Running shoes · owner-verdict comparison

ASICS Novablast 5 vs Brooks Ghost 17: what real owners say

Real owners lean toward the Brooks Ghost 17: 82% of 11 owners recommend it, vs 41% of 145 for the ASICS Novablast 5.

Verdicts aggregated from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube owner comments — affiliate reviews excluded. Sample sizes differ; judge accordingly. How we score

ASICS Novablast 5

41%of 145 owners recommend
41% recommend · 26% neutral · 33% don't
Owners praise
  • Soft, bouncy ride when fresh
  • Comfortable, well-cushioned feel
  • Versatile daily trainer across paces
Owners complain about
  • Bounce and midsole die early (durability)
  • Forefoot pod, arch, and foot pain
  • Slippery grip on wet pavement
Full owner report →

Brooks Ghost 17

82%of 11 owners recommend
82% recommend · 0% neutral · 18% don't
Owners praise
  • A dependable, comfortable daily trainer that owners reach for on the majority of their runs
  • Plenty of cushioning with a higher stack, often described as crazy soft and easy on the feet
  • Handles long runs and half marathons reliably, holding up over a few hundred miles
Owners complain about
  • Runs a bit heavy, so owners suggest a faster shoe for racing or speed sessions
  • The redesign feels like a different shoe to some longtime Ghost wearers
  • Toe box can feel narrow, which was a dealbreaker for a couple of owners
Full owner report →

Which should you buy?

Get the ASICS Novablast 5 if
  • ✓Neutral runners wanting a soft, bouncy daily trainer
  • ✓Easy days, long runs and beginners building mileage
  • ✓Runners with wider feet who want a roomy toebox
  • ✓Value seekers wanting an all-rounder that won't break the bank
Skip it if
  • High-mileage runners needing foam that lasts past ~250km
  • Forefoot strikers prone to arch or forefoot pain
Get the Brooks Ghost 17 if
  • ✓Daily trainers logging most of their weekly miles
  • ✓Half-marathon runners wanting stable cushioning
  • ✓Runners who like a comfy, higher-stack step-in feel
Skip it if
  • Narrow-toe-box sufferers prone to toe pain
  • Racers chasing marathon speed (better with super shoes)

What ASICS Novablast 5 owners say

“Look at that Nova Blast, Bouncy yet Stable. And the comfort level.”
— @andrewmcallister3903 on YouTube
“I just bought novablast 5. So far, its good for me. Bounce and good energy return. Satisfied”
— @alihafiz13 on YouTube
“novablast has way too much cushion for me. too soft for my taste.”
— @MrJoshbono5 on YouTube

What Brooks Ghost 17 owners say

“these shoes are IT”
— @Justin.501 on YouTube
“Not a shoe to go fast but a fantastic daily trainer.”
— @Philllin on YouTube
“Its like running with a stiff truck tire for a midsole. Its dead, heavy and depressing”
— @albertteng1191 on YouTube

ASICS Novablast 5 vs Brooks Ghost 17: frequently asked questions

Is the ASICS Novablast 5 or the Brooks Ghost 17 better?

Real owners lean toward the Brooks Ghost 17: 82% of 11 owners recommend it, vs 41% of 145 for the ASICS Novablast 5.

Who should get the ASICS Novablast 5?

Owners point the ASICS Novablast 5 at neutral runners wanting a soft, bouncy daily trainer, and easy days, long runs and beginners building mileage.

Who should get the Brooks Ghost 17?

Owners point the Brooks Ghost 17 at daily trainers logging most of their weekly miles, and half-marathon runners wanting stable cushioning.

What do owners complain about?

The most-cited downside of the ASICS Novablast 5 is bounce and midsole die early (durability). For the Brooks Ghost 17, it's runs a bit heavy, so owners suggest a faster shoe for racing or speed sessions.