ASICS
Novablast 6
9.0Excellent
High-cushion neutral daily trainer with FF BLAST MAX and a FF TURBO SQUARED forefoot trampoline pod.
From € 149
Comparison
ASICS Novablast 6 vs GEL-Nimbus 27
Two top daily trainers with different strengths. Novablast 6 emphasises lively versatility; Nimbus 27 prioritises maximum cushioning and long-run comfort.
- 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
No universal winner. Choose Novablast 6 when you want a livelier, more versatile daily trainer; choose GEL-Nimbus 27 when maximum cushioning and easy/long-run comfort matter most.
Context-dependent — pick by ride preference and weekly mix, not overall Kitletics Score alone.
ASICS
Choose Novablast 6 if…
- you want one lively daily trainer for mixed easy and moderate paces
- you prefer a lighter shoe and occasional tempo or steady work in the same pair
- max-cushion softness feels too slow or mushy for your easy miles
ASICS
Choose GEL-Nimbus 27 if…
- you prioritise maximum cushioning and late-run comfort on long efforts
- most of your week is easy, recovery or high-volume long runs
- you want official width options and a more protective soft platform
How to decide between them
Treat this as a ride and role choice, not a quality ranking. Both are premium ASICS road shoes with soft daily intent. Novablast 6 leans energetic and versatile; GEL-Nimbus 27 leans protective and specialised for easy and long mileage. Start from how you actually train this month — mixed paces versus mostly easy volume — then confirm fit and current pricing.
When Novablast 6 is the better buy
Choose Novablast 6 when one shoe needs to cover most of a mixed week: easy miles, some steady work, and the odd moderate tempo. The livelier midsole character and lower weight make it less specialised than Nimbus. It is the clearer pick if you dislike a very soft, slow recovery feel on ordinary training days, or if you do not want a dedicated max-cushion shoe in the rotation yet.
When GEL-Nimbus 27 is the better buy
Choose Nimbus 27 when protection and plush comfort on easy and long runs matter more than pace versatility. It fits runners whose weekly kilometres are mostly recovery, easy aerobic work and long efforts, and who want maximum cushioning plus width options. Skip it as a default tempo tool — that is where Novablast (or a dedicated workout shoe) is usually a better match.
Conditions and training context
Both are road/treadmill shoes — neither replaces a trail shoe. On warm easy days either works; the fork is feel underfoot, not weather. If you already own a firm daily or tempo shoe, Nimbus is a strong soft partner for long and recovery. If you only buy one pair for mixed road training, Novablast is usually the more complete single-shoe answer. Same published drop (8 mm) means geometry difference here is mostly stack, foam recipe and intended pace range — not heel-to-toe offset.
Key Differences
Ride
Novablast 6: Livelier, more energeticGEL-Nimbus 27: Softer, more protectiveNovablast suits varied paces; Nimbus prioritises plush comfort on easy and long miles.
Midsole
Novablast 6: FF BLAST MAX + FF TURBO SQUARED forefootGEL-Nimbus 27: FF BLAST PLUS ECO + PureGELFrom manufacturer materials — different cushioning recipes within ASICS soft road shoes.
Use
Novablast 6: Daily + mixed easy/moderateGEL-Nimbus 27: Easy, long and recoveryStructured Recommendation contexts emphasise different weekly roles.
Weight
Novablast 6: 253 g (M ref)GEL-Nimbus 27: 305 g (M US 9)Men’s reference weights: Novablast is lighter for the class; Nimbus sits in the heavier max-cushion band.
Drop
Novablast 6: 8 mmGEL-Nimbus 27: 8 mmSame published drop — not a deciding factor between these two.
Best for
Novablast 6: Versatile daily energyGEL-Nimbus 27: Max cushion & long comfortCore buying fork for this pair.
Score Comparison
Novablast 6GEL-Nimbus 27
Cushioning
9.39.6Ride & Energy
9.15.0Fit & Comfort
9.09.6Stability
7.8—Durability
8.2—Value for Money
8.47.8
When each wins
Context winners by session type — use these with the decision guide above, not as a universal ranking.
Daily Training
Novablast 6
Covers more of a mixed week — easy miles plus occasional steady or tempo work — without feeling as specialised as a max-cushion recovery shoe.
Long Runs
GEL-Nimbus 27
Higher cushioning and a more protective easy-pace platform when time on feet is the priority, not pace variety.
Recovery Runs
GEL-Nimbus 27
Softer max-cushion ride for easy and recovery days when you want protection over bounce.
Tempo Runs
Novablast 6
More energetic midsole character for moderate faster sessions; Nimbus stays in the easy/protective lane.
Easy Runs
GEL-Nimbus 27
Both work for easy miles; Nimbus is the clearer pick when soft protection is the main job.
Value
Novablast 6
Clearer Kitletics value score for the current catalog price / performance mix.
