Details
Brand
Brooks
Breathability
8/10
Latest Version
PureCadence 5
Terrain
Road
Type
Stability
Key Features
• Rounded IDEAL Heel sheds excess weight and helps with stability• BioMoGo DNA outsole provides added cushioning, traction, and durability• Toe Flex helps ensure an efficient toe-off and more natural foot movement• NavBand in the upper is intended to provide a snug and secure fit and enhance support• Omega Grooves in outsole help to provide flexibility• Asymmetrical lacing system with textured laces means wearers will be able to tie their shoes and not have to worry about laces coming undone• Internal Progressive Diagonal Rollbar provides stability• Pods underfoot provide traction and protect from wear and tear• Medial Post provides stability and prevents overpronation
Upper
The Brooks PureCadence 3’s mesh upper hasn’t changed too much since the previous version of the shoe. The upper features the same NavBand as before. It’s connected to the shoe’s midsole and is intended to ensure a snug fit and to increase the support for the wearer. Many reviewers commented that they didn’t really feel the NavBand did its intended job. Many felt that it seemed like extra material without a function. A few reviewers did find the NavBand helped provide a locked down feel but they were in the minority.;The shoe also features an asymmetrical lacing system. It’s more form than function but some reviewers with a high in-step found the off-centered design helped remove some pressure from their foot. The shoe’s laces are textured which helps them stay in place.
Midsole
The midsole of the Brooks PureCadence 3 contains supportive foam cushioning. In addition, a medial post is also present in the midsole to provide stability for the wearer. The IDEAL heel in the PureCadence 3’s rearfoot area helps to increase the comfort and fit of the shoe. This component, featured in other PureProject models, is meant to encourage a more natural footstrike. A good amount of cushioning placed in the forefoot makes this shoe a good option for forefoot strikers.;Also present in the midsole is the Internal Progressive Diagonal Rollbar (PDRB). This feature helps to stabilize runners as they move forward. Quite a few reviewers found the cushioning more than a bit rigid. A large percentage of reviewers also complained about the prominent arch which was too pronounced and caused too much pressure.
Outsole
The outsole of the Brooks PureCadence 3 is made of BioMoGo DNA material. This material is highly durable and will ensure wearers get quite a bit of mileage out of the shoe. The sole features pods underfoot which provide traction. Some of the pods are placed strategically to provide additional stability. The pods are dispersed so the outsole material does not completely cover the shoe. This helps to reduce overall weight and increase the shoe’s flexibility. The shoe also features a ToeFlex groove which allows for natural flexion of the foot and enables a more efficient toe-off.
Breathability
The Brooks PureCadence 3’s mesh upper provides excellent breathability. The mesh found throughout the upper helps to ensure proper ventilation for the wearer. Some reviewers did find the upper material was a bit too thick and felt it hampered the shoe’s ability to ventilate properly. The biggest complaint from wearers was the tight fitting toe box. This is actually a common complaint regarding the PureProject line. Most models have a very narrow toe box. There’s little room for natural toe splay and the overly tight fit can cause a lot of discomfort since there’s little room to accommodate foot swelling.
Comfort
The Brooks PureCadence 3 is a decent shoe in terms of comfort. There is a lot of room for improvement, though. The IDEAL heel provides a comfortable rearfoot fit for wearers. In addition, the majority of reviewers found the updated burrito tongue was the most comfortable part of the shoe and improved the comfort level of the PureCadence 3. Still, some improvements could definitely be made in this area.;Many reviewers found the toe box was uncomfortably tight, causing blisters to form, and the foot to go numb. Natural toe splay is not possible in the PureCadence 3 thanks to the very narrow forefoot. Quite a few reviewers commented on the fact that the cushioning was very hard underfoot. Many found that the thick midsole could have been a bit softer to improve comfort.
Style
The Brooks PureCadence 3 is a nice looking shoe. The design is not super flashy but there are varied color options that will likely please a variety of different runners. Bright colors make an appearance in the PureCadence 3. The shoe looks quite modern, and almost futuristic thanks to the visible outsole pods.
Durability
The Brooks PureCadence 3 is a well-constructed shoe. The outsole is composed of BioMoGo DNA material and is highly durable. The updated tread pattern on the PureCadence 3 features more pods than before which helps to protect from regular wear and tear. The outsole material is meant to last for miles of use, just like the mesh upper.
Protection
The durable rubber outsole of the Brooks PureCadence 3 offers runners protection from regular use. The Pure Cadence 3 also offers protection in the form of cushioning underfoot. The thick midsole cushioning is meant to provide impact protection and pad runner’s joints from the shock of each footfall.;The shoe features ample cushioning in the front of the foot making it a great option for forefoot strikers. Many shoes feature a concentration of cushioning in the rearfoot which excludes forefoot strikers from receiving the same amount of protection. In the PureCadence 3, those that land on the front of their foot will also be protected from impact.
