The Asics Gel-Cumulus 27 and Asics Novablast 5 are both mid-range cushioned shoes that cost roughly the same amount, and even weigh about the same, but they deliver different experiences on the run. Which should you get? Tom, Kieran and Nick give their take in this video.
Check out our reviews of both shoes:
Asics Novablast 5 Review:
Asics Gel-Cumulus 27 Review:
JUMP STRAIGHT IN:
00:00 – Intro
00:16 – Design & Key Stats
02:16 – How’s The Fit
03:47 – The Run Test
12:49 – Verdict
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Hello and welcome to the run testers my Name is Nick in this video we're going To be comparing the Asex Nova Blast 5 The Asex Gel Cumulus 27 so the Cumulus 27 and the Nose Blast 5 are both cushioned neutral shoes that Sit at a very similar price point in the AS6 range so we thought it would be Interesting to compare the two shoes in Case you're trying to pick between them Like I say they're very similar in price In the US they're the same price as £140 In the UK the Nova Blast is a little Cheaper it's £135 whereas the Gel Cumulus is £140 they actually have Exactly the same weight in my size of The UK no well the shoes I have here do Anyway when I weighed them there will be Slight differences from shoe to shoe They are both 274 g or 9.7 oz they both Have an 8 mm drop but the Nove is the Highest stack shoe it's 41.5 mm at the Heel and 33.5 at the forefoot whereas The gel cumulus is 37.5 at the heel and 29.5 at the forefoot so with the gel Cumulus you've got an engineered mesh Upper and then a midsole that's mostly Made from asexis FF blast plus foam There's also a pure gel insert under the Heel to add a little bit more softness And cushioning there and then you have a Fluid ride outsole which is a rubberized EVA as opposed to the rubber outsole you Have on the no blast indeed most running
Shoes with no blast you have a jackard Mesh upper and then the midsole is made From FF Blast Max Plus asex has a lot of Quite similar sounding foams in its Range they all start with Blast and Max And Plus and all that kind of stuff in There but they do feel quite different On the run which we'll come on to then You've got an A-har low rubber outsole On the [Music] Shoe when it comes to fit I ran in a UK 8 1/2 US 9 and 1/2 which my regular size In asex shoes the Cumulus 27 has a Comfortable disappearing fit with good Lock down across the midfoot that's Helped by the flat wrapping tongues i Like the fact they've got a couple of Pads on them to soften any potential Lace impact there's good uh room Lengthwise in the toe box i think There's enough clearance across the top There's enough wiggle room for the Nova Blast i found the fit secure but roomy With lots of wiggle room in the toe box There's good hold across the midfoot I've got a largely secure heel hold from The padding here it's nicely padded at The back i personally like the room that You get from this shoe is it opens up The potential to use it as a longer hall Mileage shoe so on the marathon test it Coped really well no black to turn to All of that kind of stuff good for
Comfort on that but for both shoes I Would recommend going true to size okay So the fit for me in these two shoes the Nova Blast 5 absolutely fine um in my UK Size eight very comfortable lots of Space around the forefoot nice relaxed Fit around the um around the sides of The forefoot and plenty of space before The big toe uh lots of padding as well So it's very nice comfortable shoe Definitely had no issues with the Novas 5 i'd stay to my size in that shoe the Cumulus 27 um very similar fit to be Honest there's a lot of space around it It's very comfortable it's very roomy Shoe what I would say is there's a Little bit more space for me before the Big toe um more than I would normally Have in a shoe but probably about right For most people most people work on that Um thumbs width um space before the big Toe uh which is pretty spot on um but if You're like me and you like to have a Little bit less space in in the fore Foot then you might want to size down Half a size but I think for the most Part you probably want to stay to your Size in this shoe when it comes to fit I've got both these shoes in the same Size which is a UK 9 that's a US 10 with AS6 that's a size I use across the ASX Range and have done for many years and It's the right size in both of these Shoes they both fit true to size and
