Article by John Tribbia and Jeff Valliere
Brooks Divide 5 ($110)
Pros:
Fit, Versatility, Comfort :John T
Value, comfort, fit, cushioning, versatility, refined upper, traction: Jeff V
4mm more stack height of cushion with only a minor 0.2 oz increase in weight due to new foam
Cons:
All black colorway is hot in the summer sun: John
Hard to nitpick this shoe at the price, but a slight bump in price is the only drawback I can come up with.Jeff:
Introduction
John: The Brooks Divide 5 marks the latest iteration for the brand's road-to-trail crossover model. Building on the success of its predecessors, the Divide 5 boasts a refined design and upgraded cushioning.
Central to the shoe's appeal is the revamped DNA LOFT v2 midsole. This updated cushioning system provides a softer, more responsive feel compared to its predecessor, making it a comfortable choice for both road and trail running. The Divide 5 also maintains the series' signature road-shoe inspired fit, offering a wider toe box and accommodating midfoot for a comfortable and familiar experience.
With a focus on sustainability, Brooks has incorporated recycled materials into the outsole, demonstrating a commitment to eco-friendly practices.
Stats
Spec Weight: US men's 9: 10.2 oz / 289 g
Prior Version Weight: 10.4 oz / 295g (US9) / women's 9.3 oz / 264g (US8)
Sample Weight: US men’s size 10: 10.5 oz / 297 g US
Stack Height: men’s 24mm heel / 16mm forefoot (8mm drop spec)
Platform Width: 100mm heel / 84mm midfoot / 117mm forefoot
Available at Brooks HERE
First Impressions, Fit and Upper
John: Having tested Brooks models such as the Catamount and Caldera, the Divide 5 feels familiar in terms of comfort and fit. The upper is soft, breathable, and securely cradles the heel. The mesh material appears adequately ventilated for most conditions.
The Divide 5's upper leans towards a road-running construction, prioritizing comfort and flexibility over rugged trail protection. This design choice enhances its versatility for mixed terrain but might compromise durability on more super technical trails. The toe cap offers sufficient shielding for light trail obstacles.
I'm eager to explore the Divide 5's performance on various trail conditions and assess its long-term durability.
Jeff: Having reviewed every iteration of the Divide since version 1, I have always been impressed with the quality and performance for the price (starting at $100, but now raised to $110). They have consistently been an amazing entry level option, offering great comfort, cushioning, quality, fit and versatility for any runner, and not just the entry level runner.
The upper has been revamped and improved for version 5, with a softer, more refined feel, yet still with ample room in the forefoot for some wiggle room on longer runs, a secure heel and an even more secure midfoot. Fit is true to size and while I never had any issues with previous versions, the new upper just feels a bit more secure, refined and breathable.
The heel counter is well structured, secure and the collar is well padded.
The lacing is excellent, with the really nice woven laces you will find on other higher end Brooks models that really provide excellent once and done easy snugging.
The toe bumper is very thick and substantial, easily warding off any stubs you can give it.
Midsole & Platform
John: The Divide 5's midsole and platform create a comfortable, stable base well-suited for light trails and mixed terrain. Prioritizing cushioning and a smooth ride, the Divide 5 excels in comfort but falls short of delivering a highly responsive, aggressive trail experience. Its plush nature might be excessive for runners seeking a firmer, more responsive feel.
The DNA LOFT v2 midsole offers substantial cushioning, absorbing impact and providing a forgiving ride. This makes them a strong choice for longer runs. However, the emphasis on comfort comes at the cost of responsiveness, making them feel slightly sluggish compared to more performance-oriented trail shoes such as the Catamount.
The broad platform offers stability and a smooth heel-to-toe transition. Its firmer nature contributes to a secure feel, while the 8mm drop accommodates a range of running styles. A rock plate is included which provides adequate protection against trail obstacles.
Jeff V: John sums up the midsole well. The softer DNA LOFT v2 with an added 4mm of stack height of cushion is a noticeable improvement over the previous version, making for a softer, more plush ride that should please just about all users.
Some may notice a slight decrease in stability with the added stack and softer foam, but this is minor and only felt when pushing the shoe in technical terrain. Since that is not really what this shoe is made for though as it is not targeted towards the fast, technical racing crowd this will go unnoticed by most. That said, I find them to be very comfortable and well cushioned for long days. They are stable, predictable and roll along smoothly. As John mentioned they are definitely not a fast shoe and are best suited for more casual paces.
Outsole
John: The Divide 5's outsole, featuring TrailTack Green rubber is a standout. From the first step, I noticed a good balance of grip and flexibility. The lugs are of a moderate depth, providing solid traction on both dry and damp trails. While they aren't aggressive enough to conquer deep mud, the outsole is fine for most trail conditions.
One thing that surprised me was the outsole's performance on pavement. The grip is surprisingly good on roads and sidewalks, making the Divide 5 a versatile choice for those who mix road and trail running. The rubber compound feels sticky enough to provide confidence on various surfaces.
The outsole's flexibility contributes to a smooth and natural gait. There's no stiffness or resistance to the foot's movement. This flexibility also helps to absorb some of the impact on uneven terrain, working in tandem with the midsole cushioning.
Durability-wise, the outsole has shown good wear resistance so far. The lugs are holding up well, and there's no significant sign of wear and tear even after several runs on mixed terrain.
