Nike Vomero Plus vs Asics Nova Blast 5: Which Big Cushioned Daily Trainer Wins?

Introduction

Big cushioned daily trainers are having a moment, and two shoes stand out from the pack: the Nike Vomero Plus and the Asics Nova Blast 5. Both manage something rare in this category. They are genuinely comfortable, obviously, but they are also fairly versatile, so they work as an everyday shoe rather than just a recovery-run couch on your feet. If you want one big shoe to handle most of your running, these are two of the strongest candidates on the market.

This comparison breaks down pricing, specs, design, fit and ride feel so you can decide which one belongs in your rotation.

Price and Specs at a Glance

The Vomero Plus is the more expensive of the two at £155 in the UK or $180 in the US. The Nova Blast 5 comes in at £135 or around $140, a meaningful saving that matters in this comparison.

The Nova Blast 5 is also the lighter shoe. It weighs 274g (9.7 oz) in a UK 9, while the Vomero Plus comes in at 300g (10.6 oz) in the same size. On geometry, the Nova Blast 5 runs an 8mm drop with a 41.5mm heel stack and 33.5mm at the forefoot. The Vomero Plus goes bigger with a 10mm drop, 45mm heel and 35mm forefoot.

Design and Midsole

The Vomero Plus uses a fairly thick mesh upper built for comfort rather than lightweight breathability. There is plenty of padding on the tongue and heel, and a substantial internal heel counter adds support. Breathability has not been a problem in mild or cold conditions, though the padding could feel warm in hot weather. The midsole is entirely ZoomX, Nike’s bouncy PEBA-based foam: responsive and lively, yet soft and cushy underfoot. A waffle tread outsole covers most of the bottom of the shoe with reasonably thick, great coverage.

The Nova Blast 5 uses a jacquard mesh upper that feels and looks similar in thickness to the Nike’s. It is more stripped back up top, with a thinner tongue and slightly less heel padding, though it still has an internal heel counter for structure. Its midsole uses FF Blast Max Plus foam, a well-balanced compound with a touch of responsiveness and plenty of comfort. It is firmer than the ZoomX in the Nike, which helps a little with stability. An AHAR low rubber outsole does not offer full coverage but is still extensive, so durability should not be a concern.

Fit and Sizing

Both shoes fit true to size in testing at a UK 9 (US 10), a size used across both Nike and Asics ranges with consistent sizing. There is a good amount of toe room, and the hold around the heel and midfoot is secure with no heel slippage, hot spots or rubbing. Both are well padded up top, especially the Nike, which may breathe a little less than the Asics in hot conditions, but neither felt oppressive on the run.

How They Feel on the Run

With around 130k logged in the Vomero Plus and roughly 60-65k in the Nova Blast 5, both shoes have had plenty of real mileage. Both are accomplished cushioned daily trainers: comfortable first and foremost, with lots of heel protection for heel strikers and a nice roll through to the forefoot. Both have a versatile ride for such cushioned shoes, so you can pick up the pace a little. These are daily trainers, not purely easy and recovery day shoes.

The biggest difference is the foam. The ZoomX in the Vomero Plus is lively and springy, tuned just right: soft and sinky at heel strike, then rebounding quickly with strong energy return at the forefoot. It feels fun at any pace, helps you mooch along comfortably on easy days, and bounces well off the forefoot when you push on. Despite being the heavier shoe, it does not feel heavy on the run, and the soft heel makes the higher drop feel lower with a smooth roll-through.

The Nova Blast 5’s FF Blast Max Plus is a really well-balanced foam rather than an exciting one. You do not sink in as much or get the same energy return, and the shoe’s geometry does more work rolling you onto the forefoot than the foam does. The upside is a smooth transition off the toes, a reasonably light feel for such a cushioned shoe, and quick, happy turnover. Running in both shoes at once, the Nike’s extra softness and springiness is noticeable in a good way, a genuine wow feeling. The Asics is the less noticeable shoe, which is a compliment: it rolls through smoothly, protects the legs and gets on with the job.

One nuance: the Vomero Plus is probably slightly less stable. As a neutral runner there was never any concerning instability, but side by side it does roll inward a touch more. If you like a bit of extra stability even in a neutral shoe, the Nova Blast 5 offers more of that.

View more details for Nike Vomero Plus

Which One Should You Buy?

On pure performance, the Vomero Plus is the more exciting shoe. Its bouncy midsole makes easy and long runs genuinely fun, and it handles a bit of tempo work well too. The Nova Blast 5 feels slightly more agile and rockered and turns over nicely, so slightly faster daily training is probably a toss-up between them. Neither is exceptional at speed, but both do it well for such cushioned shoes.

The Nova Blast 5’s case rests on three points: a slightly more rockered feel, a touch more stability, and crucially, a fair bit less money. It is not an insignificant saving, and because the Nova Blast 5 is a slightly newer shoe while the Vomero Plus has been out longer, you may find it discounted further in sales, widening the gap.

If you are in the UK at £135, the Vomero Plus is worth the extra £20 for its proven fun factor; it earns a place in a rotation as the easy-day daily trainer that can handle tempo work too. At the US pricing, the $40 premium feels like a bigger step up, which makes the Nova Blast 5 a very sensible pick if you want near-equal performance for less. Ultimately it comes down to feel: prefer a softer, bouncier ride, go Vomero Plus; prefer a firmer, more balanced, slightly more rockered ride, go Nova Blast 5.

Conclusion

These are two of the best big cushioned daily trainers you can buy right now, and both will do the job almost equally well. The Vomero Plus wins on fun and bounce thanks to its ZoomX midsole, while the Nova Blast 5 counters with a lighter build, slightly better stability and a much friendlier price. Match the shoe to your budget and your preferred ride feel, and you will not go far wrong with either.