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The Novablast has always been ASICS’s fun shoe — the one in the lineup that prioritized bounce over business. For five generations it did that with a single job description: soft, springy, a little bit wild. The Novablast 6 changes the recipe in the one place that matters most. ASICS has dropped its premium FF TURBO SQUARED foam — the stuff previously reserved for the flagship Megablast — into a forefoot “trampoline pod,” sitting it on top of the familiar FF BLAST MAX base. The result is the first dual-foam Novablast, and the first one with proper ASICSGRIP traction rubber.
That sounds like marketing. It isn’t, quite. This is the update Novablast 5 owners actually asked for: the old shoe’s wet-surface grip was its one widely agreed weakness, and the forefoot is now genuinely more energetic than the heel. The trade-off, which several reviewers have flagged, is that the new forefoot pod is noticeable — you feel it working — and the tall, soft platform asks a little more of your ankles than a traditional trainer.
What it is: a neutral, max-cushion daily trainer built around bounce — easy runs, long runs, and steady aerobic miles.
The headline change: FF TURBO SQUARED forefoot trampoline pod over an FF BLAST MAX base — the first dual-foam Novablast, with tech borrowed from the pricier Megablast.
The fix that matters: ASICSGRIP forefoot rubber plus AHAR LO in the heel, aimed squarely at the Novablast 5’s traction complaints.
Specs: $155 / 8.8 oz (249 g) men’s / 41.5–33.5 mm stack / 8 mm drop — lighter and taller than the Novablast 5.
Bottom line: buy it if you want the liveliest daily trainer in the $150–160 lane and your gait is neutral. Skip it if you need stability, a firm ground feel, or a race-day shoe.
Price and where to buy
US launch price (July 2026). Also listed at £140 in the UK and €160 in Europe. It is a $5 step up from the Novablast 5 — the premium you pay for the FF TURBO SQUARED forefoot and the ASICSGRIP outsole.
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Tip: confirm the listing says Novablast 6 (model code 1011C243) and not the 5 — early in a launch window, both sit side by side and the 5 is often discounted.
What’s new vs the Novablast 5
The Novablast 5 was a beloved shoe with two asterisks: traction that went sketchy on wet pavement, and a midsole that some runners felt faded before the outsole gave up. The 6 addresses the first one directly and changes the foam recipe for the second. Here is what actually changed:
- Dual-foam midsole. The 5 ran on FF BLAST MAX throughout. The 6 keeps FF BLAST MAX in the heel but adds an FF TURBO SQUARED trampoline pod in the forefoot — the first time this premium foam has appeared in a Novablast. Translation: softer landings in the heel, a snappier toe-off.
- ASICSGRIP outsole. The forefoot now uses ASICSGRIP rubber with AHAR LO in the heel — a direct answer to the wet-grip complaints that followed the 5.
- Lighter, taller. Roughly 8.8 oz / 249 g (men’s) versus ~9 oz / ~265 g for the 5, on a stack that grew to 41.5 / 33.5 mm (from 40.5 / 32.5 mm). Same 8 mm drop.
- New upper. Engineered woven upper with a tongue-wing construction and semi-gusseted tongue for midfoot lockdown — breathable up front, well-padded around the collar.
- $5 more. $155 vs the 5’s $150 launch price.
The honest read: if you loved the 5 and it never slipped on you, this is not a must-upgrade — it is a must-try-on. The forefoot pod changes the ride character enough that some longtime Novablast fans will prefer the old feel. More than one reviewer has said the 6 will split the fanbase roughly down the middle. If you did have grip complaints about the 5, the 6 is the fix you were waiting for.
Full specifications
| Spec | ASICS Novablast 6 |
|---|---|
| Category | Neutral max-cushion daily trainer |
| Price | $155 US / £140 UK / €160 EU |
| Midsole | FF BLAST MAX base + FF TURBO SQUARED forefoot trampoline pod |
| Stack height | 41.5 mm heel / 33.5 mm forefoot (men’s); 40.5 / 32.5 mm (women’s) |
| Drop | 8 mm |
| Weight | ~8.8 oz / 249 g men’s; ~7.7 oz / ~215 g women’s (independent samples measured 252–262 g men’s depending on size) |
| Outsole | ASICSGRIP rubber (forefoot) + AHAR LO (heel/high-wear zones) |
| Upper | Engineered woven upper; tongue-wing construction; semi-gusseted tongue; no heel pull tab |
| Widths | Standard and wide |
| Best for | Daily road training, easy runs, long runs, treadmill |
| Launch | July 2026 (announced May 29, 2026) |
Technology deep-dive: what the foams actually do
FF BLAST MAX (heel and base). This is ASICS’s energetic everyday foam — the same family that powered the Novablast 5. Its job here is the landing: soft, protective, and consistent over long runs. Keeping it in the heel was a deliberate choice — the heel is where most daily miles get absorbed, and it is proven there.
