ASICS Novablast 5 vs Superblast 2: Which One Belongs in Your Rotation?

Introduction

Few running shoe questions come up more often than this one: should you buy the ASICS Novablast 5 or the Superblast 2? They sit at very different prices, but they share the same Blast family DNA, and the price gap alone does not tell you which is the better shoe. After putting serious miles into both, the honest answer is that they are different beasts rather than one being a cut-down version of the other. Here is how they break down.

Quick Specs and First Impressions

The Novablast 5 launched at around £135 in the UK, while the Superblast 2 arrived earlier in the year at roughly £200. The weights are remarkably similar despite a slight size difference in testing samples, so weight alone will not decide this for you. The Superblast 2 carries a bit more midsole stack, particularly in the heel, plus more surface area in both the forefoot and heel.

The real differences show up on the run, where the two shoes pull in noticeably different directions.

Upper and Fit

The Superblast 2 offers a more shaped toe box with extra room, which helps if you have wider toes or a slightly more voluminous foot. The Novablast 5 tapers in a bit more on both the lateral and medial sides at the front of the shoe. Both uppers deliver a solid lockdown with no heel slip, and the lacing systems work well: lace all the way to the final eyelets and you have just enough lace left for a clean double knot.

On sizing, the Novablast 5 fits true to size, while the Superblast 2 runs perhaps half a size long, so consider going half a size down when ordering. The Superblast 2’s insole is slightly coarser, helping the foot stay planted on the midsole, though the Novablast 5 is not far behind. The tongue is a touch more breathable in the Superblast 2, while the Novablast 5 has slightly more padding at the final eyelets.

As a daily upper, the Novablast 5 edges ahead on comfort. The Superblast 2 leans more toward a performance feel, though neither shoe caused any discomfort during testing.

Midsole and Ride Feel

This is where the two really diverge. The Novablast 5 uses FF Blast Max foam, which is noticeably squashier and more compressive out of the box. It returns to the bouncy formula of earlier Novablast generations, delivering a fun, energetic ride that makes easy runs genuinely enjoyable.

The Superblast 2 feels firmer but fair: more resilient, more stable on impact, and better suited to sustained efforts at tempo pace. Testers found it shines around 7:30 per mile tempo effort and stays good at practically every pace up to that point. It is not a 5K or 10K race shoe, though, given the width and the 40-plus mm heel stack.

Durability looks strong in both. The Superblast 2 showed no significant creasing or tearing near 100 miles and actually felt better the more it was run in, while the Novablast 5 was already good out of the box and improved with use. One caution: if you overpronate or have ankle issues, the softer Novablast 5 midsole could aggravate that, although those feelings faded over miles in testing.

Outsole and Grip

Grip is a clear advantage for the Superblast 2. The traction is noticeably better out of the box, with more ridges and a confidence-inspiring feel in wet and wintry conditions. The Novablast 5 was a little slippery when new, especially on wet surfaces, but that improved considerably as the coarser rubber broke in, and it now handles wet roads without hesitation.

On decent tarmac and concrete, the Novablast 5 copes well. For mixed or testing surfaces, the Superblast 2 is the safer bet. The ASICS rubber compound is famously long lasting, with some users reporting 500-plus kilometers with barely any wear.

Value and Verdict

With roughly £65 between them, you might ask whether the Novablast 5 is only two-thirds of the shoe. It is not. The Superblast 2 justifies its premium for sustained-pace work, long runs where the miles simply evaporate, and superior grip in poor conditions. The Novablast 5 delivers great value as a fun, slightly softer daily trainer that handles variety in your weekly sessions and can even step in for long runs with a smattering of faster paces.

Conclusion

There is no single winner here, and that is the point: these two shoes fit different slots in a rotation. Pick the Superblast 2 if you want stability, grip, and a shoe built for sustained tempo and long-run work. Pick the Novablast 5 if you want a fun, bouncy daily trainer at a friendlier price. Both are among the strongest options ASICS has produced in this range.