Saucony Endorphin Azura vs ASICS NOVABLAST 6

Which Running Shoe Is Better?

Products

Saucony Endorphin Azura
ASICS NOVABLAST 6

Tested using Methodology v0.16

Updated Oct 02, 2026 04:14 PM

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Tested using Methodology v0.16

Updated Sep 25, 2026 12:37 AM

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Saucony Endorphin Azura Picture

Track

ASICS NOVABLAST 6 Picture

Track

  1. Recommended in 2 articles:
  2. Marathon
  3. Saucony
  1. Recommended in 4 articles:
  2. Running Shoes
  3. For Men
  4. Women
  5. 1

Our Verdict

Saucony Endorphin Azura

ASICS NOVABLAST 6

The Saucony Endorphin Azura is a better choice for varied training than the ASICS NOVABLAST 6, especially when your week includes faster or longer runs. It returns more energy at both the heel and forefoot, offers a steadier feel, and maintains better forefoot protection over distance. Its roomier arch and taller toe box also suit feet that feel cramped in low-volume uppers. The ASICS shoe is better if you mostly do easy runs, where its softer forefoot and better heel cushioning matter more. It also comes in wide sizes, which the Saucony does not.

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Variants

  • Endorphin Azura (Black/Aqua - (Women - US 7))
  • Endorphin Azura (Black/White - (Men - US 9))
  • NOVABLAST 6 (Black/Black - (Men - US 9))
  • NOVABLAST 6 (Black/Khaki - (Men - US 9))

Main Differences for
Half/Full Marathon Racing

Threshold 

0.10

Half/Full Marathon Racing 
 

7.9
7.4

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning 
 

8.1
7.3

Full Comparison

Design

Weight  

6.7
6.5

Right Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Saucony Endorphin Azura Right Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
ASICS NOVABLAST 6 Right Shoe Weight Photo

Left Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Saucony Endorphin Azura Left Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
ASICS NOVABLAST 6 Left Shoe Weight Photo

Weight 
 

242.0 g (8.54 oz)
247.7 g (8.74 oz)

Stack Heights 
 

Stack Height Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Saucony Endorphin Azura Stack Height Photo
Compare High-Res
ASICS NOVABLAST 6 Stack Height Photo

Heel Stack Height 
 

40.2 mm
41.9 mm

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

32.9 mm
33.1 mm

Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

7.3 mm
8.8 mm

Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

8.0 mm
8.0 mm

External Shape 
 

3D Model Full Shoe  

Preview 3D
Saucony Endorphin Azura 3D Model Full Shoe
Preview 3D
ASICS NOVABLAST 6 3D Model Full Shoe

Outsole Heel Width 
 

94 mm (3.7")
90 mm (3.5")

Outsole Arch Width 
 

70 mm (2.8")
78 mm (3.1")

Outsole Forefoot Width 
 

116 mm (4.6")
116 mm (4.6")

Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

2.34
2.15

Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

3.53
3.49

Internal Shape 
 

3D Model Internal  

Preview 3D
Saucony Endorphin Azura 3D Model Internal
Preview 3D
ASICS NOVABLAST 6 3D Model Internal

Internal Length 
 

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

Internal Heel Width 
 

65 mm (2.6")
62 mm (2.4")

Internal Forefoot Width 
 

93 mm (3.7")
95 mm (3.7")

Wide Sizing Available 
 

No
Yes

Forefoot Fit: Width 
 

9.4
9.3

Forefoot Width Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Saucony Endorphin Azura Forefoot Width Photo
Compare High-Res
ASICS NOVABLAST 6 Forefoot Width Photo

Ball-Of-Foot TTS Deviation 
 

0.2 mm (0.007")
3.5 mm (0.136")

Toe TTS Deviation 
 

-2.7 mm (-0.104")
-0.8 mm (-0.030")

Forefoot Fit: Height 
 

10
6.0

Forefoot Height Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Saucony Endorphin Azura Forefoot Height Photo
Compare High-Res
ASICS NOVABLAST 6 Forefoot Height Photo

Toe TTS Deviation 
 

1.0 mm (0.040")
-4.7 mm (-0.186")

Arch Fit: Width 
 

9.7
8.8

Arch Fit Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Saucony Endorphin Azura Arch Fit Photo
Compare High-Res
ASICS NOVABLAST 6 Arch Fit Photo