FF TURBO SQUARED (forefoot pod). This is the interesting half. FF TURBO is the super-foam from ASICS’s premium racers and the Megablast; the “SQUARED” version is molded into a trampoline-style pod under the forefoot. The idea: the forefoot compresses and springs back with more energy than standard foam, so toe-off feels snappier without a carbon plate. Reviewers consistently report that you can feel the pod — it is not subtle. For runners who like a lively forefoot, that is the whole point. For runners who like a uniform ride, it is the thing to test on a short run first.
ASICSGRIP + AHAR LO (outsole). ASICSGRIP is ASICS’s high-traction rubber compound, placed in the forefoot where push-off grip matters most; AHAR LO (a lower-hardness, durable rubber) covers the heel and high-wear zones. On paper this is the single biggest functional upgrade over the 5, and it is the reason the 6 is a meaningfully better wet-weather and dusty-path shoe than its predecessor.
Upper. The engineered woven construction cuts down on overlays, which keeps weight down and breathability up. The tongue wings wrap the midfoot to stop the tongue migrating mid-run, and the collar is generously padded — one recurring reviewer note is that the heel area can run warm, so hot-climate runners should know the forefoot breathes better than the collar.
Fit and sizing
The consistent signal from reviewers who have actually worn the shoe — including a four-runner test panel — is true to size, the same size as past Novablast models. The midfoot lockdown from the tongue wings is secure without being aggressive, and a wide version exists for broader feet. As with any tall-stack trainer, give the forefoot pod one short easy run before committing to a long run, and buy from a retailer with a sane return policy in case the pod feel is not for you.
Who it’s for — and who should skip it
Buy the Novablast 6 if…
- You want one energetic daily trainer for easy runs, long runs, and treadmill miles
- You run neutral and like a bouncy, high-cushion ride without a carbon plate
- The Novablast 5’s wet-weather grip frustrated you
- You want max-cushion comfort that can still pick up the pace for strides and progression runs
- You are a heavier runner who wants cushioning that does not feel dead — the dual foam holds up its end of the bargain
Skip it if…
- You need stability or motion guidance — this is a neutral shoe on a tall, soft platform, and some reviewers note a touch of inward wobble
- You prefer a low, firm, ground-connected ride
- You want a dedicated workout/race shoe — there is no plate, and it is not trying to be a racer
- You loved the uniform feel of the Novablast 5 and disliked noticeable forefoot pods — try before you buy
Novablast 6 vs Novablast 5: spec by spec
| Spec | Novablast 6 | Novablast 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $155 | $150 |
| Midsole | FF BLAST MAX + FF TURBO SQUARED forefoot pod | FF BLAST MAX |
| Stack | 41.5 / 33.5 mm | 40.5 / 32.5 mm |
| Drop | 8 mm | 8 mm |
| Weight (men’s) | ~8.8 oz / 249 g | ~9 oz / ~265 g |
| Outsole | ASICSGRIP forefoot + AHAR LO heel | Standard rubber (traction complaints) |
| Upper | Engineered woven, tongue wings | Engineered mesh |
| Release | July 2026 | December 2024 |
The 5’s case is simple: it is often discounted now, it is a known quantity, and runners who found the 5’s uniform ride perfect have no problem that the 6 solves. Buy the 5 on sale if the price gap is $30 or more and grip was never an issue for you. Buy the 6 if you want the livelier forefoot and the traction fix.
Novablast 6 vs Nike Pegasus 42 vs Nike Vomero Plus
These are the three shoes most runners cross-shop in the cushioned daily-trainer lane. The specs tell most of the story:
| Spec | Novablast 6 | Nike Pegasus 42 | Nike Vomero Plus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $155 | $145 | $180 |
| Midsole | FF BLAST MAX + FF TURBO SQUARED pod | ReactX + full-length Air Zoom | Full-length ZoomX |
| Stack | 41.5 / 33.5 mm | 37 / 27 mm | 45 / 35 mm |
| Drop | 8 mm | 10 mm | 10 mm |
| Weight (men’s) | ~8.8 oz / 249 g | ~10.5 oz / ~300 g | ~10.3 oz / ~290 g |
| Outsole | ASICSGRIP + AHAR LO | Waffle rubber | Rubber outsole |
| Personality | Bouncy, forefoot-forward energy | Responsive all-rounder workhorse | Plush max-cushion cruiser |
- Pick the Novablast 6 if bounce is the priority and you want the lightest shoe of the three. It is the most “fun” daily trainer here.
- Pick the Pegasus 42 if you want the traditional, do-everything trainer: lower stack, firmer and more connected ride, $10 cheaper, and a decades-long track record of durability.
- Pick the Vomero Plus if maximum plushness is the goal and you do not mind the weight or the $180 price. It is the softest ride of the three but the least exciting at faster paces.
What reviewers are saying
A quick survey of hands-on coverage, since this review is spec- and research-based (see the transparency note below):
- The Run Testers (four-runner panel) call it one of the best running shoes of 2026 so far — lighter, more energetic, and more versatile than the Novablast 5, with true-to-size fit. Caveat: the padded heel collar can run warm.
