ASICS Novablast 6 Review: Back and Bouncier Than Ever

All shoes are reviewed by the Fleet Feet tester team, which represents a wide variety of goals, foot shapes, running locations and terrains. Reviewers pound the pavement, climb the hills, tackle the trails, then come together to compare notes. Debates ensue over the feel of the cushioning, the purpose of the shoe, and how it compares to last year’s model. While each reviewer has their own individual preferences, we hope that capturing our debates will help you make an informed decision.

At 5 a.m. on Friday, May 29, ASICS Senior Product Manager Paul Lang was jolted awake. Not by his alarm or his French bulldog, Charles, but by a sudden jolt of anticipation. Today was the day that shoe reviewers and specialty retailers could finally go live with their reviews of the newly updated ASICS Novablast 6, a project he had been working on for the past 18 months.

“It’s scary to update such a successful shoe,” he admitted. “Every day, I see all of these runners out there in their Novablasts, and I want this next update to keep all of them happy.”

The Novablast was first introduced at the 2020 Los Angeles Marathon. Arguably an industry-defining product, the Novablast set the stage for the “fun-to-run-in” category that has the current industry in a chokehold. It’s built on an experience rather than a function (i.e., a neutral or stability shoe), and it’s not meant for hitting new PRs or running at top speeds. It’s just fun, bouncy and light, and each update has continued to build momentum, turning into ASICS’ fastest-growing franchise.

Fleet Feet had a front row seat at the Novablast 6 unveiling in Brooklyn, learning all about the updates to the model and what it’s best for. Plus, we have exclusive men’s and women’s colorways that you can only buy at your local Fleet Feet or at fleetfeet.com.

The Novablast has always been a bouncy shoe, but the latest version takes lively to a whole new level.

The midsole uses the same FF BLAST MAX foam used in the prior version, but the “trampoline pod” in the forefoot (a section of foam right under the balls of your feet that compresses and expands upon toe-off) uses FF TURBO SQUARED foam. This is the foam used in ASICS’ Megablast, their lightest and bounciest trainer ever, and this new addition creates an even springier ride in the Novablast 6. It’s the first time the Novablast has used a dual-density midsole.

“I’ve recently been getting back into a more consistent running routine, with most of my miles falling in that easy-to-moderate effort range,” says Mason, who’s training for a couple of mile races this summer. “I’ve found myself reaching for the Novablast 6 again and again. I’ve really enjoyed how smooth and soft the shoe feels at easier paces, while still having enough responsiveness to pick things up when I want to. As soon as I settle into a moderate effort or throw in a few quicker strides during a run, the shoe responds really naturally and gives back a nice bit of bounce due to that FF TURBO SQUARED foam under the forefoot.”

I enjoyed the Novablast 5 so much that I basically ran them into the ground, but they always felt more soft than springy to me. They never felt overly soft, but I wouldn’t pull them out for anything other than an easy-paced run. The Novablast 6 feels noticeably bouncier and livelier, thanks to the newly formulated trampoline pod.

Mandy agrees, saying, “The new foam in the trampoline pod gives the shoe some extra bounce and makes it comfortable for all-day wear. I loved the previous version for running, but it was a little too soft to wear all day and made my feet work a little more. The trampoline pod also improved my running, making it feel effortless. Given that North Carolina is already 90+ degrees, I will take any advantage that I can get for a run!”

Mandy and I enjoyed the Novablast 6 so much that we wore them for a variety of activities, not just running. While they felt comfortable for long days on our feet, we had just one complaint: these shoes squeak pretty loudly on indoor surfaces. It’s like they’re proud of their new update and are begging to be noticed. Whether I was rushing through LaGuardia Airport or shuffling from my desk to my fridge, I couldn’t ignore their demands for attention. The good news is that they don’t make a sound while running outdoors or on the treadmill, which is all that matters to me.

The updates to the Novablast 6 don’t stop with the midsole. The upper uses a new woven material, similar to what’s used in the Superblast. Lang explains that this creates a connection back to the BLAST family as a whole, which includes the Novablast, Sonicblast, Superblast and Megablast.

Mandy and Mason both described the fit as feeling dialed-in and secure, but I found the Novablast 6 to feel pretty roomy in the forefoot. I’m realizing lately that I’m more in-between sizes than I thought I was, so I probably could have gone a half-size down.

Something we all agreed on? How breathable the upper material is. Living in North Carolina and Florida, we have first-hand experience with sweaty, swampy runs. The Novablast delivers top-tier moisture management from mile one to the finish — just don’t forget to wear a pair of sweat-wicking socks!

If you’re in between sizes like me, it’s worth going into your local Fleet Feet to try the Novablast on for yourself. A one-on-one expert fitting is a great way to learn about your feet, as Fleet Feet outfitters use 3D fit id® foot scanning technology to gather information about your feet and the support they need by taking precise measurements of your foot length, width and arch height.

If you enjoyed previous iterations of the Novablast like I have, I think you’ll enjoy this latest version, too. The updates improve upon the smooth and bouncy sensation the franchise has become known for, without compromising weight or comfort.

The biggest update to the Novablast 6 is the swap from FF BLAST MAX to FF TURBO SQUARED in the forefoot trampoline pod. It takes the shoe’s energy return to another level, and makes it feel even more fun to run in.

ASICS also made the Novablast 6 a little bit more stable than the previous iteration by bringing out the foam around the lateral and medial sides of the rearfoot and behind the heel. This creates a wider base for landings, resulting in a more supportive feel.

Lastly, an engineered mesh replaces a jacquard woven upper from the previous iteration, creating a more breathable feel.

“I’ve been running in the Novablast line ever since I started my running journey, with the Novablast 3 being my first go-to training shoe,” Mason says. “Even though the materials and technology have continued to evolve with each version, the Novablast has always stayed true to what made it popular in the first place — being a fun, versatile, do-it-all daily trainer. The Novablast 6 feels like the natural evolution of everything ASICS has learned from the previous versions, refining the ride without losing the energetic personality.”

We took a look at some comparable models to see how the Novablast 6 stacks up. Here’s what we found:

The ASICS Novablast 6, Mizuno Neo Zen 2 and New Balance Ellipse v1 all deliver a soft yet springy ride that feels comfortable for both easy paces and uptempo running. I’d put the Mizuno Neo Zen on the bounciest end of the spectrum, the New Balance Ellipse on the softest end and the Novablast squarely in the middle.

The Novablast 6 is truly a jack of all trades. It’s the perfect combination of plush and bouncy, making it a versatile option for every type of runner. Plus, it’s available in wide sizing, so if you enjoy the underfoot feel you’ll likely be able to find your perfect fit.

“The Novablast 6 is a shoe that can take newer runners from their first run to their first race,” says Mason. “For experienced runners, it’s a great addition to their weekly rotation, offering plenty of bounce and protection.”

I’ll continue to pull out the Novablast 6 for my easy runs, while saving the Sonicblast for speedwork and the Superblast for long runs.