The Novablast 5 is a lightweight, highly-cushioned trainer with a midsole made from Asics' new FF Blast Max. FF Blast Max promises to be propulsive, soft and springy. The Novablast costs $140.
The Nimbus Lite 3 is one of Asics' softest running shoe and is an extension of the popular Nimbus line. It is lighter than the regular Nimbus 23 and costs $160. Which of these shoes is the right choice for you?
The midsole of the Novablast consists of a slab of Asics’ newest foam, FF Blast Max. It has a unique design of deep indentations which allow the midsole to compress and spring back quickly when loaded. While the midsole is not extremely soft to the touch or when standing in the shoe, the moment you start to run, the foam activates and adopts a bouncy, highly reactive property. Running in the Novablast feels very responsive, cushioned and not at all mushy.
The Nimbus Lite’s midsole is FlyteFoam but is a much softer density than the FlyteFoams used on their other shoes. This FlyteFoam feels rough to the touch and feels more airy. It is made from sugarcane biomass. The Nimbus Lite’s midsole is softer and more cushioned than the Novablast but is less bouncy.
The Novablast is a versatile trainer. It has a bouncy and responsive feel for tempo runs and a thick midsole stack height which provides deep cushioning for long runs. The Nimbus Lite feels best on long, slow runs. It has a plush midsole which lets your foot sink in upon foot strikes and provides plenty of padding to protect the feet when running marathon distances.
When it comes to stability, the Nimbus Lite is much more stable than the Novablast. The Nimbus Lite’s midsole flares out at the base, creating a planted ride. The Novablast on the other hand has a more narrow midsole base which feels slightly unstable due to its bouncy, energetic ride.
The Nimbus Lite has a full contact outsole with plenty of AHAR rubber. The AHAR rubber used on the Nimbus Lite is softer and not as durable as the AHAR used on other Asics shoes. Asics had to lower the density of the outsole rubber so that you don’t feel it through its soft midsole. The Novablast has AHAR Lo rubber on its outsole which Asics claims is 50% more durable than regular AHAR. The rubber runs along the perimeter of the shoe and a small section in the middle of the forefoot. The remaining sections of the outsole are recessed midsole which provide the bouncy “trampoline” effect.
The Novablast features an upper made from a breathable mesh material that doesn’t stretch much or conform to the foot. It has a roomy toe box with lots of foot splay room. It also has a long padded tongue and traditional heel counter. The fit is true to size and it comes in 2 widths.
The Nimbus Lite features an upper made from sustainable recycled materials. The light, breathable mesh does not stretch and is not as durable as traditional engineered mesh uppers. It has a generously padded heel counter and a flat tongue which is sleeved and doesn’t slide laterally. Overall, the Nimbus Lite’s upper is comfortable, roomy and has a secure foot hold. It is true to size and also only comes in one width.
If you’re a runner looking for a light, versatile trainer, get the Novablast. The Novablast has a bouncy, energetic ride which can easily handle tempo runs, daily runs and long runs. It’s great value for money at $140 and is a fun shoe to run in.
If you’re a runner looking for a max-cushioned, long distance trainer, get the Nimbus Lite. The Nimbus Lite shines on super long distances when you need a comfortable, plush cruiser that glides over the road. The Nimbus Lite has cushioning in spades that doesn’t ever bottom out or get mushy. Its upper and outsole are not as durable as the Novablast’s but it is much more stable.
