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  1. Table of Contents
  2. Top
  3. Main Differences
  4. Design
    1. Weight
    2. Stack Heights
    3. External Shape
    4. Internal Shape
    5. Other Features
  5. Performance
    1. Heel Energy Return
    2. Forefoot Energy Return
    3. Heel Cushioning
    4. Forefoot Cushioning
    5. Heel Firmness
    6. Forefoot Firmness
  6. Comments

ASICS NOVABLAST 4 vs ASICS NOVABLAST 5

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

ASICS NOVABLAST 4
ASICS NOVABLAST 5

Tested using Methodology v0.8

Updated Apr 01, 2025 09:43 PM

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Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v0.8

Updated Apr 01, 2025 08:11 PM

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Amazon.com
ASICS NOVABLAST 4 Picture
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Picture
  1. Recommended in 1 article:
  2. Running Shoes

Variants

  • NOVABLAST 4 (Men - US 9) (Black/Blue Expanse)
  • NOVABLAST 5 (Men - US 9) (Indigo Blue/Amber)

Our Verdict

ASICS NOVABLAST 4

ASICS NOVABLAST 5

The ASICS NOVABLAST 4 and the ASICS NOVABLAST 5 offer noticeably different running experiences despite their shared lineage. The NOVABLAST 4 provides a firmer ride with greater stability, appealing to runners seeking a secure and predictable feel underfoot. In contrast, the NOVABLAST 5 represents a clear improvement for most, delivering a softer, more dynamic experience thanks to enhanced cushioning and better responsiveness. This shift does come at the expense of stability, but overall, the NOVABLAST 5 is lighter, more energetic, and better suited to handling versatile workouts and longer miles comfortably.

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Main Differences for
Marathon Racing

Threshold 

0.10

Marathon Racing 

5.5
6.5

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

5.1
7.1

Heel Energy Return 
 

3.1
6.8

Full Comparison

Design

Weight  

6.1
6.4

Right Shoe Weight Photo  

ASICS NOVABLAST 4 Right Shoe Weight Photo
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Right Shoe Weight Photo

Left Shoe Weight Photo  

ASICS NOVABLAST 4 Left Shoe Weight Photo
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Left Shoe Weight Photo

Weight 
 

255.4 g (9.01 oz)
248.2 g (8.76 oz)
Show text

Stack Heights 
 

Stack Height Photo  

ASICS NOVABLAST 4 Stack Height Photo
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Stack Height Photo

Heel Stack Height 
 

41.3 mm
41.8 mm

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

32.2 mm
33.4 mm

Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

9.1 mm
8.2 mm

Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

8.0 mm
8.0 mm

External Shape 
 

3D Model Full Shoe  

ASICS NOVABLAST 4 3D Model Full Shoe
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 3D Model Full Shoe

Outsole Heel Width 
 

89 mm (3.5")
89 mm (3.5")

Outsole Arch Width 
 

72 mm (2.8")
75 mm (2.9")

Outsole Forefoot Width 
 

116 mm (4.6")
115 mm (4.5")

Internal Shape 
 

3D Model Internal  

ASICS NOVABLAST 4 3D Model Internal
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 3D Model Internal

Internal Length 
 

280 mm (11.0")
284 mm (11.2")

Internal Heel Width 
 

61 mm (2.4")
62 mm (2.4")

Internal Forefoot Width 
 

96 mm (3.8")
94 mm (3.7")
Show text

Other Features  

Other Features Photo  

ASICS NOVABLAST 4 Other Features Photo
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Other Features Photo

Tongue Gusset Type 
 

Fully-gusseted
Fully-gusseted

Plate 
 

None
None
Performance

Heel Energy Return 
 

3.1
6.8

Heel Compression Video  

Heel Energy Return  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Heel Energy Return 
 

74.6%
80.4%
Show text

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

5.1
7.1

Forefoot Compression Video  

Forefoot Energy Return  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

76.6%
81.2%
Show text

Heel Cushioning 
 

7.3
8.6

Heel Cushioning Picture  

ASICS NOVABLAST 4 Heel Cushioning Picture
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Heel Cushioning Picture

Heel Cushioning  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Energy Absorbed At 300N 
 

1.05 J
1.35 J

Energy Absorbed At 600N 
 

3.57 J
4.31 J

Energy Absorbed At 900N 
 

6.83 J
7.54 J
Show text

Forefoot Cushioning 
 

8.1
8.4

Forefoot Cushioning Picture  

ASICS NOVABLAST 4 Forefoot Cushioning Picture
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Forefoot Cushioning Picture

Forefoot Cushioning  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Energy Absorbed At 300N 
 

1.10 J
1.19 J

Energy Absorbed At 600N 
 

3.14 J
3.41 J

Energy Absorbed At 900N 
 

5.49 J
5.71 J
Show text

Heel Firmness 
 

6.2
4.7

Heel Firmness  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Average Firmness 0 To 300N 
 

41.3 N/mm
31.9 N/mm

Average Firmness 300 To 600N 
 

53.1 N/mm
45.3 N/mm

Average Firmness 600 To 900N 
 

70.1 N/mm
69.4 N/mm
Show text

Forefoot Firmness 
 

7.7
7.3

Forefoot Firmness  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Average Firmness 0 To 300N 
 

38.4 N/mm
35.5 N/mm

Average Firmness 300 To 600N 
 

65.4 N/mm
60.4 N/mm

Average Firmness 600 To 900N 
 

96.6 N/mm
98.0 N/mm
Show text

ASICS NOVABLAST 4

ASICS NOVABLAST 5

Comments

  1. Comparison

ASICS NOVABLAST 4 vs ASICS NOVABLAST 5: Main Discussion

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