Products
Tested using Methodology v0.15
Updated Oct 13, 2026 12:55 PM
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Amazon
Tested using Methodology v1.0
Updated Oct 27, 2026 04:30 PM
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Amazon
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
46.6 mm
Weight
232.6 g (8.20 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
7.1 mm
Plate
None
Our Verdict
ASICS NOVABLAST 5
ASICS SUPERBLAST 3
The ASICS SUPERBLAST 3 is a more capable all-rounder than the ASICS NOVABLAST 5. It's lighter, much more cushioned, and better suited to long runs or marathon training, while still working well for daily mileage and faster efforts. The NOVABLAST 5 is the better option if you mainly want a more stable daily trainer for easy runs and regular mileage, and it's cheaper.
Variants
- NOVABLAST 5 (Black/Carrier Grey - (Men - US 9))
- NOVABLAST 5 (Black/Carrier Grey - (Women - US 7))
- SUPERBLAST 3 (Cobalt Burst/Light Orange - (Men - US 9))
- SUPERBLAST 3 (Seashell/Sun Coral - (Men - US 9))
Main Differences for
Half/Full Marathon Racing
Half/Full Marathon Racing
Threshold
Half/Full Marathon Racing
7.4
8.0
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
7.3
9.1
Weight
6.5
7.1
Full Comparison
Design
Weight
6.5
7.1
Right Shoe Weight Photo
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Left Shoe Weight Photo
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Weight
248.2 g (8.76 oz)
232.6 g (8.20 oz)
Stack Heights
Stack Height Photo
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Heel Stack Height
41.8 mm
46.6 mm
Forefoot Stack Height
33.4 mm
39.5 mm
Heel-To-Toe Drop
8.2 mm
7.1 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")
96 mm (3.8")
Outsole Arch Width
75 mm (2.9")
79 mm (3.1")
Outsole Forefoot Width
115 mm (4.5")
119 mm (4.7")
Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio
2.13
2.06
Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio
3.44
3.01
Internal Shape
3D Model Internal
Preview 3D
Preview 3D
Internal Length
284 mm (11.2")
280 mm (11.0")
Internal Heel Width
62 mm (2.4")
67 mm (2.6")
Internal Forefoot Width
94 mm (3.7")
91 mm (3.6")
Wide Sizing Available
Yes
No
Forefoot Fit: Width
9.2
10
Forefoot Width Photo
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Ball-Of-Foot TTS Deviation
1.5 mm (0.059")
-0.3 mm (-0.010")
Toe TTS Deviation
-3.0 mm (-0.116")
-0.2 mm (-0.009")
Forefoot Fit: Height
8.9
7.8
Forefoot Height Photo
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Toe TTS Deviation
-1.6 mm (-0.064")
-2.7 mm (-0.106")
Arch Fit: Width
7.1
6.0
Arch Fit Photo
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Arch Width TTS Deviation
-4.5 mm (-0.178")
-5.8 mm (-0.229")
Length Fit
10
10
Toe Clearance Photo
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Heel Rocker Geometry
6.2
7.2
Heel Rocker Photo
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Heel Spring
17 mm (0.7")
20 mm (0.8")
Heel Apex Position
13.2%
20.0%
Heel Rocker Angle
23.0°
18.4°
Forefoot Rocker Geometry
6.7
7.7
Forefoot Rocker Photo
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Toe Spring
48 mm (1.9")
55 mm (2.2")
Toe Apex Position
73.4%
66.7%
Forefoot Rocker Angle
31.0°
28.8°
Foam
Primary Foam Picture
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Secondary Foam Picture
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Primary Foam Name
FF BLAST MAX
FF LEAP
Primary Foam Type
POE
A-TPU
Secondary Foam Name
No Secondary Foam
FF BLAST PLUS
Secondary Foam Type
No Secondary Foam
Unknown
Laces
Laces Picture
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Lace Type
Flat
Flat
Width
6.0 mm (0.2")
5.0 mm (0.2")
Thickness
1.8 mm (0.1")
1.7 mm (0.1")
Stretch
22.2%
15.0%
Breathability
7.5
Breathability Video
Upper Breathability
Upper Microscope Photo
Time-To-Dry
6.8
Time-To-Dry Timelapse
Time-To-Dry Graph
