ASICS Novablast 6 review

Full review

The Novablast has become a favourite with everyday runners because it is fun, cushioned and fairly priced. The Novablast 6, on sale from July 2026, adds a forefoot section of FF Turbo² foam, taken from ASICS's faster shoes, on top of the main FF Blast Max midsole.

According to ASICS figures, the men's version has 41.5 mm of foam at the heel and 33.5 mm at the forefoot with an 8 mm drop. That is a lot of cushioning, and the forefoot pod is designed to give the shoe its bounce, so it should feel liveliest if you land towards the middle or front of your foot.

ASICS has also added ASICSGRIP rubber to the forefoot to improve traction and make toe-off more efficient, which is welcome on wet Irish and British roads.

The trade-offs follow from the design. It is a neutral shoe with a tall, narrow-ish platform, so it is not the choice if you need support, and heavier heel strikers may prefer a more uniformly soft midsole. A Wide version is sold if the standard fit is snug. If you want a lively shoe for everything from easy runs to the odd tempo session, it is hard to beat.