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Brooks Pureflow 6 Review

This Spring there have been a lot of updated shoes I’ve wanted to try. Since I took a big portion off, I have a lot of catching up to do! I haven’t necessarily found a shoe I’m “married” too, but I have found most of the shoes I’ve tried are good updates. I work at a local running store, but I’m not paid by any company. All thoughts are my own.

One shoe I’ve wanted to try for a long time has been the Brooks Pureflow. Unfortunately, I have a wide foot, and it never felt comfortable. I also don’t train every day in flat, minimalist shoes. For me, it’s more of a speedwork shoe.

The Pureflow was one of the last shoes I tried before taking a running break. I was using it as a speedwork shoe. During my running break, I rotated it into a casual shoe, and it was just as comfortable. The shoe has almost reached the end of its life, and I’ve probably logged equally speedwork and walking miles.

Fit:

As mentioned, the Brooks Pureflow has run narrow. The updated version has become wider and accommodating. Like many Brooks shoes, the upper is now seamless, so even if you have a bunion or wider forefront, your foot will probably still fit into the shoe. I usually wear a size 10 in running shoes, and size 10 fits well.

Feel:

The Brooks Pureflow is part of the Brooks “Pure” series which includes the stable Pure Cadence as well as trail Puregrit. The focus of the Pure line is low profile and minimal design. For some runners, this is their everyday trainer. For others, like myself, it’s more of a speedwork shoe.

To me, it feels like a typical speed work shoe. It has a little more cushion than the Saucony Type A and a little less than the Brooks Ghost. In my opinion, it would be an ideal half marathon to marathon racing shoe for someone looking for a little less shoe but not a racing flat.

Pros:

Less than most trainers ($100)
Wider than previous models and can accommodate more foot types

Cons:

Less shoe means less durability.

In my rotation, the shoe is replacing the Launch 4. I didn’t hate the Launch and would buy it again, but I wanted to try something different.

My Current Running Shoe Rotation:
Saucony Freedom ISO (long runs, daily runs)
Brooks Glycerin 15 (daily runs)
Hoka Bondi 5 (recovery runs)
Saucony Type A (races)
Asics Nimbus 19 (cross training)

Questions for you:
Do you prefer more cushion or less?
What is your current favorite pair of running shoes?

Asics Nimbus 19 Shoe Review

Recently I decided to try the Asics Nimbus 19. I’m no stranger to the Nimbus and have run in the Asics Nimbus 17 as well as the lower cushion Asics Cumulus 18 too. I’ve even run in the Asics FuzeX as well as the max-cushioned Asics Quantum. Come to think of it, I’ve run in most Asics neutral shoes.

Recently, the Nimbus has been extremely inconsistent. Both the sizing and feel of the shoe is completely different from one model to the next. Neither “feel” is bad, but it’s hard because if you like a soft feel and the next version is firm, it’s not a shoe you will love.

The Nimbus 19 is a shoe you need to try on before purchasing. A few years ago the Nimbus ran big with plenty of room. However, this year it’s tight.

Sizing is not a concern, and it’s just a matter of finding what works for you. You also have to keep in mind there have been 19 models of the Nimbus, so Asics must be doing something right.

Fit:

Oh, where to start with the fit. To start off, it fits tight and narrow. I normally wear a women’s size 10 in running shoes, and in the Asics Nimbus 19, I wear a size 11 wide. Sizing is not a big deal, but it’s a shoe you need to try on. Don’t expect to be in the same size “you’ve always worn”.

Compared to the previous versions, the upper of the shoe is screen printed and the weave is tighter. It doesn’t use the “traditional” mesh of other Asics shoes and is seamless. Once I found the appropriate size, it’s a comfortable shoe. The seamless upper allows no rubbing at the top, and for me personally nothing rubs.

Feel:

The new Nimbus 19 now combines both gel and the latest Asics cushioning system: Flytefoam (similar to the FuzeX).

