Shoes similar to the Asics Novablast

• 7.9 oz
• 5 mm drop
• 37 mm heel
• $145 list

The Mach is the other fun, light daily that can pick up the pace. It is firmer, snappier and about an ounce lighter; the Novablast carries more foam and a lot more bounce.

Against your Asics Novablast 6: 0.9 oz lighter, 4.5 mm less heel stack, 3 mm less drop, $10 less at list.

• 9.2 oz
• 8 mm drop
• 42 mm heel
• $155 list

The comparison goes back to the first Novablast, which one tester called the shoe the Clifton was supposed to be. The Clifton is the calmer, more rockered easy-day cruiser at a similar stack; the Novablast is bouncier and handles a wider range of paces.

Against your Asics Novablast 6: 0.4 oz heavier, the same drop.

• 8.9 oz
• 8 mm drop
• 38 mm heel
• $145 list

The Ride is the traditional take on the same daily-trainer job: firmer, lower, more stable, less exciting. Runners who find the Novablast too soft or too tall usually land here.

Against your Asics Novablast 6: the same weight, 3.5 mm less heel stack, the same drop, $10 less at list.

• 10.1 oz
• 10 mm drop
• 37 mm heel
• $145 list

The two fight over the same daily-trainer budget, but the rides could not be more different. The Pegasus is firm and snappy with Zoom Air pop; the Novablast is tall, soft and bouncy.

Against your Asics Novablast 6: 1.3 oz heavier, 4.5 mm less heel stack, 2 mm more drop, $10 less at list.

• 10.5 oz
• 10 mm drop
• 46 mm heel
• $150 list

The Vomero 18 is plusher, heavier and strictly for easy days. The cross-shop runs both directions: Vomero owners reach for a Novablast when they want the shoe to give something back at pace.

Against your Asics Novablast 6: 1.7 oz heavier, 4.5 mm more heel stack, 2 mm more drop, $5 less at list.