Hardwear
Product 2025
Woman, Man
We previously awarded the Asics Novablast 4 a First Award — and the Novablast 5 proudly follows in its footsteps.
This new version continues to deliver excellence as a road running shoe that is both comfortable and responsive, offering powerful cushioning.
While the Novablast 5 maintains the core strengths of its predecessor, there are some notable updates — especially in the lacing system. At the forefoot, four specific eyelets help fine-tune lace tension for a more customized fit. The mesh upper has also been revised, offering slightly improved breathability.
Aside from that, the shoe retains the outstanding energy return and cushioning we appreciated in the previous version. The quality of the midsole foam strikes a successful balance between plush comfort and energetic rebound — and in both cases, it’s impressively controlled. To explain: cushioning is generous under both the forefoot and particularly the heel, but without causing instability or excessive rolling. Like the Novablast 4, this is a stable, secure shoe, offering confident footing despite its soft feel.
The energy return is also solid — it’s not a dull or passive shoe. You can feel a distinct “pop” from the midsole during toe-off.
Grip is strong, and traction performs well on all typical road surfaces. The shoe is easy to slip on, helped by a convenient heel pull tab. The heel is held firmly in place, though this is an area Asics could still refine for even greater precision in the future. The shoe has an 8mm drop.
An excellent option for training, racing, and simply enjoying the run. With plush cushioning and an exciting level of responsiveness, the Novablast 5 remains a best-seller — and deservedly so.
We used this equipment over a long period of time
These are our thoughts after intensive use:
Receive your answers by mail. Do you have a particular question concerning the design, use, durability or other about a tested product? We will answer your question personally.
