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Tested using Methodology v0.16
Updated Sep 25, 2026 12:37 AM
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Tested using Methodology v0.16
Updated Oct 16, 2026 02:05 PM
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New Balance
Heel Stack Height
41.9 mm
Weight
247.7 g (8.74 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
8.8 mm
Plate
None
Heel Stack Height
37.2 mm
Weight
300.4 g (10.60 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
14.4 mm
Plate
None
Our Verdict
ASICS NOVABLAST 6
New Balance AC Runner
The ASICS NOVABLAST 6 is a better running shoe than the New Balance AC Runner. The ASICS shoe is far superior in terms of performance and cushioning, while also weighing significantly less. The AC Runner is a touch more stable, so it could be a better choice if you're doing drills with lots of side-to-side movement.
Variants
- NOVABLAST 6 (Black/Black - (Men - US 9))
- NOVABLAST 6 (Black/Khaki - (Men - US 9))
- AC Runner (Altitude/Black/Black Metallic - (Men - US 9))
- AC Runner (Navy/Black/Dark Silver Metallic - (Men - US 9))
Main Differences for
Half/Full Marathon Racing
Half/Full Marathon Racing
Threshold
Half/Full Marathon Racing
7.4
4.7
Forefoot Stack Height
33.1 mm
22.8 mm
Weight
6.5
4.4
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
7.3
4.1
Forefoot Compression Energy Return
7.6
4.7
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
7.3
4.1
Outsole Arch Width
78 mm (3.1")
53 mm (2.1")
Heel Stack Height
41.9 mm
37.2 mm
Heel Firmness
6.0
8.7
Full Comparison
Design
Weight
6.5
4.4
Right Shoe Weight Photo
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Left Shoe Weight Photo
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Weight
247.7 g (8.74 oz)
300.4 g (10.60 oz)
Stack Heights
Stack Height Photo
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Heel Stack Height
41.9 mm
37.2 mm
Forefoot Stack Height
33.1 mm
22.8 mm
Heel-To-Toe Drop
8.8 mm
14.4 mm
Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop
8.0 mm
12.0 mm
External Shape
3D Model Full Shoe
Preview 3D
Preview 3D
Outsole Heel Width
90 mm (3.5")
84 mm (3.3")
Outsole Arch Width
78 mm (3.1")
53 mm (2.1")
Outsole Forefoot Width
116 mm (4.6")
107 mm (4.2")
Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio
2.15
2.25
Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio
3.49
4.69
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")
66 mm (2.6")
Internal Forefoot Width
95 mm (3.7")
90 mm (3.5")
Wide Sizing Available
Yes
Yes
Forefoot Fit: Width
9.3
8.8
Forefoot Width Photo
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Ball-Of-Foot TTS Deviation
3.5 mm (0.136")
-2.5 mm (-0.100")
Toe TTS Deviation
-0.8 mm (-0.030")
-2.2 mm (-0.085")
Forefoot Fit: Height
6.0
4.9
Forefoot Height Photo
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Toe TTS Deviation
-4.7 mm (-0.186")
-6.0 mm (-0.237")
Arch Fit: Width
8.8
9.7
Arch Fit Photo
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Arch Width TTS Deviation
-2.2 mm (-0.088")
-0.8 mm (-0.031")
Length Fit
10
10
Toe Clearance Photo
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Heel Rocker Geometry
7.6
7.1
Heel Rocker Photo
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Heel Spring
24 mm (0.9")
19 mm (0.7")
Heel Apex Position
15.0%
15.1%
Heel Rocker Angle
28.6°
23.4°
Forefoot Rocker Geometry
7.3
4.2
Forefoot Rocker Photo
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Toe Spring
51 mm (2.0")
30 mm (1.2")
Toe Apex Position
66.0%
65.6%
Forefoot Rocker Angle
27.0°
16.7°
Foam
Primary Foam Picture
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Secondary Foam Picture
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Primary Foam Name
FF BLAST MAX
Fresh FoamX
Primary Foam Type
POE
EVA
Secondary Foam Name
