When should I choose ASICS Novablast 5?

Daily training and recovery runs. High-cushion joint protection on long aerobic sessions. Runners seeking a soft, trampoline-like unplated ride. Cost-effective seasonal mileage at a lower $140 price point.

When should I choose Magic Speed 5?

Fast-paced interval and threshold workouts. Race-day competition and tempo sessions. Runners prioritizing torsional rigidity and carbon plate propulsion. Minimizing weight with an agile ~7.0–7.2 oz chassis.

What are the advantages of ASICS Novablast 5 over Magic Speed 5?

Delivers a plush, trampoline-like underfoot feel powered by unplated FF BLAST MAX foam with approximately 8.5% more energy return and bounce compared to previous FF BLAST PLUS formulations.. Features a high-cushion geometry with a 41.5mm heel and 33.5mm forefoot stack (8mm drop) engineered for deep joint impact absorption on daily and recovery miles.. Provides exceptional daily workhorse value at an accessible retail price point of $140, paired with a durable AHAR LO rubber outsole..

What are the advantages of Magic Speed 5 over ASICS Novablast 5?

Features an integrated full-length carbon plate sandwiched between dual FF LEAP and FF BLAST PLUS foams to maximize torsional rigidity and forward propulsion.. Significantly lighter chassis weighing around 7.0 to 7.2 oz (196–204g) designed for rapid turnover during intervals, threshold workouts, and races.. Equipped with a high-traction ASICSGRIP outsole paired with a low, racy 37.5mm heel and 30.5mm forefoot stack profile (7mm drop)..

AI comparison report

ASICS Novablast 5 vs Magic Speed 5

By CompareAI Editorial Team · Published 2026-10-03 · How we compare

Choose the ASICS Novablast 5 for plush, unplated everyday comfort and high-mileage training, or select the ASICS Magic Speed 5 for aggressive carbon-plated pro…

Who wins: ASICS Novablast 5 or Magic Speed 5?

Choose the ASICS Novablast 5 first if you need an everyday, versatile mileage workhorse that prioritizes plush underfoot comfort, or choose the ASICS Magic Speed 5 first if your immediate priority is a stiff, lightweight carbon-plated shoe for fast workouts and race days.

Based on our analysis across 5 dimensions with 20 sources, ASICS Novablast 5 scores 8.5/10 overall while Magic Speed 5 scores 8.3/10 overall.

Dimension	ASICS Novablast 5	Magic Speed 5
Midsole Technology & Plate Integration	7.8/10	8.9/10
Primary Intended Use & Role in Rotation	9/10	8.8/10
Weight & Stack Height Geometry	7.8/10	9.1/10
Ride Feel & Underfoot Comfort	9.1/10	7.6/10
Price & Long-Term Durability	9/10	7/10
Overall	8.5/10	8.3/10

Should I choose ASICS Novablast 5 or Magic Speed 5?

Verdict: Choose the ASICS Novablast 5 first if you need an everyday, versatile mileage workhorse that prioritizes plush underfoot comfort, or choose the ASICS Magic Speed 5 first if your immediate priority is a stiff, lightweight carbon-plated shoe for fast workouts and race days.

Choose the ASICS Novablast 5 for plush, unplated everyday comfort and high-mileage training, or select the ASICS Magic Speed 5 for aggressive carbon-plated propulsion and lightweight speed on tempo and race days.

The ASICS Novablast 5 is the optimal choice for high-mileage training, featuring a high-cushion 41.5mm heel and 33.5mm forefoot stack (8mm drop) with full-length FF BLAST MAX foam that delivers 8.5% more bounce for $140 at 9.0 oz (255g). Conversely, the ASICS Magic Speed 5 is built for fast-paced workouts and race days, utilizing a dual-layer FF LEAP and FF BLAST PLUS midsole with a full-length carbon plate, a lower 37.5mm heel and 30.5mm forefoot stack (7mm drop), and a substantially lighter weight of roughly 7.0 to 7.2 oz (196–204g) priced at $180.

Best for ASICS Novablast 5

Daily training and recovery runs
High-cushion joint protection on long aerobic sessions
Runners seeking a soft, trampoline-like unplated ride
Cost-effective seasonal mileage at a lower $140 price point

Best for Magic Speed 5

Fast-paced interval and threshold workouts
Race-day competition and tempo sessions
Runners prioritizing torsional rigidity and carbon plate propulsion
Minimizing weight with an agile ~7.0–7.2 oz chassis

When not to compare directly

Do not compare them directly when building a dedicated shoe rotation, as the ASICS Novablast 5 is engineered as an unplated high-cushion daily trainer for aerobic volume, whereas the ASICS Magic Speed 5 is a stiff carbon-plated performance shoe intended for high-speed workouts and racing.

What are the key differences between ASICS Novablast 5 and Magic Speed 5?

