ASICS NOVABLAST 5 vs adidas Adizero Evo SL

Which Running Shoe Is Better?

Products

ASICS NOVABLAST 5
adidas Adizero Evo SL

Tested using Methodology v0.9

Updated Oct 17, 2025 07:49 PM

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Asics.com

Tested using Methodology v0.9

Updated Nov 24, 2025 06:10 PM

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Adidas.com
  1. Recommended in 1 article:
  2. Long Distance
  1. Recommended in 3 articles:
  2. Running Shoes
  3. For Men
  4. For Women

Our Verdict

ASICS NOVABLAST 5

adidas Adizero Evo SL

The ASICS NOVABLAST 5 and the adidas Adizero Evo SL both deliver impressive versatility, but each shines in different areas. They both offer protective cushioning, making it ideal for long runs and daily training, particularly if you prioritize plush comfort. Meanwhile, the Evo SL is lighter and offers more energetic responsiveness, allowing for snappier workouts and even racing. The NOVABLAST 5 still has some bounce, but its overall design and geometry mean it's more geared towards easier runs.

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Variants

  • NOVABLAST 5 (Black/Carrier Grey - (Men - US 9))
  • NOVABLAST 5 (Black/Carrier Grey - (Women - US 7))
  • NOVABLAST 5 (Black/White - (Men - US 9))
  • NOVABLAST 5 (Breeze/White - (Women - US 7))
  • NOVABLAST 5 (Denim Blue/Midnight - (Men - US 9))
  • NOVABLAST 5 (Greyish Purple/Coral Reef - (Men - US 9))
  • NOVABLAST 5 (Greyish Purple/Coral Reef - (Women - US 7))
  • NOVABLAST 5 (Illusion Blue/Light Blue - (Men - US 9))
  • NOVABLAST 5 (Indigo Blue/Amber - (Men - US 9))
  • NOVABLAST 5 (Indigo Blue/Seal Grey - (Men - US 9))
  • NOVABLAST 5 (Pure Aqua/Seal Grey - (Men - US 9))
  • NOVABLAST 5 (Pure Aqua/Seal Grey - (Women - US 7))
  • NOVABLAST 5 (Soothing Sea/Wave Teal - (Men - US 9))
  • NOVABLAST 5 (Wave Teal/Black - (Men - US 9))
  • NOVABLAST 5 (Wave Teal/Black - (Women - US 7))
  • Adizero Evo SL (Carbon/Lucid Red/Solar Slime - (Men - US 9))
  • Adizero Evo SL (Cloud White/Core Black/Cloud White - (Men - US 9))
  • Adizero Evo SL (Cloud White/Core Black/Cloud White - (Women - US 7))
  • Adizero Evo SL (Core Black/Cloud White/Core Black - (Men - US 9))
  • Adizero Evo SL (Core Black/Iron Metallic/Core Black - (Women - US 7))
  • Adizero Evo SL (Lucid Blue/Silver Metallic/Lucid Lemon - (Men - US 9))
  • Adizero Evo SL (Lucid Lemon/Core Black/Matte Silver - (Men - US 9))
  • Adizero Evo SL (Orbit Grey/Zero Metallic/Halo Silver - (Men - US 9))
  • Adizero Evo SL (Silver Metallic/Iron Metallic/Halo Silver - (Men - US 9))
  • Adizero Evo SL (Wonder White/Cyber Metallic/Warm Vanilla - (Women - US 7))

Main Differences for
Marathon Racing

Threshold 

0.10

Marathon Racing 

7.3
7.7

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

7.3
8.4

Heel Stack Height 
 

41.8 mm
36.9 mm

Weight  

6.5
7.5

Heel Energy Return 
 

6.3
8.1

Plate 
 

None
Plastic Shank

Full Comparison

Design

Weight  

6.5
7.5

Right Shoe Weight Photo  

Left Shoe Weight Photo  

Weight 
 

248.2 g (8.76 oz)
220.0 g (7.76 oz)
Show Text 

Stack Heights 
 

Stack Height Photo  

Heel Stack Height 
 

41.8 mm
36.9 mm

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

33.4 mm
30.2 mm

Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

8.2 mm
6.7 mm

Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

8.0 mm
6.0 mm
Show Text 

External Shape 
 

3D Model Full Shoe  

Outsole Heel Width 
 

89 mm (3.5")
84 mm (3.3")

Outsole Arch Width 
 

75 mm (2.9")
64 mm (2.5")

Outsole Forefoot Width 
 

115 mm (4.5")
114 mm (4.5")

Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

2.13
2.27

Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

3.44
3.77

Internal Shape 
 

3D Model Internal  

Internal Length 
 

284 mm (11.2")
276 mm (10.8")

Internal Heel Width 
 

62 mm (2.4")
61 mm (2.4")

Internal Forefoot Width 
 

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

Wide Sizing Available 
 

Yes
No
Show Text 

Other Features  

Other Features Photo  

Tongue Gusset Type 
 

Fully-gusseted
Non-gusseted

Plate 
 

None
Plastic Shank
Show Text 
Performance

Heel Energy Return 
 

6.3
8.1

Heel Compression Video  

Heel Energy Return  

See details
See details

Heel Energy Return 
 

74.0%
81.4%
Show Text 

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

7.3
8.4

Forefoot Compression Video  

Forefoot Energy Return  

See details
See details

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

77.3%
83.3%
Show Text 

Heel Cushioning 
 

8.2
8.0

Heel Cushioning Picture  

Heel Cushioning  

See details
See details

Energy Absorbed At 550N 
 

3.83 J
3.46 J

Energy Absorbed At 1100N 
 

9.97 J
10.03 J

Energy Absorbed At 1900N 
 

16.86 J
17.07 J
Show Text 

Forefoot Cushioning 
 

7.9
8.1

Forefoot Cushioning Picture  

Forefoot Cushioning  

See details
See details

Energy Absorbed At 800N 
 

5.15 J
5.16 J

Energy Absorbed At 1300N 
 

8.58 J
8.87 J

Energy Absorbed At 2050N 
 

12.28 J
12.68 J
Show Text 

Heel Firmness 
 

5.1
5.0

Heel Firmness  

See details
See details

Firmness At 550N 
 

47.1 N/mm
47.8 N/mm

Firmness At 1100N 
 

109.3 N/mm
98.2 N/mm

Firmness At 1900N 
 

229.7 N/mm
234.4 N/mm
Show Text 

Forefoot Firmness 
 

8.1
8.0

Forefoot Firmness  

See details
See details

Firmness At 800N 
 

105.0 N/mm
96.4 N/mm

Firmness At 1300N 
 

220.1 N/mm
209.8 N/mm

Firmness At 2050N 
 

436.1 N/mm
459.6 N/mm
Show Text 

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning 
 

7.3
7.6

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning  

See details
See details

Energy Absorbed At 10km 
 

8.00 J
8.31 J

Energy Absorbed At 20km 
 

7.77 J
8.17 J

Energy Absorbed At 30km 
 

7.61 J
8.07 J

Energy Absorbed At 40km 
 

7.50 J
7.99 J
Show Text 

ASICS NOVABLAST 5

adidas Adizero Evo SL

Comments

  1. Comparison

ASICS NOVABLAST 5 vs adidas Adizero Evo SL: Main Discussion

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