ASICS Novablast 6

Reviewers rate it as one of their favorites in the group, highlighting its extra forefoot pop from the new bouncy foam insert and versatility from easy miles to uptempo runs.

A really solid update that brings the Novablast back to life with a bouncy, fun forefoot insert and much improved grip; still a simple but versatile daily trainer at strong value, earning an overall A and a green light.

Best for: Budget-minded runners wanting a fun, versatile, high-value daily trainer that can log lots of miles.

Ben Parkes calls this an excellent, versatile daily trainer that suits most runners and is a safe recommendation.

Best for: A do-it-all daily trainer suited to a wide range of runners and running styles, with enough pep for some speed work.

The reviewer calls the Novablast 6 one of the best daily trainers of 2026, finding it noticeably lighter, more nimble, and more responsive than the Clifton Pro, with the Hoka only offering a bit more stability and a more prominent rocker.

Best for: Runners wanting a lighter, more nimble, and more responsive daily trainer than the Clifton Pro.

Ben Parkes expects the Novablast 6 to be the most popular daily shoe of 2026, offering a softer, more responsive, and more versatile ride for faster running than the Clifton 11, though the Hoka has an edge in stability and durability.

Best for: Runners wanting a versatile daily trainer that can also handle speed work, races, and long runs.

Ben Parkes calls the Novablast 6 an easy-to-recommend, versatile daily trainer with a bouncier ride thanks to the new forefoot pod, though he flags some cheap-feeling build quality (glue marks, loose threads) and remains cautious about long-term foam durability given the v5's issues.

Best for: Do-it-all daily training from fast park runs to long runs and recovery jogs

Ben Parkes calls this his favorite Novablast yet -- lighter, more stable, and still versatile -- but flags inconsistent build quality (glue marks, loose threads) on his pair and remains cautious about long-term foam durability given the wear issues seen on the outgoing v5.

Best for: A do-it-all daily trainer covering easy runs, tempo runs, recovery jogs and the occasional race, suited to a wide range of experience levels including beginners.

Nate named the Novablast 6 one of his favorite daily trainers of recent years; its forefoot responsiveness won out for comfort over the Ghost Amp when settling into daily mileage pace.

Best for: Daily training miles — one of Nate's favorite daily trainers of the last couple of years

A solid continuation of the Novablast with a redesigned dual-density midsole and improved ASICS grip, but the new FF Turbo Squared forefoot insert didn't deliver as much added bounce as expected, feeling a touch firmer and flatter than the 5.

Best for: Fans of the Novablast looking for a continued iteration of the same heel-to-forefoot daily-trainer feel.

Ed Barratt finds the Novablast 6 the livelier, more versatile all-rounder of the two, with a bit more pop from its added Flight Foam Turbo Squared forefoot piece, excellent grip, and standout durability — even if it's slightly heavier than the Hyperboost Run.

Best for: Versatile daily training for runners wanting a livelier, do-it-all ride

The reviewer's top pick of the group, praised for its energized FF BLAST+ forefoot, protective ride, and improved outsole grip, though it leans more toward a maximal daily trainer than a versatile all-pace shoe.

Best for: Easy-to-moderate paced daily training with a maximal, protective feel

Recommended as a cheaper but still versatile alternative to the Superblast/Megablast for runners on a budget, handling everything from easy paces through longer efforts thanks to its enhanced midsole design.

Best for: Runners wanting a versatile, budget-friendly daily trainer that covers easy paces through longer efforts.

EDDBUD enjoys the Novablast 6's dual-foam setup, saying the addition of Flight Foam Turbo Squared in the forefoot adds vim and spring, enhancing an already versatile and durable daily trainer.

The Novablast 6 is a clear improvement over its predecessor with a better outsole and more versatility, and the reviewer prefers it over the Puma Deviate Pure Nitro for daily use despite the extra weight.

Best for: Daily training for runners who wanted more outsole durability and versatility than the Novablast 5

EDDBUD scores the Novablast 6 11.1/12 after his initial runs, calling it definitely better than the v5 — more versatile and a bit more fun thanks to the bouncier FF Turbo Squared forefoot and a much-improved grippier outsole — though still not a true speed-session shoe like the Megablast, and with some early forefoot rubber wear to monitor.

Best for: Runners wanting a versatile daily trainer for easy, recovery, and long runs with the flexibility to handle intervals and varied paces up to marathon effort, plus all-day comfort for standing or travel.

A comfortable, versatile, true-to-size daily trainer with improved responsiveness thanks to the new FlyteFoam Turbo+ forefoot pod, though the reviewer would personally spend up for the Superblast 3 instead.

