Products
Tested using Methodology v0.15
Updated Sep 03, 2026 03:33 PM
SEE PRICE
Amazon
Tested using Methodology v0.16
Updated Sep 11, 2026 06:40 PM
SEE PRICE
Amazon
Heel Stack Height
40.2 mm
Weight
290.1 g (10.23 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
7.9 mm
Plate
None
Heel Stack Height
41.9 mm
Weight
247.7 g (8.74 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
8.8 mm
Plate
None
Our Verdict
ASICS GEL-EXCITE 11
ASICS NOVABLAST 6
The ASICS NOVABLAST 6 is a better shoe than the ASICS GEL-EXCITE 11. It offers significantly more impact protection, as well as being lighter and peppier underfoot. It's also more versatile, much more capable over long runs and marathon efforts. However, the Gel-Excite 11 is cheaper and more stable, so if you don't have the budget for the Novablast 6 and just want a trustworthy shoe when you're getting started running, the Gel-Excite 11 ticks those boxes.
Variants
- GEL-EXCITE 11 (Aurora Green/Black - (Men - US 9))
- GEL-EXCITE 11 (Black/Carrier Grey - (Men - US 9))
- NOVABLAST 6 (Black/Black - (Men - US 9))
- NOVABLAST 6 (Black/Khaki - (Men - US 9))
Main Differences for
Half/Full Marathon Racing
Half/Full Marathon Racing
Threshold
Half/Full Marathon Racing
6.2
7.4
Weight
4.8
6.5
Forefoot Compression Energy Return
2.9
7.6
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
3.4
7.3
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
6.2
7.3
Heel Firmness
9.0
6.0
Full Comparison
Design
Weight
4.8
6.5
Right Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
Compare High-Res
Left Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
Compare High-Res
Weight
290.1 g (10.23 oz)
247.7 g (8.74 oz)
Stack Heights
Stack Height Photo
Compare High-Res
Compare High-Res
Heel Stack Height
40.2 mm
41.9 mm
Forefoot Stack Height
32.3 mm
33.1 mm
Heel-To-Toe Drop
7.9 mm
8.8 mm
Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop
8.0 mm
8.0 mm
External Shape
3D Model Full Shoe
Preview 3D
Preview 3D
Outsole Heel Width
100 mm (3.9")
90 mm (3.5")
Outsole Arch Width
83 mm (3.3")
78 mm (3.1")
Outsole Forefoot Width
117 mm (4.6")
116 mm (4.6")
Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio
2.54
2.15
Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio
3.62
3.49
Internal Shape
3D Model Internal
Preview 3D
Preview 3D
Internal Length
276 mm (10.9")
284 mm (11.2")
Internal Heel Width
62 mm (2.4")
62 mm (2.4")
Internal Forefoot Width
94 mm (3.7")
95 mm (3.7")
Wide Sizing Available
Yes
Yes
Forefoot Fit: Width
9.5
9.3
Forefoot Width Photo
Compare High-Res
Compare High-Res
Ball-Of-Foot TTS Deviation
2.5 mm (0.100")
3.5 mm (0.136")
Toe TTS Deviation
-0.7 mm (-0.028")
-0.8 mm (-0.030")
Forefoot Fit: Height
6.4
6.0
Forefoot Height Photo
Compare High-Res
Compare High-Res
Toe TTS Deviation
-4.3 mm (-0.169")
-4.7 mm (-0.186")
Arch Fit: Width
8.9
8.8
Arch Fit Photo
Compare High-Res
Compare High-Res
Arch Width TTS Deviation
-2.1 mm (-0.081")
-2.2 mm (-0.088")
Length Fit
10
10
Toe Clearance Photo
Compare High-Res
Compare High-Res
Heel Rocker Geometry
6.6
7.6
Heel Rocker Photo
Compare High-Res
Compare High-Res
Heel Spring
20 mm (0.8")
24 mm (0.9")
Heel Apex Position
26.6%
15.0%
Heel Rocker Angle
14.6°
28.6°
Forefoot Rocker Geometry
7.3
7.3
Forefoot Rocker Photo
Compare High-Res
Compare High-Res
Toe Spring
50 mm (2.0")
51 mm (2.0")
Toe Apex Position
58.6%
66.0%
Forefoot Rocker Angle
22.6°
27.0°
Foam
Primary Foam Picture
Compare High-Res
Compare High-Res
Secondary Foam Picture
Compare High-Res
Compare High-Res
Primary Foam Name
AMPLIFOAM™ PLUS
Primary Foam Name
FF BLAST MAX
Primary Foam Type
EVA
POE
Secondary Foam Name
N/A
Secondary Foam Name
