ASICS Dynablast 6 Review: A Novablast 4 in Disguise

If you were a big fan of the ASICS Novablast 4, or if you've been disappointed by the direction the Novablast line took with versions 5 and 6, there's a shoe on the market right now that might scratch that itch: the ASICS Dynablast 6.

Why the Dynablast 6 Feels So Familiar

Back in 2025, Strava data named the Novablast the most popular running shoe on its platform, and that reputation was built specifically on the Novablast 4. It was a brilliant daily trainer. Then version 5 arrived and swapped the FlyteFoam Blast Plus Eco midsole for FlyteFoam Blast Max, and a lot of runners were unhappy with the result. Durability took a hit, and for a shoe costing £140, nobody wants it to feel dead and bottomed-out after only a couple of hundred miles. Version 6 continued in that same direction, even if ASICS made some genuine improvements to the foam along the way.

The good news for anyone still chasing that Novablast 4 feeling is that the Dynablast 6 is, in essence, that shoe. It uses the original FlyteFoam Blast Plus Eco compound running the full length of the shoe, which is exactly what made the Novablast 4 so well liked in the first place. That's really the whole reason this shoe is worth reviewing on its own.

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Specs

• Price: £115

• Midsole: FlyteFoam Blast Plus Eco (full-length)

• Upper: Engineered/flat knit

• Outsole: AHAR Low

• Weight: 290g (UK size 9.5)

• Stack height: Just over 40mm

• Drop: 8mm

• Fit: True to size

Ride and Build

The knit upper is comfortable in the way you'd expect from ASICS, with a gusseted tongue and the brand's usual lacing setup. There's a small trampoline-style pod under the forefoot, similar to what appears on several other ASICS models, though unlike some of those shoes there's no core or plate built into it. It's there to help the ride, but the effect is subtle enough that it isn't something you'll consciously notice while running.

Durability is a strong point, which is a welcome change given the criticism aimed at the Novablast 4 and 5 on that front. The one weak spot is grip. In wetter, slippier conditions typical of autumn and winter in the UK, traction isn't great, a trait that will feel familiar to anyone who ran in the Novablast 4, which had the same issue.

Fit-wise, it runs true to size and suits a fairly neutral foot shape well. Despite weighing in at 290g, it wears noticeably lighter on foot than that number suggests.

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Performance on the Road

Most of the runs in the Dynablast 6 were easy efforts: four to six milers, with no fixed pace goal, sometimes tired and sometimes fresh, occasionally picking up the pace within a run. Across all of that, the shoe handled everything asked of it. It's a genuine daily trainer, capable of easy miles but also comfortable picking up the pace, and versatile enough to be taken slightly longer without complaint. It would suit park run efforts and general marathon-block training equally well, and could even be considered for race day.

Value

At £115 retail, it already undercuts the £140 you'd pay for the current Novablast, and there's scope to bring that price down further with a discount through a running club membership, which makes the value proposition even stronger. Effectively, you're getting a Novablast 4 at a meaningfully better price than the current-generation Novablast costs.

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Verdict

The technology inside the Dynablast 6 isn't cutting-edge. There are lighter, more modern options out there, such as the Puma Velocity Nitro 5 with its PEBA-based foam, or shoes built around more premium plate technology, that will feel more exciting underfoot. But there's still a place in 2026 for a traditional, dependable daily trainer, and the Dynablast 6 fills that role convincingly. It's a great option for anyone doing park runs, general training, or working up toward a half marathon, and a fitting replacement for runners who've worn out a pair of Novablast 4s or similar shoes and want that same reliable ride again. For a budget-conscious ASICS daily trainer, it's well worth a look.

You can get discounts on your next running shoe purchase at Sportsshoes.com by either becoming an affiliated club member with FORDY RUNS Running Club where you will get 15% off or you can join the club for free and get 10% off your next purchase by getting our latest discount code from our website

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