It’s a big year for Sydney’s running community, as Sydney finally joins the Abbott World Marathon Majors.
In honour of the momentous occasion, leading activewear brand and sponsor of the TCS Sydney Marathon ASICS is dropping a new limited edition and special occasion version of its premier running sneaker, the Novablast 5.
The new shoe is inspired by Sydney, and pulls its colour palette from the iconic harbour and skyline.
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The shoes take inspiration from the clouds that sit on top of the Harbour Bridge, as well as the deep blue of the waters below.
They also feature a Harbour Bridge print on the insole and Sydney Marathon branding on the lateral heel — a perfect memento if you’re taking on the marathon distance for the first time.
Retailing at $250 for both men and women’s varieties, the shoes have limited stock and have a limit of one pair per customer.
The Novablast is one of ASICS’ most popular shoes in an esteemed lineup.
Described as a “lightweight, bouncy trainer, it is ideal for uptempo paces, light intervals and short distances on race day”.
The trainer’s max cushioning promises to help create softer landings and a more energised toe-off during your training.
While a tongue wing construction in the upper claims to help to “improve the fit while reducing tongue movement”.
As a dedicated fan of the existing Novablasts, I can safely say they are one of my favourite shoes to run in.
I love how lightweight and bouncy they are, while still being cushioned enough to stop you from pulling up too sore after a big session the next day.
For more information and to shop the new Novablast 5s before they sell out, head here now.
Seven of the best running shoes for 2025
1. Best racing shoe: ASICS Metaspeed Edge Tokyo, $380, ASICS and
2. Best racing shoe: ASICS Metaspeed Sky Tokyo, $380, ASICS
Not a cheap duo of shoes to start off with — but an absolute success story in terms of recent sneaker launches.
The ASICS Metaspeed Edge Tokyo ($380) and ASICS Metaspeed Sky Tokyo ($380) come off the back of the highly successful Paris models, which have featured on a number of world marathon major podiums.
Billed as “race day shoes”, both of these trainers are carbon-plated, fast and ultra-responsive.
According to ASICS, where they differ (and who they are for) depends on what kind of runner you are.
While the Sky is billed as a shoe that will suit runners who land either on their forefoot or midfoot, the Edge is supposed to be a more stable shoe for heel strikers.
“The Metaspeed Edge Tokyo shoe is our pinnacle racing product, designed for cadence-style runners who are looking to start fast and finish faster,” product description on the ASICS website of the Edge shoes reads.
“The Metsapeed Edge Sky shoe is our pinnacle racing product, designed for stride-style runners who are looking to start fast and finish faster,” similar description of the Sky reads.
Both trainers have an updated midsole, made from a combination of FF Blast Turbo and newly designed FF leap foam technology.
Having given my pair of the Sky shoes a test-drive, I can personally confirm that the shoes are almost impossibly lightweight and bouncy — and the Skys in particular really push me up to running on my forefoot (a must when you want to go fast).
Weighing just 170 grams, either of these two super shoes are the perfect trainer to pick for setting your next PB — whether at 5km, 10km, half marathon or marathon level.
3. Best shoe for short races: Nike Vaporfly 4, $360, Nike
It’s always been hard to go past Nike and their iconic Vaporfly for short-distance races like five or 10 kilometres.
And the new Vaporfly 4 is no exception.
Billed as a “lean, mean, mile-eating machine”, the new 4s are even lighter than the Vaporfly 3s, thanks to weight being trimmed from the midsole, outsole and upper.
Weighing just 152 grams and engineered specifically for road racing, what runners including myself love about these shoes is their ability to both propel you forwards when you’re racing and the fact that they never weigh you down.
Specially-engineered mesh means no stone has been left unturned in terms of weight saving capacity.
Nike has also lowered the heel-to-toe offset to 6mm (down from 8mm), in order to help to promote a more natural running gait.
While relatively new to the Nike lineup, these shoes have already received glowing reviews from both professional athletes and regular runners alike.
“The best iteration of the Vaporfly yet!” writes one shopper on the Nike website.
Another adds: “Just did my first workout in these, and they were a dream. It was like running on a cloud. They have the bounce of the Alphafly 3 with the slender weightlessness of the Vaporfly 2”.
4. Best shoe the pros love: Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 Shoes, $360, Adidas
When it comes to the shoe that has popped up the most on the podium in world athletics over the past few years, it has to be the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro shoes.
Product description on the Adidas website reads: “Proven to be the world’s most winning shoe, the Adizero Adios Pro line is the pinnacle of Adizero Racing shoes.
“The Adios Pro 4 is made for fast runners who want to experience faster, with enhanced features designed to optimize running efficiency.”
Another carbon-plated race day shoe, this particular model comes in at 172 grams and promises a “snappy efficient stride”.
Those who swear by the Adizero love the bouncy fast feel of the shoes, as well as the stylish look of the distinctive Adidas stripe.
5. Nike Vomero Plus, $260, Nike
When it comes to stack, the Nike Vomero reigns supreme.
And the upcoming Vomero Plus launch ($260; Nike) is no exception.
Product description reads: “Take maximum cushioning to the next level with the Vomero Plus.
“It provides an ultra-comfortable ride for everyday runs thanks to a mountainous stack of full-length ZoomX foam, the most responsive foam in the industry.”
The shoes are made from a “soft, breathable yarn for a comfortable fit”.
They also come in a variety of colours, whether you prefer something neutral or a pop of pink.
1,500 metre silver Olympic medallist Jess Hull is an early fan of the shoe, claiming it “gives new runners the ability to run anywhere at any time without concern for firm surfaces or high impact on the body”.
This one is sure to sell out as soon as it launches.
6. Best shoe for long easy runs: ON Cloudmonster 2, $280, ON Running
I’ve been running in this shoe on my longer runs for the past month, and I can’t stop myself from reaching it — no matter what kind of terrain I’m tackling.
Supremely bouncy, cushioned and lightweight, the ON Cloudmonster 2 works as well over hills and long distance as it does shorter, snappier runs and tempo efforts.
Weighing a heavier 300 grams, this shoe is perfect for your easy and recovery runs, or for when you want to clock up some mileage without hurting your feet or pulling up sore the next day.
With the brand’s “biggest Cloudtec ever”, it’s a majorly cushioned bouncy ride from start to finish.
I also love the superfoam midsole, which makes for softer landings and better impact absorption.
This has been my first pair of ON Running shoes, but it has certainly made me intrigued to try more from the brand.
7. Best everyday trainer: lululemon Beyond Feel Running Shoe, $249, lululemon
It’s the Canadian athleisure brand that has absolutely smashed it since entering the sneaker space.
The lululemon Beyond Feel Running Shoe ($249; lululemon) is everything and more you’d want from a daily trainer.
It’s reliable, stylish, comfortable and gives you the required “pop” you might want to push a little bit harder, even when you can’t be bothered.
I’ve been running in this shoe for at least six months now and can firmly say it’s a fantastic option for those looking to invest in something for their easy, everyday miles.
While it’s not the lightest at 270 grams, it more than makes up for this in terms of stability.
Your feet and legs will feel fantastic after pounding the pavement in it, and it offers you plenty of support around the ankle and shins — where many runners can start to feel wear and tear.
