Running shoes · owner-verdict comparison

ASICS Novablast 5 vs Saucony Triumph 22: what real owners say

Real owners rate these about evenly: 41% of 145 ASICS Novablast 5 owners recommend it, vs 42% of 53 for the Saucony Triumph 22.

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 Triumph 22

42%of 53 owners recommend
42% recommend · 15% neutral · 43% don't
Owners praise
  • Plush, cushioned feel that owners describe as soft and comfortable underfoot
  • More stable heel and forefoot than the Triumph 20/21, especially for wider feet
  • Great daily trainer for easy, recovery, and middle-distance miles
Owners complain about
  • Noticeably heavier and bulkier than the Triumph 20/21, a jump many owners call out by name
  • Feels clunky and dense underfoot, described repeatedly as running 'like a brick'
  • Feet run hot, especially on the forefoot, with some reporting it takes 150km+ to fade and complaints of near-zero breathability
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 Triumph 22 if
  • ✓Daily-trainer runners logging easy/steady miles who want max cushioning and protection
  • ✓Runners with tired legs on recovery days seeking a soft, plush, protected ride
  • ✓Walkers and all-day-on-feet wearers who value comfort over performance
  • ✓Fans of a firmer, wider, more stable heel-strike feel versus the 20/21
Skip it if
  • Weight-conscious runners chasing speed, tempo, or race-day performance
  • Anyone prone to hot feet or needing breathable uppers for summer running

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 Triumph 22 owners say

“Still enjoying mine.”
— @thomasn1279 on YouTube
“these have been very comfortable from the start and i love throwing them on on days when my legs feel tired”
— @OGPixelProphet on YouTube
“Sounds like the best thing about the 22sis that the 21s are going cheap now”
— @Onyourtodd on YouTube

ASICS Novablast 5 vs Saucony Triumph 22: frequently asked questions

Is the ASICS Novablast 5 or the Saucony Triumph 22 better?

Real owners rate these about evenly: 41% of 145 ASICS Novablast 5 owners recommend it, vs 42% of 53 for the Saucony Triumph 22.

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 Triumph 22?

Owners point the Saucony Triumph 22 at daily-trainer runners logging easy/steady miles who want max cushioning and protection, and runners with tired legs on recovery days seeking a soft, plush, protected ride.

What do owners complain about?

The most-cited downside of the ASICS Novablast 5 is bounce and midsole die early (durability). For the Saucony Triumph 22, it's noticeably heavier and bulkier than the Triumph 20/21, a jump many owners call out by name.