Why does this matter? Flytefoam makes the shoe significantly lighter and makes the Nimbus a lot firmer. It no longer feels like a giant soft sponge under your foot. With the addition of the Flytefoam, it is a drastic difference. The cushion is still there but it’s a different type and feels softer and lighter.

In summary, I like the shoe. I’ll run through this version and use them on easy days or recovery days. I will also say they are a great workout shoe and I tend to do most of my cross training in them too. This is a shoe that will probably migrate towards my easy running days and cross training shoe because of all of the cushion.

Pros:

Lots of cushion
Lighter than previous years
More durable than many running shoes

Cons:

Expensive ($160)
Inconsistent sizing and feel of shoe

My Current Running Shoe Rotation:
Brooks Glycerin 14 (easy runs, long runs)
Hoka Bondi 5 (easy runs, long runs)
Saucony Freedom (daily runs)
Saucony Type A (workouts)

Questions for you:

Which shoes are you currently running in?

Do you prefer light weight or heavy shoes?

Brooks Glycerin 14 Shoe Review

The Brooks Glycerin 14 is the most cushioned neutral shoe that Brooks currently offers. I’ve reviewed both the Brooks Ghost 9 as well as the Brooks Launch 3 and Brooks Launch 4.

As most people have noticed, lately I’ve been doing most of my training in Brooks. I’m not paid or an ambassador. Recently, I have found the fit of Brooks to match my foot well.

A while ago, I ran a minimal amount in the Brooks Glycerin 12, and I liked them. For no reason, I just haven’t run in them since. I’ve wanted to try the Glycerin again but for whatever reason, haven’t.

The Brooks Glycerin 14 is similar to the 13. The majority of the update came with the fit of the upper, and it fits wider than the previous model.  

Fit:

The upper is seamless which means it’s able to fit wider feet as well as it doesn’t press against bunions. A lot of running shoes are going towards seamless uppers. Being seamless, allows for an overall more comfortable fit.

A smooth mesh allows for a “socklike” fit with plenty of breathing room. Compared to the Glycerin 13 upper, the mesh feels more durable too.

Speaking of the mesh, something unique about the Glycerin is the mesh is much thinner. I have found it to dry much quicker than many other shoes. Considering most of March was pouring rain in New Jersey this was extremely helpful.

Typically I wear a size 10 or 10 wide in running shoes and have found the 10 wide to be the best fit.

Ride:

The Glycerin has a lot more cushion than the Ghost. You can feel the cushion under your feet, and it feels like a sponge. Brookes uses cushioning technology similar to memory foam. The Brooks Glycerin is definitely the softest traditional shoes I’ve run in for a while. You feel the extra cushion without the extra weight.

Thoughts:

The Glycerin has been a shoe I’ve wanted to try for a while, and I was pleased to finally give it a shot. I like the shoe a lot, and I’ll probably keep it in my rotation for a while. I don’t have any complaints and the Brooks Glycerin 15 comes out soon so I’ll add that into my rotation too.

Pros:

High Cushion and Soft
Seamless Upper
Updating soon so will be on sale

Cons:

Price ($150)
More narrow than many other Brooks Shoes

My Current Running Shoe Rotation:
Brooks Glycerin
Brooks Launch 4 (short runs, workouts)
Saucony Freedom (daily runs)
Hoka Bondi 5 (daily runs, recovery runs)
Saucony Type A (speed work)

Questions for you:
What are your favorite shoes right now?
Do you prefer more or less cushion when it comes to running shoes?

Hoka Bondi 5 Shoe Review

Lately, I’ve felt a little more “beat up” during training and wanted a shoe with more cushion. Not injured, just wanting more cushion during easy and longer runs! The Hoka Bondi 5 has the most cushion of any running shoe currently on the market. I’m not a stranger to the Hoka brand and after coming back from my ankle fracture last year, I ran in several pairs of the Hoka Clifton 3.

Drop: 4mm
Weight: 10 oz

A common question I’ve been asked is: “am I more susceptible to falling while running in Hokas”?  

I can personally tell you as someone who falls a lot (and has broken my arm doing so), I’ve never fallen because of a Hoka shoe.  Once you’re running, you don’t feel the difference too much.

