There aren’t many shoes out there with as much hype and fan-fare as the Asics Novablast. It was the most tagged trainer on Strava in 2025 and Asics’ best selling running shoe of the year. Countless runners and walkers logged miles in the Novablast, and it’s easy to see why.
This versatile and lightweight daily trainer has earned quite a reputation over the years. In the past, our team members have been huge fans of the soft and responsive foam, lightweight feel, and trampoline-inspired bounce the Novablast has to offer.
But with so much buzz and popularity, it puts a lot of pressure on the newest Novablast to live up to the hype. Lightweight speed trainers are also becoming increasingly common, so a lot of eyes are on the newest Novablast to see if it can continue its reign as the most popular running shoe around.
And at Marathon Sports, we share in this eagerness and excitement. The newest iteration of the shoe, the Novablast 6, introduced some key changes and upgrades, and we couldn’t wait to see how these updates held up and if the Novablast 6 could surpass expectations.
Our Review Process
If, like us, you had lots of questions about the Novablast 6 and whether it’s the shoe for you, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll dive into all the new features, highlight what Asics maintained from the previous version, and offer some comparable training shoe ideas.
But we can’t just learn about the Novablast by reading about it. So we laced up the Novablast and took to the roads. We put the shoe to the test through daily miles, speed workouts, easy road miles, and even on some trails.
After a huge variety of test runs, our review team felt we had a solid understanding of how the shoe performs, what runners might enjoy the Novablast, and who might not like what this performance training shoe has to offer.
Asics Novablast 6: Key Specs and Details
Before we dive into all the nitty gritty details, here’s a quick overview of the Asics Novablast 6.
- Advertised as an energetic and lightweight neutral daily training shoe
- Stack height: 41.5/33.5 mm for men’s shoes, 40.5/32.5 mm for women’s shoes
- 8 mm heel-to-toe offset
- Weight: 8.8 oz (M),7.7 oz (W)
- Midsole is made up of a combination of soft and reliable FF BLAST MAX foam and ultra springy FF TURBO SQUARED for cloud-like landings with responsive toe offs
- Upgraded upper is made from an engineered woven material for maximum breathability, comfort, and security
- Padded heel collar and unique tongue wing construction reduces any excess movement for a more secure fit
- Trampoline-inspired geometry delivers extra bounce and responsiveness for uptempo efforts
- ASICSGRIP rubber outsole improves grip across different terrains and increases durability
- Made with recycled materials and uses a dope dying process to reduce waste and carbon emissions
- Price: $155
A Closer Look at the Novablast 6
Reading all about the new features and highlights is a great way to get to know what to expect with a new shoe. But we’ll also offer a closer look at all of these unique features and how they play a role in making the Novablast one of the most beloved running shoes around.
FF BLAST MAX Midsole
Asics’ FF BLAST MAX foam is the primary component of the Novablast 6’s midsole. This is one of the brand’s most dependable, energetic midsole foams, giving the Novablast its iconic soft and bouncy ride.
With a 41.5/33.5 mm stack height for men’s shoes and 40.5/32.5 for women’s, the Novablast 6 boasts plenty of this soft yet responsive cushioning underfoot. So whether you’re tackling uptempo track workouts or long runs, this shoe certainly has enough cushion to keep your legs and feet feeling fresh and protected.
New FF TURBO SQUARED Trampoline Pod
While the FF BLAST MAX midsole cushion gives the Novablast 6 a similar responsive ride to its predecessor, the brand new FF TURBO SQUARED trampoline pod takes the update’s bounce and energy return to the next level.
Several of the brand’s high-performance super trainers, including the Megablast and Sonicblast, use FF TURBO SQUARED foam. These shoes are known for their explosive and propulsive designs, and the FF TURBO SQUARED foam incorporated in the Novablast 6 brings a similar pop and energy to the brand’s lightweight daily trainer.
This foam takes the form of a trampoline pod, a forefoot midsole construction that acts as a sort of springboard as you roll through your stride. This ultra bouncy foam in the forefoot propels you forward, creating a dynamic ride with propulsive and energetic toe-offs.
Woven Upper and Fit
The midsole isn’t the only area that saw some major upgrades. Asics also replaced the jacquard mesh upper used in previous iterations with a new engineered woven upper construction.
This upper is designed to be incredibly lightweight and breathable, creating a premium, high-performance feel that can support you through any type of run. This new upper material is also secure enough to eliminate the need for any additional structure or overlays. A tongue wing construction helps reduce movement and rubbing even more, providing a secure, nearly customized fit through the midfoot.
The Novablast 6 is relatively snug and narrow around the foot to create a secure, locked-in feel as you pick up the pace. However, for those who need a bit more space throughout the shoe, the Novablast is now available in both standard and wide widths.
ASICSGRIP Outsole
While countless runners and walkers loved previous versions of the Novablast, it didn’t always score the highest marks for durability. So our review team was happy to see the Novablast 6 make strides towards a more durable, longer-lasting design.
The shoe features a proprietary ASICSGRIP outsole, with additional AHAR LO rubber strategically placed along high-wear areas. This refined outsole increases the shoe’s lifespan, all while driving more reliable grip and traction across different terrains.
Sustainability
The features above all play a key role in making the Novablast 6 one of the most highly-anticipated running shoe updates around. But outside of the comfortable, high-performance elements, Asics also takes significant steps to increase sustainability in the Novablast 6.