FF TURBO²
Secondary Foam Type
No Secondary Foam
A-TPU
Laces
Laces Picture
Compare High-Res
Compare High-Res
Lace Type
Round
Flat
Width
5.0 mm (0.2")
6.0 mm (0.2")
Thickness
2.5 mm (0.1")
1.8 mm (0.1")
Stretch
10.0%
22.2%
Breathability
7.5
Breathability Video
Upper Breathability
Upper Microscope Photo
Time-To-Dry
7.5
Time-To-Dry Timelapse
Time-To-Dry Graph
Preview Graph
Time To 30% Dry
7.0 hrs
Time To 70% Dry
16.8 hrs
Time To Dry
23.8 hrs
Water Absorption
6.8
Dry Weight Photo
Wet Weight Photo
Water Absorbed
46.9%
Other Features
Other Features Photo
Compare High-Res
Compare High-Res
Tongue Gusset Type
Non-gusseted
Fully-gusseted
Plate
None
None
Performance
Heel Compression Energy Return
2.0
6.4
Heel Compression Video
Heel Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Heel Energy Return
67.8%
74.3%
Forefoot Compression Energy Return
2.9
7.6
Forefoot Compression Video
Forefoot Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Energy Return
69.4%
78.9%
Heel Cushioning
7.2
8.8
Heel Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
Compare High-Res
Heel Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 550N
2.76 J
4.20 J
Energy Absorbed At 1100N
9.24 J
10.65 J
Energy Absorbed At 1900N
16.35 J
17.95 J
Forefoot Cushioning
6.7
8.3
Forefoot Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
Compare High-Res
Forefoot Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 800N
3.84 J
5.40 J
Energy Absorbed At 1300N
7.10 J
9.02 J
Energy Absorbed At 2050N
10.91 J
12.85 J
Heel Firmness
9.0
6.0
Heel Firmness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Firmness At 550N
59.2 N/mm
36.0 N/mm
Firmness At 1100N
63.2 N/mm
47.0 N/mm
Firmness At 1900N
85.1 N/mm
66.7 N/mm
Forefoot Firmness
9.4
6.2
Forefoot Firmness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Firmness At 800N
77.9 N/mm
49.0 N/mm
Firmness At 1300N
96.6 N/mm
65.4 N/mm
Firmness At 2050N
130 N/mm
92 N/mm
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
6.2
7.3
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 10km
6.81 J
7.91 J
Energy Absorbed At 20km
6.66 J
7.77 J
Energy Absorbed At 30km
6.56 J
7.69 J
Energy Absorbed At 40km
6.50 J
7.62 J
Rocker Stiffness
5.7
5.7
Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Video
Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Force To Flatten The Rocker
55 N
55 N
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
3.4
7.3
Forefoot Bending Video
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
51.3%
66.9%
Forefoot Bending Stiffness
7.8
6.0
Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture
Compare High-Res
Compare High-Res
Forefoot Bending Resistance
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Bending Stiffness
14.1 N/mm
9.7 N/mm
Forefoot Bending Force
378 N
218 N
Heel Compression Depth
4.9
7.0
Heel Compression Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Heel Compression At 550N
9.3 mm
15.3 mm
Heel Compression At 1100N
17.4 mm
23.4 mm
Heel Compression At 1900N
22.3 mm
28.5 mm
Forefoot Compression Depth
4.6
6.8
Forefoot Compression Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Compression At 800N
10.3 mm
16.3 mm
Forefoot Compression At 1300N
13.5 mm
19.9 mm
Forefoot Compression At 2050N
15.8 mm
22.2 mm
To access
Become a member
unlimited full product reviews,
product prices, and
other exclusive site features
ASICS GEL-EXCITE 11
ASICS NOVABLAST 6
Comments
ASICS GEL-EXCITE 11 vs ASICS NOVABLAST 6: Main Discussion
What do you think of these products? Let us know below.
Looking for a personalized buying advice from the RTINGS.com experts? Members have direct access to buying advice on our member forum.