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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

HOKA Mach 6 vs ASICS NOVABLAST 5

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

HOKA Mach 6
ASICS NOVABLAST 5

Tested using Methodology v0.8

Updated Apr 01, 2025 09:40 PM

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Tested using Methodology v0.8

Updated Apr 01, 2025 08:11 PM

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HOKA Mach 6 Picture
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Picture
  1. Recommended in 1 article:
  2. Running Shoes

Variants

  • Mach 6 (Men - US 9) (White/Solar Flare)
  • NOVABLAST 5 (Men - US 9) (Indigo Blue/Amber)

Our Verdict

HOKA Mach 6

ASICS NOVABLAST 5

The HOKA Mach 6 and the ASICS NOVABLAST 5 are both versatile daily trainers but cater to different needs. The Mach 6 sits closer to the ground and offers a lighter, firmer feel, making it a great no-fuss option for daily training. In contrast, the NOVABLAST 5 provides significantly more cushioning, helping to protect your legs during longer efforts, and a midsole that delivers greater energy return.

0

Main Differences for

Threshold 

0.10

Marathon Racing 

6.2
6.5

Weight  

7.0
6.4

Heel Cushioning 
 

6.2
8.6

Full Comparison

Design

Weight  

7.0
6.4

Right Shoe Weight Photo  

HOKA Mach 6 Right Shoe Weight Photo
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Right Shoe Weight Photo

Left Shoe Weight Photo  

HOKA Mach 6 Left Shoe Weight Photo
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Left Shoe Weight Photo

Weight 
 

233.6 g (8.24 oz)
248.2 g (8.76 oz)

Show text

Stack Heights 
 

Stack Height Photo  

HOKA Mach 6 Stack Height Photo
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Stack Height Photo

Heel Stack Height 
 

37.1 mm
41.8 mm

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

31.2 mm
33.4 mm

Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

5.9 mm
8.2 mm

Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

5.0 mm
8.0 mm

External Shape 
 

3D Model Full Shoe  

HOKA Mach 6 3D Model Full Shoe
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 3D Model Full Shoe

Outsole Heel Width 
 

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

Outsole Arch Width 
 

61 mm (2.4")
75 mm (2.9")

Outsole Forefoot Width 
 

108 mm (4.2")
115 mm (4.5")

Internal Shape 
 

3D Model Internal  

HOKA Mach 6 3D Model Internal
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 3D Model Internal

Internal Length 
 

271 mm (10.7")
284 mm (11.2")

Internal Heel Width 
 

59 mm (2.3")
62 mm (2.4")

Internal Forefoot Width 
 

92 mm (3.6")
94 mm (3.7")

Show text

Other Features  

Other Features Photo  

HOKA Mach 6 Other Features Photo
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Other Features Photo

Tongue Gusset Type 
 

Semi-gusseted
Fully-gusseted

Plate 
 

None
None
Performance

Heel Energy Return 
 

6.7
6.8

Heel Compression Video  

Heel Energy Return  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Heel Energy Return 
 

80.0%
80.4%

Show text

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

6.9
7.1

Forefoot Compression Video  

Forefoot Energy Return  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

80.5%
81.2%

Show text

Heel Cushioning 
 

6.2
8.6

Heel Cushioning Picture  

HOKA Mach 6 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 
 

0.95 J
1.35 J

Energy Absorbed At 600N 
 

2.99 J
4.31 J

Energy Absorbed At 900N 
 

5.60 J
7.54 J

Show text

Forefoot Cushioning 
 

7.4
8.4

Forefoot Cushioning Picture  

HOKA Mach 6 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 
 

0.98 J
1.19 J

Energy Absorbed At 600N 
 

2.73 J
3.41 J

Energy Absorbed At 900N 
 

4.83 J
5.71 J

Show text

Heel Firmness 
 

7.7
4.7

Heel Firmness  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Average Firmness 0 To 300N 
 

44.9 N/mm
31.9 N/mm

Average Firmness 300 To 600N 
 

65.7 N/mm
45.3 N/mm

Average Firmness 600 To 900N 
 

86.1 N/mm
69.4 N/mm

Show text

Forefoot Firmness 
 

8.5
7.3

Forefoot Firmness  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Average Firmness 0 To 300N 
 

43.1 N/mm
35.5 N/mm

Average Firmness 300 To 600N 
 

76.3 N/mm
60.4 N/mm

Average Firmness 600 To 900N 
 

107.7 N/mm
98.0 N/mm

Show text

HOKA Mach 6

ASICS NOVABLAST 5

Comments

  1. Comparison

HOKA Mach 6 vs ASICS NOVABLAST 5: Main Discussion

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