HOKA Mach 6 vs ASICS NOVABLAST 5

Which Running Shoe Is Better?

Products

HOKA Mach 6
ASICS NOVABLAST 5

Tested using Methodology v0.9

Updated Feb 02, 2026 03:14 PM

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DicksSportingGoods.com

Tested using Methodology v0.10

Updated Feb 23, 2026 04:50 PM

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  1. Recommended in 1 article:
  2. ASICS

Our Verdict

HOKA Mach 6

ASICS NOVABLAST 5

The HOKA Mach 6 and the ASICS NOVABLAST 5 are both versatile daily trainers but cater to different needs. The Mach 6 sits closer to the ground and offers a lighter, firmer feel, making it a great no-fuss option for daily training. In contrast, the NOVABLAST 5 provides significantly more cushioning, helping to protect your legs during longer efforts, and a midsole that delivers greater energy return.

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Variants

  • Mach 6 (Black - (Men - US 9))
  • Mach 6 (Black/Electric Tangerine - (Men - US 9))
  • NOVABLAST 5 (Black/Carrier Grey - (Men - US 9))
  • NOVABLAST 5 (Black/Carrier Grey - (Women - US 7))
Read more

Main Differences for
Marathon Racing

Threshold 

0.10

Marathon Racing 
 

7.0
7.3

Heel Stack Height 
 

37.1 mm
41.8 mm

Weight  

7.0
6.5

Full Comparison

Design

Weight  

7.0
6.5

Right Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
HOKA Mach 6 Right Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Right Shoe Weight Photo

Left Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
HOKA Mach 6 Left Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Left Shoe Weight Photo

Weight 
 

233.6 g (8.24 oz)
248.2 g (8.76 oz)
Show Text 

Stack Heights 
 

Stack Height Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
HOKA Mach 6 Stack Height Photo
Compare High-Res
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Stack Height Photo

Heel Stack Height 
 

37.1 mm
41.8 mm

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

31.2 mm
33.4 mm

Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

5.9 mm
8.2 mm

Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

5.0 mm
8.0 mm

External Shape 
 

3D Model Full Shoe  

Preview 3D
HOKA Mach 6 3D Model Full Shoe
Preview 3D
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 3D Model Full Shoe

Outsole Heel Width 
 

88 mm (3.5")
89 mm (3.5")

Outsole Arch Width 
 

61 mm (2.4")
75 mm (2.9")

Outsole Forefoot Width 
 

108 mm (4.2")
115 mm (4.5")

Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

2.37
2.13

Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

3.46
3.44

Internal Shape 
 

3D Model Internal  

Preview 3D
HOKA Mach 6 3D Model Internal
Preview 3D
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 3D Model Internal

Internal Length 
 

271 mm (10.7")
284 mm (11.2")

Internal Heel Width 
 

59 mm (2.3")
62 mm (2.4")

Internal Forefoot Width 
 

92 mm (3.6")
94 mm (3.7")

Wide Sizing Available 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 

Forefoot Fit: Width 
 

9.2

Forefoot Width Photo  

ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Forefoot Width Photo

Ball-Of-Foot TTS Deviation 
 

1.5 mm (0.059")

Toe TTS Deviation 
 

-3.0 mm (-0.116")

Forefoot Fit: Height 
 

8.9

Forefoot Height Photo  

ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Forefoot Height Photo

Toe TTS Deviation 
 

-1.6 mm (-0.064")

Arch Fit: Width 
 

7.1

Arch Fit Photo  

ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Arch Fit Photo

Arch Width TTS Deviation 
 

-4.5 mm (-0.178")

Length Fit 
 

10

Toe Clearance Photo  

ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Toe Clearance Photo

Other Features  

Other Features Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
HOKA Mach 6 Other Features Photo
Compare High-Res
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Other Features Photo

Tongue Gusset Type 
 

Semi-gusseted
Fully-gusseted

Plate 
 

None
None
Performance

Heel Energy Return 
 

6.3
6.3

Heel Compression Video  

Heel Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
HOKA Mach 6 Heel Energy Return
 Preview Graph
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Heel Energy Return

Heel Energy Return 
 

74.1%
74.0%
Show Text 

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

7.0
7.3

Forefoot Compression Video  

Forefoot Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
HOKA Mach 6 Forefoot Energy Return
 Preview Graph
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Forefoot Energy Return

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

76.0%
77.3%
Show Text 

Heel Cushioning 
 

6.8
8.2

Heel Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
HOKA Mach 6 Heel Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Heel Cushioning Picture

Heel Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
HOKA Mach 6 Heel Cushioning
 Preview Graph
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Heel Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 550N 
 

2.86 J
3.83 J

Energy Absorbed At 1100N 
 

8.53 J
9.97 J

Energy Absorbed At 1900N 
 

15.28 J
16.86 J
Show Text 

Forefoot Cushioning 
 

7.8
7.9

Forefoot Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
HOKA Mach 6 Forefoot Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Forefoot Cushioning Picture

Forefoot Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
HOKA Mach 6 Forefoot Cushioning
 Preview Graph
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Forefoot Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 800N 
 

4.51 J
5.15 J

Energy Absorbed At 1300N 
 

8.38 J
8.58 J

Energy Absorbed At 2050N 
 

12.61 J
12.28 J
Show Text 

Heel Firmness 
 

5.9
5.1

Heel Firmness  

 Preview Graph
HOKA Mach 6 Heel Firmness
 Preview Graph
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Heel Firmness

Firmness At 550N 
 

60.0 N/mm
47.1 N/mm

Firmness At 1100N 
 

111.1 N/mm
109.3 N/mm

Firmness At 1900N 
 

235.8 N/mm
229.7 N/mm
Show Text 

Forefoot Firmness 
 

7.6
8.1

Forefoot Firmness  

 Preview Graph
HOKA Mach 6 Forefoot Firmness
 Preview Graph
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Forefoot Firmness

Firmness At 800N 
 

100.0 N/mm
105.0 N/mm

Firmness At 1300N 
 

186.2 N/mm
220.1 N/mm

Firmness At 2050N 
 

385.5 N/mm
436.1 N/mm
Show Text 

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning 
 

6.6
7.3

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
HOKA Mach 6 Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
 Preview Graph
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Forefoot Long Run Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 10km 
 

7.32 J
8.00 J

Energy Absorbed At 20km 
 

7.07 J
7.77 J

Energy Absorbed At 30km 
 

6.92 J
7.61 J

Energy Absorbed At 40km 
 

6.81 J
7.50 J
Show Text 

HOKA Mach 6

ASICS NOVABLAST 5

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