ASICS Novablast 5 Reviews

Completely died at around 400 km.

Loved it at first but the foam died quickly.

Starting to feel dead at about 200 miles.

Felt dead after 400–450 km, sooner than the Novablast 4.

Foam completely dead by 200 miles, causing knee pain.

Really liked them but they died too fast.

Their pair died within 250 km of running.

The foam bottomed out at about 200 km, making runs over 5 km feel dead.

It left a bad taste after about 100 km.

Loved the Novablast 5 early on, but it felt pretty dead after 60 miles.

They sold their pair after only 75 km because the forefoot foam was gone.

They loved their Novablast 5 but the midsole foam felt dead fairly quickly.

Loved it through two pairs in a year, but the first pair went flat, compared directly against a new one.

Their Novablast 5s started going after 300 miles.

Their Novablast 5 midsole fell off a cliff at around 200 miles.

Very good for about 150 miles, then dies; their Novablast 4s lasted 300.

Their big toes tore through the Novablast 5 upper at about 450 km.

The wide Novablast 5 is the most comfortable of 100-200 pairs they have worn, with great lockdown, but for a 200 lb runner it bottoms out after 10k and lasts about 150 miles.

At 400 miles the Novablast 5 lost bounce by 300, its heel was too soft at first, and the upper tore by the little toe; a step back from the NB4.

At almost 400 km their Novablast 5 has lost its bounce and is near retirement.

Their Novablast 5 developed a hole in the front at 240 km, unlike their NB3 and NB4 pairs.

After 250 miles the bounce turned clunky, and the upper separated from the sole on both shoes; poor build next to the 900 miles they got from a Novablast 3.

On their fourth pair of Novablast 5s, gets about 250km from each before they cause niggles; great when fresh and very versatile, but among the least durable shoes they've used.

An 86kg forefoot striker found the Novablast 5 lost responsiveness after 100km and has ordered a replacement.

At 260 miles, says the Novablast 5 is fun and fast out of the box but has felt all over the place for the last 50-100 miles.

At 350 km the spring they enjoyed for the first 300 has dropped off sharply, so they now use it only for short runs.

Ran the LA Marathon injury-free in the Novablast 5, but it loses its special feel quickly and they missed the bounce of the Sky Paris.

Great for the first 150-200km, then the Novablast 5 lost all its bounce; the foam started dying around 75km.

They retired the Novablast 5 at 370 km; the midsole became too soft and unsupportive from about 300 km.

A longtime Novablast runner says the Novablast 5 compresses noticeably after 150-200 miles, though it is not worn out.

Reviewed after 200 miles of easy, moderate and some long runs during half-marathon training. The upper held up well with no snags and no heel holes, and the soft, snug, comfortable fit remains. However, the bounce has faded to less than half, grip on wet concrete has got noticeably slick, and they no longer use it for workouts. It remains their go-to for easy and moderate runs.