By StripeFit Editorial TeamFirst published Updated
Cross-brand daily-trainer decision
Quick Answer
Choose Nike Pegasus 42 when you want the current standard Pegasus, a 10 mm drop, full-length Air Zoom, ReactX foam, and Nike’s documented roomier forefoot versus Pegasus 41. Choose ASICS Novablast 5 when you specifically want the prior Novablast platform with FF BLAST MAX foam, an 8 mm drop, high neutral cushioning, and the price is lower enough to justify buying behind the current Novablast 6.
ASICS describes Novablast 5 as a bouncy trainer, while Nike describes Pegasus 42 as a responsive everyday road shoe. Those are manufacturer positions, not a StripeFit wear comparison or a promise about how either shoe will feel to a particular runner.
Affiliate disclosure: StripeFit may earn a commission from qualifying purchases through retailer links on this page. That does not change the price you pay. Confirm the exact model, size, width, color, seller, condition, delivery date, and return policy before ordering.
Manufacturer evidence
Sources And Limits
- The official ASICS Novablast 5 page lists FF BLAST MAX cushioning, an engineered jacquard mesh upper, tongue-wing construction, high cushion, neutral support, an 8 mm drop, and 255 g / 9 oz listed weight.
- The current ASICS Novablast 6 page establishes that Novablast 6 is the current numbered model in the U.S. catalog. Novablast 5 should therefore be evaluated as prior-model stock, not the default current release.
- The current Nike Pegasus 42 page lists a curved full-length Air Zoom unit, ReactX foam, a 10 mm drop, approximately 300 g for a men’s US 10, and more toe and forefoot room than Pegasus 41.
- ASICS and Nike do not publish these weights as a controlled head-to-head test. Reference sizing, production, and color can differ, so the numbers should not be used to predict an exact on-foot difference.
- Manufacturer specifications cannot establish personal fit, cushioning preference, outsole life, or whether a marketplace seller will deliver new and correctly labeled stock.
Novablast 5 Vs Pegasus 42 Specifications
| Decision point | ASICS Novablast 5 | Nike Pegasus 42 |
|---|---|---|
| Model age | Prior model; Novablast 6 is current | Current standard Pegasus in Nike’s U.S. catalog |
| Manufacturer category | High-cushion neutral trainer | Responsive everyday road-running shoe |
| Primary midsole system | FF BLAST MAX foam and Novablast geometry | ReactX foam and curved full-length Air Zoom |
| Listed drop | 8 mm | 10 mm |
| Listed weight | 255 g / 9 oz on cited ASICS page | Approx. 300 g for men’s US 10 |
| Upper detail | Engineered jacquard mesh and tongue-wing construction | Lightweight mesh; more toe and forefoot room than Pegasus 41 |
| Support label | Neutral | Standard Pegasus daily-trainer lane; verify support needs separately |
| Main buying risk | Paying too close to Novablast 6 pricing for old stock | Assuming the updated fit matches a prior Pegasus size |
Choose ASICS Novablast 5 When
- You specifically want the 8 mm, high-cushion neutral Novablast 5 platform.
- You already know the Novablast 5 fit or can use a clear indoor return window.
- The exact size and width carry a meaningful discount versus Novablast 6 and Pegasus 42.
- The seller, condition, production code, and model identity are explicit.
Choose Nike Pegasus 42 When
- You want a current standard model rather than a prior-model discount search.
- A 10 mm drop and full-length Air Zoom are the construction you intend to try.
- The documented extra forefoot and toe room versus Pegasus 41 addresses a fit variable you can verify indoors.
- Nike’s current stock and return path are worth more than a smaller Novablast 5 discount.
Current Product Checkpoints
ASICS Novablast 5
This retailer link identifies Novablast 5. Confirm the model number, gendered or unisex sizing, selected width, seller, condition, and returns, then compare its final price with Novablast 6.
Nike Pegasus 42
This retailer link identifies Pegasus 42. Confirm that the title, box, and tongue label identify Pegasus 42 and that the selected size, width, seller, condition, and return window match the order.
Fit And Use-Case Variables
Drop and geometry: An 8 mm versus 10 mm listing describes geometry, not comfort or compatibility. Compare how each shoe bends, how the heel is held, and whether the platform feels predictable during an indoor try-on.
Upper and toe room: ASICS lists a jacquard mesh upper and tongue wing on Novablast 5. Nike says Pegasus 42 adds room at the toes and forefoot compared with Pegasus 41. Neither statement tells you which upper matches your foot volume.
Daily-training role: Both are neutral road-training choices. If the main requirement is structured support, trail grip, waterproofing, a plated race shoe, or maximum cushioning, choose the category first instead of forcing this comparison.
Rotation overlap: Owning one does not make the other a necessary second shoe. Define the missing job before adding another neutral daily trainer. A second pair is useful only when fit, use, or replacement timing creates a distinct reason.
Return risk: Keep the box and packaging and follow the retailer’s indoor try-on rules. Marketplace listings can group multiple colors, widths, and model years under a family title.
Model-Age Price Check
Compare Novablast 5 against Novablast 6 in the exact size and width required. A prior model can be rational when the fit is known and the discount is meaningful. It is a weaker purchase when the price is close to Novablast 6, the return period is shorter, or the seller and condition are harder to verify.
Compare Pegasus 42 at Nike and at the retailer using the same criteria. Do not treat a different color or a mixed men’s/women’s size label as a like-for-like price match.
When To Skip This Comparison
- You want current Novablast 6 rather than prior Novablast 5 stock.
- You need a support-shoe category rather than neutral cushioning.
- The listing does not clearly identify model, size system, width, seller, condition, and returns.
- You are choosing from brand language alone without an indoor fit check.
- You are trying to solve pain through a shoe purchase rather than making a normal fit and use-case decision.
Related StripeFit Guides
Use ASICS Superblast 3 vs Novablast 6 for a current ASICS comparison. Compare Pegasus 42 vs Pegasus 41 for the same-brand model change. Newer runners can use the beginner running-shoe guide to choose a category before a brand.
FAQ
Is Novablast 5 or Pegasus 42 the current model?
Pegasus 42 is the current standard Pegasus in Nike's U.S. catalog. ASICS currently lists Novablast 6, so Novablast 5 is a prior-model option.
Which shoe has the lower listed drop?
ASICS lists Novablast 5 at 8 mm and Nike lists Pegasus 42 at 10 mm. Drop is a geometry specification, not proof that one shoe will fit or feel better.
Can the published weights be compared directly?
Only with the source labels attached. ASICS lists 255 g / 9 oz on the cited Novablast 5 page, while Nike lists approximately 300 g for a men's US 10. They are not a controlled StripeFit measurement.
When is Novablast 5 a reasonable prior-model buy?
When the fit is known or returnable, the exact model and size are clear, seller and condition are defensible, and the final price is meaningfully below Novablast 6 and Pegasus 42.
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