ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28 vs NOVABLAST 6

Which Running Shoe Is Better?

Products

ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28
ASICS NOVABLAST 6

Tested using Methodology v0.12

Updated Sep 15, 2026 05:54 PM

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Tested using Methodology v0.16

Updated Sep 25, 2026 12:37 AM

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ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28 Picture

Track

ASICS NOVABLAST 6 Picture

Track

  1. Recommended in 3 articles:
  2. For Beginners
  3. ASICS
  4. Heavy Runners
  1. Recommended in 4 articles:
  2. Running Shoes
  3. For Men
  4. Women
  5. 1

Our Verdict

ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28

ASICS NOVABLAST 6

The ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28 is a better choice than the ASICS NOVABLAST 6 for daily training and long runs. The NIMBUS 28's better stability and more resilient cushioning do a better job of keeping your stride steady and protecting your legs over long distances. However, if you want one shoe for easy runs and speed workouts, then the lighter, far bouncier NOVABLAST 6 is the one to get.

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Variants

  • GEL-NIMBUS 28 (Arctic Blue/Velvet Purple - (Women - US 7))
  • GEL-NIMBUS 28 (Black/Cobalt Burst - (Men - US 9))
  • NOVABLAST 6 (Black/Black - (Men - US 9))
  • NOVABLAST 6 (Black/Khaki - (Men - US 9))
Read more

Main Differences for
Half/Full Marathon Racing

Threshold 

0.10

Half/Full Marathon Racing 
 

6.7
7.4

Forefoot Compression Energy Return 
 

1.8
7.6

Forefoot Bending Energy Return 
 

3.9
7.3

Weight  

5.5
6.5

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning 
 

8.3
7.3

Heel Compression Energy Return 
 

1.0
6.4

Rocker Stiffness 
 

8.4
5.7

Full Comparison

Design

Weight  

5.5
6.5

Right Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28 Right Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
ASICS NOVABLAST 6 Right Shoe Weight Photo

Left Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28 Left Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
ASICS NOVABLAST 6 Left Shoe Weight Photo

Weight 
 

272.9 g (9.63 oz)
247.7 g (8.74 oz)

Stack Heights 
 

Stack Height Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28 Stack Height Photo
Compare High-Res
ASICS NOVABLAST 6 Stack Height Photo

Heel Stack Height 
 

42.5 mm
41.9 mm

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

36.1 mm
33.1 mm

Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

6.4 mm
8.8 mm

Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

8.0 mm
8.0 mm

External Shape 
 

3D Model Full Shoe  

Preview 3D
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28 3D Model Full Shoe
Preview 3D
ASICS NOVABLAST 6 3D Model Full Shoe

Outsole Heel Width 
 

97 mm (3.8")
90 mm (3.5")

Outsole Arch Width 
 

84 mm (3.3")
78 mm (3.1")

Outsole Forefoot Width 
 

117 mm (4.6")
116 mm (4.6")

Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

2.28
2.15

Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

3.24
3.49

Internal Shape 
 

3D Model Internal  

Preview 3D
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28 3D Model Internal
Preview 3D
ASICS NOVABLAST 6 3D Model Internal

Internal Length 
 

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

Internal Heel Width 
 

67 mm (2.6")
62 mm (2.4")

Internal Forefoot Width 
 

96 mm (3.8")
95 mm (3.7")

Wide Sizing Available 
 

Yes
Yes

Forefoot Fit: Width 
 

8.8
9.3

Forefoot Width Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28 Forefoot Width Photo
Compare High-Res
ASICS NOVABLAST 6 Forefoot Width Photo

Ball-Of-Foot TTS Deviation 
 

1.8 mm (0.072")
3.5 mm (0.136")

Toe TTS Deviation 
 

-3.8 mm (-0.151")
-0.8 mm (-0.030")

Forefoot Fit: Height 
 

5.3
6.0

Forefoot Height Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28 Forefoot Height Photo
Compare High-Res
ASICS NOVABLAST 6 Forefoot Height Photo

Toe TTS Deviation 
 

-5.6 mm (-0.221")
-4.7 mm (-0.186")

Arch Fit: Width 
 

7.3
8.8

Arch Fit Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28 Arch Fit Photo
Compare High-Res
ASICS NOVABLAST 6 Arch Fit Photo

Arch Width TTS Deviation 
 

-4.3 mm (-0.169")
-2.2 mm (-0.088")

Length Fit 
 

10
10

Toe Clearance Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28 Toe Clearance Photo
Compare High-Res
ASICS NOVABLAST 6 Toe Clearance Photo

Heel Rocker Geometry 
 

7.1
7.6

Heel Rocker Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28 Heel Rocker Photo
Compare High-Res
ASICS NOVABLAST 6 Heel Rocker Photo

Heel Spring 
 

32 mm (1.3")
24 mm (0.9")

Heel Apex Position 
 

23.3%
15.0%

Heel Rocker Angle 
 

15.2°
28.6°

Forefoot Rocker Geometry 
 

7.7
7.3

Forefoot Rocker Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28 Forefoot Rocker Photo
Compare High-Res
ASICS NOVABLAST 6 Forefoot Rocker Photo

Toe Spring 
 

55 mm (2.2")
51 mm (2.0")

Toe Apex Position 
 

60.0%
66.0%

Forefoot Rocker Angle 
 

24.6°
27.0°

Foam 
 

Primary Foam Picture  

ASICS NOVABLAST 6 Primary Foam Picture

Secondary Foam Picture  

ASICS NOVABLAST 6 Secondary Foam Picture

Primary Foam Name 
 

FF BLAST MAX

Primary Foam Type 
 

POE

Secondary Foam Name 
 

FF TURBO²

Secondary Foam Type 
 

A-TPU

Laces 
 

Laces Picture  

ASICS NOVABLAST 6 Laces Picture

Lace Type 
 

Flat

Width 
 

6.0 mm (0.2")

