Asics Novablast 5
Exact average 85.9 · 4 printed, 7 estimated · printed scores only: 89
Image: Asics11 professional reviewers tested the Asics Novablast 5, and 10 recommend it. Most praised: comfort and cushioning and performance.
Reviewed by RunRepeat, Run to the Finish, RunningShoesGuru and 8 more
The catch: Wet-weather grip is poor.
7 of these 11 outlets print no score. We estimated theirs from the review text, then adjusted the estimates against the ratings outlets actually print (ours ran slightly low). An estimate is never higher than 92.
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What 11 critics said
Highest score first · all converted to 0–100- 93RunRepeat
A lighter, softer and bouncier Novablast that is surprisingly stable and excellent value.
Read RunRepeat review - 90Run to the Finish
A max-cushioned daily trainer that stays stable and keeps some pop, a clear improvement on its predecessor and a good pick for long runs.
Read Run to the Finish review - 90RunningShoesGuru
An excellent, versatile daily trainer judged the best Novablast so far, thanks to its new midsole foam.
Read RunningShoesGuru review - 83OutdoorGearLab
A cushioned, bouncy and versatile daily trainer that fits a wide range of feet and earned a top ranking.
Read OutdoorGearLab review - 89est.Tom's Guide
A very good, comfortable and fairly light daily trainer that the reviewer recommends most highly in its price band.
Read Tom's Guide review - 89est.Runner's World UK
An excellent, great-value all-rounder after five weeks of testing, soft yet versatile enough for faster efforts.
Read Runner's World UK review - 85est.The Independent
Named best overall in a men's running shoe roundup after hands-on testing, praised as a supremely comfortable do-everything trainer at a fair price.
Read The Independent review - 83est.The Guardian
Recommended in a marathon kit guide as a comfortable everyday shoe that also works on race day.
Read The Guardian review - 83est.Garage Gym Reviews
Picked by the testing team as the best running shoe for daily training in their roundup of expert-tested pairs.
Read Garage Gym Reviews review - 83est.NBC Select
Named runner-up among daily trainers; the writer finds it roomy, responsive and fine for most paces and longer runs, with only mediocre grip.
Read NBC Select review - 77est.Gear Patrol
The tester admits it is not the brand's top trainer, but calls it excellent value and a dependable one-shoe option thanks to its soft, cushioned midsole.
Read Gear Patrol review
"Est." means the outlet printed no score, so we estimated one from its verdict and checked our estimates against ratings outlets print. How we check estimates
What critics praise most
What critics dislike most
No clear pattern.
Other running shoes critics rate highly
Compare head to head
Also reviewed, not yet scored
- Asics Megablast · 2 reviews so far
Common questions
Is the Asics Novablast 5 worth it?
Most critics think so: 10 of 11 recommend it. Wet-weather grip is poor.
Do critics agree about the Asics Novablast 5?
Broad agreement: scores range from 77 (Gear Patrol) to 93 (RunRepeat), a spread of 16 points across 11 reviews. Most reviewers land fairly close together.
What is the best alternative to the Asics Novablast 5?
The Hoka Skyflow (critic score 88), top pick, narrowly.