Arch Width TTS Deviation 
 

2.8 mm (0.108")
-2.2 mm (-0.088")

Length Fit 
 

10
10

Toe Clearance Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Saucony Endorphin Azura Toe Clearance Photo
Compare High-Res
ASICS NOVABLAST 6 Toe Clearance Photo

Heel Rocker Geometry 
 

8.3
7.6

Heel Rocker Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Saucony Endorphin Azura Heel Rocker Photo
Compare High-Res
ASICS NOVABLAST 6 Heel Rocker Photo

Heel Spring 
 

29 mm (1.1")
24 mm (0.9")

Heel Apex Position 
 

19.9%
15.0%

Heel Rocker Angle 
 

25.8°
28.6°

Forefoot Rocker Geometry 
 

6.6
7.3

Forefoot Rocker Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Saucony Endorphin Azura Forefoot Rocker Photo
Compare High-Res
ASICS NOVABLAST 6 Forefoot Rocker Photo

Toe Spring 
 

47 mm (1.9")
51 mm (2.0")

Toe Apex Position 
 

70.8%
66.0%

Forefoot Rocker Angle 
 

28.1°
27.0°

Foam 
 

Primary Foam Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Saucony Endorphin Azura Primary Foam Picture
Compare High-Res
ASICS NOVABLAST 6 Primary Foam Picture

Secondary Foam Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Saucony Endorphin Azura Secondary Foam Picture
Compare High-Res
ASICS NOVABLAST 6 Secondary Foam Picture

Primary Foam Name 
 

PWRRUN PB
FF BLAST MAX

Primary Foam Type 
 

PEBA
POE

Secondary Foam Name 
 

No Secondary Foam
FF TURBO²

Secondary Foam Type 
 

No Secondary Foam
A-TPU

Laces 
 

Laces Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Saucony Endorphin Azura Laces Picture
Compare High-Res
ASICS NOVABLAST 6 Laces Picture

Lace Type 
 

Flat
Flat

Width 
 

6.0 mm (0.2")
6.0 mm (0.2")

Thickness 
 

1.9 mm (0.1")
1.8 mm (0.1")

Stretch 
 

27.5%
22.2%

Breathability 
 

7.5
7.5

Breathability Video  

Upper Breathability 
 

Compare High-Res
Saucony Endorphin Azura Upper Breathability
Compare High-Res
ASICS NOVABLAST 6 Upper Breathability

Upper Microscope Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Saucony Endorphin Azura Upper Microscope Photo
Compare High-Res
ASICS NOVABLAST 6 Upper Microscope Photo

Time-To-Dry 
 

5.7
7.5

Time-To-Dry Timelapse  

Time-To-Dry Graph  

 Preview Graph
Saucony Endorphin Azura Time-To-Dry Graph
 Preview Graph
ASICS NOVABLAST 6 Time-To-Dry Graph

Time To 30% Dry 
 

8.8 hrs
7.0 hrs

Time To 70% Dry 
 

23.3 hrs
16.8 hrs

Time To Dry 
 

33.4 hrs
23.8 hrs

Water Absorption 
 

8.0
6.8

Dry Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Saucony Endorphin Azura Dry Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
ASICS NOVABLAST 6 Dry Weight Photo

Wet Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Saucony Endorphin Azura Wet Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
ASICS NOVABLAST 6 Wet Weight Photo

Water Absorbed 
 

38.8%
46.9%

Other Features  

Other Features Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Saucony Endorphin Azura Other Features Photo
Compare High-Res
ASICS NOVABLAST 6 Other Features Photo

Tongue Gusset Type 
 

Semi-gusseted
Fully-gusseted

Plate 
 

None
None
Performance

Heel Compression Energy Return 
 

8.0
6.4

Heel Compression Video  

Heel Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
Saucony Endorphin Azura Heel Energy Return
 Preview Graph
ASICS NOVABLAST 6 Heel Energy Return

Heel Energy Return 
 

80.9%
74.3%

Forefoot Compression Energy Return 
 

8.3
7.6

Forefoot Compression Video  

Forefoot Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
Saucony Endorphin Azura Forefoot Energy Return
 Preview Graph
ASICS NOVABLAST 6 Forefoot Energy Return

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

82.8%
78.9%

Heel Cushioning 
 

8.3
8.8

Heel Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Saucony Endorphin Azura Heel Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
ASICS NOVABLAST 6 Heel Cushioning Picture