Have a very comfortable fit all around They're nicely padded at the heel the Tongue doesn't have too much padding on But it is still comfortable so doesn't Get too hot or you know sweaty Underneath it because it isn't so Plushly padded as on some shoes and the Toe boxes are nice and roomy i'd say the ASEX is the roomier shoe in terms of Width as someone with a narrow foot my Foot almost feels a little bit lost in There at times but overall definitely Say sticking to your normal size is the Way to Go so these are two shoes that in a lot Of ways are quite similar in the way That they look and the way they're Designed um but then they ride very Differently the Novalast 5 is a very Good um accessible versatileish Um daily training shoe that ticks a lot Of boxes it's got lovely bit of midsole In it that's nice and comfortable it's Not too soft but it is quite nice for Longer runs and easy runs um it's also There's a bit more there's a bit of Energy in this midsole foam so it makes It a bit more versatile for general Runners or people that really skew more Towards the easier runs um and overall It's just a really good solid shoe that Is is very accessible to a lot of people Um so yeah big been a big fan of the Nova Nova Blast 5 um and then especially
Uh it's sort of shoe that if you're a New runner and you're looking for a a Good solid all round shoe Novlast 5 Would be a good option uh the cumulus 27 So the ride in this is slightly Different than the Nova Blast the Midsole foam uh for me it's it's Absolutely fine i've used this I used it For a 30k run uh when I first first got It out of the box um and it it works Pretty well uh the problem with the Cumulus when you compare it with the Noblast 5 for me is that it doesn't Really do anything exceptional in any Way the no blast 5 I would say is a very Comfortable shoe very nice level of Cushioning in it kun 27 doesn't feel Like that it feels like a shoe that um Is probably for me best suited for those Shorter distance runs easy runs things Like that um but when I got up to that 30k what I did find is that midsole just Really felt like I wasn't getting as Much cushioning as I wanted out of a Shoe um got when I got to that 20k I Could really feel this forefoot just my My foot felt like it was pounding a bit Too much on the ground um so I don't I Don't think there's enough midsole foam Uh especially in the forefoot of this Shoe uh or or the the design of the Midsole doesn't really work for me um Especially in that forefoot so uh it is It is fine it ticks a lot of boxes for
Um general running but I don't think it Does anything really really well it Hasn't got the stack height um that you Would associate with max stack shoes Things like the um the Nimbus uh which I'm not a massive fan of that shoe Either but I can the benefit of it is You've got that big stack height so you Can really feel the um uh impact being Deadened uh and you get a nice Comfortable landing on it whereas this Doesn't have as much foam in it so um I'm not really getting loads of comfort From it especially on those longer runs It's not a particularly versatile shoe Um definitely not as versatile as a Nova Blast uh 5 um so really it's it's all Right um but it doesn't really do a lot Of things particularly well uh whereas The Nova Blast 5 does do some things Really well like comfort and um those Easy runs and a bit of versatility as Well it's not amazing at versatility but It's pretty good for most people cumous 27 i would not call it a versatile suit Shoe um so it's okay if you if if you Wanted a general shoe but I don't really Know what the target market is for this Shoe maybe somebody wants something a Little with a bit more ground feel and a Little bit less uh midsole um in it but I don't think there's a I don't think There's a particularly nice heel totoe Transition in the shoe and I don't think
It's particularly comfortable shoe Either i think for like 10 to 15k Absolutely fine not a problem but I Think the Nobel Blast 5 is much better At those um as well as that the outsole On the Noas 5 is very good it's got a Nice layer of rubber on it quite thick Uh and I've had not not had any issues Running in this at all the outsole on The Cumulus 27 is more of a midsole it's Like this dual layer midsole um this EVA That goes across the bottom um no signs Of wear or tear on it now but it Definitely doesn't feel as grippy as as Rubber um and I would be slightly Concerned with the durability of this Based on how it feels it feels quite a Lot more delicate than rubber um so yeah Uh the outsole on the nose 5 is better For me onto the run test then I've done Between 50 and 60k in both of these Shoes using them mostly for relaxed Daily training runs but I have upped the Pace in both these shoes on occasions They're both pretty solid daily trainers But they have quite a different feel on The run and overall I'd say I definitely Lean towards the Nova Blast myself in Terms of how it feels the key Differences between the shoes are the Midsole foams you have here the Different stackites you have on the Shoes and then the outsole designs that You have on the shoes which does change
