The Asics Novablast 5 is on sale for $129 — should you get it over the newer Novablast 6?

One of the best ways to find value when buying running shoes is to check the price of older models when the latest version comes out, because new launches usually prompt discounts on their predecessors.

The Asics Novablast 6 just came out, which means the time is ripe to hunt for deals on the Asics Novablast 5, which has been reduced to $129 in the Amazon sale.

Asics Novablast 5: was $150 now $129 at Amazon

All colors and sizes of the Asics Novablast 5 are reduced by $21 in the Amazon sale. It's a good price for a great running shoe, though I suspect we will see even bigger discounts on the Novablast 5 in the months ahead.

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However, I love the Asics Novablast 6 and I do consider it one of the best running shoes available and an upgrade on the older model.

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Asics Novablast 6: $155 at Amazon

The Novablast 6 is one of the best daily trainers runners can buy, with a versatile ride that's highly comfortable but also speedy enough for workouts. As it's a new shoe, you'll have to pay full price for the Novablast 6, however.

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So the question is which is the better buy; the Asics Novablast 6 at its full price of $155, or the Asics Novablast 5 for $129 in sales?

Asics Novablast 5 vs Asics Novablast 6: what are the key updates?

The most important update to the the Novablast 6 is the addition of FF Turbo Squared foam into the midsole of the shoe, with a puck of this energetic material added under the forefoot.

This is the foam also used in the excellent (and wildly expensive) Asics Megablast, and it creates a livelier ride than the FF Blast Max foam used in the Novablast 5.

The Novablast 6 also uses FF Blast Max foam for the rest of its midsole, but the FF Turbo Squared in the forefoot means it delivers more energy return than the older shoe, and works better for faster runs in particular, while still being equally comfortable for easy efforts.

Furthermore, using this mix of foams makes the Novablast 6 around half an ounce lighter than its predecessor in my US men’s size 10.

The other notable update to the new shoe is the new outsole, which uses a mix of rubbers to create better grip in wet conditions than you get from the Novablast 5.

During my testing of the Novablast 6 I did do a short run wearing it on one foot and the Novablast 5 on the other, and I did feel the benefit of the updated midsole in particular.

For me, the Novablast 6 is a strict upgrade on the Novablast 5, because it’s just as comfortable and stable on easy runs as the old model, while being lighter and better for fast runs. Then you get better grip as a bonus.

Should you buy the Asics Novablast 5 or Asics Novablast 6?

This is a tough call because I normally always recommend going for the older model in sales with running shoes. On this occasion, however, Asics has made some telling updates to the Novablast 6 that do make it a better shoe.

That said, the Novablast 5 is still a great running shoe itself, especially for easy and long runs, and will now be a more or less permanent fixture in sales.

At the current prices available, with the Novablast 5 only reduced to $129, I do think it’s worth stumping up the extra $26 to get the Novablast 6 for its improved performance.

However, if the Novablast 5 drops to around or under $100, then the equation changes and I’d be inclined to make the saving by picking up the older model.

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