Best for: Daily training across a range of paces

The Novablast 6 improves on v5's main weakness with a dual-foam setup that adds responsiveness and maintains versatility, though the reviewer believes the shoe has drifted too far from its exciting roots and should evolve into something lighter and more up-tempo for v7.

Best for: Neutral runners wanting a versatile, soft daily trainer that can handle multiple paces; not suitable for those who pronate

A fun update to the daily trainer combining FF Blast Max and FF Turbo Squared for a balance of comfort, cushion, and speed with enough durability for most mileage.

One of Kofuzi's favorite daily trainers of 2026 with a little improvement for everybody, but this update leans safe-and-stable rather than fun-and-squishy, firming up the heel; he slightly wishes he could pair the 6's forefoot with the 5's heel.

Best for: Daily training for a wide range of runners, especially heel strikers and those who found the Novablast 5 too unstable or too soft in the forefoot.

Moore sees the Novablast 6 as a clear step up from the well-liked v5, with a bouncier, more responsive forefoot and a wider, lighter upper, making it a versatile everyday trainer that's still a great value despite a small price increase.

Best for: An everyday trainer versatile enough for easy days, faster efforts, and racing.

Runner-up daily trainer — more of a pure cushion shoe with some pop, and an easy recommendation thanks to the updated FF Turbo Squared forefoot foam.

A daily-training runner-up seen as a more versatile update over the Novablast 5 thanks to added FF Turbo Squared foam in the forefoot.

The Run Testers call the Novablast 6 their favorite version yet — a big jump in energy and excitement over the previous model, still comfortable and surprisingly stable, versatile enough for tempo and workouts too.

The reviewer's pick as a single do-everything cushioned trainer, offering a touch more versatility and faster-pace performance than the Vomero Plus at the cost of some easy-pace bounce.

Best for: Runners wanting one versatile cushioned trainer that covers everything from easy runs to tempo workouts.

The reviewers found the Novablast 6 a noticeably improved, versatile, comfortable and stable daily trainer with a bouncier forefoot from the new FF Turbo Squared foam, well suited to easy, long, and marathon-pace running, though not their first choice for all-out speed work.

Best for: Daily training, easy and long runs, and marathon-pace efforts for runners wanting extra cushion and stability.

The team rates the Novablast 6 as a standout, highly versatile daily trainer that wins on comfort, stability, and cushioning for easy and long runs, though it's not as fast or nimble as the Evo SL for speed sessions.

Best for: Easy runs, long runs, and daily mileage for beginners, heavier landers, and runners who prioritize comfort and stability over outright speed.

The panel's overall pick over the pricier Superblast 3 — a significantly improved, more versatile daily trainer thanks to its FF Turbo Squared forefoot, delivering most of the Superblast's comfort at a lower price and lighter weight.

Best for: An all-round daily trainer that can handle easy runs, tempo work, and occasional faster sessions.

Nick calls this an easy win over the Pegasus 42, describing it as the best cushioned daily trainer currently available thanks to its lighter weight, softer and more energetic ride, and greater versatility for both easy running and racing.

Best for: Daily training and marathon racing for new and experienced runners who want a comfortable, versatile cushioned trainer.

A notable upgrade over the Novablast 5 thanks to the FF Turbo Squared foam in the forefoot, delivering more bounce, energy, and versatility across all paces while retaining the comfortable cushioning the franchise is known for. One of the best shoes on the market in its category.

Best for: Runners wanting a versatile daily trainer that handles easy miles through tempo workouts, offering more bounce and responsiveness than typical cushioned trainers

The Novablast 6 is the best version of the shoe yet, praised unanimously by all four Run Testers reviewers for its combination of soft cushioning and newfound energy return from the FF Turbo Squared forefoot foam, making it a genuinely versatile daily trainer that competes with much lighter speed-focused shoes while remaining more comfortable and stable.

Best for: Versatile daily training from easy runs through marathon-pace tempo efforts for neutral runners who want cushion and energy return without a plate

The Novablast 6 wins its group with reviewers enthusiastically praising it, advancing to the quarterfinals before losing to the Metaspeed Blast.

The Run Testers' early verdict is that the Novablast 6 is a clear step forward from the Novablast 5 — lighter, smoother, and livelier thanks to the new FF Turbo Squared forefoot pod — making it a more versatile daily trainer, though runners who liked the 5's firmer immediacy or its easy-pace comfort may find it a touch soft.

Best for: Versatile daily training for beginners through experienced runners who want a cushioned cruiser with enough pop for tempo work.