Details
Brand
Brooks
Heel To Toe Drop
10 mm
Breathability
8/10
Latest Version
Yes
Terrain
Road
Type
Neutral
Key Features
• BioMoGo DNA technology is highly adaptable and provides added cushioning• The heel segmented crash promotes smoother transitions• The dual stability arch pods provide added stability and support encouraging better foot positioning• Moisture-wicking mesh uppers help maintain temperature and dryness• Removable sockliner provides added cushioning with a soft feel• Ability to add custom orthotics• 10 mm drop
Upper
The upper is made of mesh, providing moisture management and breathability that many Brooks wearers think is a strong feature for the shoe. The mesh helps regulates moisture to keep feet cool and dry. The microfiber overlays in the forefoot and midfoot add to the support the shoe already provides, while also aiding flexibility and preventing irritation. The soft inner liner also has similar moisture-wicking properties that keep feet comfortable. The inner liner is so soft that the runner could wear without socks. There are a standard lacing system and a tongue that help keep the foot in place appropriately. However, one reviewer noted that due to the rounded lacing system, the shoe has a tendency to come undone frequently. The removable sockliner that provides the extra layer of cushioning stays dry as well with the shoe’s moisture-wicking technology. Once the sockliner is removed, though, wearers can add their custom orthotics in the shoe.
Midsole
The Dyad 9 contains Brooks’ BioMoGo DNA, a high-quality material that provides midsole cushioning. This creates a thick midsole that provides ample support and cushioning, adapting to every step. The shoe also has a heel crash pad that supports a smooth heel to toe transition, which is beneficial for those who are heavy runners. These features along with the shoe’s omega flex grooves provide a supported, flexible and comfortable experience.
Outsole
The outsole helps to support the foot from underneath. The outsole of the Dyad 9 has a blown rubber outsole that improves cushioning and grip. The outsole’s thickness keeps feet protected from feeling hard surfaces that could make them uncomfortable or sore. The strong rubber outsole also helps to improve the durability of the shoe for heavy runners. The BioMoGo DNA technology also contributes to cushioning each step so that there is less impact.
Breathability
Breathability has never been an issue for Dyad 9 wearers. The shoe has strong moisture-wicking features including the mesh and sockliner. Brooks uses ventilated mesh on the upper to help with the shoe’s moisture wicking, ultimately increasing overall comfort and breathability. The shoe’s mesh also helps keep feet cool and dry, and helps prevent blisters and hot spots many runners often have to deal with. The shoe’s sockliner also keeps feet cool and comfortable throughout the day.
Comfort
Comfort ratings are high when it comes to the Dyad 9. There are many reviews that state just how comfortable this shoe is. The ultimate sock liner adds cushioning for a comfortable, soft, in-shoe feel keeping toes and heels feeling cozy. Designed to give the shoe a more comfortable fit, while also supporting the wearer’s arch, this shoe takes comfort to the next level. In addition to the sock liner, there is also a heel crash pad that provides a comfortable heel to toe transition and the moisture-wicking mesh help keep feet comfortable and dry. The only complaint in the comfort features stems from some wearers thinking the toe box is too narrow. These reviews tend to come from wearers of the previous versions of the Dyad, who have witnessed the shoe’s changing designs over the years. The shoe is still made for people with wider feet and will accommodate custom orthotics, so it is still wider than most shoes on the market.
Style
With colorful running shoes more prominent lately, the Dyad 9 is lacking a bit on the style side. Brooks Dyad 9 comes in only two color options for men and women. Women have the option of grey/teal/silver and fuschia/navy. Men have the option of asphalt/blue/black and grey/red/black. The shoe also has the Brooks logo on the side. While these color options are an improvement over previous versions, the limited colors and bland colors keep the style rating lower than other options on the market. However, if you are looking for a standard styled shoe with nothing too flashy, this shoe will fit!
Durability
The Dyad 9 has above average durability for average wearers. The rubber outsole ensures that the Dyad 9 is durable throughout the areas that often experience high wear, while also providing the added cushioning. There is vinyl material in the front of the shoe and extra material in the back that helps make the shoe a strong option. Overall the shoe shows good durability throughout wear, however, some limited reviews stated that the toe tears through the mesh and the tread wears quickly. Most of the reviewers seem to be those that are heavy runners. Wear is said to start diminishing around 300 miles.