Preview Graph
Time To 30% Dry
7.6 hrs
Time To 70% Dry
18.9 hrs
Time To Dry
28.8 hrs
Water Absorption
7.3
Dry Weight Photo
Wet Weight Photo
Water Absorbed
43.7%
Other Features
Other Features Photo
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Tongue Gusset Type
Fully-gusseted
Fully-gusseted
Plate
None
None
Performance
Heel Compression Energy Return
6.3
7.7
Heel Compression Video
Heel Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Heel Energy Return
74.0%
79.2%
Forefoot Compression Energy Return
7.3
7.9
Forefoot Compression Video
Forefoot Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Energy Return
77.3%
80.4%
Heel Cushioning
8.2
9.3
Heel Cushioning Picture
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Heel Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 550N
3.83 J
4.47 J
Energy Absorbed At 1100N
9.97 J
11.96 J
Energy Absorbed At 1900N
16.86 J
20.73 J
Forefoot Cushioning
7.9
9.5
Forefoot Cushioning Picture
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Forefoot Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 800N
5.15 J
6.85 J
Energy Absorbed At 1300N
8.58 J
11.71 J
Energy Absorbed At 2050N
12.28 J
17.03 J
Heel Firmness
7.2
5.1
Heel Firmness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Firmness At 550N
39.9 N/mm
34.3 N/mm
Firmness At 1100N
50.9 N/mm
43.1 N/mm
Firmness At 1900N
72.0 N/mm
60.2 N/mm
Forefoot Firmness
7.2
4.0
Forefoot Firmness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Firmness At 800N
51.8 N/mm
41.8 N/mm
Firmness At 1300N
69.1 N/mm
54.4 N/mm
Firmness At 2050N
97 N/mm
75 N/mm
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
7.3
9.1
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 10km
8.00 J
10.71 J
Energy Absorbed At 20km
7.77 J
10.42 J
Energy Absorbed At 30km
7.61 J
10.25 J
Energy Absorbed At 40km
7.50 J
10.10 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
7.5
Forefoot Bending Video
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
62.4%
68.0%
Forefoot Bending Stiffness
6.5
6.7
Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture
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Forefoot Bending Resistance
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Bending Stiffness
11.3 N/mm
12.1 N/mm
Forefoot Bending Force
234 N
239 N
Forefoot Compression Depth
6.5
8.0
Forefoot Compression Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Compression At 800N
15.4 mm
19.1 mm
Forefoot Compression At 1300N
18.8 mm
23.9 mm
Forefoot Compression At 2050N
21.1 mm
27.2 mm
Heel Compression Depth
6.4
7.6
Heel Compression Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Heel Compression At 550N
13.8 mm
16.0 mm
Heel Compression At 1100N
21.6 mm
25.5 mm
Heel Compression At 1900N
26.4 mm
31.6 mm
Dry Concrete Grip
8.9
Dry Concrete Forefoot Video
Dry Concrete Forefoot Graph
Preview Graph
Sliding Force
260.6 N (58.6 lbf)
Coefficient Of Friction
1.01
Wet Concrete Grip
9.0
Wet Concrete Forefoot Video
Wet Concrete Forefoot Graph
Preview Graph
Sliding Force
266.4 N (59.9 lbf)
Coefficient Of Friction
1.04
Wet Aluminum Grip
7.4
Wet Aluminum Forefoot Video
Wet Aluminum Forefoot Graph
Preview Graph
Sliding Force
132.3 N (29.7 lbf)
Coefficient Of Friction
0.80
Gravel Grip
3.9
Gravel Forefoot Video
Gravel Forefoot Graph
Preview Graph
Sliding Force
65.9 N (14.8 lbf)
Coefficient Of Friction
0.40
Mud Grip
6.7
Mud Forefoot Video
Mud Forefoot Graph
Preview Graph
Sliding Force
117.9 N (26.5 lbf)
Coefficient Of Friction
0.71
Exposed Foam
6.0
Outsole Photo
Heel Exposed Foam
6.0
Forefoot Exposed Foam
6.0
Outsole Abrasion Wear
8.0
Outsole Durability Video
Outsole Durability Photo
Heel Abrasion Wear
8.0
Forefoot Abrasion Wear
8.0
ASICS NOVABLAST 5
ASICS SUPERBLAST 3
Comments
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 vs ASICS SUPERBLAST 3: Main Discussion
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