ASICS Novablast 6 Review: A Softer, Livelier Daily Trainer

Introduction

The ASICS Novablast has quickly become one of the most popular running shoes on the market, going up against long-running favorites like the Nike Pegasus and Brooks Ghost. The Novablast 6 is a considerable update to the Novablast 5, which is a bit surprising for such a popular shoe. Brands often play it safe with their bestsellers, but the Novablast 6 has been changed from upper to outsole, and it is an improvement all round.

The shoe costs £140 in the UK and $155 in the US. It weighs in at 262 g (9.2 oz) in a UK size 9 (US 10), which is noticeably lighter than the previous model. It has an 8 mm drop and a stack height of 41.5 mm at the heel and 33.5 mm at the forefoot, so it remains a high-stack shoe.

Design and Midsole: The Biggest Changes

The Novablast 6 features a woven upper with a minimal tongue in terms of padding. The tongue is still a little padded, but not nearly as much as the collar, which is very well padded indeed. There is a lot of foam around the back of the shoe, showing off its comfort-first credentials, plus an internal heel counter at the rear to add some stability.

The biggest change is in the midsole, which is mostly made from FF BLAST MAX PLUS, the foam used for the entirety of the Novablast 5 midsole. Added to this is a puck of FF TURBO SQUARED under the forefoot, the energetic material introduced with the ASICS Metaspeed and Sonic Blast models. This should give a more responsive feel under the forefoot while helping to decrease the overall weight of the shoe.

Fit and Sizing

The Novablast 6 is true to size for most runners. Testers running in their usual running shoe sizes, across UK sizes 8 to 9, found the fit consistent with previous Novablast versions and with the ASICS brand generally, which has very good consistent sizing. The roomy toe box is a hallmark of the Novablast line, with plenty of space for the big toe and good clearance that sweeps around the little toe. The toe knuckles are held without being restrictive, and there is just enough flex room up top for long-haul comfort.

The midfoot offers great lockdown and hold across the top of the foot, and the classic Novablast tongue does a decent job of taking off lace pinch, so you can lock the laces down firmly. The heel collar is mid to high padded, holding securely with plush comfort that never feels overdone. No heel slipping was reported.

One caveat: all that padding at the back of the shoe can soak up a fair bit of sweat in hot conditions. It does get a bit sweaty, though it did not bother most testers too much.

The shoe is very comfortable and forgiving, with plenty of space in the forefoot and a midfoot that does not feel restrictive. It is a plush, comfortable shoe, which is surprising considering how versatile and fast it is. Stick to your usual size.

Ride and Performance

The Novablast line has flip-flopped between firmer and softer across generations, and the Novablast 6 feels like it is back to being softer. The upgrade is that there is added bounce that springs you out of those softer landings, along with a lightness that gives the shoe a genuinely nice energy.

If you found the old Novablast a bit too firm and unforgiving, the softer edge here brings the cradling cushion many runners crave. It is a little mellow and marshmallowy, but not fully. There is a lot of shoe here, yet somehow it avoids being cumbersome.

When you punch and engage the midsole, it feeds back with plenty of bounce and a nice spring off the forefoot. Rock back at slower paces and you get soft, cradling cushion under the heel that protects and softens the landing. The shoe is also quite wide and feels controlled and reliable for a big soft-stacked shoe, though there are still more stable options out there.

Moving beyond marathon pace, some testers prefer something snappier and more immediate. The Novablast 6 does not have the all-out punchiness of a plated shoe like the Saucony Endorphin Speed. But something interesting happens up front: when you get onto the FF Turbo Squared foam insert in the forefoot, the shoe switches and the forefoot locks in quicker than the rest of the shoe, giving it extra impetus. For mixed-pace marathon training runs, it is really great. For all-out interval sessions, you may want to look elsewhere.

One tester described it as the opposite of a mullet: business at the back, party at the front. The heel offers a functional, stable, comfortable platform, while the forefoot is lively and energetic. It works almost like a Megablast light, replicating some of that shoe’s energy at a much lower price point.

Outsole, Grip and Durability

The outsole mixes materials. AHAR LO rubber at the heel is a very durable compound, while ASICS GRIP at the forefoot improves traction, addressing the slightly iffy grip the Novablast has been known for in the past. There is a thick layer of rubber across most of the outsole, though a pointed exposed section at the front might pick up some wear and tear.

Grip is nothing spectacular but is well suited to roads and pavement. Testers around 50 to 70 km of running saw no terrible signs of wear and expect typical durability for the category. It is a road-first shoe, and a trail-friendlier version may well follow, as ASICS has done with previous models.

Verdict

The Novablast 6 is a strong update and a favorite version of the shoe for many testers. The Novablast 5 was primarily a cushioned, comfortable shoe for daily training without much range. The Novablast 6 has a lot of range, and that makes it stand out against other popular cushioned shoes.

Against the Brooks Ghost 18 and Nike Pegasus 42, the Novablast is lighter, livelier, and more fun to run in. Against the Hoka Clifton 10, you get better foams in the midsole. Compared to the Mizuno Wave Rider 30, it offers more energy return and more everyday fun. It also competes well with the modern breed of lighter daily trainers like the ASICS Evoride SL, Puma Deviate Nitro Elite, Hoka Mach 6, New Balance Rebel, and Saucony Kinvara, offering more comfort, stability, and protection than most of them.

It is a very good shoe for one-shoe runners who primarily want comfort but want genuine capability at faster paces when required. It is not a replacement for a plated trainer or the fastest efforts, but it is a fun ride with good versatility and one of the better do-it-all shoes, making it a good option for a beginner runner or someone who wants one shoe to cover early training.

If you are choosing between the Novablast 6 and the Superblast 3, the Novablast 6 can cover mostly easy miles with the occasional faster workout at a more reasonable price, while the Superblast 3 handles a more serious marathon training block at a bigger investment. Some testers would also choose the cheaper ASICS Evoride SL over it for its livelier ride, and note that the price has bumped up in both the US and UK.

Conclusion

The ASICS Novablast 6 is a successful, enjoyable update to the line. The FF Turbo Squared forefoot foam makes it a different experience: versatile, comfortable, genuinely energetic at a range of paces, and lighter than before. It is not perfect, with the FF Blast Max-heavy heel still taking a little away from easy-run comfort, but for most runners wanting good cushion with good performance in a non-plated shoe, the Novablast 6 hits a real sweet spot.