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We've just launched Running Shoes! Dive into our R&D article to discover how we measure energy return and cushioning. We're just getting warmed up, so stay tuned as we continue to improve our testing.
  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 SUPERBLAST 2 vs ASICS NOVABLAST 5

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

ASICS SUPERBLAST 2
ASICS NOVABLAST 5

Tested using Methodology v0.8

Updated Apr 01, 2025 10:01 PM

Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v0.8

Updated Apr 01, 2025 08:11 PM

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Amazon.com
ASICS SUPERBLAST 2 Picture
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Picture
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Variants

  • SUPERBLAST 2 (Cool Grey/Safety Yellow)
  • NOVABLAST 5 (Men - US 9) (Indigo Blue/Amber)

Our Verdict

ASICS SUPERBLAST 2

ASICS NOVABLAST 5

The ASICS NOVABLAST 5 and the ASICS SUPERBLAST 2 weigh about the same, but they target different types of runs. The NOVABLAST 5 is a versatile daily trainer, comfortably handling long miles, easy efforts, and mixed workouts, thanks to its great cushioning. The SUPERBLAST 2, meanwhile, positions itself as an unplated uptempo trainer, but in practice, its foam offers only marginally better energy return. However, its more pronounced rocker and slightly firmer foam make it feel more rolling, favoring faster-paced runs. For runners prioritizing faster workouts and intervals, the SUPERBLAST 2 will have a slight edge, whereas the NOVABLAST 5 offers greater comfort and cushioning for longer, slower-paced runs or general daily mileage.

0

Main Differences for

Threshold 

0.10

Marathon Racing 

6.5
6.5
No major differences between these running shoes for marathon racing. See full list of tests below.

Full Comparison

Design

Weight  

6.5
6.4

Right Shoe Weight Photo  

ASICS SUPERBLAST 2 Right Shoe Weight Photo
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Right Shoe Weight Photo

Left Shoe Weight Photo  

ASICS SUPERBLAST 2 Left Shoe Weight Photo
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Left Shoe Weight Photo

Weight 
 

247.5 g (8.73 oz)
248.2 g (8.76 oz)

Show text

Stack Heights 
 

Stack Height Photo  

ASICS SUPERBLAST 2 Stack Height Photo
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Stack Height Photo

Heel Stack Height 
 

44.7 mm
41.8 mm

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

35.6 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 SUPERBLAST 2 3D Model Full Shoe
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 3D Model Full Shoe

Outsole Heel Width 
 

95 mm (3.7")
89 mm (3.5")

Outsole Arch Width 
 

76 mm (3.0")
75 mm (2.9")

Outsole Forefoot Width 
 

118 mm (4.6")
115 mm (4.5")

Internal Shape 
 

3D Model Internal  

ASICS SUPERBLAST 2 3D Model Internal
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 3D Model Internal

Internal Length 
 

276 mm (10.9")
284 mm (11.2")

Internal Heel Width 
 

63 mm (2.5")
62 mm (2.4")

Internal Forefoot Width 
 

95 mm (3.7")
94 mm (3.7")

Show text

Other Features  

Other Features Photo  

ASICS SUPERBLAST 2 Other Features Photo
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Other Features Photo

Tongue Gusset Type 
 

Fully-gusseted
Fully-gusseted

Plate 
 

None
None
Performance

Heel Energy Return 
 

6.9
6.8

Heel Compression Video  

Heel Energy Return  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Heel Energy Return 
 

80.7%
80.4%

Show text

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

7.2
7.1

Forefoot Compression Video  

Forefoot Energy Return  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

81.9%
81.2%

Show text

Heel Cushioning 
 

7.9
8.6

Heel Cushioning Picture  

ASICS SUPERBLAST 2 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 
 

1.17 J
1.35 J

Energy Absorbed At 600N 
 

3.85 J
4.31 J

Energy Absorbed At 900N 
 

7.21 J
7.54 J

Show text

Forefoot Cushioning 
 

8.4
8.4

Forefoot Cushioning Picture  

ASICS SUPERBLAST 2 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 
 

1.06 J
1.19 J

Energy Absorbed At 600N 
 

3.39 J
3.41 J

Energy Absorbed At 900N 
 

6.01 J
5.71 J

Show text

Heel Firmness 
 

5.5
4.7

Heel Firmness  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Average Firmness 0 To 300N 
 

36.9 N/mm
31.9 N/mm

Average Firmness 300 To 600N 
 

49.9 N/mm
45.3 N/mm

Average Firmness 600 To 900N 
 

67.1 N/mm
69.4 N/mm

Show text

Forefoot Firmness 
 

7.1
7.3

Forefoot Firmness  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Average Firmness 0 To 300N 
 

40.6 N/mm
35.5 N/mm

Average Firmness 300 To 600N 
 

57.6 N/mm
60.4 N/mm

Average Firmness 600 To 900N 
 

86.2 N/mm
98.0 N/mm

Show text

ASICS SUPERBLAST 2

ASICS NOVABLAST 5

Comments

  1. Comparison

ASICS SUPERBLAST 2 vs ASICS NOVABLAST 5: Main Discussion

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