The ASICS Novablast is an exciting trainer that promises an energetic, fun, and balanced ride for all types of runs. Every year, ASICS changes the design of the Novablast and gives it a new upper, midsole and outsole. The ride changes from year to year but it still remains a very popular running shoe thanks to its marketing, wide availability and its lightweight build.
This comparison will tell you which version is better for you, version 5 or version 4.
Verdict
The ASICS Novablast 5 is an excellent, versatile daily trainer and the best Novablast version to date. The new FF Blast Max midsole made from POE is a significant improvement over the EVA midsoles of previous iterations, providing a softer ride with better energy return. Version 5 is a big upgrade over version 4, becoming lighter, more comfortable and more lively. It performs better over long distances and on uptempo runs than its predecessor.
The ASICS Novablast 4 is a firm-riding daily trainer which is more suited to faster-paced runs than relaxed runs. It doesn’t quite have the same fun, bouncy ride that the early Novablasts had but it still has a relatively lightweight build.
Version 4 is firmer and more stable than version 3 due to its new FF Blast+ Eco midsole. It’s also a little bit heavier and not as versatile so it can’t be called an improvement. Runners who prefer a firmer, more stable ride will prefer version 4.
Recommended for
Daily training
Speedwork
Cushioning type
Balanced
Responsive
Cushioning amount
Highly cushioned
Highly cushioned
Flexibility
flexible
medium
Stability
some stability
very stable
Sizing
true to size
true to size
Retail price
US$139.95
US$140
The Novablast 5 and 4 have very different midsoles. The 5 has the brand new FF Blast Max midsole foam, which is a polyolefin elastomer. The 4 has the older FF Blast+ Eco (EVA) midsole. The 5 has a much softer, more lively ride compared to the firmer, flatter ride of the 4. The 5 feels more energetic than the 4. This is due to its new FF Blast Max midsole.
The Novablast 5 has more long-distance comfort thanks to its softer ride. It feels more comfortable during easy runs and on long runs.
The Novablast 4 is better for short-distance runs at faster paces. Its midsole doesn’t compress as much so it provides a firm platform to push off from.
Both versions don’t have plates or shanks in their midsoles so they a have flexible forefoot. The Novablast 4 is a little bit stiffer due to its firmer midsole foam. The 4’s forefoot feels a little more snappy than the 5’s.
If you’re looking for more stability, the Novablast 4 has the more stable ride. It has less lean bias and it has a wider rearfoot and forefoot which results in more planted foot strikes.
They have similar outsole designs but the Novablast 5 is softer which translates to smoother ride transitions. The outsole rubber on the 5 has holes in it that pick up small rocks during runs. The 4 doesn’t have this problem.
The Novablast 5 has a new jacquard mesh upper which is light and breathable. The 4 has a woven mesh upper which feels like a knitted material. It isn’t as breathable as the 5.
The other big difference is the toe-box. The Novablast 5 has a wider toe-box which is more accommodating. The 4 is not suitable for wide footed runners due to the narrow toe-box but both versions come in wide options.
The 5 has a lace loop on the tongue for the laces to go through. This new feature stops the laces from sliding around. Version 4 has some tongue slide because it doesn’t have a loop on the tongue.
If you prefer a softer ride for easy runs, recovery runs or long runs, the Novablast 5 is the better version for you. It has more long-distance comfort and it has a more lively ride. It has the more breathable upper and it weighs slightly less.
If you prefer a firmer ride for short, fast runs, the Novablast 4 is the better option for you. It has a more stable ride and it has a snappier forefoot. It has a warmer upper which is better for cool temperature climates. The Novablast 4 also doesn’t pick up small stones during runs.