While there is a lot of cushion in any Hoka shoe, it’s important to remember your feet actually sink into the cushion and it’s not as overwhelming as it appears.

The shoes are designed so your foot actually sinks down in the cushioning quite a bit. It’s like a giant marshmallow! Once you put any model on you realize you aren’t as high up as anticipated.

Fit:
While I never ran in the Hoka Bondi 4, the fit of the Hoka Bondi 5 is relatively similar. Right now in the running industry, Hoka is one of the few brands that fits true to size. I typically wear a size 10 and a size 10 was perfect. Many brands this year are running either short or narrow. The Bondi has a nice wide seamless toe box which makes it a perfect candidate for anyone who has bunions or a slightly wider foot. In general, the fit is one of my favorites from any brand.

Ride:
As a brand, Hoka has a distinct and unique feel. Then again, how could it not, you are higher off of the ground?

The Bondi has the most amount of cushion in a running shoe. You feel that. It doesn’t feel large, or clunky, but it does feel like a lot underneath your feet. If you have never held a Hoka before, they are extremely light weight.

Compared to the Hoka Clifton 3, the Bondi 5 has more cushion. The cushion is also denser so your foot doesn’t sink as much into the bottom. It’s a great recovery or long run shoe.

A great aspect of the shoe is you can run as far as needed. Personally, I’ve run 10+ miles and felt great but this was also designed with the ultra marathoner in mind. Would this be my personal choice for a racing shoe? No, but it’s a great option for daily runs, long runs and any run you want more cushion.

Pros:

Max cushioning
True to size fit
Most amount of cushion in any running and only $150

Cons:

Takes a few runs to get used too

My current shoe rotation:
Saucony Freedom ISO (long runs, daily runs)
Hoka Bondi 5 (long runs, daily runs)
Brooks Launch 4 (short runs, speed work)
Saucony Type A (speed work)

Questions for you:
Do you prefer a shoe with more cushion?
What is your current favorite shoe?

Brooks Launch 4 Shoe Review

The Brooks Launch 4 has quickly become a staple in my running rotation. A month ago, my second pair of Launch 3 were getting beat up, so I needed a new pair of shoes. I enjoyed the Launch a lot, so I decided to introduce the Launch 4 into my rotation.

Brooks is not paying me to review their shoes and I purchased the shoe myself. All thoughts are my own!

Fit:
The fit of the Launch 4 has a few significant updates including fewer seams and it’s wider! I barely wore a women’s size 10 in the Launch 3, and now a size 10 in the Launch 4 feels great.

Feel:
The Launch 4 includes an entire extra strip of rubber at the bottom. There are now 5 rows of rubber versus 4. This means it’s more responsive to different forms of running.

The extra strip of rubber helps forefront cushioning as well as a smoother roll from the toe off. What does this mean?

It feels like a smoother, less clunky shoe from the 3 (not that it ever felt clunky).

Weight: 9 ounces
Drop: 10 mm

Pros:

Cheaper: The Launch 3 was 110, and the Launch 4 is 100
More forefront cushion and deeper treads

Cons:

I have yet to find any

Current Shoe Rotation:
Saucony Freedom ISO (Long Runs, daily runs)
Brooks Ghost 9 (Long runs, daily runs)
Brooks Launch 4 (daily runs, tempos)
Saucony Type A (workouts)

Question for you:
What shoe are you currently running in?
What is your all time favorite shoe?

adidas Supernova Shoe Review

The adidas Supernova is a brand new shoe from adidas. It replaced the Adidas Glide. I never ran in the Glide, but I have run in the Energy Boost which I liked. Boost is the material that adidas chooses to construct their shoes out of. It’s a much more “bouncy” shoe, and it reminds me a lot of Newtons (which for anyone who read my blog in 2010-2012, I almost exclusively ran in).

Fit:
Like with the energy boost and almost all of the adidas line, adidas fit narrow. The shoe is seamless so if you have wider feet (like myself), then it will stretch to fix your foot. However, it does run narrow. In most models of shoes, I wear a 10 wide. In the adidas Supernova, I wear a 10. The 10.5 was too long, and the shoe does not exist in wide. It fit pretty well, but if there were a wide, I would have gone that route.

