First of all, I want to say that as soon as I received the package and lifted it, I thought they forgot to put the shoes inside. So light.
As a holder of the novablast 4, I will compare more to give an image to the followers of the novablast series. The exclusive use of the purchase was for running.
The 4s were my first running shoes, and I enjoyed them immensely. 1300 km, but after 800-900 they had "settled."
Since usually running shoe companies give about 600 km, durability is an issue; otherwise, I would wear them for walking as well.
It is the most VFM running shoe. (€142). It works for all types of running.
Ideally, I would buy the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 for intervals, the New Balance More for recovery runs, and the novablast for tempo runs.
With the novablast, you go on long runs effortlessly with so much foam it has. You maintain pace, and the intervals go quickly. It "launches" you forward. Just like the 4s.
I wore them and immediately did a long 18 km run, and in between, I picked up the pace for 5 km to test them out. That is, I moved at paces from 4'30" to 6'30" (in between these paces are always my training sessions); I have no opinion on other faster paces.
It was a mistake to put a new shoe directly into a long run because it caused pain in my knee and ankle, but I knew that could happen.
As for the bounce-back energy and fit, I would say it left me with the same feeling as the 4s.
The jacquard fabric they have put on the upper part of the novablast 5 is very soft, while on the 4 it was stiffer, which may have dual significance for durability on one hand (the jacquard looks soft but thin) and also a soft feel and breathability of the fabric. I believe it breathes better as a fabric. I hope it proves to be durable as well.
After an hour and more, my soles "lit up," but this also happened with the 4s when they were still very new.
Once they "break in," I will return to the topic of durability and anything else I notice. I hope I helped!!!
Update 19/2/25
The shoes have broken in; I did the first 100 km. Although from 30-40, I think they were fine.
Compared to the Novablast 4, I feel more foam in the midsole (where the foot strikes). Not something very significant. It is an upgrade of the previous model that remains in the same philosophy of the novablast series. I am seriously considering purchasing the previous nova4 at the current price (€110) to split the km to get through the year, even marginally.
As a new shoe and now broken in, in intervals, the pace/km dropped by 10-20 seconds, which is a lot of time. It is truly a shoe that you enjoy wearing and running in. The fit is very good, from how it locks in the heel to the air in front of the toes. It feels like they were designed for my foot.
Personally, I have locked in with Asics.
As long as the company produces such gems, I will be there.