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Tested using Methodology v0.15
Updated Oct 06, 2026 07:30 PM
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Tested using Methodology v0.16
Updated Oct 02, 2026 04:14 PM
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Heel Stack Height
41.8 mm
Weight
248.2 g (8.76 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
8.2 mm
Plate
None
Heel Stack Height
40.2 mm
Weight
242.0 g (8.54 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
7.3 mm
Plate
None
Our Verdict
ASICS NOVABLAST 5
Saucony Endorphin Azura
The Saucony Endorphin Azura is a better running shoe than the ASICS NOVABLAST 5. It's lighter and more cushioned, providing impressive impact protection across daily miles and long runs. Despite being slightly less stable, it returns significantly more energy, giving you much more assistance through each stride. Its cushioning also holds up much better over longer distances, and it can comfortably get you through a marathon if you're not racing, unlike the ASICS.
Variants
- NOVABLAST 5 (Black/Carrier Grey - (Men - US 9))
- NOVABLAST 5 (Black/Carrier Grey - (Women - US 7))
- Endorphin Azura (Black/Aqua - (Women - US 7))
- Endorphin Azura (Black/White - (Men - US 9))
Main Differences for
Half/Full Marathon Racing
Half/Full Marathon Racing
Threshold
Half/Full Marathon Racing
7.4
7.9
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
7.3
8.1
Full Comparison
Design
Weight
6.5
6.7
Right Shoe Weight Photo
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Left Shoe Weight Photo
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Weight
248.2 g (8.76 oz)
242.0 g (8.54 oz)
Stack Heights
Stack Height Photo
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Heel Stack Height
41.8 mm
40.2 mm
Forefoot Stack Height
33.4 mm
32.9 mm
Heel-To-Toe Drop
8.2 mm
7.3 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")
94 mm (3.7")
Outsole Arch Width
75 mm (2.9")
70 mm (2.8")
Outsole Forefoot Width
115 mm (4.5")
116 mm (4.6")
Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio
2.13
2.34
Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio
3.44
3.53
Internal Shape
3D Model Internal
Preview 3D
Preview 3D
Internal Length
284 mm (11.2")
278 mm (10.9")
Internal Heel Width
62 mm (2.4")
65 mm (2.6")
Internal Forefoot Width
94 mm (3.7")
93 mm (3.7")
Wide Sizing Available
Yes
No
Forefoot Fit: Width
9.2
9.4
Forefoot Width Photo
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Ball-Of-Foot TTS Deviation
1.5 mm (0.059")
0.2 mm (0.007")
Toe TTS Deviation
-3.0 mm (-0.116")
-2.7 mm (-0.104")
Forefoot Fit: Height
8.9
10
Forefoot Height Photo
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Toe TTS Deviation
-1.6 mm (-0.064")
1.0 mm (0.040")
Arch Fit: Width
7.1
9.7
Arch Fit Photo
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Arch Width TTS Deviation
-4.5 mm (-0.178")
2.8 mm (0.108")
Length Fit
10
10
Toe Clearance Photo
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Heel Rocker Geometry
6.2
8.3
Heel Rocker Photo
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Heel Spring
17 mm (0.7")
29 mm (1.1")
Heel Apex Position
13.2%
19.9%
Heel Rocker Angle
23.0°
25.8°
Forefoot Rocker Geometry
6.7
6.6
Forefoot Rocker Photo
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Toe Spring
48 mm (1.9")
47 mm (1.9")
Toe Apex Position
73.4%
70.8%
Forefoot Rocker Angle
31.0°
28.1°
Foam
Primary Foam Picture
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Secondary Foam Picture
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Primary Foam Name
FF BLAST MAX
PWRRUN PB
Primary Foam Type
POE
PEBA
Secondary Foam Name
No Secondary Foam
No Secondary Foam
Secondary Foam Type
No Secondary Foam
No Secondary Foam
Laces
Laces Picture
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Lace Type
Flat
Flat
Width
6.0 mm (0.2")
6.0 mm (0.2")
Thickness
1.8 mm (0.1")
1.9 mm (0.1")
Stretch
22.2%
27.5%
Breathability
7.5
Breathability Video
Upper Breathability
Upper Microscope Photo
Time-To-Dry
5.7
Time-To-Dry Timelapse
Time-To-Dry Graph
Preview Graph
Time To 30% Dry
8.8 hrs
Time To 70% Dry
23.3 hrs
Time To Dry
33.4 hrs
Water Absorption
8.0
Dry Weight Photo
Wet Weight Photo
Water Absorbed
38.8%
Other Features
Other Features Photo
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Tongue Gusset Type
Fully-gusseted
Semi-gusseted
Plate
None
None
Performance
Heel Compression Energy Return
6.3
8.0
Heel Compression Video
Heel Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Heel Energy Return
74.0%
80.9%
Forefoot Compression Energy Return
7.3
8.3
Forefoot Compression Video
Forefoot Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Energy Return
77.3%
82.8%
Heel Cushioning
8.2
8.3
Heel Cushioning Picture
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Heel Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 550N
3.83 J
3.26 J
Energy Absorbed At 1100N
9.97 J
10.55 J
Energy Absorbed At 1900N
16.86 J
19.04 J
Forefoot Cushioning
7.9
8.6
Forefoot Cushioning Picture
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Forefoot Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 800N
5.15 J
5.09 J
Energy Absorbed At 1300N
8.58 J
9.59 J
Energy Absorbed At 2050N
12.28 J
14.61 J
Heel Firmness
7.2
7.3
Heel Firmness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Firmness At 550N
39.9 N/mm
44.7 N/mm
Firmness At 1100N
50.9 N/mm
51.3 N/mm
Firmness At 1900N
72.0 N/mm
69.5 N/mm
Forefoot Firmness
7.2
7.5
Forefoot Firmness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Firmness At 800N
51.8 N/mm
56.7 N/mm
Firmness At 1300N
69.1 N/mm
70.2 N/mm
Firmness At 2050N
97 N/mm
95 N/mm
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
7.3
8.1
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 10km
8.00 J
8.97 J
Energy Absorbed At 20km
7.77 J
8.77 J
Energy Absorbed At 30km
7.61 J
8.63 J
Energy Absorbed At 40km
7.50 J
8.53 J
Rocker Stiffness
6.1
7.7
Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Video
Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Force To Flatten The Rocker
64 N
107 N
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
6.5
7.8
Forefoot Bending Video
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
62.4%
69.9%
Forefoot Bending Stiffness
6.5
8.3
Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture
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Forefoot Bending Resistance
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Bending Stiffness
11.3 N/mm
19.5 N/mm
Forefoot Bending Force
234 N
366 N
Heel Compression Depth
6.4
6.2
Heel Compression Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Heel Compression At 550N
13.8 mm
12.3 mm
Heel Compression At 1100N
21.6 mm
21.4 mm
Heel Compression At 1900N
26.4 mm
27.3 mm
Forefoot Compression Depth
6.5
6.3
Forefoot Compression Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Compression At 800N
15.4 mm
14.1 mm
Forefoot Compression At 1300N
18.8 mm
18.5 mm
Forefoot Compression At 2050N
21.1 mm
21.6 mm
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ASICS NOVABLAST 5
Saucony Endorphin Azura
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ASICS NOVABLAST 5 vs Saucony Endorphin Azura: Main Discussion
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