ASICS Novablast 6 vs GEL-Nimbus 28: Which Daily Trainer Deserves Your Miles?

Introduction

ASICS updated both of its most popular daily trainers for 2026, and both shoes come away lighter, livelier, and, unfortunately, a little more expensive. The Novablast 6 received a significant midsole change, adding a wedge of FF Turbo Squared foam in the forefoot to boost responsiveness and versatility. The GEL-Nimbus 28 stays true to its plush cushioning roots but brings a bit more energy than previous versions.

After logging test miles in both, the pattern is clear: the Novablast 6 is the more versatile and engaging all-rounder, while the Nimbus 28 remains a comfortable, stable max-cushion workhorse. Which one fits you depends on how you actually run.

Quick Specs Compared

The Novablast 6 packs 41.5mm of foam in the heel and 33.5mm in the forefoot for an 8mm drop. The Nimbus 28 puts even more foam underfoot: 43.5mm in the heel, 33.5mm in the forefoot, with a 10mm drop. On the scale, the Novablast 6 weighs 9.1 oz (258g), while the Nimbus 28 is the heavier of the two at 10.3 oz (292g).

Pricing has moved up on both. The Novablast 6 costs $155 in the US or £140 in the UK, while the Nimbus 28 sits at $170 or £180 in the UK. That price gap matters, because the cheaper shoe is also the lighter and livelier one in this pairing.

Midsole and Construction

The Novablast 6 uses a dual-foam setup. A forefoot pad of FF Turbo Squared, the same foam found in the Megablast, works alongside FF Blast Max foam from the previous Novablast to improve response without sacrificing underfoot reliability. A large rocker smooths the transitions from heel to toe.

The GEL-Nimbus 28 keeps things simpler: a big slab of FF Blast Plus in the midsole plus thinner, lighter pure GEL heel inserts to soften landings for heel strikers. It is a traditional max-cushion formula that prioritizes protection over energy return.

Uppers and Outsoles

Both uppers are built for big-mileage comfort. The Novablast 6 uses a flexible woven upper that sits slightly higher off the top of the toes, creating a roomier toe box. The Nimbus 28 swaps an engineered mesh for an engineered knit upper, giving a more sock-like, flexible fit. Both have well-padded heel collars; the Novablast carries over a thin, flat, gusseted tongue, while the Nimbus uses a knitted gusseted tongue that feels softer and more slipper-like.

Underfoot, both shoes use strategic rubber pads in the main impact zones with plenty of exposed midsole. The Novablast 6 combines AHAR low in the heel with ASICS Grip in the forefoot, an upgrade over the Novablast 5. The Nimbus 28 gets an ASICS Grip hybrid outsole with a new, softer rubber compound that feels softer on impact while still providing good traction.

Fit and Comfort

Testers found both shoes comfy and roomy up front, with flexible uppers and plenty of wiggle room in the toe box. The Novablast’s upper sits slightly closer across the top of the toes, but the flex means it feels secure without being restricted. The Nimbus 28 has a more slipper-like feel with extra softness from the knitted tongue and plush detailing.

Lockdown across the midfoot is good in both, heel hold is secure with no slipping, and both recommend going true to size. The Nimbus’s padding is generous around the heel without the tongue feeling too thick or oppressive. If anything, the Novablast 6 now covers easy, longer runs just as comfortably as the Nimbus.

Ride and Performance

The Nimbus 28’s ride feels familiar and accomplished: no-nonsense, uncomplicated, with a broad footprint that brings stability and a smooth, mildly energetic return. You sit cradled in the shoe, cocooned and controlled, though that can hold you back when it is time to speed up.

The Novablast 6 delivers equal protection but with a much bouncier, more resilient midsole. You feel slightly higher on a springier bed of foam that urges you forward. Even at easy paces, the Turbo Squared forefoot foam makes ticking through the miles nicer, and at faster paces the gap widens considerably. The Nimbus is probably the liveliest Nimbus in recent memory, but it still cannot match the Novablast’s energy.

Neither shoe is exactly nimble given how much cushioning they carry, but the Novablast has noticeably more pep without sacrificing comfort. Both roll smoothly from heel to toe, and both do a genuinely good job of taking impact away from the road.

Durability and Test Miles

Testing included more than 50 miles in the Novablast 6 and around 30 to 35 miles in the Nimbus 28, with 90-minute long runs, easy-paced mileage, steady progression runs, and a proper workout session in the Novablast. Both excelled on the easy end as comfortable, protective shoes.

The standout finding was how much the Novablast encroaches on the Nimbus’s territory. It matches the Nimbus for cushioning and comfort on easy runs while being lighter, cheaper, and more energetic. The Nimbus did its job reasonably well, but testers found little it offers that the Novablast does not also do well.

Which One Should You Buy?

If you want the most versatile option, the Novablast 6 wins. It is markedly more capable when you move out of the easy gears, compelling enough to handle most sessions in a marathon training block, and it matches the Nimbus for cushion and comfort on slow runs.

The Nimbus 28 still has merits. It is very controlled with excellent stability, and it is a great, highly cushioned workhorse that may suit heavier runners better than the Novablast. Long-standing fans will appreciate that it stays true to the Nimbus formula while adding energy, improving the fit, and trimming weight. But it remains quite a one-gear shoe, best for plush, cushioned, relaxed running.

Conclusion

The Novablast 6 is the clear pick here: supremely cushioned, lighter, more fun across the pace range, and a fair bit cheaper than the Nimbus 28. The Nimbus 28 suits runners who want maximum stability and plush comfort above all else, especially heavier runners, but for most training needs the Novablast 6 is the more capable and enjoyable shoe.