Specs
| Spec | Novablast 6 | GEL-Nimbus 27 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight (g) | 253 | 305 | — |
| Drop (mm) | 8 | 8 | TIE |
| Heel Stack (mm) | 41.5 | 43.5 | — |
| Forefoot Stack (mm) | 33.5 | 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 MAX + FF TURBO SQUARED trampoline pod | FF BLAST PLUS ECO + PureGEL | — |
| Outsole | ASICSGRIP (forefoot) / AHAR LO (heel) | HYBRID ASICSGRIP (ASICSGRIP + AHARPLUS) | — |
| Upper | Engineered woven | Engineered jacquard mesh | — |
| Terrain | Road, Treadmill | Road | — |
| Training Types | Easy, Long, Recovery, Tempo | Easy, Long, Recovery | — |
| Recommended Distance | Daily, Half, Marathon | Daily, Half, Marathon | TIE |
| Weather Suitability | Dry, Wet, All Season | Dry, Wet, All Season | TIE |
| Width Options | Standard, Wide | Standard, Wide | TIE |
| 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
Novablast 6
From € 149
- ASICS Official: € 160 · Check price
- All4running: € 154 · Check price
- Amazon.nl: € 159 · Check price
Prices last checked: 12 Sept 2026. Offer updates do not mean the editorial comparison was re-reviewed.
Top Alternatives
ASICS Novablast 5Pick Novablast 5 over Novablast 6 only if soft energetic ride is the weekly gap. Novablast 5 is daily training / long runs; Novablast 6 stays daily training / long runs. Cost of the switch: not a stability shoe.
Saucony Endorphin Speed 5Endorphin Speed 5 is on the Novablast 6 alternatives list for more responsiveness. Endorphin Speed 5 brief: Nylon-plated tempo shoe for workouts, faster long runs, and accessible race efforts.. Novablast 6 brief: High-cushion neutral daily trainer with FF BLAST MAX and a FF TURBO SQUARED forefoot tram…. Extra peer cue: strong race/training crossover. Peer spec: drop 8, midsole PWRRUN PB, cushion feel balanced, stability neutral.
HOKA Clifton 10Clifton 10 is on the Novablast 6 alternatives list for a same-role peer. Clifton 10 brief: Lightweight max-cushion neutral daily trainer with HOKA’s signature rockered geometry.. Novablast 6 brief: High-cushion neutral daily trainer with FF BLAST MAX and a FF TURBO SQUARED forefoot tram…. Extra peer cue: smooth rocker. Peer spec: drop 5, midsole Compression-molded EVA / CMEVA, cushion feel plush, stability neutral.
ASICS GEL-Kayano 32Leave Novablast 6 for GEL-Kayano 32 when more stability outweighs the source’s daily training / long runs bias. GEL-Kayano 32 centres on overpronators / daily training (drop sits higher on GEL-Kayano 32 (10 vs 8)). You give up Novablast 6 spec (drop 8, heel stack 41.5, weight 253, midsole FF BLAST MAX + FF TURBO SQUARED trampoline pod).
Nike Pegasus 41Novablast 6 vs Pegasus 41 is not a score swap. Pegasus 41 wins when a same-role peer and versatile workhorse beat soft energetic daily ride. drop sits higher on Pegasus 41 (10 vs 8).
ASICS SUPERBLAST 2Novablast 6 vs SUPERBLAST 2 is not a score swap. SUPERBLAST 2 wins when better long-run protection and huge protective stack beat soft energetic daily ride.
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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 long runs — Novablast 6 or Nimbus 27?
Points to GEL-Nimbus 27
GEL-Nimbus 27 generally edges easy long runs with maximum cushioning. Novablast 6 remains a strong long-run option if you prefer a livelier ride over pure plush.
Which is lighter?
Points to Novablast 6
Novablast 6 publishes a lighter men’s reference weight (~253 g). Nimbus 27 sits in a more protective max-cushion class — check each product page for the latest published figures.
Which is better for faster sessions?
Points to Novablast 6
Novablast 6 is the clearer pick for moderate tempos and mixed-pace days. Nimbus 27 is not aimed at dedicated faster work.
Which is better as a daily trainer?
Points to Novablast 6
Novablast 6 is usually the better single daily trainer when your week mixes easy miles with some steady or tempo work. Choose Nimbus 27 when almost all of your mileage is easy, recovery or high-volume long runs and you want maximum soft protection.
Which is more cushioned?
Points to GEL-Nimbus 27
Nimbus 27 is positioned as maximum cushioning with a protective easy-pace platform. Novablast 6 is still a soft daily shoe, but with a livelier midsole character — not a pure plush recovery ride.
Do they have the same drop?
Yes — both publish an 8 mm drop. Geometry differences here are mainly stack, foam recipe and intended pace range, not heel-to-toe offset. Fit and feel underfoot still matter more than the shared drop number.
Which has better width options?
Points to GEL-Nimbus 27
GEL-Nimbus 27 is the clearer pick when official width options matter. Confirm current width availability on each product page and retailer listing before you buy.
Can I use either for recovery runs?
Points to GEL-Nimbus 27
Both can handle easy recovery miles. Nimbus 27 is the stronger dedicated recovery / soft-protection pick. Novablast 6 works if you dislike a very soft, slow feel on ordinary easy days.
Should I own both?
A rotation makes sense if you split roles: Novablast for mixed daily and moderate work, Nimbus for long and recovery. If you only buy one road pair for mixed training, Novablast 6 is usually the more complete single-shoe answer.
Is there a universal winner?
No. This is a ride and role choice, not a quality ranking. Pick Novablast 6 for lively versatility; pick Nimbus 27 for maximum cushioning and easy / long-run comfort. Confirm fit and current pricing before buying.