Jeff V: John sums up the outsole very well. The TrailTack Green rubber outsole provides excellent grip on a wide variety of terrain, is versatile and durable. The Divide 5 has essentially the same outsole as the 4, aside from some minor changes to the flex grooves with the lugs and rubber the same. The outsole of the 4 has proven to be very durable over time with minimal wear (I purchased some for my daughters and they have put many more miles on them than I and the lugs are still quite good), so I expect the same here.
Ride, Conclusions and Recommendations
John: The Brooks Divide 5 stands out as a versatile and comfortable trail companion, especially suitable for runners transitioning from road to trail during their runs. Equipped with a soft and cushioned ride thanks to the DNA LOFT v2 midsole, the shoe provides ample comfort on various terrains. Its road-shoe-inspired fit ensures a familiar feel, making it accessible to a broad spectrum of runners.
While the Divide 5 excels in cushioning and comfort, considering individual running style and trail preferences is crucial. Runners seeking a highly responsive and aggressive trail experience might find the shoe's plush nature to be excessive. However, for those prioritizing comfort, versatility, and a smoother ride, the Divide 5 presents itself as a compelling option.
Ultimately, the Divide 5's strengths reside in its comfortable and accessible characteristics. It offers a reliable performance for runners seeking to explore the outdoors without compromising comfort, making it a dependable choice for a wide range of running enthusiasts.
John’s Score: 8.7/10
Ride: 9 (great shoe for variety of paces on the smooth trails and road)
Fit: 9
Value: 9 (great price point for a solid all around shoe)
Style: 8
Traction: 8.5 (recent upgrade that performs well on a variety of surfaces)
Rock Protection: 8.5
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Jeff V: John sums up the Divide 5 well and I agree with his assessment. The DNA Loft v2 is a nice upgrade over the previous model, adding softer cushioning and 4 more mm of it making for a soft and pleasant ride, with ample protection, comfort and traction. Those seeking higher performance should look at the Catamount, or to the Cascadia if looking for more rugged trail performance, or the Caldera for all out maximal cushioning. That said the Divide 5 performs exceptionally well as an all around, versatile shoe for more casual running, training or hiking. Not to mention, at just $110, the shoe is a real bargain and the trail shoe that I buy for my daughters because it is such a value.
Jeff V’s Score: 9.3/10
Ride: 9
Fit: 9.5
Value: 10 (hard to beat the value here)
Style: 9
Traction: 9
Rock Protection: 9
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4 Comparisons
Index to all RTR reviews: HERE
Brooks Divide 4 (RTR Review)
Jeff V: Compared throughout. The 5 has a slightly refined upper that belies the $110 price point and now features the softer DNA Loft v2 foam that is also lighter and there is 4 more mm of it. The outsole is nearly the same.
Brooks Catamount 3 (RTR Review)
John: The Divide 5 leans towards comfort and versatility. It offers a plusher ride with the DNA LOFT v2 midsole, making it a great choice for runners transitioning from road to trail or those seeking a cushioned and forgiving experience. The Divide 5 is better suited for light to moderate trails. On the other hand, the Catamount is a more aggressive trail runner. It offers a firmer ride with better traction and protection for tackling tougher terrain. The Catamount is designed for runners who prioritize performance and want a shoe that can handle more technical trails.
Jeff V: Agreed with John on all points.
Brooks Caldera 7 (RTR Review)
Jeff V: The Caldera has more stack and weighs a little more, but overall feels more performance oriented than the Divide. The Caldera is a larger shoe and not particularly nimble, but they would be one of my top picks for an ultra run with the Divide is not quite a quick rolling or as good in technical terrain.
John: Overall, both the Divide 5 and Caldera are versatile shoes that can be comfortable for a variety of running conditions. However, the Divide 5 is specifically designed for both road and light trails, while the Caldera may be better suited for more technical trails or runners who need a wider fittingshoe.
Brooks Cascadia 18 (RTR Review)
Jeff V: The Cascadia is heavier and also not a fast shoe per se, but is much better suited for rugged, technical terrain with better foothold, better traction and better overall protection.
Tester Profiles
John Tribbia (5' 6", 130lbs) is a former sponsored mountain/trail runner who has run with La Sportiva, Brooks/Fleet Feet, Pearl Izumi, and Salomon. Even though he competes less frequently these days, you can still find John enjoying the daily grind of running on any surface, though his favorite terrain is 30-40% grade climbs. He has won races such as America's Uphill, Imogene Pass Run, and the US Skyrunner Vertical Kilometer Series; and he's held several FKTs on several iconic mountains in Boulder, Colorado and Salt Lake City, Utah. If you follow him on Strava, you'll notice he runs at varying paces between 5 minutes/mile to 12 minutes/mile before the break of dawn almost every day.
Jeff Valliere loves to run and explore the mountains of Colorado, the steeper and more technical the better. He has summited all of the 14ers in the state, many 13ers and other peaks in Colorado and beyond, plus, he has summited his local Green Mountain over 2,100 times in the past 20 years. He can be found on mountain trails daily, no matter the weather, season, conditions or whether there is daylight or not. On the side he loves to ski (all forms) bike and hike, often with his family, as he introduces his twin daughters to the outdoors. Jeff was born and raised in New Hampshire, but has called Colorado home for over 25 years. He is 5’9” and 145 lbs.
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1 comment:
How does the fit compare between Divide and Cascadia?
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