Running shoes · owner-verdict comparison

ASICS Novablast 5 vs Saucony Endorphin Speed 5: what real owners say

Real owners lean toward the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5: 62% of 60 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 →

Saucony Endorphin Speed 5

62%of 60 owners recommend
62% recommend · 13% neutral · 25% don't
Owners praise
  • More stable and planted than past versions and rivals like the Evo SL
  • Versatile do-everything trainer that handles tempo, speed work, and longer runs
  • Improved fit with roomier toe box and more secure upper than the 4
Owners complain about
  • Firmer, more muted ride that lost some of the bounce and punch of earlier Speeds
  • Outsole and midsole wear early, going flat by roughly 230-350 km
  • Happiest at shorter, faster efforts; feet ache past the half marathon
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 Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 if
  • ✓Runners wanting a stable, versatile do-everything trainer
  • ✓Tempo and speed-workout runners
  • ✓Runners who found the Speed 4 too narrow
  • ✓Runners who prefer a firmer, planted ride
Skip it if
  • Runners wanting soft, plush cushioning
  • Those logging long, slow easy miles

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 Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 owners say

“find it good for pretty much everything”
— @TimGrose on YouTube
“More pep, more bounce, more comfort, very pleasant overall”
— @destrucciondeldiablo on YouTube
“I wanted so badly to love the ES4 but the toe box taper made it unbearable just crushing my pinky toe.”
— @nate_collins on YouTube

ASICS Novablast 5 vs Saucony Endorphin Speed 5: frequently asked questions

Is the ASICS Novablast 5 or the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 better?

Real owners lean toward the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5: 62% of 60 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 Saucony Endorphin Speed 5?

Owners point the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 at runners wanting a stable, versatile do-everything trainer, and tempo and speed-workout runners.

What do owners complain about?

The most-cited downside of the ASICS Novablast 5 is bounce and midsole die early (durability). For the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5, it's firmer, more muted ride that lost some of the bounce and punch of earlier Speeds.