Brooks PureCadence 2 Men’s Shoes (Blue)
Backstory: How I ‘Met’ the Brooks PureCadence 2
The Brooks PureCadence 2 were not originally on my radar screen when I was choosing the shoes that would carry me through my first marathon. I had been running in Newton Gravity‘s or the past several months and three half-marathons and had every intention of buying another pair of Newtons when I walked into the shoe.
As I was trying on this year’s model of the Gravity and comparing it to the lighter weight Distance, I noticed that their was a sale on Brooks Pure Project line. I am also a big Brooks fan, having worn three pairs of their shoes before buying Newtons, including a pair of the first generation PureFlows. And since—at nearly $200 (with tax)—Newton Gravity’s don’t come cheap (even with their extra mileage), I asked if I could try a pair of the Pure’s on.
I started with the Flows, as I own a pair of the first generation, but found then to be a little too soft for my liking. The PureCadence 2’s were up next. When I put these on in the store and went for a short test run, I knew I had found my marathon shoe. They just felt ‘right.’ While there was a part of me that felt like I was cheating on Newton, the sale price of the Brooks was just to hard to resist.
My Impressions
I wouldn’t really call these shoes minimalist. Other than the lower drop, and rounded heel, they still offer a lot of cushioning and a bit of support (especially compared to my Sketcher GOruns’s, making them a perfect show for my first full marathon.
The fit snug around the midsole (thanks, in part of the ‘Nav Band’,) but to toe box is roomy enough to allow my toes to spread and flex a bit (although there are some reviewers who find it a bit narrow
One of the things I like best about these shoes, and why I chose them over the Flow and Connects is their firm cushioning. One of the only issues I have with my PureFlows is that I feel the cushioning is too soft, particularly for longer distance runs. I’m not sure if is this the pronation control features or what, but the Cadence just felt a lot firmer that it’s siblings.
To be honest, I’m not sure how much of the special technical features, such as the “Toe Flex’ split toe and instep Nav Band make, although the inverted ‘IDEAL Heel’ does help promote a mid-foot strike (not a big deal for me as I’ve been a mid/fore-foot striker for a while now).
My Verdict
While I’m hoping to eventually find my way into a more minimalist shoe for my long runs, the is a perfect shoe for me at this time as I prepare for my first full marathon. I would highly recommend it for runners who would like to run in a lower drop shoe or transition to a more mid-foot strike. In this regard it is the best of both worlds – you get a lower drop and shoe the promoted a ‘natural foot strike’ while maintaining the support and cushioning of more traditional running shoes.
Shoe Specs
(via Running Warehouse)
- Weight: 9.1 oz (size 9)
- Stack Height: Heel (22mm), Forefoot (19mm)
- Available Widths: D=Medium
- How It Fits (based on width D)
- Sizing: Standard running shoe length
- Heel: Medium
- Mid-foot: Medium to low volume
- Forefoot: Medium
- Toe-Box Height: Low to medium
- Arch Structure: Low
- Shoe Shape: Semi-Curved
Other Reviews
Some other perspectives on the Brooks PureCadence 2 :
- Sneaker Report: REVIEW: Why the Brooks PureCadence 2 is a Runner’s Essential This Spring
- Running Shoe Guru: Brooks Pure Cadence 2 review