Responsiveness
The Brooks PureCadence 3 is a fairly responsive shoe. The shoe provides great ground-feel thanks to its low to the ground design. Runners did comment that they found the midsole cushioning very hard and found this dampened the responsiveness of the PureCadence 3.
Support
The Brooks PureCadence 3 is a very supportive shoe. The snug and secure upper, featuring a NavBand, ensure that runners feel stable on all their runs. Runners can adjust the lock-down of the upper using the asymmetrical lacing system. The very firm midsole cushioning provides a supportive base for the runner. In addition, the grippy outsole ensures runners remain sure-footed as they move forward.;The prominent arch also ensures the wearer’s arch is well supported. Quite a few reviewers, though, did comment that the arch protruded too much and caused unwanted pressure throughout their runs.
Terrain
The Brooks PureCadence 3’s durable BioMoGo DNA outsole ensures that runners can pound the pavement and enjoy a stable and comfortable ride no matter what the surface. The PureCadence 3 is not a trail shoe but it’s tough enough to handle non-technical trails in addition to the road. Runners will feel just as comfortable running on hard packed dirt trails as they will on pavement. The outsole in the PureCadence 3 has been updated to provide more traction underfoot. The numerous outsole pods ensure great grip that will last throughout training and will be able to handle runs on numerous surfaces.
Price
The Brooks PureCadence 3 is an affordable stability shoe. The shoe, which is part of the PureProject line, is a lightweight trainer that offers great stability for its price point. Runners were pleasantly surprised by the shoe’s excellent stability features but were disappointed in the lack of cushioning. Despite the fairly thick midsole, runners found the padding underfoot was inadequate. For a midrange shoe, runners expected much more cushioning than they encountered. Regardless, the shoe is built to last so if you’re a runner who prefers rigid cushioning the PureCadence 3 might be a good option for training season.
Drop
The Brooks PureCadence 3 features a 5mm heel to toe drop. This is a fairly small drop. Although it’s not zero-drop, the PureCadence 3 still manages to deliver a low to the ground, natural running feel. The majority of runners were pleased with the shoe’s ground-feel and felt the shoe promoted a comfortable and efficient footstrike. The shoe, with a minimal heel to toe drop, is a good option for runners looking to transition to zero-drop or more minimal shoes.
Stability
The Brooks PureCadence 3 is a lightweight stability shoe. Despite its lighter weight, it still manages to deliver a stable ride for wearers. Many reviewers were pleasantly surprised by the amount of stability delivered by the PureCadence 3. The shoe is a good option for those needing correction for excessive overpronation who still want a lightweight option. The grippy outsole provides a stable base for wearers. The Internal Progressive Diagonal Rollbar (PDRB) is also present and helps to stabilize runners as they move forward. The shoe’s medial post prevents excessive inward rolling associated with overp pronation. In addition, the shoe’s upper helps to lock the wearer’s foot down and ensure a stable ride. The rounded IDEAL heel shifts the center of gravity forward and also helps with stability.
Flexibility
The Brooks PureCadence 3 features a Toe Flex groove in the forefoot which allows the wearer’s foot to flex naturally and ensures an efficient toe-off. In addition, the outsole’s pods are dispersed and do not cover the entire sole which helps to increase flexibility.;The shoe also features Omega Flex Grooves which help to increase the shoe’s pliability. Runners were very pleased with the shoe’s ability to promote natural movement. A more natural running shoe feel is the intention for the models of the PureProject line and on this aspect the PureCadence 3 certainly delivers.
Traction
The Brooks PureCadence 3 features a BioMoGo DNA outsole. The material is highly durable and provides great traction. The sole’s pods have increased in number in this version of the PureCadence. The pods do not cover the entirety of the outsole which helps to keep the shoe’s overall weight down. They are strategically placed to ensure good grip underfoot.;Reviewers were very happy with the shoe’s ability to grip various surfaces. Even when the ground is wet, the PureCadence 3 is able to ensure runners move forward feeling stable. As with most shoes, it’s a good idea to add crampons during the winter months since the pods underfoot are not aggressive enough to handle icy surfaces.
Bottom Line
The Brooks PureCadence 3 is a stability shoe made for the road. The shoe offers support and stability in a lightweight package. The firm midsole wasn’t a favorite for many reviewers but it still manages to provide decent protection underfoot. The PureCadence 3 is a flexible shoe that provides great ground feel. The bright color options are modern and pleasing to the eye. The shoe provides great correction for overpronators without the bulk. It’s a good choice for runners who need correction but who also want a more natural feel out of their running shoe of choice. The PureCadence 3 is also an option for runners seeking to transition to a more minimal shoe. The affordable price tag makes this durable shoe a good choice for your training season.