The feel of the run quite a lot the Novlast is the higher and softer shoe I'd say the midsole gives a little bit More back as well as in terms of energy Return the foam you have in it is a Little bit softer than the one on the Gel cumulus but also a little bit Bouncier i'd say it's also a more Cushioned shoe especially under the Forefoot where I would say the gel Cumulus gives a little bit flat at times You get slightly bouncier feeling from The Novlast there but also just a higher Feeling that will create a bit more Comfort when it comes to long runs in Particular overall just say the ride's a Bit more enjoyable on the Novlast Because of the way it's set up i also Find that as a heel striker it Transitions a little bit more smoothly From heel to toe than the Gel Cumulus in General that midsole is just a little Bit more fun at easy paces also gives You a little bit more versatility at Faster ones so with the Cumulus you've Got that lower profile feel more of a Traditional feel really and I think the Midsole is a little bit dull and Lifeless at times like it does protect The legs well i'm not saying the Novlast Is the most energetic or lively shoe in The world but it does have a little bit More bounce to it whereas the Gel Cumulus feels like it's more set up to
Absorb the impact of your run and really Give you a lot of bounce back so snaps Through a little bit more i'd say you've Got maybe a slightly less rocker design On the shoe but one area where I do Think it is a little bit better than No Blast is the outsole so this rubberized EVA might not be quite as durable as the Rubber on the Nobel Blast although I see No signs of wear and tear yet but it Does create quite a nice smooth feeling And a quieter ride than the one on the Nova Blast do quite like rubberized EVA's midsoles at times because they do Create a fairly soft feeling shoe i do Think even if you do trade off a bit of Durability sometimes but I do think That's the one area where I do prefer The gel cumulus to the Nova Blast 5 with That outsole feel and how it contacts The road i think it is interesting that You got the same weight here for the Quite different stack height and the Fact that Noveast is as light as a shoe Whilst also having more comfort and Cushioning especially under the forefoot And a bouncier feel I think makes it the More versatile shoe even though the gel Cumus is quite a lightweight shoe for a Cushion shoe I never really found it was That versatile i didn't enjoy it that Much at faster paces no blasting has the Edge there definitely all these Differences kind of borne out when I ran
In both shoes at the same time you do Feel a bit higher in no blast you do Feel like you're getting a bit more lift Back off the foam and it's also a bit Softer and more cushioned at the heel so Really all round on any kind of run I Think I'd lean towards using the Nova Blast myself now in testing I have run More miles in the Asex Nova Blast 5 Including a full solo marathon test i've Not gone as far in one stint in the Asex Joel Cumulus 27 but my testing has also Included a 90-minute run in this shoe Now I've tested both shoes across the Same range of paces covering slow and Easy long runs i've done some slow short Runs i've done up to faster paces Progression runs all of that kind of Thing some fast miles as well as usual I've run mainly on the road but with Some light off-road as well now if we Break these two shoes down the Cumulus 27 for me is like a happy reliable Comfortable shoe that I think can cope With quite a range of paces it's almost Like a competent jack of all trades from Easy up to what I would call endurance Pace but I don't think it necessarily Sort of excels at any one job and it's Definitely got a more traditional ride Than we're seeing now from that kind of Sway of new style daily trainers the Lower midsole offers up a lot more Ground feel than you'll get with the
