ASICS Novablast 5 Review: The Daily Trainer That Does Almost Everything Right

By Editorial Team | April 2026

The Novablast 5 is the shoe you buy when you want one pair to handle most of your weekly running without feeling overbuilt. It wins because it gives you proper cushioning, a roomy fit, and enough bounce to keep easy miles from turning into a slog. At £136, it is not cheap, but it is a strong deal for a shoe this versatile.

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Our pick: ASICS Novablast 5

ASICS Novablast 5 — £136.00

This is the daily trainer for runners who want comfort first, but still want a shoe that can pick up the pace when needed. Our score for it is 8.1/10, and that lines up with the reality: it is cushioned, light for its size, and useful across easy runs, long runs, and the odd uptempo session.

Why it works:

• FF BLAST MAX foam gives it a softer, bouncier ride than the previous version without turning it into a mushy mess.
• The 41 mm heel / 33 mm forefoot stack gives you a lot of protection for longer runs and tired legs.
• At 255 g in men’s UK 8, it avoids the clumsy feel that often comes with high-stack shoes.
• The regular and wide fit options matter here, because the upper is genuinely forgiving through the midfoot and toe box.

The honest trade-off: It is not the most stable option in ASICS’ range, and the wet grip is only average, so sloppy form and slick winter roads are not where it shines.

If you want one cushioned running shoe that covers most of your training week, buy the ASICS Novablast 5.

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Best upgrade: ASICS Gel-Nimbus 26

ASICS Gel-Nimbus 26 — roughly £160-£180

The Nimbus buys you a more comfort-first ride for runners who mostly do easy miles, recovery runs, or long steady efforts. It is the safer, plusher choice if you care more about softness than pep, and it makes sense when your runs are rarely fast and your legs want maximum forgiveness.

Worth it if: you want the most cushioned ASICS daily shoe and do not care whether it feels lively.

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Best budget pick: Hoka Clifton 9

Hoka Clifton 9 — around £130-£135

The Clifton 9 gets you into the cushioned daily-trainer category at a similar but often slightly lower price, and it is a cleaner choice if you prefer a lighter, simpler ride. It is less bouncy and less versatile than the Novablast 5, but it still does the easy-mile job well and is easy to live with on regular training runs.

Worth it if: you want a straightforward, lighter-feeling daily shoe and do not need the Novablast’s extra bounce.

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How we chose

We looked at what matters most for a daily running shoe: cushioning, weight, fit, versatility, and whether it can handle more than one kind of run. We also checked current expert comparisons and pricing to make sure the alternatives are real, available options rather than fantasy picks.

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Frequently asked questions

Is the ASICS Novablast 5 good for beginners?
Yes. It is forgiving, cushioned, and not overly aggressive, so it works well if you want one shoe that covers most training runs without much fuss.

Is it worth £136?
Yes, if you want one shoe to do almost everything. If you only run easy miles and want maximum softness, the upgrade pick is better value for your needs.

How does it hold up in wet weather?
Adequately, not brilliantly: the AHAR LO outsole is durable and fine on roads, but wet grip is only average.

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Verdict

The ASICS Novablast 5 is a smart buy for runners who want one cushioned daily trainer that still feels light on foot. It is not the most stable shoe and it is not the best wet-weather choice, but for most road runners that trade-off is worth it.