A huge plus is that the shoe is seamless. You don’t have to worry about the shoe rubbing bunions, or if you have a high instep, it won’t rub there either.

Ride:
The boost material in adidas shoes makes them much more bouncy and responsive. The heel is well cushioned where the forefront of the shoe has less boost and is more responsive. With every step, I felt propelled off the ground as the boost material responded.

The Supernova Glide is a great option for those who want a lightweight but want to stay in the adidas line. Especially for someone currently training in the Energy Boost and wanting a lighter shoe to race or do speed work in.

Another bonus about adidas is they use Continental tire rubber at the bottom of their shoes. There is more traction than several other brands. It was my shoe of choice when running outside in any conditions with possible ice.

Similar Shoes:

Brooks Launch, Asics Nimbus, ON Cloud Surfer, Saucony Ride

My Current Rotation:
Brooks Ghost 9 (easy runs, long runs)
Saucony Ride 9 (easy runs, long runs)
adidas Supernova
Saucony Type A (speed work)

I like the adidas Supernova a lot, I just wish it came in wide!

Questions for you:
Have you run in adidas before?
What is your favorite running shoe?

Brooks Ghost 9 Shoe Review

I haven’t had a shoe that impresses me during my first run like the Brooks Ghost 9 in a while. I am shocked of how much I like the shoe.

The Brooks Ghost is one of the staple running shoes in the industry. At our store, it’s one of the most popular neutral shoes. Brooks is also a great company to work with too. For no real reason, I haven’t run in a lot of their shoes. I’ve tried on almost every model, but the only model of Brooks I’ve put significant mileage in, is the Brooks Launch 3 (for speed workouts).

The Brooks Ghost 9 came out in June. Recently, I fell in love with the new Galaxy color and decided it was the perfect time to give Brooks another shot. I was due to rotate another high mileage trainer, so that worked out well.

brooks ghost 9 shoe review galaxy — Even the shoelaces are decorated

The Brooks Ghost 9 has enough cushion for high mileage but is also light enough for speed workouts and races. It’s a little more cushion and softer than the Launch.

As mentioned, I haven’t run much in any previous model of Brooks Ghosts. I had a pair of Brooks Ghosts 7 as well as 8s that I worked in but I never took them to the road.

Fit:

The update from the 8 to the 9 is significant. They have widened the toebox. I wore a size 10 in the Ghost 7s, 10 wide in the 8s and I’m back to a regular 10 in the 9s. Wider feet or those with bunions can appreciate the upper is now seamless, so there is no rubbing or bleeding (something that happened to me personally a lot with the Asics Nimbus).

The wider toebox is something I’m personally thankful for. Your feet need to spread out while running. If there isn’t enough room, you are much more susceptible to foot issues.

In summary, the fit of the Brooks Ghost is one of my favorite of any shoe I’ve run in recently. It has a wide, seamless upper which allows my foot comfort.

Ride:

The Brooks Ghost 9 is one of the softer shoes on the market. As a company, Brooks uses a material called “BioMoGo DNA” which essentially molds to your foot like memory foam.

The cushioning from the 8 to the 9 hasn’t changed much. If you like a soft and well-cushioned shoe, this could be a great option. I was always a fan of working in the shoe and it feels just as great when running.

I’ve put just over 100 miles in the Ghost now including a few longer runs of 10+ miles. I haven’t run into any issues.

Similar Shoes:
Asics Cumulus
Saucony Ride 9, Saucony Zealot ISO 2

My Current Shoe Rotation:
Brooks Ghost 9 (Easy runs, long runs…replaced the Saucony Zealot ISO 2)
Saucony Triumph ISO 2 (easy runs, long runs)
Nike LunarGlide 8 (Shorter runs)
Saucony Type A (speedwork)

Questions for you:
What is your favorite “long run shoe”?

Fit:

Feel:

Pros:

Cons:

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