Notes
I done did it. I bought a "maximal" running shoe (think Hokas). I did stay in the Asics family since I have corporate separation anxiety. I got sucked in by the marketing as they claim the shoe is stiffer for more energy return (no carbon plate though) with a more curved forefoot for improved efficiency (by "propelling" you forward). They are now my most expensive shoes ever at $150 too, so hoping they last >500mi.
My quick opinions: The added foam height didn't seem very weird or different. It did feel like a stiff ride, but really no different than whenever I wear new shoes (especially in the cold). Walking in them, the curved forefoot felt crazy like I would fall forward. But running, they actually felt pretty normal. So I'm not sure if that means I already have good forward propulsion... or I'm so set in my ways that I'm currently incapable of changing my foot movement.
The run was short and simple. First sub-freezing run of the fall so I had to bring out the pants and hat. A good amount of other runners out though.
Unless my feet feel weird tomorrow, I'll keep on testing these new shoes out. If they don't turn out to be everlasting-energy-long-run shoes, that's alright, I'm fine if they just become good recovery run shoes (1 last note, they still weigh the same as my 2000's).