Details
Brand
Brooks
Heel To Toe Drop
6mm
Breathability
9/10
Latest Version
Yes
Terrain
Trail
Type
Traction
Key Features
• The outsole features semi-sticky grippy multi-directional lugs that will help grip the trail safely• Responsive BioMoGo DNA midsole delivers just the right amount of cushioning• Forefoot propulsion plate encourages a powerful toe-off• Progressive diagonal roll bar for natural motion throughout your gait pattern• Segmented crash pad for a fast heel to toe transition• Water-resistant overlay that helps keep feet dry
Upper
Brooks gave the upper portion of the Mazama model an upgrade in this second generation model. Accordingly, the Mazama 2 features a lighter weight single-layer mesh upper that allows for excellent breathability and an adaptable fit. The pores of this mesh upper allow for air to enter and exit the foot-chamber efficiently in order to maintain a cool and dry running experience. The upper also features a rubber overlay over its entirety for water-resistance and structural integrity. The mesh upper also delivers fast drainage and dries relatively quickly to keep your feet dry. At the front and rear of the sneaker, you will find a thicker layer of this overlay that protects the toe area from trail debris. The tongue of the Mazama 2 is gusseted and locks the opening of the shoe to your foot to prevent any trail debris from entering the foot chamber. Another great feature the upper offers is the lace garage in the tongue where you can tuck the extraneous laces into, to prevent them from getting damaged or caught on things on the trail.
Midsole
The Mazama 2 has a pretty impressive midsole that delivers both response and cushioning. It is made up of Brooks’ innovative BioMoGo DNA material which is engineered to specifically adapt to your weight, pace, gait, and running surface to deliver just the right amount of cushioning. This material is made up of organic, non-toxic additives that will biodegrade the midsole 50 times faster than tradition EVA midsole material. BioMoGo DNA material also delivers twice as much energy return and gives you a more responsive ride. Also included within this midsole is a forefoot propulsion plate to encourage more power on the toe-off. Another great midsole feature is the progressive diagonal roll bar that will help stabilize each step and keep you aligned to give you a more natural motion throughout your gait pattern.
Outsole
The outsole of this lightweight trail running shoe boasts multi-directional grippy lugs designed to help you travel over uneven surfaces safely. These lugs have a semi-sticky feel and will help grip the trail without slipping. Unlike many other trail running shoes, the Mazama 2’s lugs have a lower profile and are not as deep or pronounced as others so these sneakers won’t feel too clunky as you tackle the trail. The outsole of this trail shoe was designed to deliver a faster-paced trail run rather than a leisurely one. The Mazama 2’s outsole also features a segmented crash pad that customizes to your steps and provides cushion and a smooth heel to toe transition. This crash pad is made up of independent yet fully integrated shock absorbers that work together as you run to up your stride efficiency.
Breathability
Because Brooks engineered the Mazama 2 to be lighter in weight, the sneaker ends up being extremely breathable, especially for a trail running sneaker. This shoe is designed to give you an up-tempo trail running experience so you definitely want your feet to be able to breathe on the trail as you push forward with speed. The single-layer mesh upper allows for air to enter and exit the foot-chamber efficiently making these trail runners score highly in the breathability category.
Comfort
The Mazama 2 delivers a decent amount of comfort thanks to its BioMoGo DNA midsole and mesh upper. The DNA midsole reacts to your weight, the pressure applied to it, and your speed to deliver just the right amount of cushioning so you won’t feel like you are running on marshmallows or walking barefoot. These trail shoes have a relatively low amount of cushioning compared to some others, but this is because these sneakers are designed for a faster-paced trail run with enough cushion to protect your feet but not too much so that you have some ground feel beneath your feet. The upper is made of a single layer of mesh that supports your feet and also allows for a large amount of adaptability to your foot shape. This sneaker has a removable insole so if you need more customized support or want more cushion, you can add your own insole.
Style
These trail runners are great looking sneakers, no matter what colorway you choose. They do not have extremely aggressive rubber lugs so they don’t scream, “trail running shoe”. They are low profile around the ankle and have less cushioning than many other running shoes so they have a sleek design. The synthetic overlays give the sneaker a more exciting aesthetic appeal as well.
Durability
Thanks to the rubber lugs and crash pad on the sole of the sneakers, these should be able to carry you over many miles of trails. Some consumers have commented that after using them for a while, they cannot detect very must wear on the outsole at all. This outsole will not only help the tread from wearing quickly, but it will also help keep the DNA midsole safe and protected, making it last longer. The upper is a seamless mesh so that means it could tear if caught on sharp trail debris. However, Brooks put a synthetic water-resistant overlay over this mesh to help the shoe’s durability.