Nova Blast 5 if you're a fan of that Lower connected sort of feeling under Foot then the cumulus sticks close to That and it does it really well actually It does that nicely though I think some Runners might find that it lacks the Cushion that they would ideally want for The longest runs so they're a distinctly More direct firmer shoe than Nova Blast 5 you're giving up some of the bouncier Edge that you'll get from the Nova Blast Now to get the most out of the Cumulus You need to be picking your feet fast I Think because of that while the Nova Blast 5 I think offers up some kind of Sort of energy it does some of the work For you it's one of those shoes that Feels like it's giving you a bit more Back whereas this one I think you have To put in more energy now despite the Larger stack of Nova Blast 5 it is the Lighter shoe i think it offers a nice Smooth ride that feels light it responds Well on toe off it feels springy but Controlled when you're feeling good Running with good form and pushing the Pace the Nova Blast 5 feels energetic And it's giving a bit back but it's also Cushioned enough to accommodate moving At slower pace as well there's a Softness here that really works for that When it comes to that balance of cushion And energy I think the Flight Foam Blast Max foam raises the bar over the Flight
Foam Blast Plus Eco that you'll get in The Cumulus 27 though I would say that Sometimes on heavier legs when I was Sort of feeling slowest and you know not As energetic i still found the Nova Blast felt a little bit soggy for Example towards the end of that marathon Sort of run that I did or on slow runs Where I felt tiredness that softness Sometimes makes it feel like you're Working a little more against the shoe And then I've had runs where I'm sort of Full of energy running in good form Really working off the fore foot with an Overblast has felt really smooth and Energetic on durability from the mileage That I've done so far I think both shoes Are showing little signs of wear and Tear uh so I'm pretty confident these Are going to fulfill that job as big Mileage [Music] Shoes verdict this is a pretty simple One for me because the shoes are so Similar in many ways in terms of price And weight and that kind of thing but I Just think the Noveast has a better ride To it i think it feels more cushioned And fun at easy paces but then gives you A little bit more bounce and energy back If you are going to run at faster ones So that's the shoe I'd pick out of these Two for sure if you are a fan of more Traditional shoes that have a ride feel
That's a bit more direct and close to The ground you are getting that a bit More with the cumulus it is still a Pretty cushion shoe and it is Comfortable enough for easy runs and That kind of thing i just think the Nova Blast gives you a bit more back and it's A bit more fun to run and pick up so say Whatever level of runner you are and What you're really looking for whether It is a daily trainer that you can use For a mix of runs or just a cushion shoe For easy ones the No Blast 5 is the one That I'd pick from these two my verdicts On these two shoes they're both shoes That you're going to buy as sort of Daily workhorse shoes um they both talk About comfort and things like that um And they both look quite similar in a Lot of ways as you'd expect i think it Really just comes down to um the Versatility and the comfort i think the Nobel Blast 5 is more comfortable it's Got a nicer midsole it's got a bit more Energy return in it um and it's a bit More versatile it's got it's got Basically everything is slightly better In the Nova Blast 5 the Cumulus 27 is is Fine it it it does what it says on the Tin but it doesn't really deliver Anything particularly exciting so if you Wanted a bit of engine turn you don't Really get it in the 27 if you wanted Loads of cushioning you don't really get
It um especially in the forefoot so it's It's fine um but I think the Nobel Blast 5 is just a far superior shoe and if it Came down to anybody saying "What should I get as my daily training shoe?" Whether that's a beginner or somebody Who's looking for just a daily Comfortable daily cushion shoe as part Of their rotation I'd go for the Novlast 5 every single time because it's a far Better value shoe and I think it works For a lot more people verdict then and For me unless you prefer a lower to the Ground more connected ride I actually Think the Nova Blast 5 is probably the Better option i think it's the option That a lot of runners are going to Prefer it's cheaper i think it offers More versatility i can do a really wide Range of runs in it i think some runners May well even find that they can train For and race a marathon in this shoe Depending on how they're attacking the Race however if you do like a more Traditional ride that's cushioned lower To the ground with more ground feel bit More compact on the foot rather than That bigger stack the Cumulus 27 is the One to go to out of these two shoes i Also think the Nova Blast 5 though is The generally more exciting shoe to run In the Cumulus 27 is competent but Overall I think the Nova Blast offers [Music]
More that's a comparison of the ASX Nova Blast 5 and the ASX Gel Cumulus 27 let Us know what you think in the comments Below please like and subscribe ring the Little bell we'll see you next time
