ASICS
Novablast 5
8.8Very Good
Bouncy neutral daily trainer suited to easy miles and long runs.
From € 130
Comparison
ASICS Novablast 5 vs GEL-Nimbus 27
Novablast 5 is the more versatile, livelier option. Nimbus 27 is the better choice for maximum cushioning and easy mileage.
- Expert comparison
- Data driven
- Updated 1 September 2026
- Running Shoes
ASICS
GEL-Nimbus 27
8.6Very Good
Max-cushion neutral shoe for easy and recovery miles.
From € 190
Decision guide
When each shoe is the better buy — by training mix and conditions, not overall score alone.
Bottom line
Choose Novablast 5 for fun daily energy and mixed training; choose Nimbus 27 when maximum plush and widths matter most.
No universal winner — pick by ride preference and weekly mix.
ASICS
Choose Novablast 5 if…
- You want one shoe for varied weekly training.
- You want something lighter and more responsive.
- You mix easy mileage with occasional faster work.
ASICS
Choose GEL-Nimbus 27 if…
- Comfort is your priority.
- Most runs are easy or long.
- You prefer maximum cushioning and width options.
Novablast 5 relative strengths
More versatile weekly training tool, livelier ride, better when you mix paces.
Nimbus 27 relative strengths
More cushioned, better recovery-run comfort, more protective easy-mile ride.
Trade-offs
Novablast is less plush than Nimbus and not a dedicated race shoe. Nimbus is heavier and less suited to faster work.
Key Differences
Ride character
Novablast 5: Livelier, more versatileGEL-Nimbus 27: Softer, more protectiveNovablast suits more varied paces; Nimbus prioritises comfort on easy and long miles.
Cushion level
Novablast 5: HighGEL-Nimbus 27: MaximumBoth are cushioned road shoes; Nimbus sits at the max-cushion end of the spectrum.
Score Comparison
Novablast 5GEL-Nimbus 27
Cushioning
9.29.6Ride & Energy
9.05.0Fit & Comfort
8.29.6Stability
7.8—Durability
8.0—Value for Money
8.27.8
When each wins
Context winners by session type — use these with the decision guide above, not as a universal ranking.
Daily Training
Novablast 5
More versatile across easy and moderate-paced running.
Long Runs
GEL-Nimbus 27
More cushioning and comfort-focused ride.
Recovery Runs
GEL-Nimbus 27
Softer, more protective ride for recovery.
Tempo Runs
Novablast 5
Easy Runs
GEL-Nimbus 27
Value
Novablast 5
Clearer Kitletics value score for the current catalog price / performance mix.
Specs
| Spec | Novablast 5 | GEL-Nimbus 27 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight (g) | 255 | 305 | — |
| Drop (mm) | 8 | 8 | TIE |
| Heel Stack (mm) | 41 | 43.5 | — |
| Forefoot Stack (mm) | 33 | 35.5 | — |
| Cushioning | High | Maximum | — |
| Stability | Neutral | Neutral | TIE |
| Energy Return | High | Moderate | — |
| Cushion Feel | Soft | Plush | — |
| Ride Character | Rockered | Protective | — |
| Flexibility | Moderate | Stiff | — |
| Plate | No | No | TIE |
| Plate Material | None | None | TIE |
| Midsole | FF BLAST PLUS ECO | FF BLAST PLUS ECO + PureGEL | — |
| Outsole | AHAR rubber (partial) | HYBRID ASICSGRIP (ASICSGRIP + AHARPLUS) | — |
| Upper | Engineered mesh | Engineered jacquard mesh | — |
| Terrain | Road, Treadmill | Road | — |
| Training Types | Easy, Long, Recovery | Easy, Long, Recovery | TIE |
| Recommended Distance | Daily, Half, Marathon | Daily, Half, Marathon | TIE |
| Weather Suitability | Dry, All Season | Dry, Wet, All Season | — |
| Width Options | Standard | Standard, Wide | — |
| Arch Support | Medium | Medium | TIE |
| Fit / Sizing | Men, Women | Men, Women | TIE |
| Recommended Pace Range (min/km) | — | — | TIE |
| Recommended Runner Weight Range (kg) | — | — | TIE |
| Surface | Asphalt, Treadmill | Asphalt, Treadmill | TIE |
| Grip | Road | Road | TIE |
| Durability | Moderate | High | — |
| Race Legal | Yes | Yes | TIE |
| Breathability | High | High | TIE |
Current Prices
Regional prices · Netherlands
Prices last checked: 12 Sept 2026. Offer updates do not mean the editorial comparison was re-reviewed.
