Rating the Most Popular Uptempo Daily Trainers on Comfort, Speed, Durability, Traction, Bounce, Weight, Fun Factor and Value
Here we will break down the comfort, speed, stability, durability, traction, bounce, weight, fun factor, and overall value of the most popular uptempo daily trainers currently on the market—the ASICS Novablast 5, Adidas EVO SL, New Balance Rebel v5, and Nike Pegasus Plus.
Welcome back to Choose Your Player! In this series, we’re giving running shoes an overall score based on 10 key categories—ranging from pure speed to all-day comfort—each rated from 1 to 100. This time, we’re breaking down the stats on 4 of the most popular uptempo daily trainers on the market right now.
Comfort
An uptempo daily trainer should offer a nice combination of comfort, speed, and versatility—all in one package. These shoes are built to be more comfortable than your race day or track workout options, so they can handle any run with some pace pickup. The Rebel v5 shines in this category with an outstanding step-in feel and overall comfort. The Novablast 5 is also incredibly comfortable, with a nicely padded, well-fitting upper. Below these two are the Pegasus Plus and EVO SL. The Pegasus Plus has a firmer foam and no-frills upper that make it feel a bit harsh, while the EVO SL loses points due to its sloppy-fitting, poorly constructed upper.
Speed
While uptempo trainers don’t need to be your fastest shoe, they should feel light and nimble—perfect for those planned or unplanned pace increases. We often refer to these as “Zone 3 Champs”—shoes that naturally encourage you to run a little quicker, even on recovery days. The Pegasus Plus takes the top spot here thanks to its snappy ride and firmer foam. Close behind is the EVO SL, with its full bed of classic Lightstrike Pro race foam—it feels best when you’re picking up the pace. The Rebel v5 and Novablast 5 land at the bottom of the list due to their softer foams. While they’re capable of speed, you’ll need to work harder to get there.
Nike Pegasus Plus
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Stability
Stability matters more for some runners than others in an uptempo trainer. If you have any stability concerns, a shoe that helps you glide through your stride without worrying about ankle support is a huge win. The Novablast 5 is the most stable of this bunch thanks to its wide base. The Rebel v5 comes in second—it has a relatively wide platform and not too much foam underfoot. The Pegasus Plus feels narrower and more minimal, making it a bit less stable. The EVO SL ranks lowest due to its unstructured upper and unplated, high-stack Lightstrike Pro midsole.
Asics Novablast 5
Durability
Durability is key in a good uptempo daily trainer. The EVO SL is the clear winner here—its classic Lightstrike Pro foam and Continental rubber outsole hold up well over time. The Pegasus Plus comes in second with solid rubber coverage and a more durable type of ZoomX foam (different from what’s in the Alphafly 3). The Novablast 5 uses a softer foam in this version, and we’ve heard reports of the midsole losing some bounce after about 250 miles. The Rebel v5, like its predecessor, doesn’t hold up well—most runners find they need to retire it around 200 miles.
Adidas Evo SL
Traction
The Pegasus Plus takes the top spot here with its high-abrasion rubber outsole that delivers excellent grip. The EVO SL follows closely with its Continental rubber, which especially shines in wet weather. The Rebel v5 offers mediocre traction, while the Novablast 5 struggles most in slick conditions—definitely not a shoe you want to take out on a rainy day.
Bounce
The Novablast 5 earns the highest score in bounce. After about 50 miles, the EVO SL also develops a nice bouncy ride, especially at faster paces. The Pegasus Plus delivers a snappier, firmer feel rather than true bounce. The Rebel v5 ranks lowest in this category; the foam feels soft but lacks the responsiveness you get from the other shoes.
Weight
Uptempo shoes should lean on the lighter side. The Rebel v5 is the lightest of the group at 224g (Men’s size 9)—very light for a daily trainer. The EVO SL (230g) and Pegasus Plus (238g) also feel nimble on foot. The Novablast 5, while the heaviest at 247g, still manages to feel relatively light and never feels clunky or heavy.
New Balance Rebel v5
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Fun Factor
The Novablast 5 wins here. It’s just a fun, bouncy shoe that delivers a feel-good experience every time you lace it up. The EVO SL is another hobby jogger favorite—it’s fast, playful, and the narrow platform plus Lightstrike Pro combo gives it a unique ride. The Pegasus Plus comes in third with its snappy, responsive feel that adds a bit of excitement to quicker runs. The Rebel v5 finishes last due to its softer, less lively foam.
Value
At $150, the EVO SL offers the best value. No other daily trainer gives you a full midsole of race foam in such a fun and affordable package. The Novablast 5 is also a strong value. ASICS recently bumped the price from $140 to $150, but the premium materials and versatility justify the increase. Even though the Rebel v5 is the cheapest at $140, its low durability and lackluster performance reduce its overall value. At $180, the Pegasus Plus is the worst value of the bunch. Nike has overpriced this shoe compared to its peers—but you can often find it on sale, which significantly improves its value proposition.
Check out this YouTube video below to watch Yowana's direct comparison of the EVO SL and Novablast 5:
Final Thoughts
Each shoe brings something unique to the game—from the fun and reliability of the Novablast 5 to the bounce and unique ride of the EVO SL, the sheer speed of the Pegasus Plus and the comfort of the Rebel v5. Choose your player wisely—your enjoyment of your uptempo, daily runs might depend on it.
Check out our Choose Your Player Marathon Racing Shoes edition or Choose Your Player Max Cushion Shoes if you've enjoyed this format.
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