Asics Novablast vs Hoka Mach
Comparing the current Novablast 6 and Mach 7. Specs are men's US 9.
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THE SHORT ANSWER
Drop is the real difference: 5 mm on the Mach 7 against 8 mm on the Novablast 6. Coming off the Novablast 6, the Mach 7 loads your calves and Achilles harder for the first couple of weeks. They are built for different jobs: the Novablast 6 is a daily trainer, the Mach 7 a tempo. The Mach 7 lists $10 lower.
- Asics Novablast 6Men's at AmazonWomen's
- Hoka Mach 7Men's at AmazonWomen's
Availability last checked Aug 2, 2026. Prices and stock change without notice.
Every spec, side by side
| Spec | Novablast 6 | Mach 7 |
|---|---|---|
| FIT AND WEIGHT | ||
| Weight | 8.8 oz | 7.9 oz |
| Widths | D, 2E | D |
| Upper | Engineered woven mesh with a longer padded tongue | Redesigned creel jacquard mesh with a lower, wider heel counter |
| CUSHIONING GEOMETRY | ||
| Heel stack | 41.5 mm | 37 mm |
| Forefoot stack | 33.5 mm | 32 mm |
| Drop | 8 mm | 5 mm |
| MATERIALS | ||
| Midsole | FF Blast Max with an FF Turbo Squared forefoot insert | Supercritical EVA with a sticky rubber forefoot and Durabrasion heel |
| VALUE | ||
| List price at launch | $155 | $145 |
Which line changes its ride more often?
The Novablast has done it 3 times in 6 versions, most recently with the Novablast 5 in 2024, and the Mach has done it once in 4 versions, most recently with the Mach 6 in 2024. If you want a shoe you can rebuy without reading a review first, the Mach has the steadier record.
Buy the Novablast 6
Stocked at AmazonAvailability last checked Aug 2, 2026.
Buy the Mach 7
Stocked at AmazonAvailability last checked Aug 1, 2026.
Chasing a specific older version rather than choosing between the current two? The Asics Novablast lineage and the Hoka Mach lineage track every version and what changed in each update.
Questions runners ask
- Is the Asics Novablast or the Hoka Mach lighter?
- The Mach 7, by 0.9 oz in a men's US 9 (7.9 oz against 8.8 oz).
- Can I switch from the Asics Novablast to the Hoka Mach?
- Yes, but ease into it. The drop moves 3 mm (8 mm on the Novablast 6, 5 mm on the Mach 7), which changes where your foot loads at landing. Give it two weeks of easy running before a hard session.
- Which is more cushioned, the Asics Novablast or the Hoka Mach?
- The Novablast 6, on stack height: 41.5 mm under the heel against 37 mm. Stack is not the whole story, though; the foams differ too.
- Which comes in more widths?
- The Novablast 6. The Novablast 6 runs in D, 2E for men's sizes; the Mach 7 runs in D.
- Which costs more, the Asics Novablast or the Hoka Mach?
- The Novablast 6, by $10 at list ($155 against $145). That gap narrows once either one gets a successor.
Updated August 2, 2026.