Protection
There are many features that promote protection within the Dyad 9. With all the cushioning throughout the shoe, there is a high level of protection. The foam that cushions a walk or run provides an added level of protection on a tough surface with rocks. In addition, the full-length cushsole unit cushions and absorbs impact. The segmented crash pad aids in absorbing shock, and the comfortable sockliner is an added form of protection for the bottom of the foot.
Responsiveness
The Dyad 9 offers average responsiveness. The shoe has a heel segmented crash pad that absorbs shock ensuring a smoother transition. The dual stability pod construction helps keep the wearer’s foot in a more efficient position, which maximizes stability and responsiveness during impact.
Support
Support plays a key role in this shoe because it is made for people with no arch to mid-arch. With this in mind, Brooks has set the Dyad 9 as a supportive, neutral shoe with features that assist those with no arch and even those with custom orthotics. This shoe is made to support walkers and runners alike. The extensive cushioning and dual stability arch pods offer bilateral support. The shoe’s segmented crash pad provides support and cushioning for the heel as well, promoting better foot positioning. This also supports the foot during transition, a necessary feature for the wearer limited arches and orthotics.
Terrain
The Dyad 9 is designed primarily for walking or running on the road and/or track. While the shoe has added cushioning and a strong grip, this would not be a shoe to take on a rough trail. However, the cushioning on the outsole provides added protection from hard or rocky surfaces for a mild trail. The shoe, while not waterproof, does well in water as there is little slipping and still some moisture wicking features that prevent wetness.
Price
The price is a little high, coming in around $130 for a pair of Brooks Dyad 9. However, with the added support and cushioning, and the ability to add custom orthotics, this shoe is worth the price. And the durability has shown that the shoe will last. Many people wear them for several hundred miles. At $130, runners and walkers alike will get a solid buy.
Drop
The Dyad 9 has a 10mm drop. This is a typical drop for shoes that most beginner runners wear because of the added cushioning. The 10 mm drop supports the heel throughout the run with added cushion. As the drop gets lower, the cushioning becomes more evenly disbursed throughout the foot and not as much in the heel, which stronger runners tend to use.
Stability
With the Brooks Dyad 9, the added cushioning definitely provides a more stable feel. The dual stability arch pods have been added to provide even more stability throughout. The arch pods also are designed to help promote a more efficient foot position. This is an added bonus for those that are just starting out running or are flat-footed as the arch pods keep the foot in a more efficient position, and thus avoiding injuries. However, the Dyad 9 is a neutral shoe, so if stability is a key element in the purchasing decision, it would be best to explore the options in the Motion Control category of shoes.
Flexibility
Often times shoes with added support and cushioning do not provide a flexible feel for wearers. While this was an issue in previous versions of the shoe as it often felt like there was little flexibility, this latest version has been tweaked so that the Omega Flex grooves, streamlined silhouette and synthetic overlays provide more flexibility. In addition, there is an adjustable saddle construction that helps Brooks improve the fit on this shoe. Overall, there seems to be more forefoot flexibility than previous versions.
Traction
While the shoe is not made for trail running, it still boasts a strong grip that does well on many road surfaces. The HPR Plus rubber protects areas of the outsole that often exhibit high wear. This leads to a durable traction on any surface and a longer time for the tread to wear, which overall means more miles on these shoes. The Omega flex grooves and strong tread pattern also contribute to the grip the shoe provides to wearers that may be in situations where they are slipping.
Bottom Line
The Brooks Dyad 9 is a neutral shoe with the extra support needed to get going, offering the comfort and stability that beginner runners often need. It is recommended by Brooks for those who have wider feet, are flat-footed, or wear custom orthotics. This shoe is made for runners and walkers alike who need added cushioning while running or simply being on their feet all day. Those that are strong Brooks Dyad lovers should be cautioned when purchasing that design changes have caused many to say that the shoe is narrower, in particular in the toe box. It may be best to stay with the Dyad 8 until this issue is addressed if you are an avid Dyad wearer. Besides this complaint, the added support provided by the BioMoGo DNA technology, the dual stability arch pods, and the removable sockliner make the Dyad 9 a strong shoe.