Heel Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
Saucony Endorphin Azura Heel Cushioning
 Preview Graph
ASICS NOVABLAST 6 Heel Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 550N 
 

3.26 J
4.20 J

Energy Absorbed At 1100N 
 

10.55 J
10.65 J

Energy Absorbed At 1900N 
 

19.04 J
17.95 J

Forefoot Cushioning 
 

8.6
8.3

Forefoot Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Saucony Endorphin Azura Forefoot Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
ASICS NOVABLAST 6 Forefoot Cushioning Picture

Forefoot Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
Saucony Endorphin Azura Forefoot Cushioning
 Preview Graph
ASICS NOVABLAST 6 Forefoot Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 800N 
 

5.09 J
5.40 J

Energy Absorbed At 1300N 
 

9.59 J
9.02 J

Energy Absorbed At 2050N 
 

14.61 J
12.85 J

Heel Firmness 
 

7.3
6.0

Heel Firmness Graph  

 Preview Graph
Saucony Endorphin Azura Heel Firmness Graph
 Preview Graph
ASICS NOVABLAST 6 Heel Firmness Graph

Firmness At 550N 
 

44.7 N/mm
36.0 N/mm

Firmness At 1100N 
 

51.3 N/mm
47.0 N/mm

Firmness At 1900N 
 

69.5 N/mm
66.7 N/mm

Forefoot Firmness 
 

7.5
6.2

Forefoot Firmness Graph  

 Preview Graph
Saucony Endorphin Azura Forefoot Firmness Graph
 Preview Graph
ASICS NOVABLAST 6 Forefoot Firmness Graph

Firmness At 800N 
 

56.7 N/mm
49.0 N/mm

Firmness At 1300N 
 

70.2 N/mm
65.4 N/mm

Firmness At 2050N 
 

95 N/mm
92 N/mm

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning 
 

8.1
7.3

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
Saucony Endorphin Azura Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
 Preview Graph
ASICS NOVABLAST 6 Forefoot Long Run Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 10km 
 

8.97 J
7.91 J

Energy Absorbed At 20km 
 

8.77 J
7.77 J

Energy Absorbed At 30km 
 

8.63 J
7.69 J

Energy Absorbed At 40km 
 

8.53 J
7.62 J

Rocker Stiffness 
 

7.7
5.7

Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Video  

Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph  

 Preview Graph
Saucony Endorphin Azura Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph
 Preview Graph
ASICS NOVABLAST 6 Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph

Force To Flatten The Rocker 
 

107 N
55 N

Forefoot Bending Energy Return 
 

7.8
7.3

Forefoot Bending Video  

Forefoot Bending Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
Saucony Endorphin Azura Forefoot Bending Energy Return
 Preview Graph
ASICS NOVABLAST 6 Forefoot Bending Energy Return

Forefoot Bending Energy Return 
 

69.9%
66.9%

Forefoot Bending Stiffness 
 

8.3
6.0

Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Saucony Endorphin Azura Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture
Compare High-Res
ASICS NOVABLAST 6 Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture

Forefoot Bending Resistance  

 Preview Graph
Saucony Endorphin Azura Forefoot Bending Resistance
 Preview Graph
ASICS NOVABLAST 6 Forefoot Bending Resistance

Forefoot Bending Stiffness 
 

19.5 N/mm
9.7 N/mm

Forefoot Bending Force 
 

366 N
218 N

Heel Compression Depth 
 

6.2
7.0

Heel Compression Graph  

 Preview Graph
Saucony Endorphin Azura Heel Compression Graph
 Preview Graph
ASICS NOVABLAST 6 Heel Compression Graph

Heel Compression At 550N 
 

12.3 mm
15.3 mm

Heel Compression At 1100N 
 

21.4 mm
23.4 mm

Heel Compression At 1900N 
 

27.3 mm
28.5 mm

Forefoot Compression Depth 
 

6.3
6.8

Forefoot Compression Graph  

 Preview Graph
Saucony Endorphin Azura Forefoot Compression Graph
 Preview Graph
ASICS NOVABLAST 6 Forefoot Compression Graph

Forefoot Compression At 800N 
 

14.1 mm
16.3 mm

Forefoot Compression At 1300N 
 

18.5 mm
19.9 mm

Forefoot Compression At 2050N 
 

21.6 mm
22.2 mm

Saucony Endorphin Azura

ASICS NOVABLAST 6

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