The brand uses recycled polyester in the upper, as well as water-saving dope-dying in the sockliner, to reduce waste and ensure a more environmentally-friendly manufacturing process.
Blast Off: The Novablast 6 in Action
Because our review team members were such big fans of previous Novablast iterations, we were excited to lace up the newest version, see how it compares, and determine if it lives up to the shoe’s exceptional reputation,
The new upper design was one of the first major changes we noticed upon sliding on the Novablast 6. It’s not that we didn’t like the engineered mesh in the Novablast 5. But the upgraded woven mesh material in the newest Novablast provided even more immediate step-in comfort. The padding in the heel and tongue wing construction kept our feet feeling secure and locked down from the very first step.
And as we started our runs, we were happy to see that the breathability and consistent comfort lived up to the immediate step-in feel. We’ve been getting our runs in whenever we can this hot and humid New England summer, and even when temperatures warmed up, our feet stayed well-ventilated and comfortable.
The fit and upper all shined as we headed out for long runs, daily miles, and uptempo days. But the real star of the shoe? The new midsole construction and trampoline pod.
The FF BLAST MAX that makes up most of the Novablast 6’s midsole felt familiar underfoot. It was soft yet springy, easily adapting to any pace or effort. Under the forefoot, however, the addition of the FF TURBO SQUARED trampoline pod truly took these shoes to the next level. As you roll through your stride, this ultra bouncy, energetic foam propels you forward and drives more efficient toe offs.
The Novablast has consistently excelled in its adaptability and versatility, and we found that this new midsole makeup contributed even more to this versatility. While there was plenty of soft, responsive foam to absorb shock during longer runs, the dynamic forefoot pod made it even easier to effortlessly pick up the pace.
The combination of ASCISGRIP rubber outsole with AHARLO rubber in key areas gives the shoe some additional grip and traction. The downside is that, while this outsole aids in longevity, the shoe still isn’t the most resilient or durable on the market. There’s a lot of features to love about the shoe, so we always wish we could enjoy them for more miles. Unfortunately, soft foam such as the foam in the Novablast tends to compress a bit quicker than firmer foams.
And while it excels in a huge variety of runs, we likely wouldn’t suggest the Novablast 6 is a dedicated sprinting or track workout shoe. While it helped us across a wide range of paces, the super soft foam may feel unstable or too spongy for some athletes, especially those focused on speed.
The Novablast 6 does improve stability with a wider base, but overall, we would recommend this shoe more as a versatile daily trainer as opposed to a dedicated speed run shoe in your rotation.
Novablast 6 Pros and Cons
As we mentioned, we found a lot to love in the Novablast 6 throughout our road testing. But even the most popular, beloved shoes on the market have a couple downsides to consider. Here are the pros and cons to keep in mind with the newest Novablast.
Pros
- Full FF BLAST MAX midsole provides reliable softness and comfort without sacrificing responsiveness
- New FF TURBO SQUARED forefoot pod balances out soft heel landings with responsive and energetic toe offs to optimize comfort, bounce, and versatility
- Lightweight design and energy return allows you to go from uptempo intervals to casual daily miles with ease
- Upper has been upgraded with a woven material to enhance breathability and all-around comfort
Cons
- Runners looking for a dedicated speed shoe may find the soft midsole too spongy and unstable
- While the updated outsole improves grip and durability compared to the previous iteration, the soft exposed foam still limits the shoe’s longevity
Asics Novablast 6 vs Comparable Options: How Does it Stack Up?
The performance trainer category is constantly growing. And while the Novablast 6 remains a top option for anyone prioritizing versatility and comfort, there are a few other options to consider when you’re searching for your next running shoe.
Puma recently joined in on the non-plated speed training fun with the Deviate Pure Nitro. This performance-oriented trainer is impressively lightweight, coming in at only 7.8 oz for men’s shoes and 6.3 oz for women’s.
They’re also a firmer option than the Novablast 6. So while both are versatile daily trainers, the difference stems from whether you’re looking for a firmer, more speed oriented shoe or a softer shoe more geared towards everyday miles.
Asics has also been a standout in the performance trainer category, even outside of the Novablast line. The Superblast 3 offers a firmer, bouncier ride with an even lighter design than the Novablast. It’s more cushioned and some runners may find it a bit more versatile, but also comes with a more premium price tag. If you want a more affordable option, the Novablast will be a fantastic budget-friendly choice.
Final Thoughts: Is the Novablast 6 Right For You?
Finding the perfect pair of training shoes can be overwhelming. There are countless options out there, which can make it feel impossible to know exactly what you’re looking for.
But don’t stress – our footwear experts at Marathon Sports have you covered.
We learn all there is to know about every new shoe model out there to help narrow down your options and end up in the perfect shoe for you.
The good news is that the Novablast 6 can appeal to a huge range of runners, walkers, and gym goers. It’s a great beginning running shoe option for anyone looking for a single shoe that can do it all. It’s also a great choice for experienced athletes who want an adaptable, lightweight shoe in their rotation.
When you see how many people could benefit from the Novablast, it’s simple to understand how it became a go-to shoe for so many athletes. And with the 6th iteration, Asics expands on its winning formula with even more bounce, versatility, and comfort.
You can find the Novablast 6 at any of our retail locations or through our online store. No matter where you shop or what shoe you end up going with, our team is always happy to help you find the perfect fit and keep you feeling your best on every run.
