ASICS NOVABLAST 5 vs Nike Vomero 18

Which Running Shoe Is Better?

Products

ASICS NOVABLAST 5
Nike Vomero 18

Tested using Methodology v0.11

Updated Apr 13, 2026 01:56 PM

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Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v0.11

Updated Apr 10, 2026 07:12 PM

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ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Picture

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Nike Vomero 18 Picture

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  1. Recommended in 1 article:
  2. ASICS
  1. Recommended in 1 article:
  2. Nike

Our Verdict

ASICS NOVABLAST 5

Nike Vomero 18

The ASICS NOVABLAST 5 and the Nike Vomero 18 are both daily trainers focused on comfort, but they take different approaches. The ASICS is lighter, more cushioned, and more energetic, offering a soft, bouncy ride that protects your legs while still feeling playful across a range of paces and distances. It's just a bit more versatile, whether you're cruising or picking things up a bit. The Vomero 18, on the other hand, is heavier and firmer, with a more structured and stable platform that emphasizes consistency and durability. The Vomero counters with a smoother rocker and slightly snappier forefoot, appealing more to those who prefer a grounded, stable feel for short, easy miles.

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Variants

  • NOVABLAST 5 (Black/Carrier Grey - (Men - US 9))
  • NOVABLAST 5 (Black/Carrier Grey - (Women - US 7))
  • Vomero 18 (Black/Summit White/Coconut Milk - (Men - US 9))
  • Vomero 18 (Black/Summit White/Coconut Milk - (Women - US 7))

Main Differences for
Marathon Racing

Threshold 

0.10

Marathon Racing 
 

7.3
6.2

Weight  

6.5
4.5

Forefoot Compression Energy Return 
 

7.3
5.0

Heel Compression Energy Return 
 

6.3
3.6

Full Comparison

Design

Weight  

6.5
4.5

Right Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Right Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
Nike Vomero 18 Right Shoe Weight Photo

Left Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Left Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
Nike Vomero 18 Left Shoe Weight Photo

Weight 
 

248.2 g (8.76 oz)
297.5 g (10.49 oz)

Stack Heights 
 

Stack Height Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Stack Height Photo
Compare High-Res
Nike Vomero 18 Stack Height Photo

Heel Stack Height 
 

41.8 mm
42.7 mm

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

33.4 mm
32.4 mm

Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

8.2 mm
10.3 mm

Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

8.0 mm
10.0 mm

External Shape 
 

3D Model Full Shoe  

Preview 3D
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 3D Model Full Shoe
Preview 3D
Nike Vomero 18 3D Model Full Shoe

Outsole Heel Width 
 

89 mm (3.5")
96 mm (3.8")

Outsole Arch Width 
 

75 mm (2.9")
72 mm (2.8")

Outsole Forefoot Width 
 

115 mm (4.5")
116 mm (4.6")

Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

2.13
2.25

Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

3.44
3.58

Internal Shape 
 

3D Model Internal  

Preview 3D
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 3D Model Internal
Preview 3D
Nike Vomero 18 3D Model Internal

Internal Length 
 

284 mm (11.2")
278 mm (10.9")

Internal Heel Width 
 

62 mm (2.4")
64 mm (2.5")

Internal Forefoot Width 
 

94 mm (3.7")
91 mm (3.6")

Wide Sizing Available 
 

Yes
Yes

Forefoot Fit: Width 
 

9.2
9.2

Forefoot Width Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Forefoot Width Photo
Compare High-Res
Nike Vomero 18 Forefoot Width Photo

Ball-Of-Foot TTS Deviation 
 

1.5 mm (0.059")
0.8 mm (0.031")

Toe TTS Deviation 
 

-3.0 mm (-0.116")
-3.2 mm (-0.124")

Forefoot Fit: Height 
 

8.9
7.7

Forefoot Height Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Forefoot Height Photo
Compare High-Res
Nike Vomero 18 Forefoot Height Photo

Toe TTS Deviation 
 

-1.6 mm (-0.064")
-2.7 mm (-0.108")

Arch Fit: Width 
 

7.1
8.2

Arch Fit Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Arch Fit Photo
Compare High-Res
Nike Vomero 18 Arch Fit Photo

Arch Width TTS Deviation 
 

-4.5 mm (-0.178")
-3.1 mm (-0.121")

Length Fit 
 

10
10

Toe Clearance Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Toe Clearance Photo
Compare High-Res
Nike Vomero 18 Toe Clearance Photo

