ASICS Megablast vs ASICS Novablast 6
A side-by-side comparison grounded in verdicts from 4 reviewers with every source linked. We don't invent quotes; every claim below is attributed.
Specs at a glance
Reviewers who wore both
Direct paired observations — reviewers who actually ran in both of these and wrote the contrast. This is the strongest comparative signal on the page.
Megablast is the max-cushion long-run sibling in the Blast family
Megablast absorbs the Novablast's everyday versatility.
Novablast is a more affordable solid daily trainer but not as high-performance as the Megablast
Matt has enjoyed the Megablast more than any other Blast shoe, including the Novablast
Cheaper, more cushioned easy-day shoe, less versatile than Megablast
Megablast sits between a race shoe and the Novablast, with outsole design inspired by the Novablast's trampoline-like pattern
Megablast is lighter but bulkier; Megablast has more end-to-end marathon training capability; Novablast 6 is more nimble
Shares the energetic FF Turbo Squared foam; tester likes the Novablast 6 maybe not as much as the Megablast, which has a slightly tighter toe box
The forefoot trampoline pod uses the same foam that makes up the Megablast's entire midsole, giving a similar bounce/energy-return sensation off the toe
Megablast has full FF Turbo Squared midsole and is even lighter; more versatile and faster, but more expensive
All FF Turbo Squared ATPU, a speedy long-run shoe that's lighter but denser for daily use, priced at $225
The Novablast 6 is closer to a speed-capable shoe than before but still not a patch on the Megablast for speedy sessions, though there's a big price gap between them
ASICS Megablast — what reviewers say
Ride profile: maximal cushion , neutral stability .
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His top fast-training/all-rounder pick after roughly 350km of testing — a big but fairly lightweight shoe whose FF Turbo Squared foam bounces you along well at faster speeds, though it's expensive.
In their words: "a brilliant fast training shoe" · "a whole load of spring"
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One of the standout shoes in the range — an extremely durable, fast, non-plated foam shoe well suited to marathon racing, let down only by a shallow toe box.
Ride:FF Turbo Squared midsole gives a super snappy, fast ride with your feet 'disappearing' underneath you; excellent durability, reportedly lasting near 1,000 km.
Fit:Toe box is a little shallow, which caused some upper irritation on the reviewer's first pair.
In their words: "your feet just disappear underneath you" · "one of the greatest of all time"
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Fordy's top pick overall for a shoe you could take from long training runs into race day itself — expensive, but he calls it phenomenal for marathon-goal-pace work, with the caveat that a poor fit can rub the little toe.
Ride:Phenomenal, race-day-capable ride Fordy uses specifically for marathon-goal-pace work within long runs.
Fit:Runs narrow through the toe box — a poor fit can rub the little toe.
In their words: "the best shoe if we're really honest" · "phenomenal as a long run shoe"
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Praised as a great, extremely durable shoe and a slightly lighter alternative to the Superblast 2, but passed over for the two-shoe rotation pick due to its more aggressive ride and higher price tag.
Ride:Slightly lighter but noticeably more aggressive-riding than the Superblast 2.
In their words: "even though it is crazy durable" · "a much more aggressive model"
ASICS Novablast 6 — what reviewers say
Ride profile: high cushion , neutral stability .
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The Run Testers describe the Novablast 6 as plusher and more comfortable than the Evo SL with a different, softer kind of energy, occupying a different niche in ASICS's range rather than directly rivaling the Evo SL.
Ride:Much softer, plusher, more cushioned and bouncier than the Evo SL, with a different comfort-first energy; the v6 was noted as faster than the v5 thanks to its FF Turbo squared forefoot unit, but still not as aggressive or high-rocker as the Evo SL.
In their words: "easy super comfort" · "far more much more comfortable shoe"
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One of the reviewer's top shoes of the year — soft, forgiving, and durable enough for constant daily use across walking, work, and running.