Top Alternatives
Brooks Ghost 16Ghost 16 is on the Novablast 5 alternatives list for a same-role peer. Ghost 16 brief: Soft neutral daily trainer popular with beginners.. Novablast 5 brief: Bouncy neutral daily trainer suited to easy miles and long runs.. Extra peer cue: excellent width range. Peer spec: drop 12, cushion feel soft, stability neutral.
HOKA Clifton 9Clifton 9 is on the Novablast 5 alternatives list for more cushioning. Clifton 9 brief: Previous-generation HOKA Clifton daily trainer — light, rockered road cushioning still co…. Novablast 5 brief: Bouncy neutral daily trainer suited to easy miles and long runs.. Extra peer cue: smooth rocker. Peer spec: drop 5, cushion feel plush, stability neutral.
ASICS Novablast 6Novablast 6 is on the Novablast 5 alternatives list for a same-role peer. Novablast 6 brief: High-cushion neutral daily trainer with FF BLAST MAX and a FF TURBO SQUARED forefoot tram…. Novablast 5 brief: Bouncy neutral daily trainer suited to easy miles and long runs.. Extra peer cue: improved wet grip vs prior Novablast. Peer spec: drop 8, heel stack 41.5, weight 253, midsole FF BLAST MAX + FF TURBO SQUARED trampoline pod.
Nike Invincible 3Novablast 5 vs Invincible 3 is not a score swap. Invincible 3 wins when more cushioning and very soft ZoomX stack beat soft energetic ride.
ASICS Novablast 4Pick Novablast 4 over Novablast 5 only if bouncy FF BLAST+ ride is the weekly gap. Novablast 4 is daily training / easy runs; Novablast 5 stays daily training / long runs. Cost of the switch: superseded by newer Novablast generations.
Nike Pegasus 41a more race-focused platform is the fork: Pegasus 41 (Nike’s high-volume ReactX daily trainer for easy and steady road miles — versatile, not a…) versus Novablast 5 (Bouncy neutral daily trainer suited to easy miles and long runs.). Source verdict cue: A versatile, cushioned daily trainer suited to high-volume road training and long runs, but not the… Spec split — peer drop 10, cushion feel balanced, stability neutral vs source drop 8, heel stack 41, weight 255, midsole FF BLAST PLUS ECO.
HOKA Bondi 9Shared use-case alternative
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FAQ
Practical answers for this pair — open a question for the short call and which shoe it points to.
Which is better for daily training — Novablast 5 or Nimbus 27?
Novablast 5 is usually the better daily training pick when you mix easy miles with occasional faster work. Nimbus 27 wins when almost all of your mileage is easy and comfort is the priority.
Which is better for long runs?
Nimbus 27 edges long and recovery-focused miles with maximum cushioning. Novablast 5 remains a strong long-run option if you prefer a livelier ride.
Which is more cushioned?
Nimbus 27 is positioned as maximum cushion; Novablast 5 is high cushion with a more energetic character. Specs and recommendation contexts should guide the final pick — not a universal winner.
Novablast 6 or Ghost 18 for beginners?
Ghost 18 is often easier for fit (width options). Novablast 6 is more energetic. Both are strong daily trainers for neutral runners.