Protection
If you head out on the trail in these bad boys, you shouldn’t have too many issues with injuries to your feet. The rubber outsole and crash pad will help disperse any underfoot pressure from rocks and tree roots easily. The BioMoGo DNA midsole will also help protect your joints from the natural jarring and jolting you get from trail running. Although the upper is made of a single-layer mesh material, it is enforced with synthetic overlays and a water-resistant overlay to help keep feet dry and protected.
Responsiveness
Brooks scores high on the responsiveness level with the Mazama 2. These sneakers are engineered to deliver a fast-paced and perfectly cushioned trail run. The multi-directional rubber lugs and crash pad on the outsole will help spring you forward with each step while the diagonal roll bar will help you achieve a smooth heel to toe transition. The forefoot of this sneaker boasts a propulsion plate that encourages powerful toe offs. In conduction with these responsive features, the DNA midsole will help absorb shock and help with that forward propulsion.
Support
Most of the support in these shoes comes from the DNA midsole. This midsole is designed to deliver just the right amount of cushioned support for each and every runner individually. Since these are trail running sneakers, they don’t have an overly-cushy midsole, rather it is a little firmer and offers a lower drop than some. This is because these sneakers are made to push you forward at a faster pace. The synthetic overlays that are visible on the entirety of the sneaker will help support your foot within the sneaker and will help reduce slippage within the foot chamber. As far as arch support goes, the Mazama 2 offers a neutral level of arch support.
Terrain
As it has been stated several times, the Mazama 2 is engineered to be a trail running shoe. Although you could wear these on the road, the lugs may slow you down a little with their grip. Consumers have said that they work well on well-groomed to moderately technical trails but they do not feel like they would be great for incredibly technical terrains. Some have said they work well in muddy situations while others disagree. Ideally, these would be worn by someone looking to traverse mild to moderately technical trails without a lot of deep mud or icy conditions.
Price
For such a well-known high quality running shoe brand, the Brooks Mazama is priced fairly at around $100-$140. This sneaker offers a number of excellent features to help deliver a fast-paced trail run at an excellent price.
Drop
This lightweight trail running shoe has a drop of 6mm. This is lower than a neutral drop mainly due to the fact that it is designed for speed on the trail. The propulsion plate and crash pad will help propel you forward and these two things would not work as well with a larger drop. In the Mazama 2, you will feel just the right amount of cushion but will also experience a decent amount of ground feel.
Stability
The Mazama 2 is not engineered to be a stability trail running sneaker, but you do want to have some stability as you tackle tougher-that-road terrain. The crash pad, DNA midsole, and synthetic overlays work together to deliver stability as they are all designed to help deliver a smooth heel-to-toe transition. The diagonal roll bar feature will also help to keep your gait aligned properly, helping to keep you stable.
Flexibility
The segmented crash pads on the bottom of the Mazama 2 customize your foot’s touch-down and help to deliver a smooth heel to toe transition. The flexibility of the crash pad works with your foot as it moves through each step from heel down to toe off. This version of the Mazama also features an updated V-Groove in the midfoot area that flexes deeper inward than the previous Mazama model to better absorb and disperse impacting shock outward. Since this shoe’s upper is made up of lightweight mesh with synthetic lightweight overlays, it works in conjunction with the rest of the sneaker to provide an excellent amount of flexibility, especially for a trail running shoe.
Traction
The Mazama 2 is designed to help grip mild to moderate technical terrain with its grippy multi-directional lug system. The sole of the shoe is engineered to help you maneuver over rocks and tree roots safely without injuring your feet. The rubber on the outsole has a semi-sticky characteristic that will help grip such surfaces and propel you over them easily. Some users have said that they don’t work really well in highly slippery situations but otherwise work well in terms of traction.
Bottom Line
In the end, the Mazama 2 is a great fast-past trail running sneaker that won’t weigh you down. On the contrary, this aesthetically pleasing shoe will help propel you quickly over rocks, tree roots, and bumpy trails without slowing you down. The updated lighter-weight upper will keep your feet breathing and dry thanks to the water-resistant overlay and quick drainage capabilities. The outsole is engineered specifically to propel you quickly and efficiently over the trail at a fast pace. If you are more of a leisurely trail runner, perhaps these aren’t the best shoes for you, but if you want to speed through the trail, then these are a great option for you.
