Choosing between the ASICS Novablast 6 and ASICS Novablast 5 comes down to a practical question: do you want softer everyday cushioning, or are better wet grip and a springier forefoot worth paying extra for?
Both are unplated neutral daily trainers designed to cover easy miles and longer runs. The Novablast 6 changes where the bounce comes from, rather than replacing the entire midsole with premium foam. That distinction matters if you already enjoy the Novablast 5 and are wondering whether to upgrade.
Head-to-Head: What Changes on the Run?
Cushioning: Softer Throughout or Springier Up Front?
The ASICS Novablast 5 uses full-length FF BLAST MAX foam. Reviews consistently describe a soft, compressible ride that cushions landings and brings bounce to everyday running. That softness can also feel less efficient when you push hard: some reviewers report sinking into the forefoot rather than moving quickly through toe-off.
The ASICS Novablast 6 retains FF BLAST MAX but adds an FF TURBO² forefoot pod. It is not a full-length FF TURBO² shoe. The practical difference is a more distinct response when you load the front of the shoe, while the rear remains comparatively subdued.
Opinions on the resulting transition differ. Ben Parkes describes smooth transitions, whereas RUN-ARE and Doctors of Running find the heel flatter or clunkier. Forefoot bounce therefore does not guarantee a smoother overall ride, especially if you land heavily on your heel.
Daily Miles, Long Runs and Faster Efforts
Both models make sense for runners wanting one cushioned shoe for much of their weekly mileage. The ASICS Novablast 5 has research support for easy runs, long runs and occasional pace increases; The Run Testers also describe it as suitable for beginners and marathon training.
The ASICS Novablast 6 adds a stronger case for runners mixing easy mileage with strides or sustained faster blocks. The Running Channel reports successful use over a 20 km run containing faster sections, with an easy-to-marathon-pace sweet spot.
Neither is an automatic choice for sharp track repeats. Reviews of both identify limits when quick acceleration becomes the priority. For a first marathon, choose the model that stays comfortable during your long runs; the new forefoot pod alone is not a reason to abandon a well-fitting Novablast 5.
Wet Grip: The Clearest Reason to Upgrade
The ASICS Novablast 5's AHAR LO outsole attracts repeated criticism on wet roads, painted markings and slick surfaces. RunRepeat's lab findings are more favourable, so poor grip is not every reviewer's experience, but the recurring road-test concern matters for frequent rainy runs.
The ASICS Novablast 6 adds ASICSGRIP in the forefoot alongside rearfoot AHAR rubber. Runner's World and RUN-ARE report markedly improved wet traction, while the supplied RunRepeat results also favour the newer outsole.
For year-round road training, that is a more tangible benefit than a small weight change. It strengthens the Novablast 6's value if wet grip limits when you can use your current shoe. Neither model's road outsole establishes suitability for ice or technical trails.
Fit, Comfort and Stability
The ASICS Novablast 5 generally receives roomier forefoot feedback, although not every reviewer agrees. The ASICS Novablast 6 is more tapered in the supplied lab findings, and Doctors of Running reports a slightly short feeling caused partly by thick heel padding.
Try the newer shoe rather than automatically transferring your size. Reports range from true to size to shorter-fitting, while Novablast 5 sizing advice also varies. More room in the older model may help toe comfort, but excess volume can frustrate narrow-footed runners seeking secure lockdown.
Both have padded uppers and gusseted tongues. Breathability feedback conflicts, particularly for the Novablast 6: some sources praise ventilation, while others find the upper warm. There is no clear evidence that upgrading guarantees cooler feet.
Stability is similarly unsettled. Several reviewers find the Novablast 6 more controlled, but RunRepeat reports a narrower platform and reduced stability. Both remain neutral trainers; the research does not support recommending either as a dedicated stability shoe.
Durability and Value: What Are You Paying For?
The supplied UK review prices are £140 for the ASICS Novablast 6 and £135 for the ASICS Novablast 5. At that small difference, the newer outsole is persuasive for rainy routes. A substantially cheaper Novablast 5 changes the equation for dry-weather runners who enjoy its softer ride.
Early wear reports are encouraging for both. Running Shoes Guru reports little Novablast 5 outsole wear after 83 km, while Doctors of Running reports no Novablast 6 rubber wear after 45 miles. These are different tests, not a controlled lifespan comparison.
Ben Parkes raises concerns about Novablast 5 cushioning fading around 200 miles. That experience does not establish a universal replacement point, and the Novablast 6's shared carrier-foam name does not prove an identical lifespan. Buy for the demonstrated grip and ride changes, rather than an unproven promise of longer-lasting cushioning.
ASICS Novablast 6: Product Gallery
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ASICS Novablast 5: Product Gallery
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Final Verdict
Choose the ASICS Novablast 6 if you are buying a fresh daily trainer for mixed weather and want a more responsive forefoot. It is also worth trying if the Novablast 5 feels overly roomy, although heel comfort and stability need individual assessment.
Choose the ASICS Novablast 5 if soft cushioning and a more accommodating forefoot are your priorities, particularly at a worthwhile discount for predominantly dry-road training.
If your ASICS Novablast 5 still feels comfortable and grips adequately on your routes, keep using it. Upgrade when the newer shoe solves a specific problem: wet traction, fit or forefoot response.
FAQ
Is the ASICS Novablast 6 worth upgrading to from the ASICS Novablast 5?
It is worth considering if wet grip, excessive forefoot room or a soft toe-off frustrates you in the ASICS Novablast 5. The research does not establish a universal improvement in heel transitions, stability or cushioning lifespan, so a comfortable existing pair does not need replacing simply because the newer model exists.
Does the ASICS Novablast 6 have full-length FF TURBO² foam?
No. The supplied research describes an FF TURBO² pod beneath the forefoot, with FF BLAST MAX forming the surrounding carrier and rearfoot cushioning. The ASICS Novablast 5 uses full-length FF BLAST MAX without that premium forefoot insert.
Which is better for a first marathon?
Both have research support for marathon training and comfortable longer-distance running. The ASICS Novablast 6 offers the stronger wet-grip case; the ASICS Novablast 5 suits runners who prefer softer cushioning and its generally roomier forefoot. Use long-run comfort and fit to guide the choice rather than assuming the newer shoe is automatically better for race day.
Is the ASICS Novablast 6 better for heel strikers?
Not conclusively. Some reviewers find it more controlled, but RUN-ARE and Doctors of Running criticise its heel-to-midfoot transition. The ASICS Novablast 5 receives praise for soft heel cushioning, alongside stability concerns from other testers. The research supports trying both rather than recommending the Novablast 6 to all heel strikers.
Should I buy the same size in both models?
Do not assume the fit is identical. Novablast 5 reports range from true to size to half a size long; Novablast 6 reports range from true to size to slightly short or snug. The newer shoe’s tapered forefoot and padded heel make checking toe clearance and lockdown especially useful.
Which has better wet-road grip?
The ASICS Novablast 6 has the stronger overall evidence. Multiple supplied reviewers praise its ASICSGRIP forefoot rubber, while wet-road slipping appears repeatedly in Novablast 5 road tests. That improvement does not establish safe traction on every slippery surface.
Will the ASICS Novablast 6 last longer?
The supplied research does not establish that. Early outsole wear and lab abrasion findings are encouraging, but outsole durability and long-term cushioning retention are different questions. There is no matched long-term comparison proving a longer usable lifespan.