Thickness 
 

1.8 mm (0.1")

Stretch 
 

22.2%

Breathability 
 

7.5

Breathability Video  

Upper Breathability  

ASICS NOVABLAST 6 Upper Breathability

Upper Microscope Photo  

ASICS NOVABLAST 6 Upper Microscope Photo

Time-To-Dry 
 

7.5

Time-To-Dry Timelapse  

Time-To-Dry Graph  

 Preview Graph
ASICS NOVABLAST 6 Time-To-Dry 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  

ASICS NOVABLAST 6 Dry Weight Photo

Wet Weight Photo  

ASICS NOVABLAST 6 Wet Weight Photo

Water Absorbed 
 

46.9%

Other Features  

Other Features Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28 Other Features Photo
Compare High-Res
ASICS NOVABLAST 6 Other Features Photo

Tongue Gusset Type 
 

Fully-gusseted
Fully-gusseted

Plate 
 

None
None
Performance

Heel Compression Energy Return 
 

1.0
6.4

Heel Compression Video  

Heel Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28 Heel Energy Return
 Preview Graph
ASICS NOVABLAST 6 Heel Energy Return

Heel Energy Return 
 

64.7%
74.3%

Forefoot Compression Energy Return 
 

1.8
7.6

Forefoot Compression Video  

Forefoot Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28 Forefoot Energy Return
 Preview Graph
ASICS NOVABLAST 6 Forefoot Energy Return

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

67.4%
78.9%

Heel Cushioning 
 

8.2
8.8

Heel Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28 Heel Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
ASICS NOVABLAST 6 Heel Cushioning Picture

Heel Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28 Heel Cushioning
 Preview Graph
ASICS NOVABLAST 6 Heel Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 550N 
 

3.43 J
4.20 J

Energy Absorbed At 1100N 
 

10.28 J
10.65 J

Energy Absorbed At 1900N 
 

18.03 J
17.95 J

Forefoot Cushioning 
 

8.9
8.3

Forefoot Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28 Forefoot Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
ASICS NOVABLAST 6 Forefoot Cushioning Picture

Forefoot Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28 Forefoot Cushioning
 Preview Graph
ASICS NOVABLAST 6 Forefoot Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 800N 
 

5.43 J
5.40 J

Energy Absorbed At 1300N 
 

9.95 J
9.02 J

Energy Absorbed At 2050N 
 

15.38 J
12.85 J

Heel Firmness 
 

8.1
6.0

Heel Firmness Graph  

 Preview Graph
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28 Heel Firmness Graph
 Preview Graph
ASICS NOVABLAST 6 Heel Firmness Graph

Firmness At 550N 
 

48.5 N/mm
36.0 N/mm

Firmness At 1100N 
 

54.9 N/mm
47.0 N/mm

Firmness At 1900N 
 

74.9 N/mm
66.7 N/mm

Forefoot Firmness 
 

7.4
6.2

Forefoot Firmness Graph  

 Preview Graph
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28 Forefoot Firmness Graph
 Preview Graph
ASICS NOVABLAST 6 Forefoot Firmness Graph

Firmness At 800N 
 

56.9 N/mm
49.0 N/mm

Firmness At 1300N 
 

70.4 N/mm
65.4 N/mm

Firmness At 2050N 
 

94 N/mm
92 N/mm

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning 
 

8.3
7.3

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28 Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
 Preview Graph
ASICS NOVABLAST 6 Forefoot Long Run Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 10km 
 

9.28 J
7.91 J

Energy Absorbed At 20km 
 

9.07 J
7.77 J

Energy Absorbed At 30km 
 

8.97 J
7.69 J

Energy Absorbed At 40km 
 

8.88 J
7.62 J

Rocker Stiffness 
 

8.4
5.7

Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Video  

Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph  

 Preview Graph
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28 Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph
 Preview Graph
ASICS NOVABLAST 6 Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph

Force To Flatten The Rocker 
 

135 N
55 N

Forefoot Bending Energy Return 
 

3.9
7.3

Forefoot Bending Video  

Forefoot Bending Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28 Forefoot Bending Energy Return
 Preview Graph
ASICS NOVABLAST 6 Forefoot Bending Energy Return

Forefoot Bending Energy Return 
 

53.0%
66.9%

Forefoot Bending Stiffness 
 

7.8
6.0

Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28 Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture
Compare High-Res
ASICS NOVABLAST 6 Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture

Forefoot Bending Resistance  

 Preview Graph
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28 Forefoot Bending Resistance
 Preview Graph
ASICS NOVABLAST 6 Forefoot Bending Resistance

Forefoot Bending Stiffness 
 

15.5 N/mm
9.7 N/mm

Forefoot Bending Force 
 

330 N
218 N

Heel Compression Depth 
 

7.0

Heel Compression Graph  

 Preview Graph
ASICS NOVABLAST 6 Heel Compression Graph

Heel Compression At 550N 
 

15.3 mm

Heel Compression At 1100N 
 

23.4 mm

Heel Compression At 1900N 
 

28.5 mm

Forefoot Compression Depth 
 

6.8

Forefoot Compression Graph  

 Preview Graph
ASICS NOVABLAST 6 Forefoot Compression Graph

Forefoot Compression At 800N 
 

16.3 mm

Forefoot Compression At 1300N 
 

19.9 mm

Forefoot Compression At 2050N 
 

22.2 mm

ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28

ASICS NOVABLAST 6

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