Brooks Pure Connect Wear Tested Review: Sorry, Brooks, it's not me, it's you

The Brooks Pure Connect was one of those shoes that I had anticipated for months. As a former Brooks devotee (before I "found" natural running and minimal shoes) I was really hoping for a smash hit with the Pure Project and eagerly bought a pair of the most minimal shoe in the lineup as soon as they were available. I bought the shoes the day they went on the market, and posted my initial analysis shortly thereafter. You can find that detailed review HERE. As you will find described in my "policies and terminology" description, I review products in two stages. First, I give you the initial review and analysis designed to give the reader an idea of what the product feels and looks like in-hand. I make it clear that in these posts I will provide technical information, describe the materials and construction, weight, stiffness and flexibility, give you high-res, annotated photos, and generally try and put you right there as a reader. Then, I follow up after a bit, after I have had some time in the product to reveal more fully the merits or issues I may have. This is my first formal follow-up, wear tested report, and I am sorry to say that for me, the Brooks Pure Connect just didn't work out. At first I thought maybe it was my form or some fault of my own, but no, Brooks. It's not me, its you.

At the time I first reviewed the shoe, I liked the fit and finish, the looks, the competitive price, the low-drop (4mm from heel to toe, nearly a flat shoe), and the undercut heel. I felt like the shoe allowed for a midfoot, natural landing. I felt like it was plenty light and felt good against the foot when you wore it sockless. I had a lot of nice things to say.

However, I also had a few negatives that surprised me. First, after all of this talk about Brooks going with a new, natural "last" (the foot form on which they design the shoe), I found it pretty narrow throughout.  I have narrow feet, so it didn't bother me at first. Or, I THOUGHT it didn't bother me. My exact words were: "Most reviewers, I think, will fault the shape and width of the toebox as too narrow.  They may be right.  I have very narrow feet, though, and I feel like the soft material and rounded shape do allow my foot to flex and move well.  Those with wide feet, though, will likely feel a little cramped up there." After getting some miles in them, I knew these shoes were seriously cramping my feet, as they were sliding forward in the shoe into that narrow, bullet shaped toebox and crushing my small toes. It hurt. Also, the narrow, soft, rounded sole left me feeling unstable while turning as I ran, and I felt like I could easily roll an ankle.

Second, the arch "curve" was too much. That arch curve, which you can see in the insole photo, is extreme. Not just for minimal shoes, but for all shoes. Walking around in the shoe, I didn't mind the arch curve, as it felt snug and soft. When running, though...it felt obtrusive, abrasive, and it hurt like hell.

Third, the "nav band" promoted throughout the Pure Project line was very uncomfortable. In addition to being too snug across the top of my foot, the area where it was sewn to the upper rubbed my foot raw in two places. Very uncomfortable. Why Brooks included this I have no idea. It is secondary to the laces. In other Brooks Pure shoes I found the nav band to be totally loose, defeating its purpose. Strange.

Overall, I found the shoe to be very similar to the Saucony Kinvara in some ways (lower drop, soft upper, plenty of cushion, notable arch support), but after running in them, I would say that the Pure Connect did not ultimately "kill" the Kinvara for me, as I originally thought. That said, I no longer find myself wanting the kind of cushioning found in either the Brooks Pure Connect OR the Saucony Kinvara, and I would rather spend my miles in a shoe like the Altra Instinct or Merrell Road Glove.

I was ultimately disappointed in the Pure Connect, and the entire Pure Project line. They are very cushioned, and they have some gimmicky elements I just don't like. The fit is off for me, they are constricting.  They feel unstable underfoot. The arch support was obtrusive. I no longer even have these shoes, as I have moved them on to someone else to give them a try, even though I bought them retail. I simply couldn't justify keeping them when I knew I would not use them at all. For someone with very narrow, rigid feet who is used to regular, heavily cushioned shoes they may work, but in the long run, I have my doubts.

I paid full retail price for these shoes.  In full disclosure, I was a member of the non-exclusive Brooks Fanatics club at the time and am a former member of Brooks ID.  While I admire them as a company, given their eco-conscious ethic, I have recently resigned from Brooks Fanatics as I no longer use or recommend their shoes.