Novablast 6 Review

By: Aidan Loughlin

One of the perks when working at a running store is sometimes getting to try shoes before the official release and in this case I was able to get my hands on a pair of the Asics Novablast 6. Now with the official release being today, I will evaluate the changes and discuss who this shoe is for. The Novablast has been one of the highest selling shoes throughout its first 5 models, and was even awarded the "Most Popular Running Shoe", according to Strava's 2025 year in review. After getting easy and quicker miles in the shoe, I have found the 6th version to be a more stable ride with improved energy return.

Comparing the Novablast 6 to the older versions:

Specs and Shoes	Novablast 4	Novablast 5	Novablast 6
Stack Height	41.5 mm	41.5 mm	41.5 mm
Heel to Toe Drop	8.0 mm	8.0 mm	8.0 mm
Foam Used	FF Blast™ Plus Eco	FF Blast™ Max	FF Blast™ Max and FF Turbo Squared
Upper Material	Woven Mesh	Jacquard Mesh	Woven Mesh
Weight (approx.)	9.1 oz (M) 7.9 oz (W)	9.0 oz (M) 7.9 oz (W)	8.9 oz (M) 7.6 oz (W)

As you can see Asics hasn't drifted far from the previous versions because they work. But they have changed the shape of the foam to be more similar to the older models with more flare on the sides and the upper is back to its woven mesh style. The heel to toe drop stays at 8.0 mm and something to note is that many other brands are moving their shoes closer to the same drop. The fundamentals have stayed the same but there are some important changes that Asics has made to enhance the shoes newest model.

The Changes:

Foam:

The foam has moved to a dual density for the Novablasts’ first time. Adding FF Turbo Squared brings more energy return to the everyday trainer that is already solid in this category. The FF Blast™ Max foam stays keeping the soft bounciness of the shoe but now working with an additional element the foam is more bouncy.

Upper:

As for the upper style, Asics has gone back to the woven mesh like the 4th version. The woven mesh is slightly thicker and more cushioned compared to the jacquard mesh used in the 5th model. The woven mesh is less breathable but provides more protection to the top of your foot and holds your foot in place better than the 5th version, making it more stable. The 5th model's jacquard mesh is more suitable for the summer because of the light, breathable upper compared to the new 6th model being better for the cooler seasons. That being said the woven mesh is still a solid upper material that is much lighter than other companies trainers like the Nike Vomero 18 and Brooks Ghost.

Price:

Lastly a small change that seems to be happening across all running shoes is the Novablast price has gone up from 150 to 155. Compared to other brands this isn't that much with many going up around 10 dollars, but a 5 dollar increase is an increase nonetheless.

Who this shoe is for:

Novablast 6 is a neutral shoe meaning that if you pronate or have instability issues, this is not the shoe for you. The plush softness of the shoe will allow your foot and ankles to fall in and do whatever it wants which will likely lead to injuries. This shoe is also not ideal for people with bad plantar fascia problems, usually a shoe with firmer foam will help but there are other factors that play into plantar that could affect it. This all being said the Novablast is for people looking for a soft and bouncy all rounder shoe that can be used for easy runs and even faster road work.

Overall:

Overall I think the shoe is a slight upgrade compared to the last model even with the upper being a bit slimmer cut in the toe box and less breathable. The dual density and more stable ride makes for an easier feel that the aggressive 5th version lacked. The Novablast remains as a top quality trainer that will undoubtedly stay at the top of the charts for your everyday trainer.