Reddit · r/RunningShoeGeeks · Jul 25, 2026 · summarized
NegativeCompletely died at around 400 km.
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Max cushion
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.
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Showing 17 reviews mentioning wears out fast Show all
Reddit · r/RunningShoeGeeks · Jul 25, 2026 · summarized
NegativeCompletely died at around 400 km.
Reddit · r/RunningShoeGeeks · Jul 25, 2026 · summarized
NegativeLoved it at first but the foam died quickly.
Reddit · r/RunningShoeGeeks · Jul 25, 2026 · summarized
NegativeStarting to feel dead at about 200 miles.
Reddit · r/RunningShoeGeeks · Jun 29, 2026 · summarized
NegativeFelt dead after 400–450 km, sooner than the Novablast 4.
Reddit · r/RunningShoeGeeks · Jun 2, 2026 · summarized
NegativeFoam completely dead by 200 miles, causing knee pain.
Reddit · r/RunningShoeGeeks · May 21, 2026 · summarized
NegativeTheir pair died within 250 km of running.
Reddit · r/RunningShoeGeeks · Apr 13, 2026 · summarized
NegativeThe foam bottomed out at about 200 km, making runs over 5 km feel dead.
Reddit · r/RunningShoeGeeks · Mar 26, 2026 · summarized
NegativeIt left a bad taste after about 100 km.
Reddit · r/RunningShoeGeeks · Feb 14, 2026 · summarized
NegativeLoved the Novablast 5 early on, but it felt pretty dead after 60 miles.
Reddit · r/RunningShoeGeeks · Jan 31, 2026 · summarized
NegativeThey sold their pair after only 75 km because the forefoot foam was gone.
Reddit · r/RunningShoeGeeks · Dec 14, 2025 · summarized
NegativeTheir Novablast 5 midsole fell off a cliff at around 200 miles.
Reddit · r/RunningShoeGeeks · Aug 13, 2025 · summarized
NegativeTheir big toes tore through the Novablast 5 upper at about 450 km.
Reddit · r/RunningShoeGeeks · Jul 30, 2025 · summarized
NegativeAt 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.
Reddit · r/RunningShoeGeeks · Jun 19, 2025 · summarized
NegativeTheir Novablast 5 developed a hole in the front at 240 km, unlike their NB3 and NB4 pairs.
YouTube comment · on kofuzi · May 8, 2025 · summarized
NegativeAfter 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.
Reddit · r/RunningShoeGeeks · Apr 21, 2025 · summarized
NegativeAn 86kg forefoot striker found the Novablast 5 lost responsiveness after 100km and has ordered a replacement.
Reddit · r/RunningShoeGeeks · Mar 12, 2025 · summarized
NegativeThey retired the Novablast 5 at 370 km; the midsole became too soft and unsupportive from about 300 km.
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.
The softest, highest-stack shoes for long and recovery runs, ranked by real runners.