Details
Brand
Brooks
Heel To Toe Drop
4mm
Breathability
8.5/10
Latest Version
No
Terrain
Trail
Type
Maximalist
Key Features
• Extremely versatile design adapts to the needs of multiple terrain types• Subdued yet elegant aesthetic• Flexible to allow for optimal foot mobility• Resistant to harmful or unpredictable terrain• Eco-friendly biodegradable construction materials• Lightweight and breathable upper construction
Upper
Ordinarily, runners partaking in a race exert a great deal of pressure in concentrated areas in order to encourage proper flexibility and movement. As a result, the scaphoid bones and ankles are likely to suffer the greatest amount of trauma when this complicated mechanical movement is performed incorrectly. To prevent this, the PureGrit 4’s upper includes a proprietary technological innovation specially designed to provide extra foot support. The Ballistic Rock Shield is a band located precisely over the scaphoid bones, allowing for direct support to this problem area. The result of this ingenious design on the part of Brooks is a shoe that contributes strength and power to each movement while mitigating any potential damage, which is exactly what a high-end running shoe is supposed to do.
Midsole
The midsoles of these Brooks running shoes have a quality that is interesting from an ergonomic perspective. They help to improve the position of a runner’s heel by rounding and aligning it with the rest of the body. This entire process is facilitated entirely through its design and the result is that it obligates a runner to balance their body and core in a naturalistic position. This works as a form of pronation correction that deflects excessive burden on a runner’s ankles. Called the Nav-band, this excellent midsole design has been successful to an unprecedented degree in the treatment and prevention of joint pains.
Outsole
The outsoles of these Brooks shoes were specifically designed to provide the friction and grip potential needed for handling the complicated terrain. This is why the outsole’s design is predominantly composed of blown rubber. The process of manufacturing this material involves injecting air inside the rubber for the purpose of gaining volume without adding weight. As a result, these shoes provide excellent cushion and traction. Additional reinforcement can be found in the big toe area of the outsole. This is an ergonomic decision intended to offset the most significant point of pressure during a typical running session. As a result, stress on the forefoot is diminished and a greater amount of grip to the terrain is assured with the PureGrit 4’s highly competent outsole.
Breathability
Another difference between the PureGrit 4 and other trail shoes on the market is the considerable effort put into the design for the sake of ventilation. The purpose of this design goal was to create a porous enough shoe that excessive heat, sweat, and other various toxins can be handled appropriately to ensure a comfortable and hygienic run. Additional emphasis was placed on preventing these shoes from feeling too tight, as that would decrease comfort and increase perspiration. As a result, this design is ideal for trail running in warmer temperatures or dusty environments.
Comfort
As was previously mentioned, these Brooks trail shoes have additional reinforcement over the scaphoid bones in order to mitigate the painful impact. In addition to this, extra padding has been placed near the heel for the purpose of preventing scrapes or other friction-related injuries. The insole is also instrumental in providing comfort to this area, and the rest of the foot, due to the way in which it shapes the fit of the entire foot. The center of gravity is redistributed while wearing the PureGrit 4 due to the incorporation of a lower heel pad. This shoe also contains reinforced areas near the medial and distal phalanges of the big toe which can help prevent the onset of injuries such as turf toe. In essence, these design features and functions work primarily to offer the greatest amount of comfort possible from a highly protective shoe.
Style
Excellent progress has been made by Brooks in this model over previous versions when it comes to style. The design of the PureGrit 4 is much cleaner and involves fewer elements. Impressively, these Brooks shoes manage to remain highly functional without these extra features. Due to a simplistic and somewhat elegant aesthetic, these shoes would be right at home in a casual setting.
Durability
The double mesh combination implemented in the design of these shoes provides a greater degree of strength and resiliency to its construction. In addition, this durable material is easy to wash without any water damage or accumulation. This is nothing new for trail shoes, as it is essentially a mandatory requirement for an article of footwear designed to be used on sandy or dirty environments. Something that is worth noting about the Brooks PureGrit 4 and its durable construction, however, is that the materials used for its construction are derived from BioMoGo technology, making them significantly more biodegradable than other forms of running shoe construction material. This makes these trail shoes a terrific choice for runners who are environmentally conscientious.