- RunToTheFinish stresses that this is a genuine redesign, not a refresh — and predicts a 50/50 split among Novablast loyalists, with some missing the old uniform feel. Notes a touch of inward instability and a clearly noticeable forefoot pod.
- RunRepeat’s lab review judges the $155 price fair for the package, crediting the FF TURBO SQUARED addition and the ASICSGRIP upgrade, and notes practical details: semi-gusseted tongue, no heel pull tab.
- Canadian Running Magazine frames it as a subtle but valuable update for Novablast fans — the franchise remains, in their words, one of the most popular daily trainers on the market.
The consensus that matters for your wallet: nobody disputes the foam upgrade or the grip fix. The only open question is whether you like feeling the forefoot pod — and that is a try-on question, not a spec-sheet question.
📊 By the Numbers: Novablast 6 vs. Novablast 5
5: $150 launch — often discounted
5: 40.5 / 32.5 mm
5: ~9 oz / ~265 g
Same on the 5
🤔 Novablast 6 or Novablast 5 — Which Should You Buy?
Still Excellent: The ASICS Novablast 5 at a Discount
FAQ
How much does the ASICS Novablast 6 cost?
The Novablast 6 launched in July 2026 at $155 in the US, £140 in the UK, and €160 in Europe. That is $5 more than the Novablast 5’s launch price — the premium covers the FF TURBO SQUARED forefoot pod and the ASICSGRIP outsole upgrade.
What is the Novablast 6’s stack height and drop?
Men’s: 41.5 mm heel / 33.5 mm forefoot with an 8 mm drop. Women’s: 40.5 / 32.5 mm, same 8 mm drop. It is 1 mm taller than the Novablast 5 at both ends.
What foam does the Novablast 6 use?
A dual-foam setup: FF BLAST MAX forms the base and heel for soft landings, while an FF TURBO SQUARED trampoline pod sits in the forefoot for a snappier toe-off. It is the first Novablast to use FF TURBO SQUARED, a foam previously reserved for ASICS’s premium models like the Megablast.
How much does the Novablast 6 weigh?
About 8.8 oz / 249 g in a men’s shoe and roughly 7.7 oz / 215 g in a women’s shoe. Independent measurements vary a little by size (some men’s samples weighed 252–262 g), and it is lighter than the ~9 oz Novablast 5 despite the taller stack.
Does the Novablast 6 run true to size?
Yes — reviewers who have worn it report true-to-size fit, consistent with past Novablast models. The tongue-wing construction gives secure midfoot lockdown, and a wide version is available for broader feet.
What is the difference between the Novablast 6 and Novablast 5?
Four things: (1) the 6 adds an FF TURBO SQUARED forefoot pod for a livelier toe-off; (2) the outsole upgrades to ASICSGRIP forefoot rubber + AHAR LO heel, fixing the 5’s wet-traction weakness; (3) it is lighter (~8.8 oz vs ~9 oz) on a slightly taller stack; (4) it costs $5 more ($155 vs $150). The 5 remains a good buy on discount if grip was never an issue for you.
Is the Novablast 6 good for marathon training?
Yes, in the right role: it is built for the easy miles and long runs that make up most of marathon training. It is a max-cushion daily trainer, not a racer — pair it with a plated shoe for workouts and race day if you are training seriously.
Is the Novablast 6 stable enough for overpronators?
It is a neutral shoe on a tall, soft platform, so it is not a stability shoe. Some reviewers note a slight inward wobble from the soft forefoot pod. Mild overpronators who have done fine in neutral trainers may be okay, but anyone who needs real guidance should look at stability models instead.
How is the grip on wet roads?
Meaningfully better than the Novablast 5. The 6 uses ASICSGRIP rubber in the forefoot with AHAR LO in the heel and high-wear zones — a direct response to the traction complaints about the previous model. It is still a road shoe, not a trail shoe, so treat painted lines and wet corners with respect.
Novablast 6 vs Nike Pegasus 42 — which should I buy?
Buy the Novablast 6 ($155) if you want maximum bounce and the lightest shoe — it is the more fun, more cushioned ride. Buy the Pegasus 42 ($145) if you want the traditional workhorse: lower stack (37/27 mm), a firmer and more connected feel, full-length Air Zoom, and $10 left in your pocket.
Transparency note
This is a spec- and research-based review — I have not personally run in the Novablast 6, and nothing here should be read as first-hand wear-testing. No mileage claims, no “after 50 miles” impressions, no invented lab data. Specifications (price, weight, stack, drop, foams, outsole) were verified against ASICS product pages, REI listings, RunRepeat’s lab review, and hands-on coverage from The Run Testers, RunToTheFinish, and Canadian Running Magazine (checked October 2026). Reviewer impressions quoted above are attributed to their sources, not presented as my own experience. If you want the one thing specs cannot tell you — whether you like the feel of the forefoot pod — try the shoe on and take it for a short run from a retailer with a good return policy.
