Products
ASICS NOVABLAST 5
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27
Tested using Methodology v0.9
Updated Oct 17, 2025 07:49 PM
SEE PRICE
Asics.com
Tested using Methodology v0.9
Updated Oct 27, 2025 06:23 PM
SEE PRICE
Asics.com
Weight
248.2 g (8.76 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
8.2 mm
Plate
None
Weight
301.7 g (10.64 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
9.8 mm
Plate
None
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.
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))
- GEL-NIMBUS 27 (Amber/Neutral Pink - (Men - US 9))
- GEL-NIMBUS 27 (Birch/Cold Moss - (Women - US 7))
- GEL-NIMBUS 27 (Birch/Indigo Blue - (Men - US 9))
- GEL-NIMBUS 27 (Black/Breeze - (Women - US 7))
- GEL-NIMBUS 27 (Black/Graphite Grey - (Men - US 9))
- GEL-NIMBUS 27 (Black/Graphite Grey - (Women - US 7))
- GEL-NIMBUS 27 (Black/Lake Grey - (Men - US 9))
- GEL-NIMBUS 27 (Black/Lake Grey - (Women - US 7))
- GEL-NIMBUS 27 (Carbon/Mojave - (Men - US 9))
- GEL-NIMBUS 27 (Cream/Mineral Beige - (Women - US 7))
- GEL-NIMBUS 27 (Grand Shark/Pure Aqua - (Women - US 7))
- GEL-NIMBUS 27 (Illusion Blue/Indigo Blue - (Men - US 9))
- GEL-NIMBUS 27 (Indigo Fog/Denim Blue - (Men - US 9))
- GEL-NIMBUS 27 (Light Ube/Dark Ube - (Women - US 7))
- GEL-NIMBUS 27 (Lite-show/Light Orange - (Men - US 9))
- GEL-NIMBUS 27 (Nature Bathing/Guava - (Women - US 7))
- GEL-NIMBUS 27 (Nature Bathing/Lime Green - (Men - US 9))
- GEL-NIMBUS 27 (Pure Aqua/White - (Men - US 9))
- GEL-NIMBUS 27 (Pure Aqua/White - (Women - US 7))
- GEL-NIMBUS 27 (Wave Teal/Illuminate Mint - (Women - US 7))
- GEL-NIMBUS 27 (Wave Teal/Saxon Green - (Men - US 9))
- GEL-NIMBUS 27 (White/Glacier Grey - (Men - US 9))
- GEL-NIMBUS 27 (White/Glacier Grey - (Women - US 7))
- GEL-NIMBUS 27 (White/Huddle Yellow - (Men - US 9))
- GEL-NIMBUS 27 (White/Light Ube - (Women - US 7))
Main Differences for
Marathon Racing
Marathon Racing
Threshold
Marathon Racing
7.3
5.6
Forefoot Energy Return
7.3
2.8
Weight
6.5
4.3
Heel Energy Return
6.3
2.1
Full Comparison
Design
Weight
6.5
4.3
Right Shoe Weight Photo
Left Shoe Weight Photo
Weight
248.2 g (8.76 oz)
301.7 g (10.64 oz)
Stack Heights
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
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
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
Other Features
Other Features Photo
Tongue Gusset Type
Fully-gusseted
Fully-gusseted
Plate
None
None
Performance
Heel Energy Return
6.3
2.1
Heel Compression Video
Heel Energy Return
Heel Energy Return
74.0%
68.0%
Forefoot Energy Return
7.3
2.8
Forefoot Compression Video
Forefoot Energy Return
Forefoot Energy Return
77.3%
69.2%
Heel Cushioning
8.2
7.8
Heel Cushioning Picture
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
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
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
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
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
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ASICS NOVABLAST 5
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27
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ASICS NOVABLAST 5 vs ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27: Main Discussion
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