New Balance Rebel V5 vs ASICS Novablast 5: Which Daily Trainer Should You Buy?

Introduction

The New Balance Rebel V5 and the ASICS Novablast 5 are two impressive daily trainers that both deliver a cushioned, versatile ride, which makes them easy to recommend to most runners. They land at a very similar price, but there are meaningful differences in stack height, weight, and ride character that should drive your decision. This comparison breaks down where each shoe excels so you can pick the one that matches your training.

Specs and Construction

The two shoes come in around the same price. The New Balance Rebel V5 is £140 in the UK and $140 in the US, while the Novablast 5 is slightly cheaper in the UK at £135 and $140 in the US. Weight is where they really diverge: the Rebel is a fair bit lighter at 225g (7.9oz) in a UK 9 (US 9.5), while the Novablast weighs 274g (9.7oz) in a UK 9, which corresponds to a US 10, so it is a slightly bigger shoe overall.

That weight difference is partly down to stack height. The Novablast 5 has an 8mm drop with 41.5mm at the heel and 33.5mm at the forefoot, while the Rebel sits lower at 35mm heel and 29mm forefoot for a 6mm drop.

In terms of design, the ASICS uses a jacquard mesh upper with light tongue padding and more generous padding around the collar, plus a significant internal heel counter. Its midsole is ASICS’ FF Blast Max foam, with sidewalls of foam that cradle the foot at the rear and a very wide base for stability, finished with an AHAR low rubber outsole with good coverage along the sides, heel, and forefoot.

The Rebel V5 counters with a lightweight upper, modest tongue padding, a somewhat less padded collar, and its own substantial internal heel counter. Its Fuel Cell midsole is the same EVA and PEBA blend used on the Rebel V4, and like the Novablast it offers a very wide stability base, foam sidewalls, and rubber outsole coverage over the heel and forefoot.

Fit and Sizing

Both shoes fit true to size. The Novablast 5 is nicely spacious, with loads of toe box room, good forefoot volume, secure midfoot lockdown, and a nicely secure heel hold. The Rebel V5 also has an accommodating forefoot, with toes sitting a little closer to the end than in the Novablast, but everything remains spacious and roomy. That length proved no problem over the 90km Comrades Ultra, even while hammering down steep descents.

The Novablast has a slightly roomier fit overall, but not by much, and both shoes are accommodating in width and should handle a wider foot. Wide versions of both are also available. The practical advice is simple: stick to your normal running shoe size with either shoe, wherever you are in the world.

Ride and Performance

Testing covered more than 60 miles in the Novablast 5 and around 80 miles in the Rebel V5, spanning easy recovery runs, progression runs, cruising efforts, and a 90k ultra at the Comrades Marathon in the Rebel.

The Novablast 5 is a very competent utility shoe that can eat a lot of training miles, even with the extra softness introduced in this generation. It is a daily trainer that is super comfortable, plush, controlled, and roomy, with a bit of energy, a mid-paced sweet spot, and some potential for cruising faster when you are feeling light and fresh.

The Rebel V5 is also consistent and controlled across the pace range, with a smooth, balanced feel and good stability. Despite its lower stack than the Novablast, cushioning is still good and felt just right. Both shoes proved their worth in the latter miles of the Comrades 90k, where big, hard tarmac descents demanded cushion, protection, control, and stability. After nine hours of running, very little road came back through the Rebel V5.

A side-by-side run highlights the key split: the bigger, wider platform of the Novablast puts you higher off the ground, while the Rebel offers much more ground connection. Both are well cushioned, but the Novablast gives you more protection underfoot and less ground feel, making it the better pick for heavier runners, those who land heavily, or anyone who simply wants more cushion over long distances. The Rebel feels more direct, connected, agile, and nimble, and while some runners may want more protection for very long days, it proved ample for a 90k ultra.

At pace, the Rebel is the better shoe thanks to its lower weight and slightly bouncier foam, making it a good option for intervals, though sustaining fast paces is still easier in shoes with more responsive foams or a plate. The Novablast is no slouch either: its firmer-but-comfortable foam pushes back and its more rockered ride makes it good at cruising and maintaining a fast pace once you are up to speed. Overall comfort is close, with good heel collars, hold, and roominess in both, though the Novablast does feel like a bigger shoe on the foot.

Which One Should You Buy?

If the Rebel V5 has enough foam for you to feel confident about long-haul comfort, it is the better shoe and the one to get. It is comfortable, genuinely stable, lighter than the Novablast, and has a bit more pop for a mix of runs. It avoids feeling overstacked and overbaked, with a nice wide platform but a more compact, lower-to-the-ground setup that feels snappier and more immediate. It ranks among the best all-rounders you can currently buy, delivering a happy balance of comfort, road protection, and energy return.

The Novablast 5 is still a very capable all-rounder in its own right. If you value all-out cushioning and protection underfoot and do not mind a bit more shoe on the foot, its extra stack and support are appealing, particularly for heavier runners, newer runners, or anyone tackling a first marathon.

The choice ultimately comes down to how much shoe you want underfoot: the Rebel for a lighter, more connected and versatile ride, or the Novablast for maximum cushion and support.

Conclusion

The New Balance Rebel V5 and ASICS Novablast 5 are both enticingly versatile daily trainers that can handle the bulk of your training. The Rebel edges ahead for most runners thanks to its lighter weight, snappier ride, and impressive cushioning for its stack, while the Novablast remains an excellent pick for those who prioritize plush protection and a roomier, more rockered feel. Either way, both are true to size, wide-foot friendly, and easy to recommend.