Products
Tested using Methodology v0.11
Updated Apr 13, 2026 01:56 PM
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Amazon
Tested using Methodology v0.10
Updated Apr 15, 2026 05:24 PM
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Amazon
Weight
248.2 g (8.76 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
8.2 mm
Plate
None
Weight
262.5 g (9.26 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
8.7 mm
Plate
None
Our Verdict
ASICS NOVABLAST 5
New Balance Ellipse
The New Balance Ellipse and ASICS NOVABLAST 5 are both daily trainers, but they behave differently underfoot. The ASICS is lighter and higher stacked, combining good cushioning with noticeable bounce, which makes it feel more dynamic but also a bit less stable overall. The Ellipse offers some bounce as well, but with less overall cushioning and a lower, more grounded feel that translates into better stability and more connection to the road.
Variants
- NOVABLAST 5 (Black/Carrier Grey - (Men - US 9))
- NOVABLAST 5 (Black/Carrier Grey - (Women - US 7))
- Ellipse (Afterglow/Lone Star Grey - (Women - US 7))
- Ellipse (Afterglow/Lone Star Grey/Silver Metallic - (Men - US 9))
Main Differences for
Marathon Racing
Marathon Racing
Threshold
Marathon Racing
7.3
6.1
Forefoot Stack Height
33.4 mm
26.7 mm
Heel Stack Height
41.8 mm
35.4 mm
Weight
6.5
5.9
Full Comparison
Design
Weight
6.5
5.9
Right Shoe Weight Photo
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Left Shoe Weight Photo
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Weight
248.2 g (8.76 oz)
262.5 g (9.26 oz)
Stack Heights
Stack Height Photo
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Heel Stack Height
41.8 mm
35.4 mm
Forefoot Stack Height
33.4 mm
26.7 mm
Heel-To-Toe Drop
8.2 mm
8.7 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")
76 mm (3.0")
Outsole Forefoot Width
115 mm (4.5")
111 mm (4.4")
Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio
2.13
2.66
Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio
3.44
4.16
Internal Shape
3D Model Internal
Preview 3D
Preview 3D
Internal Length
284 mm (11.2")
275 mm (10.8")
Internal Heel Width
62 mm (2.4")
71 mm (2.8")
Internal Forefoot Width
94 mm (3.7")
90 mm (3.5")
Wide Sizing Available
Yes
Yes
Forefoot Fit: Width
9.2
9.7
Forefoot Width Photo
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Ball-Of-Foot TTS Deviation
1.5 mm (0.059")
1.3 mm (0.050")
Toe TTS Deviation
-3.0 mm (-0.116")
-1.1 mm (-0.043")
Forefoot Fit: Height
8.9
4.7
Forefoot Height Photo
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Toe TTS Deviation
-1.6 mm (-0.064")
-6.2 mm (-0.243")
Arch Fit: Width
7.1
8.9
Arch Fit Photo
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Arch Width TTS Deviation
-4.5 mm (-0.178")
-2.0 mm (-0.078")
Length Fit
10
10
Toe Clearance Photo
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Heel Rocker Geometry
6.2
Heel Rocker Photo
Heel Spring
17 mm (0.7")
Heel Apex Position
13.2%
Heel Rocker Angle
23.0°
Forefoot Rocker Geometry
6.7
Forefoot Rocker Photo
Toe Spring
48 mm (1.9")
Toe Apex Position
73.4%
Forefoot Rocker Angle
31.0°
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
6.6
Heel Compression Video
Heel Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Heel Energy Return
74.0%
74.8%
Forefoot Compression Energy Return
7.3
7.4
Forefoot Compression Video
Forefoot Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Energy Return
77.3%
77.8%
Heel Cushioning
8.2
7.3
Heel Cushioning Picture
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Heel Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 550N
3.83 J
3.77 J
Energy Absorbed At 1100N
9.97 J
8.91 J
Energy Absorbed At 1900N
16.86 J
14.36 J
Forefoot Cushioning
7.9
7.0
Forefoot Cushioning Picture
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Forefoot Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 800N
5.15 J
4.50 J
Energy Absorbed At 1300N
8.58 J
7.54 J
Energy Absorbed At 2050N
12.28 J
10.84 J
Heel Firmness
5.1
6.2
Heel Firmness
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Firmness At 550N
47.1 N/mm
52.0 N/mm
Firmness At 1100N
109.3 N/mm
132.8 N/mm
Firmness At 1900N
229.7 N/mm
297.3 N/mm
Forefoot Firmness
8.1
8.4
Forefoot Firmness
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Firmness At 800N
105.0 N/mm
112.8 N/mm
Firmness At 1300N
220.1 N/mm
240.2 N/mm
Firmness At 2050N
436.1 N/mm
491.3 N/mm
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
7.3
6.5
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 10km
8.00 J
7.05 J
Energy Absorbed At 20km
7.77 J
6.92 J
Energy Absorbed At 30km
7.61 J
6.83 J
Energy Absorbed At 40km
7.50 J
6.75 J
Rocker Stiffness
6.1
Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Video
Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph
Preview Graph
Force To Flatten The Rocker
64 N
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
6.5
Forefoot Bending Video
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
Preview Graph
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
62.4%
Forefoot Bending Stiffness
6.5
Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture
Forefoot Bending Resistance
Preview Graph
Forefoot Bending Stiffness
11.3 N/mm
Forefoot Bending Force
234 N
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ASICS NOVABLAST 5
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Comments
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 vs New Balance Ellipse: Main Discussion
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