In their words: "one of the best versions recently"
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A comfortable, versatile daily trainer with a new square-turbo forefoot piece; the reviewer isn't certain it beats the Mizuno Neo Vista for comfort but expects it to please existing Novablast fans.
Ride:New square-turbo forefoot piece works well with the existing blast foam.
In their words: "does the basics very well"
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A versatile, comfortable daily trainer with a punchier forefoot pod than the previous version, let down slightly by short laces and some quality-control issues (glue marks).
Ride:FF Blast Max with a poppier, more responsive FF Turbo Squared forefoot pod than the previous version; a very smooth ride best felt by mid/forefoot strikers.
Fit:Breathable upper with lots of heel padding; laces run oddly short.
In their words: "really extremely versatile" · "a very smooth riding shoe"
Who should buy which
Use cases the reviewers above actually call out — one bullet per distinct take, attributed. Where reviewers converge (e.g. "5K to half marathon" appearing across multiple takes) the agreement is a stronger buying signal than any single voice.
Consider the ASICS Megablast if
- Long runs, medium-long runs with uptempo miles, and daily training up to marathon pace. — Kofuzi
- Long runs with workout miles at half marathon, marathon, or uptempo effort, or as a comfort-prioritized racing option. — Kofuzi
- Long runs building into race day for marathon runners; works best paired with a separate lighter daily trainer — FORDY RUNS
- Versatile performance training partner to a plated race shoe for tempos, intervals and long marathon workouts. — The Run Testers
- Long easy-day training shoe that can pick up the pace a little. — Doctors of Running
- Lightweight daily training, long runs, and unplated race-day use for runners wanting a Superblast-style super trainer with more pop. — Believe in the Run
Consider the ASICS Novablast 6 if
- A do-it-all daily trainer suited to a wide range of runners and running styles, with enough pep for some speed work. — Ben Parkes
- Everyday training that can also handle speedwork and racing (5K up through marathon-day speed), especially for runners with wider, deeper feet. — Run Moore
- Runners wanting a versatile daily trainer that handles easy miles through tempo workouts, offering more bounce and responsiveness than typical cushioned trainers — The Run Testers
- Versatile daily training for beginners through experienced runners who want a cushioned cruiser with enough pop for tempo work. — The Run Testers
- Budget-minded runners wanting a fun, versatile, high-value daily trainer that can log lots of miles. — Believe in the Run
- An everyday trainer versatile enough for easy days, faster efforts, and racing. — Run Moore
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between the ASICS Megablast and the ASICS Novablast 6?
The ASICS Megablast is a daily trainer and the ASICS Novablast 6 is a daily trainer. By the numbers, the ASICS Megablast weighs 221g, has a 45mm heel stack and an 8mm drop, while the ASICS Novablast 6 weighs 249g, has a 42mm heel stack and an 8mm drop. MSRP is $225 for the ASICS Megablast and $155 for the ASICS Novablast 6.
Should I buy the ASICS Megablast or the ASICS Novablast 6?
Kofuzi on the ASICS Megablast: Long runs, medium-long runs with uptempo miles, and daily training up to marathon pace. Ben Parkes on the ASICS Novablast 6: A do-it-all daily trainer suited to a wide range of runners and running styles, with enough pep for some speed work.
Per Kofuzi, Ben Parkes.
Has anyone reviewed both the ASICS Megablast and the ASICS Novablast 6?
Yes — Kofuzi, FORDY RUNS, The Run Testers, Doctors of Running, EDDBUD, and Believe in the Run directly compared the ASICS Megablast and the ASICS Novablast 6 in their reviews.
Per Kofuzi, FORDY RUNS, The Run Testers, Doctors of Running, EDDBUD, Believe in the Run.
Which is lighter, the ASICS Megablast or the ASICS Novablast 6?
The ASICS Megablast is lighter, at 221g versus 249g (men's 9) — about 28g less.
Which is more cushioned, the ASICS Megablast or the ASICS Novablast 6?
Measured by stack height, the ASICS Megablast has more underfoot foam — 45mm at the heel versus 42mm.