Midsole Technology & Plate Integration

While the ASICS Novablast 5 relies on a flexible, unplated FF BLAST MAX foam midsole offering 8.5% higher bounce for training comfort, the ASICS Magic Speed 5 incorporates a full-length carbon plate sandwiched between dual foams to deliver rigid, high-efficiency race propulsion.
ASICS Novablast 5: The ASICS Novablast 5 utilizes a full-length, unplated FF BLAST MAX midsole foam that delivers approximately 8.5% more energy return and bounce compared to previous FF BLAST PLUS formulations for a plush, highly flexible daily trainer [13].
Magic Speed 5: The ASICS Magic Speed 5 features a performance-oriented dual-foam midsole pairing responsive FF LEAP foam with FF BLAST PLUS, stabilized by an integrated full-length carbon plate to maximize torsional rigidity and forward propulsion [6].
Scores — ASICS Novablast 5: 7.8/10, Magic Speed 5: 8.9/10
Midsole foam composition and the presence of a carbon plate directly dictate ride stiffness, energy return, and propulsion efficiency.
Sources: ASICS Magic Speed 5 Review: Carbon Trainer for Sub-3 ..., ASICS launches the new NOVABLAST™ 5 shoe
Primary Intended Use & Role in Rotation

While the ASICS Novablast 5 is designed as a daily trainer for easy-paced mileage and long runs, the carbon-plated ASICS Magic Speed 5 is built specifically for uptempo intervals and race-day performance [1, 4].
ASICS Novablast 5: The ASICS Novablast 5 serves as a high-cushion daily trainer engineered for easy runs, recovery miles, and long aerobic sessions with approximately 8.5 oz weight and FF BLAST MAX foam [1, 7].
Magic Speed 5: The ASICS Magic Speed 5 is designed as a carbon-plated workout and tempo shoe targeting fast-paced intervals, threshold sessions, and race day at an accessible price point with an 8.0 oz build [4, 6].
Scores — ASICS Novablast 5: 9/10, Magic Speed 5: 8.8/10
Selecting a shoe aligned with specific workout types ensures optimal training adaptations, muscle recovery, and comfort across varying paces.
Sources: Asics Novablast 5 Performance Review, Cut in half: ASICS Magic Speed 5 Review (2026)
Weight & Stack Height Geometry

The ASICS Magic Speed 5 is significantly lighter at roughly 7.1 oz (200g) with a lower 37.5mm/30.5mm stack compared to the ASICS Novablast 5, which weighs 9.0 oz (255g) with a taller 41.5mm/33.5mm profile.
ASICS Novablast 5: The ASICS Novablast 5 features a higher-cushion geometry with a 41.5mm heel and 33.5mm forefoot stack (8mm drop), weighing approximately 9.0 oz (255g) for maximum impact protection on daily miles.
Magic Speed 5: The ASICS Magic Speed 5 is built with a lower, racier 37.5mm heel and 30.5mm forefoot stack (7mm drop) in a substantially lighter chassis weighing around 7.0 to 7.2 oz (196–204g) for rapid turnover.
Scores — ASICS Novablast 5: 7.8/10, Magic Speed 5: 9.1/10
A shoe's mass and stack measurements influence turnover cadence, leg fatigue over distance, and underfoot stability.
Sources: Cut in half: ASICS Magic Speed 5 Review (2026), Cut in half: ASICS Novablast 5 Review
Ride Feel & Underfoot Comfort

The ASICS Novablast 5 provides a softer, highly cushioned non-plated ride with a 41.5 mm heel stack, whereas the ASICS Magic Speed 5 utilizes a stiffer, carbon-plated platform with a lower 37.5 mm heel stack designed for snappy transitions.
ASICS Novablast 5: The ASICS Novablast 5 delivers a plush, trampoline-like underfoot feel powered by a maximalist full-length FF BLAST MAX midsole measuring 41.5 mm in the heel and 33.5 mm in the forefoot, providing an 8.5% increase in bounce alongside deep joint impact absorption.
Magic Speed 5: The ASICS Magic Speed 5 features a firmer, ground-connected setup with a lower 37.5 mm heel stack, a dual-layer FF LEAP and FF BLAST PLUS midsole, and a full-length carbon-fiber propulsion plate engineered for aggressive snap and fast toe-offs.
Scores — ASICS Novablast 5: 9.1/10, Magic Speed 5: 7.6/10
The dynamic underfoot sensation affects overall comfort, joint impact absorption, and mechanical responsiveness during footstrike.
Sources: Cut in half: ASICS Novablast 5 Review, r/RunningShoeGeeks - Magic Speed 5 Specs
Price & Long-Term Durability

The ASICS Novablast 5 offers a lower entry cost of $140 for everyday training durability compared to the $180 price point of the race-oriented ASICS Magic Speed 5.
ASICS Novablast 5: The ASICS Novablast 5 delivers outstanding daily training value at an accessible $140 retail price, combining a resilient FF BLAST MAX midsole with AHAR LO rubber outsole coverage built to withstand heavy seasonal mileage.
Magic Speed 5: The ASICS Magic Speed 5 is priced higher at $180, featuring a high-traction ASICSGRIP outsole paired with a race-tuned, carbon-plated platform that offers targeted workout durability at a mid-tier price point.
Scores — ASICS Novablast 5: 9/10, Magic Speed 5: 7/10
Balancing purchase cost against outsole durability and foam lifespan helps runners maximize their gear investment over seasonal mileage.

What are the pros and cons of ASICS Novablast 5 vs Magic Speed 5?