Once, there was nothing in ASICS' Blast universe. Then came the Big Bang, and the first shoe in the universe was created: a nova, named Novablast. It was the start of the Blast series, ASICS' family of shoes focused on bounce and energy. Since then, the universe has expanded rapidly: Sonicblast, Superblast, and finally Megablast, each with its own place in the range from everyday training to the most extreme bounce ASICS can build.
has excelled as a daily trainer without a carbon plate since day one, and it still does.
Novablast 6: Borrowing energy from a friend
The biggest news in Novablast 6 is in the forefoot. Here, ASICS has added a small foam pad, a footpod, made of the same foam found in Megablast, the brand's most extreme take on bounce. It's a targeted change: the rest of the midsole is still FF Blast Max, like in the 5, but in the forefoot, you now get a touch of the more responsive Megablast technology.
I can feel it immediately: the heel still feels just as soft and forgiving as Novablast 5, but the moment I roll forward and push off with the forefoot, there's an extra burst of energy. The takeoff has become quicker and more fun with the small piece of FF Turbo2.
A heel with attitude
The heel feels to me much like in ASICS Novablast 5, but the geometry has changed. When you place the two side by side, the difference is clear: the 5 has a soft, rounded curve all around the heel's bottom edge, calm and streamlined. Novablast 6 is built from multiple surfaces meeting at sharp angles. It's a rather wild formation, reminding me a bit of a jagged mountain landscape. The rubber sole is also pulled further up the sides than on the 5. It's extra protection that should last for more miles, but it also emphasizes the angular look. The outsole has also received new rubber in the forefoot, ASICSGRIP, which provides better road grip. The heel might look a bit clunky, but I don't experience it that way once I hit the road.
For
it's not just about looks. The platform under the midfoot and heel has been widened, giving the shoe a larger contact area with the ground and making it slightly more stable without becoming a full stability shoe. Combined with a rocker geometry, meaning the curved shape under the entire shoe, it's designed to roll you forward from landing to takeoff.
That's also why the sides of the midsole curve in and out in what resembles wave peaks and troughs. The shape isn't just decoration. By shaping the foam in waves instead of a straight side, the midsole can compress itself by simply changing shape. In the 6, the waves have become sharper and more angled than in previous versions, which is probably why the heel looks more angular and "mountain-like" than usual.
More shoe than you expect
It's really the combination of everything that makes
interesting: the low weight, the wide and stable base, and the extra energy in the forefoot. It's still a daily trainer, but it's lighter and more versatile than the category usually suggests. It's not just for easy miles. Pick up the pace on a tempo run, and the shoe keeps up without issues. Add an extra lap on the long run, and it doesn't complain.
Coming from Novablast 5?
If you've run a lot in ASICS Novablast 5, you'll recognize most of it immediately. The light, playful feel is still there. But the shoe feels overall a bit firmer and more stable. For most, it will be a welcome tightening. However, if you loved how soft and free Novablast 5 felt, it might take some time to get used to the 6 having more direction built in. But there's a good chance it will become your new favorite.
| ASICS Novablast 5 | ASICS Novablast 6 | |
|---|---|---|
 |
 |
| Novablast 5 | Novablast 6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Neutral mileage trainer | Neutral mileage trainer |
| Heel drop | 8 mm | 8 mm |
| Midsole material | FF Blast Max | FF Blast Max FF Turbo² (forefoot pod) |
| Carbon plate | No | No |
| Weight, men (US 9) | 255 g | 252 g |
| Weight, women (US 7.5) | 216 g | 214 g |
| Upper | Engineered jacquard mesh | Engineered woven |
| Outsole | AHAR LO | ASICSGRIP (forefoot) AHAR LO (heel) |
New upper and better fit
also got its upper replaced. The jacquard mesh from the 5 is replaced with an "engineered woven" material, feeling slightly denser than the 5. Side by side, the difference is noticeable: the 5's mesh is thin and almost transparent, while the 6's upper is more tightly woven. The shoe fits well around the midfoot immediately, without needing to lace extra tight for a proper fit. It gives a more "unified" feel than the looser mesh of the 5. The inner heel part also got an update, with a very voluminous amount of padding, providing a secure and comfortable grip on the heel.
Novablast 6 as part of your half marathon training
Novablast 6 is the second of three shoes that RunningXpert recommends for your training towards a half marathon and long distances. Thomas, who works at RunningXpert, is training for a half marathon on 20/9 2026, where the World Championships in road running will be held in Copenhagen. He is training for a time under 1:20. Thomas has personal records of five kilometers in 18 minutes and 33 seconds. In the half marathon, Thomas has run 1:23:31 and in the marathon 2:59:40.
Read also Thomas'
.
We ask Thomas the same three questions for each shoe we recommend, so you can decide if the shoe makes sense in your training:
When do you use the shoe?
I use Novablast 6 for most of my training, as it really hits a "sweet spot" in the combination of a soft landing and a lively take-off – perfect for both easy, long, and tempo runs.
What is the best thing about the shoe?
Versatility. I love going for a long run with varying tempo blocks and feeling the shoe work with me in all phases. And, can I say the price? I really think you get a lot of shoe for the money.
Who can use the shoe?
Everyone! And for almost everything. For the really fast intervals, or if you're at the front of the pack on race day, I'd go with models like Sonicblast or Magic Speed.
Conclusion: Light, fun, and versatile
Novablast 6 is a fine adjustment, following the shoe's own DNA rather than breaking with it. It's a shoe many runners will be happy with. If you're used to Nimbus and want something lighter and "more fun," Novablast 6 can be an obvious choice.
If we see Novablast in a pure ASICS rotation, Novablast 6 is typically the shoe that ties the two extremes together. Nimbus or Kayano handle the softest, most relaxed days, where you just want lots of comfort. On the other end are Magic Speed and Sonicblast, which you bring out when it needs to go faster, or you want a little extra boost from a plate. ASICS Novablast 6 is the shoe in between, the one you use for most of your miles, without needing the extra soft cushioning or extra speed. That's also exactly what Thomas highlights above as the shoe's greatest strength: versatility. If you only have room for one ASICS shoe in the closet, Novablast can be a good place to start.
More ASICS?
If you're looking for more ASICS shoe options, we've gathered them all in our article , where you can also see how Novablast ranks compared to Nimbus, Kayano, and the rest of the family. If the rest of the gear needs to follow, you'll find a wide selection of
or you can see the entire range from
.
