Brooks Pure Cadence 4

There are some perks to working in a Running shoe shop, occasionally you get a free pair of running shoes. The Brooks rep asked which shoes I would like to try from their range and I opted for the Pure Cadence 4.

New shoes.

I have used shoes from the Pure Project before. I loved the Cadence 1, so as soon as 2 came out I bought a pair. However,  I really didn't get on with these and ended up giving them away. The fit was completely different and I found them too narrow. However, version 3 came out and once again I found the fit much better, they felt closer to the original design. I liked the asymmetric lacing too. But, they didn't last me very long, I felt the upper went baggy very quickly and I suffered with very sore feet.

The timing was perfect for me when the rep popped into the shop as I was considering which shoes to buy. I've done about 200 miles in my current pair (not Brooks) and wanted a second pair to use along side as I am running a fair bit at the moment training for the London Ultra Duathlon on 20th September. This consists of a 20k run a 77k bike and finishes with a 10k run, all within Richmond Park. I'm considering wearing a different pair of shoes for each run.

So, back to the shoes. I was't sure which size to go for. I am usually a US 7.5.  However, these once again felt a bit narrow, or shallow in the toe box. I tried half a size bigger but they definitely felt too big. I do prefer a slightly closer fit, I like to feel that my foot is being held, where some people like their feet and toes to be able to swim around a bit more. So, I went for the US 7.5 remembering that possibly the upper could loosen off after a few runs.

Lots of flex grooves

The shoes from the Pure range have a 4mm drop from heel to forefoot, promoting a forefoot strike. So when you try them on first of all they feel a bit wobbly, or as if you are tipping backwards or as if there is a bit missing from the heel! They also feel very 'slipper' like when you first put them on. All this can be a bit disconcerting for some but I highly recommend you try running in them as this is where the shoe comes into its own. They feel very flexible. I like that.

4mm drop.

I couldn't wait to get out and try my new Pure Cadence 4s. It was raining hard, but I didn't let the risk of getting them filthy put me off! Straight away I started running fast! I had to remind myself to have a few minutes warming up ! But these shoes make you want to run fast. They are extremely cushioned and feel very bouncy. They make me want to pick my heels up higher towards my backside too! They are such a responsive shoe. And I felt all this straight from the off. So, I eased back for 10-15 mins and then put a 5 minute fast blast in and repeated this pattern for an hour. Brilliant result. I forgot I was wearing new shoes and had to remind myself to think about how they felt. Fast, that's how they felt!  However, the toe box was still feeling a little shallow.

I ran in them again today, half hour easy before a bike ride and half hour hard after a bike ride. Today they felt even better. I wore a thin running sock and I think this made a difference to the feel of the depth of the toe box and there was no restriction today.

Still not dirty

Plush red laces

From a girly point of view I must admit when they first arrived in the shop I didn't like the colour... Grey shoes? When the rest of our stock was so colourful it seemed a bit drab. (other colours are available) But, I have to admit they look the business when you put them on. I love the plush red laces, they feel all squishy and are very tactile!

Squishy tongue

The tongue is also very cushioned, this is a nice touch as often I find shoes dig in on the top of my feet. Not so with these.










So the verdict so far...I love my new Pure Cadence 4s. I am running the Severn Bridge half marathon this weekend as part of my London Du training so will be giving them a race day run out. I will definitely be wearing them on one of the runs at the London Ultra Du.
Thank you Brooks
#runhappy