Asics Novablast 6 vs Nike Vomero Plus: Two of the Best Cushioned Daily Trainers Compared

Introduction

These are two of the best cushioned daily trainers on the market right now, and one of the most requested comparisons around. They do not sit in exactly the same slot in their respective line-ups: the Novablast is positioned as an everyday trainer, while the Vomero Plus is pushed as a full cushion shoe. But both are excellent cushioned trainers, and choosing between them comes down to how you like your ride.

On paper the differences are clear. The Vomero Plus costs £155 or $180 and weighs 300g or 10.6 oz in a UK 9, while the Novablast 6 is £140 or $155 and 262g or 9.2 oz in the same size. The Nike also carries more foam, with a 45mm heel stack and 10mm drop, against 41.5mm and 8mm on the Asics.

Asics Novablast 6: The More Versatile All-Rounder

The Novablast 6 uses a lightweight woven upper with plenty of padding around the heel and a slightly more open feel around the toes. The midsole combines two foams: FF Blast Max, a soft and enjoyable foam carried over from the previous model, forms most of the shoe, while a puck of the livelier FF Turbo Squared foam sits under the forefoot and brings noticeably more energy to the ride. The outsole splits duties too, with durable AHAR LO rubber around the heel and Asics Grip at the forefoot for better traction in wet conditions.

On the run, that dual-foam setup pays off at faster paces. The heel is soft and comfortable, and rolling onto the firmer forefoot foam gives you resiliency and a good amount of energy off your toes. At easy paces it feels lighter and nimbler than the Nike, with a more muted heel, but push to tempo or a short mile session and it holds up well. It strays closer to all-rounder territory as a result.

Fit and Upper

Both shoes fit true to size in a UK 9, which is a US 10 from both brands. There is plenty of room in the toes, as you would expect from comfort-focused trainers rather than racier models, and both give a solid hold around the heel and midfoot.

The main difference is padding. The Vomero Plus has a much more padded tongue that removes any chance of lace bite but can feel slightly oppressive on top of the foot in hot conditions. The Novablast’s upper is lighter and more breathable, making it the better pick if you run in warm weather.

Nike Vomero Plus: Maximum Bounce and Cushion

The Vomero Plus is built for comfort first and foremost. The thick engineered mesh upper is not the most breathable, but it is very comfortable, with generous padding around the heel and tongue. The midsole is a full-length slab of Nike’s ZoomX foam, a bouncy and energetic material that never bottoms out. You get bounce from the back of the shoe to the front for any length of run, and nearly the entire outsole is covered in high-abrasion waffle tread, which should give it an edge on durability.

This is a very cushy shoe that excels at easy paces, especially over long distances. The 10mm drop and tall stack give a smooth rather than snappy ride, and even slow recovery runs feel energetic as the foam comes back quickly. It is reasonably versatile too: steady paces feel fine, even if you would not want to do many hard workouts in it. The extra weight is easy to explain, with more foam, a more padded upper, and a fuller outsole.

Which One Should You Buy?

If you are building a rotation and want a cushioned daily trainer to sit alongside faster shoes for workouts, the Vomero Plus is the slightly better pick. The bouncier, more fun ride makes it the shoe you reach for on easy days, and the ZoomX foam should keep bouncing for hundreds of miles with strong durability scores.

If you want one shoe to do a bit of everything, whether you are a new runner or simply prefer a cushioned shoe for all your running, the Novablast 6 is a touch more versatile. It gives you a slightly higher level of performance at faster paces, and it is cheaper and fair bit lighter. It also handles some faster runs well enough to work in a rotation with an even more cushioned shoe.

One note on price: the Novablast 6 is a brand new shoe, so its price advantage is smaller than it looks on paper. The older Vomero Plus pops up in deals fairly often, so shopping around should bring the two close in price.

Conclusion

Both of these are excellent cushioned daily trainers, and among the best in the category. Choose the Nike Vomero Plus if you want maximum bounce, cushioning, and a fun easy-day cruiser. Choose the Asics Novablast 6 if you want a lighter, slightly more versatile shoe that can still stretch to faster paces.