ASICS Novablast 5

Nathan's clear pick over the Sonic Blast as a $150 daily trainer; smoother, more balanced and cheaper.

Best for: Versatile daily trainer for easy paces and general training.

A softer, roomier, relaxed easy-day trainer that excels at mileage but trades away the speed versatility of the Novablast 4.

Best for: Relaxed easy-day and long-mileage shoe when pace isn't the priority.

A significant redesign that shifts the Novablast toward a softer, more comfortable daily trainer role with excellent durability; better for easy and long runs than picking up the pace.

Best for: Easy miles, long runs, and recovery days for neutral runners who want a softer alternative to the Gel-Cumulus

A firmer, more responsive trainer than the 361 Eleos that trades softness for propulsion; best for runners who want one shoe that covers daily miles and picks up the pace.

Best for: Versatile daily trainer that can stretch up to faster efforts and 10K racing

A softer, smoother, more stable and more durable update that shifts the Novablast toward a trainer role; the better choice for most runners who prioritize comfort and transition over snap.

Best for: Daily training, easy runs, and long runs — with light workout capability — for neutral runners who want a softer, smoother ride

Delivers more versatility for less money than the Rebel 5 — a better everyday choice especially for heavier runners or longer efforts.

Best for: Heavier runners and anyone wanting one versatile shoe for daily, long, and recovery runs

Great value, fun, and more daily-focused than the Superblast 2 — better for bouncy easy runs and short fast bursts, but less suited to sustained tempo/marathon-pace efforts.

Best for: Runners who want a fun, bouncy daily trainer for easy miles and faster bursts

Ed's pick over the Evo SL — heftier but a more versatile and comfortable daily trainer with improved ASICS rubber grip.

Best for: Daily versatile training where impact protection and step-in comfort matter

A standout all-rounder and clear winner of the comparison — soft, wide and versatile with a super-foam feel at a daily-trainer price.

Best for: All-round daily training and long runs for runners wanting a soft, versatile ride

The best Novablast yet and an early top daily-trainer pick for 2024 — a big step forward in foam, fit and feel, only let down by soft outsole rubber with mediocre wet grip.

Best for: Versatile daily training across all paces for most neutral runners wanting maximum soft cushioning

Comfortable squashy trainer, but heavy and sluggish on return — locks it into pure daily duty.

Best for: Comfort-focused daily training at easy paces.

Chris's pick of the three — combines strengths of the Evo SL and Neo Zen into the most versatile daily trainer at the price.

Best for: A versatile everyday daily trainer for most runners at £135

Novablast 5 has matured into one of the best daily trainers available — it's lost the wild character of earlier versions but gained a refined, versatile ride that just works.

Best for: Versatile daily training — easy runs, tempo, long runs, and even race day if wanted

The more complete package of the two — more versatile, better value at £135, and Chris's pick as one of the best daily trainers on the market.

Best for: All-round daily training for the everyday runner — easy, tempo, long, recovery, even up to marathon distance

Best for: Versatile, comfortable daily trainer for bigger miles and varied run types.

A faithful Novablast successor with the new FF Blast Max foam delivering cushion and bounce that bridges v3 and v4 preferences; an excellent set-it-and-forget-it daily trainer.

Best for: Daily training, recovery/everyday running, light workouts, fartleks, strides

Number 2 daily trainer of 2024 — bigger jump in foam quality than expected, more spacious upper.

Number 2 daily trainer of 2024 — bigger jump in foam quality than expected, more spacious upper.

Number 2 daily trainer of 2024 — bigger jump in foam quality than expected, more spacious upper.

Number 2 daily trainer of 2024 — bigger jump in foam quality than expected, more spacious upper.

Number 2 daily trainer of 2024 — bigger jump in foam quality than expected, more spacious upper.

Number 2 daily trainer of 2024 — bigger jump in foam quality than expected, more spacious upper.

Steve sees the Novablast 5 as the best mid-cushion performance trainer on the market — bouncy, wide-fitting, and great value at $140.

