Update: See our full reviews of shoes in the 2017 Brooks line
PureFlow 6 here
Launch 4 here
Brooks Running showed us multiple updates to stalwarts in the line and to the wild Neuro. As a general rule prices are staying the same or dropping $10 due to a combination of the use of less labor intensive 3D printing of overlays and world economic conditions lowering the cost of manufacturing. Good move Brooks to hold the line or pass on savings. There was one completely new shoe, the Caldera trail runner a sub 10 oz more conventional trail runner than the Mazama and Pure Grit.
Transcend 4
The cushy, light stability Transcend gets a 3d printed upper, a more dynamic Guide Rail stability element at the heel and a $10 price reduction to $160 for this premium trainer. I ran the Transcend 3 and liked it a lot, no hard medial posts and a very smooth cushioned ride (review here) despite its 10.9 oz weight which for the Transcend 4 is 0.1 oz lighter. $160. Available January 2017
 |
| 2017 Brooks Running Transcend |
 |
| 2017 Brooks Running Transcend |
 |
| 2017 Brooks Running Transcend |
 |
| 2017 Brooks Running Transcend |
 |
| 2017 Brooks Running Ravenna |
 |
| 2017 Brooks Running Ravenna |
 |
| Ravenna to Left 2017 Launch 4 the two shoes to Righ. |
The latest version of the popular Launch comes it a 9 oz. down from 9.8 oz. Now we're talking as we found the Launch 3 improved over 2, more lively but still heavy and not particularly lively for a lighter performance trainer. The new 3d printed upper plays a role in the weight reduction and also in making the shoe noticeably more flexible than the rather stiff 3.
The outsole now has 4 channeled blown rubber areas of outsole, up from 3 for sure also helping the flexibility and intending to give the shoe a springy feel, also a welcome improvement if it pans out in practice as I still found the front of the Launch 3 not as lively as some competitors. Of the Brooks announcements this is the shoe I most eagerly await to test. $100. Available January 2017.
 |
| 2017 Brooks Running Launch 4 |
Neuro 2
 |
| 2017 Brooks Running Neuro 2 |
 |
| 2017 Brooks Running Neuro 2 |
We liked the "action" of the Neuro 1 a lot (review here). It is a great climbing shoe favoring mid foot striking, faster paced running. It was surprisingly stable despite its looks but its stiff plasticy upper and lace eye stays and exaggerated pod sidewalls were a bit much to look at and didn't always help the performance of this great new concept. The changes should help a great deal. The Neuro 2 drops $10 to $120 and gains 0.7 oz to 10.1 oz putting it outside what we would consider a light performance trainer into daily trainer weights. |
| 2017 Brooks Running Neuro 2 |
 |
| 2017 Brooks Running Neuro 2 |
The Caldera trail runner ($140) was the only all new shoe we saw at Brooks. At 9.9 oz it fits between the superb new Mazama speed trail runner (review here) and the considerably heavier 12.1 oz Cascadia 12 At the same weight and drop as the Pure Grit 5, which continues into 2017, but with no rock shield and a sticky rubber outsole we think the major difference for us between the two will be increased heel area stability as it does not have the rounded heel construction of the Pure series and the heel collar appears higher. Our guess it will a choice for trail runners who are more on the heel striking side and for longer runs than the Pure Grit. Available December 2016
 |
| 2017 Brooks Running Caldera |
 |
| 2017 Brooks Running Caldera |
 |
| 2017 Brooks Running Caldera |
 |
| 2017 Brooks Running Caldera |
The long running beefy and popular Cascadia trail runner($130) gains $10 compared to version 11. There are significant changes to the mid sole pivot system that are not visible from the outside. Instead of two solid blocks, at mid foot and heel, the pivot system is now in an X shape within the shoe to now provide mid foot support as well as having a 5th pivot point at 1st metatarsal to improve flex and toe off. The outsole is changed with more aggressively angled larger lugs in the middle of the outsole and larger more widely spaced lugs around the perimeter of the outsole. The changes result in a 0.3 oz increase in weight to 12.1 oz. Available January 2017 The $150 GTX version remains on the design of the Cascadia 11.
Update: See our full reviews of shoes in the 2017 Brooks line
PureFlow 6 here
Launch 4 here
Click Here for RTR's other 2017 Run Shoe Previews: Brooks, Saucony, Salomon, Altra, adidas Outdoor, New Balance, Hoka and More!
PureFlow 6 here
Launch 4 here
Click Here for RTR's other 2017 Run Shoe Previews: Brooks, Saucony, Salomon, Altra, adidas Outdoor, New Balance, Hoka and More!
Click Here for RTR's Latest Running Shoe and Gear Reviews.
Over 40 in depth Road and Trail Shoes reviews so far in 2016!
Like & Follow Road Trail Run
Facebook:roadtrailrun.com
Twitter: @roadtrailrun
Instagram:roadtrailrun
2 comments:
So the Launch v4 is finally back down to the 9 ounce weight that the original V1 was? I do not comprehend what Brooks has done to that shoe, it was SOOOOOO good as the V1 with no design changes for 5+ years and then they add all kinds of tech and crap to it and beef it up to make a totally different shoe. I am hopeful that the V4 will get close to being as good of a shoe as the V1 was.
the v1 had super old tech (hydroflow) they were just trying to innovate, depending on what you loved about the v1 other shoes may offer that factor (pure flow, hyperion, nuero)
Post a Comment