rabbit.reviews85Consensus score
How strongly 0 sources agree — expert labs and real owners, with community voices weighted heavier. Not one reviewer’s opinion; the pattern across all of them.
Buy it if
- Explicitly named 'best beginner shoe IMO' by a Reddit user who ran a 36-mile ultrarun in them
- Tom's Guide ranks it #2 overall and #1 for beginners in 2026
- Energetic, bouncy ride that makes early runs more enjoyable
Skip it if
- Bouncier ride may feel unstable for runners with balance issues
- Slightly higher price than entry-level options
- Less widely available for in-store fitting than Brooks
What owners love
- Explicitly named 'best beginner shoe IMO' by a Reddit user who ran a 36-mile ultrarun in them
- Tom's Guide ranks it #2 overall and #1 for beginners in 2026
- Energetic, bouncy ride that makes early runs more enjoyable
- Durable enough to grow with you as fitness improves
The recurring gripe
- Bouncier ride may feel unstable for runners with balance issues
- Slightly higher price than entry-level options
- Less widely available for in-store fitting than Brooks
The bottom line
The Novablast 5 punches above its beginner label — it's bouncy enough to stay fun on easy runs but protective enough to handle real mileage. This is the pick if you want a shoe you won't outgrow quickly.