Best for: Everyday running, 10K to half marathon distances for runners wanting a fun, bouncy mid-cushion performance trainer

Steve thinks the Novablast 5 leads the mid-cushion performance trainer category with great width, bounce, pop, and an improved depth/fit over the v4.

Best for: Mid-cushion performance daily trainer for most runners — 10 miles or less is the sweet spot, but capable of 15-20 mile runs

Run in side-by-side against the Novablast 6, the testers rate the Novablast 5 as a very good, comfortable all-round daily trainer that grew on them, though it lacks the forefoot energy and uptempo edge of its successor.

Best for: Comfortable easy-pace daily training at a good price.

Best for: A wide range of training at almost half the price of the Megablast

The Novablast 5 is a lively, springy option for road ultras with good cushioning and a smooth tarmac ride, though it can feel slightly soggy on heavy legs and the big stack may occasionally feel clumpy.

Best for: Road ultra runners comfortable with a bigger stack cushioned shoe who prefer a springy but controlled feel.

A solid, comfortable, stable jack-of-all-trades daily trainer that does most of what the Superblast 3 does at a lower price — not as bouncy or fast, but a very good workhorse especially for newer runners.

Best for: A versatile everyday cushioned daily trainer for easy runs, steady runs, and longer runs — especially for new runners or anyone wanting to save money vs the Superblast 3

Best for: Beginners wanting a one-shoe do-it-all; 4+ hour marathon runners wanting comfort and stability

Arguably the best Novablast yet — a soft, max-cushion, stable all-rounder that shines for easy/long runs and newer runners, though it caps out at faster paces.

Best for: All-out comfort daily trainer for easy runs, long runs, newer runners, and comfortable first-marathon racers

A bulkier, plusher max-cushion daily trainer that excels for runners who prioritize all-out comfort and support over agility; capable across paces but slower-feeling than the Rebel v5.

Best for: Heavier runners, newer runners, and first-time marathoners wanting max protection and stability in a versatile daily trainer

A very comfortable, soft, all-round daily trainer that excels for easy runs and long cruising but lacks the Ride 18's snap and tempo versatility.

Best for: A comfort-first daily trainer for runners who primarily do easy runs and want plush protection with some versatility

A lighter, livelier, softer daily trainer that just about shades the Vomero 18 for versatility across easy to marathon-pace runs.

Best for: Versatile daily trainer for mixed-pace training up to marathon pace.

Nick's preferred pick of the two — a cheaper, lighter, roomier daily trainer with a livelier foam that feels slightly better at faster paces and more forgiving under the forefoot.

Best for: Comfortable easy and long runs for a wide range of runners; versatile enough for steady and tempo work.

The clear pick of the two — more comfortable, more fun, more versatile and cheaper than the Cumulus 27.

Best for: Versatile cushioned daily trainer for easy runs, long runs and occasional tempo work; also viable for marathon training and racing.

The safer, more accessible recommendation of the two — a comfortable, stable, versatile daily trainer that works for almost any runner.

Best for: Safe, comfortable daily trainer for general and new runners, easy mileage and long runs.

A bigger all-round crowd-pleaser with a relaxed fit, cruisery feel, and solid stability, though slightly less energetic and snappy than the Magnify Nitro 3.

Best for: Runners wanting a comfortable, stable, roomy-fitting cushioned daily trainer for relaxed miles and long runs

The clear winner of the two — a lighter, more versatile, bouncier and more affordable daily trainer that handles easy miles and tempo work with enough cushion for long runs.

Best for: Versatile one-shoe-does-it-all daily trainer for easy to tempo runs, including long runs and marathon training for general or beginner runners.

A very accomplished, versatile cushioned daily trainer — less exciting than the Vomero Plus but lighter, more stable, more rockered, and a significant price saving.

Best for: Neutral runners who want a versatile, smooth-rolling max-cushion daily trainer with a bit more stability and a much lower price than the Vomero Plus.

A solid, versatile max-cushion workhorse — less exciting foam than the 1080 v15 but wider, more stable, better value, and one tester's pick on price alone.

Best for: Cushioned daily training and long runs for runners who want a wider, more traditional max-cushion shoe at a lower price.