ASICS NOVABLAST 5 vs GEL-NIMBUS 27

Which Running Shoe Is Better?

Products

ASICS NOVABLAST 5
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27

Tested using Methodology v0.11

Updated Apr 13, 2026 01:56 PM

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Tested using Methodology v0.10

Updated Apr 09, 2026 01:11 PM

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ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Picture

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ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 Picture

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Our Verdict

ASICS NOVABLAST 5

ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27

The ASICS NOVABLAST 5 and ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 are both neutral daily trainers built for comfort but cater to very different preferences. The NOVABLAST 5 is a modern, high-stack trainer that combines soft FF BLAST+ ECO foam with a responsive geometry, giving it a fun, energetic bounce while staying light and super cushioned. It's the more playful of the two, capable of handling some pace variations and offering a more engaging ride for runners who like to feel their shoes give them something in return for their efforts. The GEL-NIMBUS 27, in contrast, is ASICS' flagship soft-cruiser and focuses on plushness and stability. It provides excellent impact absorption for all types of easy runs. However, it's noticeably heavier and less dynamic than the NOVABLAST 5, and it lacks the versatility and excitement of its sibling.

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Variants

  • NOVABLAST 5 (Black/Carrier Grey - (Men - US 9))
  • NOVABLAST 5 (Black/Carrier Grey - (Women - US 7))
  • GEL-NIMBUS 27 (Amber/Neutral Pink - (Men - US 9))
  • GEL-NIMBUS 27 (Birch/Cold Moss - (Women - US 7))
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Main Differences for
Marathon Racing

Threshold 

0.10

Marathon Racing 
 

7.3
5.6

Forefoot Compression Energy Return 
 

7.3
2.8

Weight  

6.5
4.3

Heel Compression Energy Return 
 

6.3
2.1

Full Comparison

Design

Weight  

6.5
4.3

Right Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Right Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 Right Shoe Weight Photo

Left Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Left Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 Left Shoe Weight Photo

Weight 
 

248.2 g (8.76 oz)
301.7 g (10.64 oz)

Stack Heights 
 

Stack Height Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Stack Height Photo
Compare High-Res
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 Stack Height Photo

Heel Stack Height 
 

41.8 mm
45.0 mm

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

33.4 mm
35.2 mm

Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

8.2 mm
9.8 mm

Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

8.0 mm
8.0 mm

External Shape 
 

3D Model Full Shoe  

Preview 3D
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 3D Model Full Shoe
Preview 3D
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 3D Model Full Shoe

Outsole Heel Width 
 

89 mm (3.5")
94 mm (3.7")

Outsole Arch Width 
 

75 mm (2.9")
84 mm (3.3")

Outsole Forefoot Width 
 

115 mm (4.5")
116 mm (4.6")

Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

2.13
2.09

Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

3.44
3.30

Internal Shape 
 

3D Model Internal  

Preview 3D
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 3D Model Internal
Preview 3D
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 3D Model Internal

Internal Length 
 

284 mm (11.2")
278 mm (10.9")

Internal Heel Width 
 

62 mm (2.4")
66 mm (2.6")

Internal Forefoot Width 
 

94 mm (3.7")
95 mm (3.7")

Wide Sizing Available 
 

Yes
Yes

Forefoot Fit: Width 
 

9.2
9.6

Forefoot Width Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Forefoot Width Photo
Compare High-Res
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 Forefoot Width Photo

Ball-Of-Foot TTS Deviation 
 

1.5 mm (0.059")
1.5 mm (0.057")

Toe TTS Deviation 
 

-3.0 mm (-0.116")
3.7 mm (0.146")

Forefoot Fit: Height 
 

8.9
7.3

Forefoot Height Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Forefoot Height Photo
Compare High-Res
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 Forefoot Height Photo

Toe TTS Deviation 
 

-1.6 mm (-0.064")
-3.2 mm (-0.126")

Arch Fit: Width 
 

7.1
8.8

Arch Fit Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Arch Fit Photo
Compare High-Res
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 Arch Fit Photo

