Can I go straight from the Asics Novablast 3 to the Novablast 5 and skip the Novablast 4?

You can, but treat the Novablast 5 as a new shoe rather than a restock. Both the Novablast 4 and the Novablast 5 reworked the ride, so a Novablast 3 owner takes two character changes at once: FF Blast+ became FF Blast Max.

How much did the weight change across these two updates?

It nets out. The Novablast 3 and the Novablast 5 both weigh about 8.9 oz in a men's US 9, though the Novablast 4 sat at 9.1 oz in between.

Is the Novablast 4 the better buy than either of these?

On paper it splits them: 9.1 oz against 8.9 oz for the Novablast 3 and 9 oz for the Novablast 5, on a 41.5 mm heel and a $140 list price. Whether that is worth chasing depends on what the Novablast 4 update actually did, which the section above works through.

Did the Novablast get taller between the Novablast 3 and the Novablast 5?

Heel stack went 31 mm to 41.5 mm, by way of 41.5 mm on the Novablast 4. Drop held at 8 mm throughout, so the extra foam sits under both ends.

Where does the Novablast 5 sit in the Novablast lineup now?

Two versions on from the Novablast 3, and already replaced itself: the Novablast 6 arrived in 2026. If you are shopping old stock anyway, price the Novablast 5 against it before deciding.

Asics Novablast 3 vs Novablast 5

Two versions apart. Updated August 2, 2026. Specs are men's US 9.

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THE SHORT ANSWER

Two updates and 2 years separate the Asics Novablast 3 from the Novablast 5. Net change: 10.5 mm more heel stack, a new midsole. Both updates in between reworked the ride, so the Novablast 5 is two character changes away from what you own.

Asics Novablast 3Sizes running outWomen's
Asics Novablast 5Men's at Amazon Women's

Availability last checked Aug 2, 2026. Prices and stock change without notice.

Novablast 3 · 2022

Novablast 5 · 2024

The two updates in between

Each step has its own page with the full change list and the verdict on that update.

Step 1Novablast 3 to Novablast 42023Changed character
Novablast 3 vs 4 What replaced the Asics Novablast 3?
Step 2Novablast 4 to Novablast 52024Changed character
Novablast 4 vs 5 What replaced the Asics Novablast 4?

Novablast 3 vs Novablast 5: every spec, side by side

The net of both updates. Per-update change notes stay on the step pages above, because they explain changes measured from a different starting point than this table uses.

Spec	Novablast 3	Novablast 5
FIT AND WEIGHT
Weight	8.9 oz	9 oz
Widths	D, 2E	D, 2E
Upper	Knit mesh with a gusseted tongue wing	Engineered jacquard mesh
CUSHIONING GEOMETRY
Heel stack	31 mm	41.5 mm
Forefoot stack	23 mm	33.5 mm
Drop	8 mm	8 mm
MATERIALS
Midsole	FF Blast+	FF Blast Max
VALUE
List price at launch	$140	$140

Or buy the Novablast 4 instead?

The Novablast 4 is worth a look only if you want the ride it introduced, because that is the update that changed the shoe. Buying it to soften the jump does not work: you would be adapting to the same change either way, just at an older spec.

Buy the Novablast 4

Sizes running out

Discontinued at retail. Amazon carries what remains, so treat an in-stock size as a closing window, and expect prices to swing.

Men's: Check remaining stock Women's: Check remaining stock

Availability last checked Aug 2, 2026.

Questions runners ask

Can I go straight from the Asics Novablast 3 to the Novablast 5 and skip the Novablast 4?: You can, but treat the Novablast 5 as a new shoe rather than a restock. Both the Novablast 4 and the Novablast 5 reworked the ride, so a Novablast 3 owner takes two character changes at once: FF Blast+ became FF Blast Max.
How much did the weight change across these two updates?: It nets out. The Novablast 3 and the Novablast 5 both weigh about 8.9 oz in a men's US 9, though the Novablast 4 sat at 9.1 oz in between.
Is the Novablast 4 the better buy than either of these?: On paper it splits them: 9.1 oz against 8.9 oz for the Novablast 3 and 9 oz for the Novablast 5, on a 41.5 mm heel and a $140 list price. Whether that is worth chasing depends on what the Novablast 4 update actually did, which the section above works through.
Did the Novablast get taller between the Novablast 3 and the Novablast 5?: Heel stack went 31 mm to 41.5 mm, by way of 41.5 mm on the Novablast 4. Drop held at 8 mm throughout, so the extra foam sits under both ends.
Where does the Novablast 5 sit in the Novablast lineup now?: Two versions on from the Novablast 3, and already replaced itself: the Novablast 6 arrived in 2026. If you are shopping old stock anyway, price the Novablast 5 against it before deciding.