Reddit · r/RunningShoeGeeks · May 30, 2026 · summarized
MixedReally liked them but they died too fast.
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Most runners find the Novablast 5 soft, bouncy and comfortable, with a roomy, breathable upper.
A score out of 100 for how well reviewed a product is next to others of its kind. It rises with positive reviews and with how many there are; negative and mixed reviews take points off. The best in each category scores in the 90s.
So a handful of glowing reviews can’t beat a product lots of people like. No sponsored placements.
Showing 14 reviews mentioning wears out fast Show all
Reddit · r/RunningShoeGeeks · May 30, 2026 · summarized
MixedReally liked them but they died too fast.
Reddit · r/RunningShoeGeeks · Jan 31, 2026 · summarized
MixedThey loved their Novablast 5 but the midsole foam felt dead fairly quickly.
Reddit · r/RunningShoeGeeks · Jan 30, 2026 · summarized
MixedLoved it through two pairs in a year, but the first pair went flat, compared directly against a new one.
Reddit · r/RunningShoeGeeks · Jan 26, 2026 · summarized
MixedTheir Novablast 5s started going after 300 miles.
Reddit · r/RunningShoeGeeks · Nov 12, 2025 · summarized
MixedVery good for about 150 miles, then dies; their Novablast 4s lasted 300.
Reddit · r/RunningShoeGeeks · Aug 7, 2025 · summarized
MixedThe 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.
Reddit · r/RunningShoeGeeks · Jun 22, 2025 · summarized
MixedAt almost 400 km their Novablast 5 has lost its bounce and is near retirement.
Reddit · r/RunningShoeGeeks · Apr 21, 2025 · summarized
MixedOn 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.
Reddit · r/RunningShoeGeeks · Apr 6, 2025 · summarized
MixedAt 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.
YouTube comment · on kofuzi · Mar 28, 2025 · summarized
MixedAt 350 km the spring they enjoyed for the first 300 has dropped off sharply, so they now use it only for short runs.
Reddit · r/RunningShoeGeeks · Mar 17, 2025 · summarized
MixedRan 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.
Reddit · r/RunningShoeGeeks · Mar 16, 2025 · summarized
MixedGreat for the first 150-200km, then the Novablast 5 lost all its bounce; the foam started dying around 75km.
Reddit · r/RunningShoeGeeks · Mar 3, 2025 · summarized
MixedA longtime Novablast runner says the Novablast 5 compresses noticeably after 150-200 miles, though it is not worn out.
YouTube · The FOD Runner · Feb 6, 2025 · summarized
MixedReviewed 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.
Most runners find the Novablast 5 soft, bouncy and comfortable, with a roomy, breathable upper. The main complaint is that the cushioning goes flat sooner than expected, often somewhere between 250 and 400 km, though a few get far more. Some find it less stable than the Novablast 4.
Of the 110 reviews with a clear verdict, 41% are positive, 26% mixed and 33% negative. The praise mentioned most is responsive. The most common complaint is wears out fast.
The complaints reviewers mention most: wears out fast (31 reviews), unstable (5 reviews) and blisters (1 review). For example: An 86kg forefoot striker found the Novablast 5 lost responsiveness after 100km and has ordered a replacement.
We collected and summarized 110 experiences shared on Reddit, YouTube and blogs, with links to the original sources. Reviews submitted here are checked for spam before they appear. Every review, submitted here or collected, is read as positive, mixed or negative.
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