ASICS NOVABLAST 5 vs MEGABLAST

Which Running Shoe Is Better?

Products

ASICS NOVABLAST 5
ASICS MEGABLAST

Tested using Methodology v0.9

Updated Oct 17, 2025 07:49 PM

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Asics.com

Tested using Methodology v0.9

Updated Oct 27, 2025 04:29 PM

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Amazon.com
  1. Recommended in 1 article:
  2. Long Distance

Our Verdict

ASICS NOVABLAST 5

ASICS MEGABLAST

The ASICS NOVABLAST 5 and ASICS MEGABLAST can both get you blasted in different ways. The NOVABLAST 5 is a modern daily trainer that feels lightweight, cushioned, and pleasantly bouncy, but it keeps things in balance so it works best as a reliable companion for everyday miles and moderate efforts. The MEGABLAST takes that formula to the extreme, with a taller stack of FF Turbo² foam that makes it lighter, more cushioned, and far more energetic underfoot. It truly feels like a "mega" version of the NOVABLAST, delivering the ultimate bouncy experience with greater versatility for long runs, daily miles, and even uptempo work. If you want a dependable trainer for shorter daily runs, the NOVABLAST is a safe choice, but if you are looking for maximum bounce with the ability to shift gears, the MEGABLAST is the more exciting option.

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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))
  • MEGABLAST (Edo Purple/Black - (Men - US 9))
  • MEGABLAST (Edo Purple/Black - (Women - US 7))
  • MEGABLAST (White/Piedmont Grey - (Men - US 9))
  • MEGABLAST (White/Piedmont Grey - (Women - US 7))

Main Differences for
Marathon Racing

Threshold 

0.10

Marathon Racing 

7.3
7.9

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

7.3
8.3

Heel Energy Return 
 

6.3
8.4

Weight  

6.5
7.2

Full Comparison

Design

Weight  

6.5
7.2

Right Shoe Weight Photo  

Left Shoe Weight Photo  

Weight 
 

248.2 g (8.76 oz)
229.9 g (8.11 oz)
Show Text 

Stack Heights 
 

Stack Height Photo  

Heel Stack Height 
 

41.8 mm
44.6 mm

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

33.4 mm
35.9 mm

Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

8.2 mm
8.7 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")
96 mm (3.8")

Outsole Arch Width 
 

75 mm (2.9")
80 mm (3.2")

Outsole Forefoot Width 
 

115 mm (4.5")
119 mm (4.7")

Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

2.13
2.15

Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

3.44
3.31
Show Text 

Internal Shape 
 

3D Model Internal  

Internal Length 
 

284 mm (11.2")
282 mm (11.1")

Internal Heel Width 
 

62 mm (2.4")
66 mm (2.6")

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
Fully-gusseted

Plate 
 

None
None
Show Text 
Performance

Heel Energy Return 
 

6.3
8.4

Heel Compression Video  

Heel Energy Return  

See details
See details

Heel Energy Return 
 

74.0%
82.9%
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Forefoot Energy Return 
 

7.3
8.3

Forefoot Compression Video  

Forefoot Energy Return  

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See details

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

77.3%
82.8%
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Heel Cushioning 
 

8.2
9.3

Heel Cushioning Picture  

Heel Cushioning  

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See details

Energy Absorbed At 550N 
 

3.83 J
4.35 J

Energy Absorbed At 1100N 
 

9.97 J
12.12 J

Energy Absorbed At 1900N 
 

16.86 J
21.19 J
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Forefoot Cushioning 
 

7.9
9.4

Forefoot Cushioning Picture  

Forefoot Cushioning  

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See details

Energy Absorbed At 800N 
 

5.15 J
6.16 J

Energy Absorbed At 1300N 
 

8.58 J
11.21 J

Energy Absorbed At 2050N 
 

12.28 J
16.62 J
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Heel Firmness 
 

5.1
3.8

Heel Firmness  

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See details

Firmness At 550N 
 

47.1 N/mm
41.2 N/mm

Firmness At 1100N 
 

109.3 N/mm
80.3 N/mm

Firmness At 1900N 
 

229.7 N/mm
190.4 N/mm
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Forefoot Firmness 
 

8.1
6.0

Forefoot Firmness  

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See details

Firmness At 800N 
 

105.0 N/mm
69.2 N/mm

Firmness At 1300N 
 

220.1 N/mm
141.0 N/mm

Firmness At 2050N 
 

436.1 N/mm
308.6 N/mm
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Forefoot Long Run Cushioning 
 

7.3
8.9

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning  

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See details

Energy Absorbed At 10km 
 

8.00 J
10.19 J

Energy Absorbed At 20km 
 

7.77 J
9.98 J

Energy Absorbed At 30km 
 

7.61 J
9.84 J

Energy Absorbed At 40km 
 

7.50 J
9.74 J
Show Text 

ASICS NOVABLAST 5

ASICS MEGABLAST

Comments

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