Heel Rocker Geometry 
 

6.2
8.3

Heel Rocker Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Heel Rocker Photo
Compare High-Res
Nike Vomero 18 Heel Rocker Photo

Heel Spring 
 

17 mm (0.7")
31 mm (1.2")

Heel Apex Position 
 

13.2%
26.8%

Heel Rocker Angle 
 

23.0°
21.2°

Forefoot Rocker Geometry 
 

6.7
6.6

Forefoot Rocker Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Forefoot Rocker Photo
Compare High-Res
Nike Vomero 18 Forefoot Rocker Photo

Toe Spring 
 

48 mm (1.9")
45 mm (1.8")

Toe Apex Position 
 

73.4%
59.7%

Forefoot Rocker Angle 
 

31.0°
20.6°

Other Features  

Other Features Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Other Features Photo
Compare High-Res
Nike Vomero 18 Other Features Photo

Tongue Gusset Type 
 

Fully-gusseted
Fully-gusseted

Plate 
 

None
None
Performance

Heel Compression Energy Return 
 

6.3
3.6

Heel Compression Video  

Heel Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Heel Energy Return
 Preview Graph
Nike Vomero 18 Heel Energy Return

Heel Energy Return 
 

74.0%
70.1%

Forefoot Compression Energy Return 
 

7.3
5.0

Forefoot Compression Video  

Forefoot Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Forefoot Energy Return
 Preview Graph
Nike Vomero 18 Forefoot Energy Return

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

77.3%
71.9%

Heel Cushioning 
 

8.2
7.8

Heel Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Heel Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
Nike Vomero 18 Heel Cushioning Picture

Heel Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Heel Cushioning
 Preview Graph
Nike Vomero 18 Heel Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 550N 
 

3.83 J
3.38 J

Energy Absorbed At 1100N 
 

9.97 J
9.50 J

Energy Absorbed At 1900N 
 

16.86 J
17.15 J

Forefoot Cushioning 
 

7.9
7.5

Forefoot Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Forefoot Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
Nike Vomero 18 Forefoot Cushioning Picture

Forefoot Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Forefoot Cushioning
 Preview Graph
Nike Vomero 18 Forefoot Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 800N 
 

5.15 J
4.43 J

Energy Absorbed At 1300N 
 

8.58 J
7.97 J

Energy Absorbed At 2050N 
 

12.28 J
11.95 J

Heel Firmness 
 

5.1
4.9

Heel Firmness  

 Preview Graph
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Heel Firmness
 Preview Graph
Nike Vomero 18 Heel Firmness

Firmness At 550N 
 

47.1 N/mm
51.4 N/mm

Firmness At 1100N 
 

109.3 N/mm
107.6 N/mm

Firmness At 1900N 
 

229.7 N/mm
186.1 N/mm

Forefoot Firmness 
 

8.1
7.9

Forefoot Firmness  

 Preview Graph
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Forefoot Firmness
 Preview Graph
Nike Vomero 18 Forefoot Firmness

Firmness At 800N 
 

105.0 N/mm
104.3 N/mm

Firmness At 1300N 
 

220.1 N/mm
202.0 N/mm

Firmness At 2050N 
 

436.1 N/mm
402.7 N/mm

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning 
 

7.3
7.0

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
 Preview Graph
Nike Vomero 18 Forefoot Long Run Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 10km 
 

8.00 J
7.58 J

Energy Absorbed At 20km 
 

7.77 J
7.40 J

Energy Absorbed At 30km 
 

7.61 J
7.31 J

Energy Absorbed At 40km 
 

7.50 J
7.25 J

Rocker Stiffness 
 

6.1
4.3

Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Video  

Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph  

 Preview Graph
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph
 Preview Graph
Nike Vomero 18 Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph

Force To Flatten The Rocker 
 

64 N
34 N

Forefoot Bending Energy Return 
 

6.5
5.9

Forefoot Bending Video  

Forefoot Bending Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Forefoot Bending Energy Return
 Preview Graph
Nike Vomero 18 Forefoot Bending Energy Return

Forefoot Bending Energy Return 
 

62.4%
59.9%

Forefoot Bending Stiffness 
 

6.5
7.4

Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture
Compare High-Res
Nike Vomero 18 Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture

Forefoot Bending Resistance  

 Preview Graph
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Forefoot Bending Resistance
 Preview Graph
Nike Vomero 18 Forefoot Bending Resistance

Forefoot Bending Stiffness 
 

11.3 N/mm
13.3 N/mm

Forefoot Bending Force 
 

234 N
294 N

ASICS NOVABLAST 5

Nike Vomero 18

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