Puma Magnify Nitro 3 vs ASICS Novablast 5: Which Cushioned Daily Trainer Wins?

Introduction

The Puma Magnify Nitro 3 and ASICS Novablast 5 are both cushioned daily trainers, and both rate highly as comfortable options with good value. They suit new runners, experienced runners, and everything in between: the kind of shoes that can sit in a rotation as your easy-day cushion option, or work as all-rounders if you prefer one shoe to do everything.

The prices sit close together. In the UK the Magnify Nitro 3 costs £130 against £135 for the Novablast 5, while in the US it flips: the Puma is $160 and the Asics $140. There are real differences in ride feel and fit, though, and those differences are likely to decide which one is right for you.

At a Glance: Specs and Sizing

In a UK 9, the Magnify Nitro 3 weighs 280g (9.9 oz), while the Novablast 5 is a touch lighter at 274g (9.7 oz). The Puma uses a 10mm drop with a 40mm heel and 30mm forefoot stack. The Asics has an 8mm drop but a higher stack: 41.5mm at the heel and 33.5mm at the forefoot.

Both are true to size in testing, so sticking with your normal size is a sensible move for either shoe.

Fit: Narrow Puma vs Roomy Asics

The Magnify Nitro 3 has an engineered mesh upper with a thick knitted feel around the forefoot, solid padding at the heel and a little on the tongue, plus power tape on the medial side for structure. It is clearly the narrower shoe of the two, especially around the midfoot. If you have a wide foot, you will feel the upper pressing against the side of your foot, and it may even overhang the midsole slightly.

The Novablast 5 uses a jacquard mesh upper that is also fairly thick, with good heel padding and minimal tongue padding so neither shoe feels claustrophobic on top of the foot. Its fit is roomier, especially in the toe box, which makes it the better pick for wider or higher-volume feet. Both shoes held the heel and midfoot securely, and both have decent toe box room, with the Puma perhaps marginally longer.

Ride Feel: Bouncy Puma vs Cruisy Asics

The Puma’s Nitro foam midsole, believed to be a PEBA material here, delivers the better ride of the two. It is very cushy at the heel, transitions nicely onto the forefoot, and offers a punchy, responsive feel underfoot. It is not as high-stack as the Asics under the forefoot, but it showed no discomfort or bottoming out over long runs. The narrower platform also gives it a nimbler feel, so despite being the heavier shoe, it almost feels smaller on the foot. The higher drop gives it a more traditional, snappier ride, though not as snappy as shoes like the Pegasus or Ghost.

The Novablast 5 rides on FF Blast Max foam with sidewalls that add stability at the heel. Its foam is slightly less vibrant, giving less energy back, but the wider platform adds stability around the midfoot and the geometry has a smoother, slightly rockered feel. It can feel a little heel dominant and like a bigger shoe on the foot, even though it is lightweight. Neither shoe is so soft as to feel wobbly at the heel, and both are comfortable at easy paces while still coping well when you push to steady runs.

One clear edge for the Puma is outsole grip. The Pumagrip outsole with its good forefoot and heel coverage is very good on wet pavement in winter, which is a genuine advantage in bad conditions. The Asics uses an AHAR low rubber outsole, also with good coverage and slightly more in the midfoot.

Verdict: Which One Should You Buy?

If you have a very wide foot, skip the Puma: the Novablast 5 will fit you far better. If stability matters to you, the wider Asics is also the safer choice, and its relaxed fit plus high comfort in a lightweight design arguably makes it the bigger crowd-pleaser that is more likely to please more people.

If neither of those is a concern, it comes down to ride feel, and the Magnify Nitro 3 has the slightly better ride thanks to its more energetic PEBA foam, its nimble feel, and that excellent wet-weather grip. In the UK it is also a touch cheaper, which tips it further. In the US, paying $20 extra for the Puma is harder to justify when the Novablast 5 is this good. For anyone who simply wants one cushioned shoe to do everything, both are capable all-rounders that soak up easy miles and still give something back at pace.

Conclusion

The Novablast 5 is the safer recommendation for most people thanks to its roomier fit, stability and cruisy, protective ride. The Magnify Nitro 3 is arguably the slightly better shoe with a livelier foam, but it has quirks, mainly its narrow fit, that will not suit everyone. If those quirks are not a problem, the Puma offers a more fun, energetic ride at any pace, and it is the easier pick in the UK on price.