Arch Width TTS Deviation 
 

-4.5 mm (-0.178")
-2.2 mm (-0.087")

Length Fit 
 

10
10

Toe Clearance Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Toe Clearance Photo
Compare High-Res
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 Toe Clearance Photo

Heel Rocker Geometry 
 

6.2

Heel Rocker Photo  

ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Heel Rocker Photo

Heel Spring 
 

17 mm (0.7")

Heel Apex Position 
 

13.2%

Heel Rocker Angle 
 

23.0°

Forefoot Rocker Geometry 
 

6.7

Forefoot Rocker Photo  

ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Forefoot Rocker Photo

Toe Spring 
 

48 mm (1.9")

Toe Apex Position 
 

73.4%

Forefoot Rocker Angle 
 

31.0°

Other Features  

Other Features Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Other Features Photo
Compare High-Res
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 Other Features Photo

Tongue Gusset Type 
 

Fully-gusseted
Fully-gusseted

Plate 
 

None
None
Performance

Heel Compression Energy Return 
 

6.3
2.1

Heel Compression Video  

Heel Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Heel Energy Return
 Preview Graph
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 Heel Energy Return

Heel Energy Return 
 

74.0%
68.0%

Forefoot Compression Energy Return 
 

7.3
2.8

Forefoot Compression Video  

Forefoot Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Forefoot Energy Return
 Preview Graph
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 Forefoot Energy Return

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

77.3%
69.2%

Heel Cushioning 
 

8.2
7.8

Heel Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Heel Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 Heel Cushioning Picture

Heel Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Heel Cushioning
 Preview Graph
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 Heel Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 550N 
 

3.83 J
3.38 J

Energy Absorbed At 1100N 
 

9.97 J
9.45 J

Energy Absorbed At 1900N 
 

16.86 J
16.82 J

Forefoot Cushioning 
 

7.9
8.6

Forefoot Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Forefoot Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 Forefoot Cushioning Picture

Forefoot Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Forefoot Cushioning
 Preview Graph
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 Forefoot Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 800N 
 

5.15 J
5.22 J

Energy Absorbed At 1300N 
 

8.58 J
9.40 J

Energy Absorbed At 2050N 
 

12.28 J
14.18 J

Heel Firmness 
 

5.1
5.3

Heel Firmness  

 Preview Graph
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Heel Firmness
 Preview Graph
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 Heel Firmness

Firmness At 550N 
 

47.1 N/mm
53.3 N/mm

Firmness At 1100N 
 

109.3 N/mm
105.2 N/mm

Firmness At 1900N 
 

229.7 N/mm
210.4 N/mm

Forefoot Firmness 
 

8.1
7.0

Forefoot Firmness  

 Preview Graph
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Forefoot Firmness
 Preview Graph
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 Forefoot Firmness

Firmness At 800N 
 

105.0 N/mm
87.9 N/mm

Firmness At 1300N 
 

220.1 N/mm
175.1 N/mm

Firmness At 2050N 
 

436.1 N/mm
323.4 N/mm

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning 
 

7.3
8.0

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
 Preview Graph
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 Forefoot Long Run Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 10km 
 

8.00 J
8.84 J

Energy Absorbed At 20km 
 

7.77 J
8.65 J

Energy Absorbed At 30km 
 

7.61 J
8.54 J

Energy Absorbed At 40km 
 

7.50 J
8.51 J

Rocker Stiffness 
 

6.1

Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Video  

Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph  

 Preview Graph
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph

Force To Flatten The Rocker 
 

64 N

Forefoot Bending Energy Return 
 

6.5

Forefoot Bending Video  

Forefoot Bending Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Forefoot Bending Energy Return

Forefoot Bending Energy Return 
 

62.4%

Forefoot Bending Stiffness 
 

6.5

Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture  

ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture

Forefoot Bending Resistance  

 Preview Graph
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Forefoot Bending Resistance

Forefoot Bending Stiffness 
 

11.3 N/mm

Forefoot Bending Force 
 

234 N

ASICS NOVABLAST 5

ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27

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