Products
Tested using Methodology v0.13
Updated Jul 17, 2026 03:41 PM
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Asics.com
Tested using Methodology v0.12
Updated Jul 14, 2026 06:59 PM
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Amazon
Weight
248.2 g (8.76 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
8.2 mm
Plate
None
Weight
255.7 g (9.02 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
11.7 mm
Plate
None
Our Verdict
ASICS NOVABLAST 5
ASICS GEL-CUMULUS 28
The ASICS GEL-CUMULUS 28 and ASICS NOVABLAST 5 are both daily trainers that use the same FF BLAST MAX midsole compound, but they’re built for different runners. The CUMULUS 28 is higher-drop, more stable, and has a stiffer rocker, making it more geared towards relaxed daily mileage. The NOVABLAST 5 is lighter, more cushioned overall, and significantly more responsive, with much better energy return under both the heel and forefoot, making it the better pick if you want a livelier shoe that can handle a wider range of paces.
Variants
- NOVABLAST 5 (Black/Carrier Grey - (Men - US 9))
- NOVABLAST 5 (Black/Carrier Grey - (Women - US 7))
- GEL-CUMULUS 28 (Arctic Blue/Aegean Blue - (Men - US 9))
- GEL-CUMULUS 28 (Black/Aegean Blue - (Women - US 7))
Main Differences for
Half/Full Marathon Racing
Half/Full Marathon Racing
Threshold
Half/Full Marathon Racing
7.4
6.4
Forefoot Compression Energy Return
7.3
1.3
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
6.5
4.3
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
7.3
6.0
Full Comparison
Design
Weight
6.5
6.2
Right Shoe Weight Photo
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Left Shoe Weight Photo
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Weight
248.2 g (8.76 oz)
255.7 g (9.02 oz)
Stack Heights
Stack Height Photo
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Heel Stack Height
41.8 mm
41.4 mm
Forefoot Stack Height
33.4 mm
29.7 mm
Heel-To-Toe Drop
8.2 mm
11.7 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
89 mm (3.5")
96 mm (3.8")
Outsole Arch Width
75 mm (2.9")
79 mm (3.1")
Outsole Forefoot Width
115 mm (4.5")
116 mm (4.6")
Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio
2.13
2.32
Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio
3.44
3.90
Internal Shape
3D Model Internal
Preview 3D
Preview 3D
Internal Length
284 mm (11.2")
285 mm (11.2")
Internal Heel Width
62 mm (2.4")
67 mm (2.6")
Internal Forefoot Width
94 mm (3.7")
94 mm (3.7")
Wide Sizing Available
Yes
Yes
Forefoot Fit: Width
9.2
9.4
Forefoot Width Photo
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Ball-Of-Foot TTS Deviation
1.5 mm (0.059")
1.6 mm (0.062")
Toe TTS Deviation
-3.0 mm (-0.116")
-2.2 mm (-0.086")
Forefoot Fit: Height
8.9
9.0
Forefoot Height Photo
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Toe TTS Deviation
-1.6 mm (-0.064")
-1.5 mm (-0.061")
Arch Fit: Width
7.1
9.6
Arch Fit Photo
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Arch Width TTS Deviation
-4.5 mm (-0.178")
-0.9 mm (-0.037")
Length Fit
10
10
Toe Clearance Photo
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Heel Rocker Geometry
6.2
8.1
Heel Rocker Photo
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Heel Spring
17 mm (0.7")
27 mm (1.1")
Heel Apex Position
13.2%
22.0%
Heel Rocker Angle
23.0°
22.6°
Forefoot Rocker Geometry
6.7
7.8
Forefoot Rocker Photo
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Toe Spring
48 mm (1.9")
55 mm (2.2")
Toe Apex Position
73.4%
62.7%
Forefoot Rocker Angle
31.0°
26.6°
Foam
Primary Foam Picture
Secondary Foam Picture
Primary Foam Name
FF BLAST MAX
Primary Foam Type
POE
Secondary Foam Name
N/A
Secondary Foam Type
N/A
Other Features
Other Features Photo
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Tongue Gusset Type
Fully-gusseted
Fully-gusseted
Plate
None
None
Performance
Heel Compression Energy Return
6.3
1.6
Heel Compression Video
Heel Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Heel Energy Return
74.0%
66.9%
Forefoot Compression Energy Return
7.3
1.3
Forefoot Compression Video
Forefoot Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Energy Return
77.3%
66.0%
Heel Cushioning
8.2
7.1
Heel Cushioning Picture
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Heel Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 550N
3.83 J
3.23 J
Energy Absorbed At 1100N
9.97 J
8.79 J
Energy Absorbed At 1900N
16.86 J
15.24 J
Forefoot Cushioning
7.9
6.7
Forefoot Cushioning Picture
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Forefoot Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 800N
5.15 J
3.95 J
Energy Absorbed At 1300N
8.58 J
7.11 J
Energy Absorbed At 2050N
12.28 J
10.95 J
Heel Firmness
7.2
8.7
Heel Firmness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Firmness At 550N
39.9 N/mm
51.1 N/mm
Firmness At 1100N
50.9 N/mm
61.8 N/mm
Firmness At 1900N
72.0 N/mm
85.4 N/mm
Forefoot Firmness
7.2
9.4
Forefoot Firmness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Firmness At 800N
51.8 N/mm
76.6 N/mm
Firmness At 1300N
69.1 N/mm
96.0 N/mm
Firmness At 2050N
97 N/mm
129 N/mm
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
7.3
6.0
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 10km
8.00 J
6.57 J
Energy Absorbed At 20km
7.77 J
6.38 J
Energy Absorbed At 30km
7.61 J
6.28 J
Energy Absorbed At 40km
7.50 J
6.21 J
Rocker Stiffness
6.1
7.6
Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Video
Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Force To Flatten The Rocker
64 N
104 N
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
6.5
4.3
Forefoot Bending Video
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
62.4%
54.4%
Forefoot Bending Stiffness
6.5
6.4
Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture
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Forefoot Bending Resistance
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Bending Stiffness
11.3 N/mm
8.1 N/mm
Forefoot Bending Force
234 N
268 N
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ASICS NOVABLAST 5
ASICS GEL-CUMULUS 28
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ASICS NOVABLAST 5 vs ASICS GEL-CUMULUS 28: Main Discussion
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