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Brooks PureProject Pure Connect – First Look

After months of anticipation, Brooks finally released their PureProject line of shoes on October 1.

As a member of the Brooks I.D. program, my pre-ordered pair arrived a couple of days early. But due to my running schedule, I wasn’t able to take them for a test run until today.

One six mile run isn’t nearly enough to post a real review, but since the shoes are brand-spankin’ new and getting a fair amount of press (among running nerds, anyway), I wanted to get my initial thoughts posted right away.  To be super brief: I liked, but didn’t love the shoes today.

Here are some initial bullet point thoughts:

Pro:

• They’re pretty rad looking. I’m a huge fan of the green and grey color scheme
• The mesh uppper is light and breathable
• I wore socks today but I’m pretty sure that I could comfortably run sockless in them
• The 4mm heel-toe offset feels good and natural
• Roomy shape with a wide toebox

Con:

• At 7.2 ounces, they’re about the same weight as some of my other favorite shoes like the K-Swiss K-Ruuz, New Balance MT100 and Brooks Green Silence, but for some reason they feel heavier than any of those
• In addition to feeling heavier than my other shoes, it’s “more shoe” than I’m used to running in – I think that’s because it has a bulkier sole and more structure than those other more racing-focused shoes
• It’s very stiff
• The insole has more arch structure and support than I would prefer
• There’s a hard, stiff structured piece that surrounds the toes and another that cups the back of the heel; I’m not sure what the purpose of these are and again would just prefer less structure
• I knew this shoe would fit between a racing flat and a trainer, but I was hoping it would fall closer to the flat than the trainer.  But today at least it didn’t feel like a “fast” shoe which will relegate it to training instead of racing for me

One other thought: Despite the fact that it’s light and has a low heel-toe offset, I wouldn’t consider it a “minimalist shoe” by the usual definitions.  If you look at Runblogger’s 8 key characteristics, the PureConnect meets 1, 2 (though I’d like an even lighter shoe), 3 and 5. It sort of meets 6 and 7. That’s all pretty good on paper, but it’s too structured and stiff and you really don’t get any feel of the ground in these shoes.

Despite some initial misgivings, I like the shoes and I’ll keep putting miles on them. I’ll update here as I do.

Brooks came out with four models in the PureConnect line, including the “PureGrit” trail shoe. If you’re a trail runner, definitely check out L.A. Runner’s first impression of the PureGrit trail shoe.