Protection
The implementation of double protective mesh on the upper portion of the PureGrit 4 works does an excellent job protecting your feet, as well as keeping them in the proper running position and accommodating the flexibility needs for off-road running. The cushioning present in the blown rubber outsole compound means that excessive foot striking will not affect the foot in any noticeable way. The high volume of material and numerous shock-absorbent air bubbles used in this material ensure that the sole of the shoe removes most of the injury risk associated with trail running, therefore assuring constant and reliable foot protection even when running in hostile territory.
Responsiveness
Many other trail shoes available for purchase suffer from excessive hardness and a lack of flexibility due to their construction, preventing any terrain recognition with their layers upon layers of heavy cushioning. Brooks’ trail shoe bucks this tradition by offering a model of off-road shoes that feature a powerful combination of high cushioning and excellent responsiveness. The PureGrit 4 allows runners to really feel the texture of the ground beneath their feet with each step, evoking the feel of a minimalist barefoot-style runner. This is extremely useful in trail environments, particularly when an incline is involved. Fortunately, no durability has been sacrificed thanks to the incredible technology implemented in the construction of these entirely unique trail runners.
Support
The areas of the foot that are most sensitive to pain and susceptible to injury are the medial and distal phalanges, the scaphoid and metatarsal bones, and the ankle. The designers at Brooks are aware of these weak points of the foot and designed the PureGrit 4 to provide targeted support for them. One area in which this shoe lacks support is in the heel since it has a lower heel drop and functions more as a neutral shoe. This may cause some discomfort to heel strikers at first, but a period of adjustment will result in a running experience that is simple, enjoyable, and safe from injury.
Terrain
The Brooks PureGrit 4 is a highly versatile pair of trail shoes with no real drawbacks when handling different types of terrain. The powerful grip implemented in the design of its outsole allows for runners to maintain stable footing in steep or rocky environments. Furthermore, its form-fitting synthetic materials add stability in slippery places and wick away moisture from rain or sweat. While these features are all excellent for running on trails and hiking paths, the lack of heel cushion and highly specialized outsole design make these shoes less viable for casual use. It is still possible to wear these shoes comfortably in less intense environments, but there are many other products from competing brands that work better in these situations.
Price
Despite the innovative design and enormous versatility of the PureGrit 4, their many benefits do not inflate their price tag in an unreasonable way. On the other hand, these shoes are a bit cheaper than you would normally see a pair of trail shoes go for. This may be due to the use of less material for the construction of these Brooks trail shoes but it is in no way an indicator of quality. These shoes may be selling at a bargain price, but they are not of the same quality as something you would find in a bargain bin.
Drop
Brooks applied an innovative design formula to the insoles of these trail shoes that shift the center of gravity and heel impact to promote a natural stride. As a reflection of this naturalistic design philosophy, the heel drop of this shoe is very low. While it results in some discomfort for heel strikers, the other design features help to offset this setback to a degree.
Stability
Since these shoes are meant for trail running, one of the most mentally demanding and physically intensive forms of running exercises, they need to implement a high degree of stability. Therefore, in order to meet these specific needs, Brooks has designed the TrueGrit 4 in such a way that it offers key advantages over footwear intended for casual use in urban environments. The stability present in these shoes isn’t particularly noteworthy when compared to other trail shoes, but the lighter than average weight does contribute a bit.
Flexibility
The TrueGrit 4’s double mesh design ensures that they avoid the common pitfall experienced by many other trail shoes and hiking boots where they fail to allow internal movement of the phalanges and metatarsals in the feet. It’s safe to say that this specific model of Brooks trail shoes is the dictionary definition of flexibility. Thanks to supporting near the scaphoid bones, the foot still receives the responsive impact of each movement but allows for the free articulation with each step.
Traction
The effort and energy needed to maintain a proper running momentum are closely related to the traction present in a runner’s footwear. Stability is maintained by striking the perfect balance of friction and responsiveness. Brooks was well aware of how important it is to strike this balance and, as a result, the TrueGrit 4 has an outsole that provides outstanding traction. In particular, its hexagonal grip technology is unparalleled in this regard.
Bottom Line
Based on the criteria outlined above, it’s safe to say that the Brooks TrueGrit 4 is a true masterpiece of engineering centered around the pursuit of health and comfort. The technological innovations present in the design of these trail shoes provide vital support and promote good body posture while maintaining a secure grip on many different surfaces. For runners interested in a lightweight trail runner that doesn’t want to sacrifice any support, durability, or stability, these are the shoes that will most satisfy their needs.
