ASICS NOVABLAST 5 vs GEL-NIMBUS 27

Which Running Shoe Is Better?

Products

ASICS NOVABLAST 5
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27

Tested using Methodology v0.10

Updated Feb 23, 2026 04:50 PM

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Tested using Methodology v0.9

Updated Jan 12, 2026 08:12 PM

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  1. Recommended in 1 article:
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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 
 

0.0
0.0
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Full Comparison

Design

Weight  

N/A
N/A

Right Shoe Weight Photo  

ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Right Shoe Weight Photo Sample

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ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 Right Shoe Weight Photo Sample

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Left Shoe Weight Photo  

ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Left Shoe Weight Photo Sample

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ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 Left Shoe Weight Photo Sample

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Weight 
 

Lock g (Lock oz)
Lock g (Lock oz)
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Stack Heights 
 

Stack Height Photo  

ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Stack Height Photo Sample

SAMPLE

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ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 Stack Height Photo Sample

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Heel Stack Height 
 

Lock mm
Lock mm

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

Lock mm
Lock mm

Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

Lock mm
Lock mm

Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

Lock mm
Lock mm

External Shape 
 

3D Model Full Shoe  

ASICS NOVABLAST 5 3D Model Full Shoe Sample

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ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 3D Model Full Shoe Sample

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Outsole Heel Width 
 

Lock mm (Lock")
Lock mm (Lock")

Outsole Arch Width 
 

Lock mm (Lock")
Lock mm (Lock")

Outsole Forefoot Width 
 

Lock mm (Lock")
Lock mm (Lock")

Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

Lock
Lock

Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

Lock
Lock

Internal Shape 
 

3D Model Internal  

ASICS NOVABLAST 5 3D Model Internal Sample

SAMPLE

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ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 3D Model Internal Sample

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Internal Length 
 

Lock mm (Lock")
Lock mm (Lock")

Internal Heel Width 
 

Lock mm (Lock")
Lock mm (Lock")

Internal Forefoot Width 
 

Lock mm (Lock")
Lock mm (Lock")

Wide Sizing Available 
 

Locked
Locked
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Forefoot Fit: Width 
 

N/A
N/A

Forefoot Width Photo  

ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Forefoot Width Photo Sample

SAMPLE

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ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 Forefoot Width Photo Sample

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Ball-Of-Foot TTS Deviation 
 

Lock mm (Lock")

Toe TTS Deviation 
 

Lock mm (Lock")

Forefoot Fit: Height 
 

N/A
N/A

Forefoot Height Photo  

ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Forefoot Height Photo Sample

SAMPLE

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ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 Forefoot Height Photo Sample

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Toe TTS Deviation 
 

Lock mm (Lock")

Arch Fit: Width 
 

N/A
N/A

Arch Fit Photo  

ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Arch Fit Photo Sample

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ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 Arch Fit Photo Sample

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Arch Width TTS Deviation 
 

Lock mm (Lock")

Length Fit 
 

N/A
N/A

Toe Clearance Photo  

ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Toe Clearance Photo Sample

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ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 Toe Clearance Photo Sample

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Other Features  

Other Features Photo  

ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Other Features Photo Sample

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ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 Other Features Photo Sample

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Tongue Gusset Type 
 

Locked
Locked

Plate 
 

Locked
Locked
Performance

Heel Energy Return 
 

N/A
N/A

Heel Compression Video  

ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Heel Compression Video Sample

SAMPLE

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ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 Heel Compression Video Sample

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Heel Energy Return  

ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Heel Energy Return Sample

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ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 Heel Energy Return Sample

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Heel Energy Return 
 

Lock%
Lock%
Show Text 

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

N/A
N/A

Forefoot Compression Video  

ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Forefoot Compression Video Sample

SAMPLE

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ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 Forefoot Compression Video Sample

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Forefoot Energy Return  

ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Forefoot Energy Return Sample

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ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 Forefoot Energy Return Sample

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Forefoot Energy Return 
 

Lock%
Lock%
Show Text 

Heel Cushioning 
 

N/A
N/A

Heel Cushioning Picture  

ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Heel Cushioning Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 Heel Cushioning Picture Sample

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Heel Cushioning  

ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Heel Cushioning Sample

SAMPLE

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ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 Heel Cushioning Sample

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Energy Absorbed At 550N 
 

Lock J
Lock J

Energy Absorbed At 1100N 
 

Lock J
Lock J

Energy Absorbed At 1900N 
 

Lock J
Lock J
Show Text 

Forefoot Cushioning 
 

N/A
N/A

Forefoot Cushioning Picture  

ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Forefoot Cushioning Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 Forefoot Cushioning Picture Sample

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Forefoot Cushioning  

ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Forefoot Cushioning Sample

SAMPLE

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ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 Forefoot Cushioning Sample

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Energy Absorbed At 800N 
 

Lock J
Lock J

Energy Absorbed At 1300N 
 

Lock J
Lock J

Energy Absorbed At 2050N 
 

Lock J
Lock J
Show Text 

Heel Firmness 
 

N/A
N/A

Heel Firmness  

ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Heel Firmness Sample

SAMPLE

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ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 Heel Firmness Sample

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Firmness At 550N 
 

Lock N/mm
Lock N/mm

Firmness At 1100N 
 

Lock N/mm
Lock N/mm

Firmness At 1900N 
 

Lock N/mm
Lock N/mm
Show Text 

Forefoot Firmness 
 

N/A
N/A

Forefoot Firmness  

ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Forefoot Firmness Sample

SAMPLE

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ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 Forefoot Firmness Sample

SAMPLE

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Firmness At 800N 
 

Lock N/mm
Lock N/mm

Firmness At 1300N 
 

Lock N/mm
Lock N/mm

Firmness At 2050N 
 

Lock N/mm
Lock N/mm
Show Text 

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning 
 

N/A
N/A

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning  

ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Forefoot Long Run Cushioning Sample

SAMPLE

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ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 Forefoot Long Run Cushioning Sample

SAMPLE

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Energy Absorbed At 10km 
 

Lock J
Lock J

Energy Absorbed At 20km 
 

Lock J
Lock J

Energy Absorbed At 30km 
 

Lock J
Lock J

Energy Absorbed At 40km 
 

Lock J
Lock J
Show Text 

ASICS NOVABLAST 5

ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27

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  1. Comparison

ASICS NOVABLAST 5 vs ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27: Main Discussion

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