoot, toe-offs are dynamic and bouncy, and the shoe feels fast, but it is not harsh even at low intensity.

The Novablast 6 provides high cushioning, yet it does not feel heavy.

Stability and guidance

The ASICS Novablast 6 running shoe is a neutral running shoe and has no support elements, but its stability is good because its midsole is wider than average. The midsole is curved at both the front and rear, so transitions are pleasant and fast, but there is a noticeable difference between the rear and the forefoot, where a more dynamic foam is also present. The average 8 mm drop works well for both heel strikers and forefoot strikers, but the sole is noticeably less springy at the heel.

Upper and comfort

The ASICS Novablast 6 running shoe upper is made from a stronger, slightly stiffer mesh material, but it is not rough on the inside. It is sufficiently wide in the toe area, holds the foot well, and wraps around the foot securely and safely. The tongue is thin, but it provides enough protection for the top of the foot against the pressure of the flat, slightly elastic laces. The heel collar is highly padded and firm, so it is comfortable and holds the foot well.

The denser upper holds the foot better, but its ventilation is not outstanding.

Ground contact and grip

The ASICS Novablast 6 running shoe has an average 8 mm drop, which suits both forefoot strikers and heel strikers. On the lateral side, the heel section is strongly curved and rounded, and the outsole wraps high up onto it, so the midsole will not wear down even for runners who land there. The outsole is made from a grippier, softer rubber compound in the forefoot, so grip is very good there on both dry and wet asphalt.

Pace and dynamics

There is an interesting duality in the ASICS Novablast 6 running shoe in terms of dynamics, because the midsole is made from two different foams, and the more dynamic foam is found only at the front. After quick transitions, the toe-off is trampoline-like and dynamic, while at the heel the cushioning stands out more. The Novablast is clearly suitable for faster runs; alongside the dynamic midsole, the shoe’s weight is not high either. At the same time, because its upper is comfortable and soft, and the midsole is not overly stiff, the shoe is also suitable for lower-intensity, slower runs.

Long run vs tempo vs training

This shoe is suitable for long runs and tempo training, but it is not a racing shoe.

The ASICS Novablast 6 running shoe is a versatile, comfortable yet lightweight running shoe, so it is suitable for longer runs as well as faster training sessions. It is not a racing shoe. If you are an advanced runner and want to run sub-4-minute kilometres in a race, regardless of distance, the Novablast 6 may not be the best choice. There are better shoes for that, even within the brand.

Who is the ASICS Novablast 6 running shoe recommended for, and who is it not recommended for?

The ASICS Novablast 6 running shoe is recommended for runners who are looking for a lighter running shoe that is more dynamic than average, but who do not want to give up comfort and do not like overly stiff, harsh running shoes. It is also for runners who do not want to buy separate running shoes for their lower-intensity runs and for their faster, even longer runs.

The ASICS Novablast 6 running shoe is not recommended for runners who are looking for a fast running shoe that can also be raced in, even faster than 4-minute kilometres. If you are looking for a very breathable, very lightweight running shoe, the ASICS Novablast 6 running shoe may also not be the ideal choice.

What has changed compared with the previous version? ASICS Novablast 6 running shoe vs ASICS Novablast 5.

The Novablast 6 has changed a lot compared with the previous version. Since it is the most popular shoe, there were many opinions about the ASICS Novablast 5, and in the new version ASICS changed the most criticised parts: foot hold is better, stability is better, it has become bouncier, and it grips better.

The upper is made from a stronger, denser mesh material, which is wider in the toe area and holds the foot better, but breathability has become weaker.

The midsole has become wider and more stable at the heel. The heel geometry is asymmetrical, which also improves stability. It received a more advanced, lighter and bouncier foam insert in the forefoot, enhancing the Blast feel and the trampoline-like toe-off.

The outsole received a new rubber compound in the forefoot. At the rear, it uses the same highly abrasion-resistant AHAR LO rubber as the previous version, but at the front it received ASICSGRIP rubber, the brand’s grippiest rubber compound.

The biggest step forward in the Novablast 6 is the more dynamic toe-off and better stability.

Alternatives to the ASICS Novablast 6 running shoe – comparison

Versatile running shoes that also work well for faster runs are a very popular category, and most brands offer similar running shoes at the same price point.

Is there a difference between the men’s and women’s ASICS Novablast 6 running shoe?

Structurally, there is no difference between the men’s and women’s ASICS Novablast 6 running shoes, but their official specifications differ because of the size proportions. The women’s Novablast 6 has a midsole that is 1 mm lower at both the forefoot and the heel (32.5 mm at the forefoot, 40.5 mm at the heel). The women’s ASICS Novablast 6 is 38 grams lighter and is built on a narrower last than the men’s version.