How Brooks Plans to Reinvent the Stride Analysis Test

Another gimmick to sell shoes ? Likely. What do we always say … .  “what you see in someone’s gait and movement is their compensation, not their problem”. Looking at how someone moves does not necessarily tell you what is wrong with them, and it surely isn’t likely to tell them what shoe they should be in. If it were this simple, no one would ever return a pair of shoes because shoe fit would be simple, perfect, repeatable and predictable. Trust us, comparing to a baseline knee-bend is like using an Abacus to solve a math question when we have much better ways…….. it is called a physical exam, watching someone walk and run, screening movement patterns, and bringing it all together. But, this is why we don’t sell shoes for a living. We would only sell a pair an hour.  But, we would get it right almost every time.

 “Before they do any running, customers perform a knee-bend to mimic the angle the joint will make during a run (roughly 40 degrees). This is to establish a baseline movement before the additional stress of running is placed on the joint. Customers then run on a soft-surface treadmill in their socks. Rather than just considering pronation (i.e. rear foot eversion/rotation) tendencies, Run Signature takes both knee and ankle motions into account and, crucially, analyzes the degree to which a customer’s running motion deviates from their baseline knee-bend. Runners with little or no deviation are recommended neutral-style running shoes, while those with greater deviation are steered towards support models. “

Shoe Review: The Brooks Pure Project Line.
Ok, we have been meaning to get to this for months but are just getting around to it now. So for those of you who have been hounding us for the data, sorry, but thanks for keeping us on it.  Here are the sp…

Shoe Review: The Brooks Pure Project Line.

Ok, we have been meaning to get to this for months but are just getting around to it now. So for those of you who have been hounding us for the data, sorry, but thanks for keeping us on it.  Here are the specs for the EVA midsole thicknesses and ramp numbers. Remember, ramp angle can only be given if the length of the foot is known, so those numbers will not be given here.  What is good to know is that we have another shoe in the category of the Saucony Kinvara, the Brooks Pure Project line.  Below you will see the specs for all 4 in the line up.  All have a 4 mm forefoot to rearfoot rise, in other words……the heel is only 4 mm lifted compared to the plane the forefoot is resting on.  This still changes the biomechanics and neuromechanics that we were all given at birth that would really prefer the rear and forefoot to be on the same plane 1:1 ratio although a 4 mm rise is pretty darn close !  Our man beef with the Saucony Kinvara is that they did not use much black rubber outsole on the shoe other than the small thin layer glued to the traction lugs  throughout the mid and forefoot.  We have found that these shoes barely get 200 miles on them (give or take) and we and all our clients are already into the EVA midsole which wears down as fast as bubble gum might.  This is a serious design flaw in our opinion. We like this shoe and like it for many clients but we are having to explain that they will burn through them in under 350 miles most likely.  So, we are excited for the October Release of the Brooks Pure Project line……in the hopes that they have not made this same design choice.  Remember, if you are new to this line of shoes, the 4mm lift variety, wean down from your old 12-20mm rear-foot lift trainers and try these with your shorter runs until skill, endurance and strength are achieved in this new foot orientation.  It is gonna take some people some time to accomodate.  (remember, there is no substitute for a doctor’s exam and watchful eye to see if you can even entertain this shoe type with your foot type). (Do not be fooled into believing there is going to be much stability provided by these shoes.  They are all pretty neutral. If you have a  forefoot varus, you better look in another direction !)

Here is the data …….

Brooks Pure Connect

lightest and most flexible shoe in the line, the PureConnect puts as little as necessary between the runner and road. 7.2 oz men, 6.5 oz women – 14 mm heel:10 mm forefoot

Brooks Pure Flow

For runners who want to connect with the run without losing the comfort
of dynamic cushioning. 8.7 oz men, 7.5 oz women – 18 mm heel :14 mm forefoot

Brooks Pure Cadence

Runners who need more supportive features can still experience the feel
of a more natural stride. 9.5 oz men, 8.3 oz women – 18 mm heel:14 mm forefoot

Brooks Pure Grit

Trail runners will love the hug-your-foot upper, slim midsole, and pliable
yet protective outsole. 8.9 oz men, 7.6 oz women – 15 mm heel:11mm forefoot


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