Pureboost 5

This is my initial impression after 16 km. I see the Pureboost 5 as an entry-level premium daily trainer. It has a lower stack than premium trainers but uses the same Light Boost foam as its big brother, the Ultraboost 5 and 5X. It weighs 260 g. I love this foam. Step-in comfort is 10 out of 10, so you can wear it casually too. On the run it is balanced, neither too soft nor too firm, with about 50/50 rebound and good energy return. It does not tire you out. I tested it from tempo pace down to 8:30/km, and I still felt the bounce at slow paces. That matters to me, because slow runners should feel the fun too. Below 5:30/km it will take you through a half marathon easily. At slower paces the foam can feel flat in the last two or three kilometres of a long run, after about 18 km. Every shoe in this category has that problem. The upper is amazing. It is thin, I had no breathability issues, and heel lockdown is spot on. The midfoot is snug without being too tight, and the forefoot is wide and stable. That suits beginners and heel strikers. It is a stable neutral shoe, and heavy runners can use it too. I expect 600 to 800 km from it, surely 800 km. Traction and outsole durability are a bit lower and not at the level of Adidas's premium models, but they are good for the price. Up to 50–60 km a week it can be your only shoe. Beyond that, rotate. The retail price is ₹12,000, which is not worth it. I saw it on sale on Flipkart for around ₹5,500. Under ₹6,000, it is definitely worth it.