FF TURBO²
No Secondary Foam
Secondary Foam Type
A-TPU
No Secondary Foam
Laces
Laces Picture
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Lace Type
Flat
Round
Width
6.0 mm (0.2")
6.0 mm (0.2")
Thickness
1.8 mm (0.1")
3.3 mm (0.1")
Stretch
22.2%
8.5%
Breathability
7.5
4.0
Breathability Video
Upper Breathability
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Upper Microscope Photo
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Time-To-Dry
7.5
1.8
Time-To-Dry Timelapse
Time-To-Dry Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Time To 30% Dry
7.0 hrs
13.7 hrs
Time To 70% Dry
16.8 hrs
31.6 hrs
Time To Dry
23.8 hrs
52.6 hrs
Water Absorption
6.8
6.2
Dry Weight Photo
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Wet Weight Photo
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Water Absorbed
46.9%
50.3%
Other Features
Other Features Photo
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Tongue Gusset Type
Fully-gusseted
Fully-gusseted
Plate
None
None
Performance
Heel Compression Energy Return
6.4
1.9
Heel Compression Video
Heel Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Heel Energy Return
74.3%
67.5%
Forefoot Compression Energy Return
7.6
4.7
Forefoot Compression Video
Forefoot Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Energy Return
78.9%
71.5%
Heel Cushioning
8.8
7.0
Heel Cushioning Picture
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Heel Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 550N
4.20 J
3.03 J
Energy Absorbed At 1100N
10.65 J
8.63 J
Energy Absorbed At 1900N
17.95 J
15.55 J
Forefoot Cushioning
8.3
4.4
Forefoot Cushioning Picture
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Forefoot Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 800N
5.40 J
3.03 J
Energy Absorbed At 1300N
9.02 J
4.88 J
Energy Absorbed At 2050N
12.85 J
6.91 J
Heel Firmness
6.0
8.7
Heel Firmness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Firmness At 550N
36.0 N/mm
50.2 N/mm
Firmness At 1100N
47.0 N/mm
61.1 N/mm
Firmness At 1900N
66.7 N/mm
83.4 N/mm
Forefoot Firmness
6.2
9.8
Forefoot Firmness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Firmness At 800N
49.0 N/mm
85.7 N/mm
Firmness At 1300N
65.4 N/mm
116.6 N/mm
Firmness At 2050N
92 N/mm
165 N/mm
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
7.3
4.1
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 10km
7.91 J
4.61 J
Energy Absorbed At 20km
7.77 J
4.48 J
Energy Absorbed At 30km
7.69 J
4.42 J
Energy Absorbed At 40km
7.62 J
4.38 J
Rocker Stiffness
5.7
4.1
Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Video
Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Force To Flatten The Rocker
55 N
31 N
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
7.3
4.1
Forefoot Bending Video
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
66.9%
53.7%
Forefoot Bending Stiffness
6.0
6.9
Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture
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Forefoot Bending Resistance
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Bending Stiffness
9.7 N/mm
13.9 N/mm
Forefoot Bending Force
218 N
240 N
Heel Compression Depth
7.0
5.2
Heel Compression Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Heel Compression At 550N
15.3 mm
11.0 mm
Heel Compression At 1100N
23.4 mm
18.0 mm
Heel Compression At 1900N
28.5 mm
22.8 mm
Forefoot Compression Depth
6.8
3.9
Forefoot Compression Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Compression At 800N
16.3 mm
9.3 mm
Forefoot Compression At 1300N
19.9 mm
11.1 mm
Forefoot Compression At 2050N
22.2 mm
12.4 mm
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ASICS NOVABLAST 6
New Balance AC Runner
Comments
ASICS NOVABLAST 6 vs New Balance AC Runner: Main Discussion
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