A few weeks ago I wanted to get some new running shoes. I’m pretty picky when it comes to shoes, especially running shoes. A few years back I started looking into minimalist and barefoot running. The first shoes I bought were my NB MT100’s. Those shoes hooked me into minimalist footwear. I loved them. I still do. I bought another pair. But, they are not the best for urban running. I went to a local running store and tried on several pairs. I knew I had a winner on my feet when I tried on my Brooks PureFlow Mens
Here is what I love about them. They are almost neutral. (meaning the height difference from the forefoot to the heel is almost the same) There is only a 4mm difference. It is perfect for people with a neutral gate (meaning my feet land flat on the ground when I run) and who strike midfoot (rather than heel or toe first). There is a lot of stability with the shoe because the base is wide. The shoe only weighs 8.8 ounces. It is super light and you barely notice you have it on your feet. It seems durable too. I wear during a variety of activities including working out and football practice and they have held up very well.
There are some other neat things about the shoe that make it better, but don’t necessarily make or break it. The arch support. There is a little band that wraps around the shoe that supports your arch. It is nice. I could live without, but as an extra bonus it’s cool. The PureFlow has a biodegradable midsole. So, there you go hippies, I’m doing my part.
This shoe is great but not perfect. It’s a little loose on my narrow feet. I’m not the only one to notice this. It’s acceptable because it is meant to be a running shoe and not a cross-trainer. I don’t notice it as much when running in a straight line, but if I have to cut it really slips around. The eyelets are in weird places for me. I might just have oddly shaped feet, but the eyelets don’t line up the way I wished they would. It is a minor annoyance, but an annoyance nonetheless.
All in all, I would give this shoe an -A. When you factor in all the great things about it and the nice price tag, it is a solid shoe purchase with very little downsides. I suggest you get some if you need a quality pair of running shoes.