ASICS Novablast 6

The ASICS Novablast 6 is a daily trainer designed for bounce and versatility. Priced at $155, it competes with shoes like the Adidas Evo SL ($155) and Hoka Mach 7 ($145). In this version, ASICS made some significant changes while maintaining the same character of the previous iterations that runners enjoyed, helping make the Novablast line one of the most popular daily trainers of 2025. In the v6, ASICS added a puck of FF TURBO2 ATPU foam (the same foam found in the Megablast) to the forefoot while retaining FF Blast Max from the previous version throughout the rest of the shoe. They also added additional foam in the midfoot to create a more cohesive heel-to-forefoot transition. The outsole rubber in the forefoot was upgraded to ASICSGRIP for better traction in wet conditions, which is a significant improvement. The step-in feel is decently comfortable and unremarkable in a good way, giving the impression of the absence of anything bothersome. The upper is made of a breathable mesh material that is a little starchy, but it does not negatively affect comfort or the ride. Out on the run, we were surprised by how firm the foam felt compared to the previous version. The more robust midsole foam makes the geometry feel a little flatter, but it does not completely eliminate the choppiness that can be felt in many of the Blast shoes, especially at more relaxed paces. The geometry and placement of the FF TURBO2 foam definitely encouraged us to pick up the pace and put some power into the forefoot, making it less suitable for recovery runs and easy miles in the middle of a high-mileage training block. ASICS has clearly biased the Novablast 6 toward zip, pep, and pop within the daily trainer segment while still keeping it a decently well-rounded shoe with a good amount of comfort and fun. The Novablast 6 is a great option for someone with a one-to three-shoe rotation who is looking for a versatile, normal-feeling daily trainer at a good price. However, if you regularly use super trainers like the Megablast and Superblast 3 for daily runs, there is little reason to add the Novablast 6 to your rotation.