Men's Brooks PureGrit

Comments about Mens Brooks PureGrit Trail Running Shoe:

To start - these shoes look and feel unlike any trail runner out there. Not quite minimal, certainly not "maximal," somewhat like wearing lace up slippers with really good soles.
I almost returned these after the first run, as the experience was so different from what I'm used to (La Sportiva Raptors.) Compared to other trail shoes I've had, the support I'm so used to wasn't there at all. However, after a few tweaks to my form and gait, I'm loving how these seem to flow effortlessly. The soles are very grippy, shed mud perfectly, and look like snow tires.
Lightweight, flashy, responsive, and quick. Now my old shoes feel like bricks weighing me down.
If you don't like them at first, keep going, you'll probably end up a convert.

Comments about Mens Brooks PureGrit Trail Running Shoe:

These shoes replaced Nike's Air Pegasus +28 trail runners. Where one shoe was considered a entry level shoe that encouraged heel strikes. These Brooks encourage good form and mid foot striking and is overall designed for more of an intermediate runner who does not need a big heavy shoe. Great cushion. I just ran 13.22 miles all trail today which consisted of fire trail, single track, loose pack, hard pack, rocky technical, and switch backs. It was 50/50 climbing and ascending with sweepers and rollers in between. This shoe encourages you to go fast because its light. Traction is not as good as the Air Pegasus, but you really don't need that much traction when you have balance. Cushioning is great, even at a half marathon my feet had no complaints. Down hill is great with multi direction lugs that help break on the way down. Hope you try this shoe!

Comments about Mens Brooks PureGrit Trail Running Shoe:

Great trail shoe! Lightweight, responsive and comfortable. One BIG problem though is the lousy traction. I talked with a Brooks rep about it and he admitted he was surprised they got out the door with such a poorly designed sole. Very slippery in mud. The second generation have improved traction though I haven't tried them yet. I'm a big guy who runs on dirt and rocky trail and I love these shoes.

Comments about Mens Brooks PureGrit Trail Running Shoe:

Great shoe for off road trails. Bit slippery on logs, but easy to get used to. Not quite enough durability for gravel roads, but perfect for trails of packed dirt. Never had a better combination of lightweight and form fitting.

Comments about Mens Brooks PureGrit Trail Running Shoe:

Just ran 6 miles on a fairly hilly trail. These had excellent cushioning. Very good traction and the light weight felt great. I typically wear Books Cascadias and was concerned these may be too lightweight and not enough cushioning. I believe they're even more cushioned than the Cascadias. And I'm a larger runner at 185lbs. One thing on size. I am a Brooks person and I seem to wear a size shorter on the both these PureGrit and also the PureFlow versus the traditional Brooks shoes.

Comments about Mens Brooks PureGrit Trail Running Shoe:

Great shoe runs on everything!

Comments about Mens Brooks PureGrit Trail Running Shoe:

I did an easy 3 run on a well maintained trail and access road. Conditions were dry. The traction for these conditions was fine and I enjoyed the lighter weight, better feel of the trail, but with enough cushioning for the larger rocks on the access road not to be a problem. I've been working my way down to the flatter profile, so for the 3 mile run that was not a problem. I look forward to longer more remote trail runs and different conditions. My only concern, and time will tell, is how long the treads will last. Great start though.

Comments about Mens Brooks PureGrit Trail Running Shoe:

I initially gave these 4 stars after a brief road and gravel path run. Since then, I've logged over a hundred miles on these shoes and have reduced my rating. My initial fears about lack of a rock shield have be confirmed. Granted, I run in the woods in New England. The glacial till in the soil makes for a rocky trail surface, especially on local ridge lines. I have worn these exclusively in the woods and am concerned about a few things.

First, is the lack of rock shield as noted above. While I have not felt the sharp edges poking my feet, I do have some minimal bruising after a two hour run. This has not happened with other shoes such as my La Sportivas or Salomons.

A second concern is the fast wearing tread. One of my favorite training runs involves heading to the woods on a two and half mile road that climbs consistently until it reaches the trail head. I have been paying particular attention to tread wear patterns lately as I am trying to transition to a mid/forefoot strike. I was shocked to see how much of the tread has worn away already with these shoes.

A final concern is that the tread does not seem to grab as well in wet or slippery conditions. While not terrible, the tread seems more appropriate for dry, gravel, or less technical trails.

I would still recommend this to a friend if he/she was looking for a shoe to use in less technical or more groomed areas as they do flat out FLY when the trail is smooth and wide open. I would not encourage someone to buy these for trails that involve tight turns or rocky, rutted single track.

Comments about Mens Brooks PureGrit Trail Running Shoe:

The forefoot cushioning is perfect for this lightweight shoe. Very nimble. Unlike every trail runner I've ever had, the Pure Grit uppers KEEP DIRT OUT! I've been fed up with shoes and socks filled with dirt, and have been searching for a shoe like this for years. They are still well ventilated. There's hardly any tread pattern, so the soles are slippery when wet.

Comments about Mens Brooks PureGrit Trail Running Shoe:

I'm loving the Pure Grit running shoes, they fit like a glove and for my feet they are true to size.
I have done runs from 6 to 18 miles mostly on roads with some gravel trails mixed in. I was worried about using a trail shoe for road running but have found they perform great on all surfaces.
There is a good amount of cushion for such a light shoe. I think Brooks has a winner with the Pure Grit trail shoe.

Comments about Mens Brooks PureGrit Trail Running Shoe:

I used these for my first run back after taking a month off due to surgery on my arm. Because I was going to limit the run to a four or five miles, I chose to use these shoes instead of my Kinvaras. I purchased the Pure Grits as a replacement for a well-loved pair of La Sportiva trail shoes.

My initial impressions of the shoes were good. The low heel-to-toe drop encouraged a fore/mid foot strike, something that I have been working on for the last year. The cushioning seemed softer than the Kinvara and was definitely not as stiff as my trail running shoes. I tried a few heel-strike strides and these were not comfortable in doing so. I can imagine these to be a go-to shoe on some of the less technical trail races around here.

I am looking forward to giving these a try in the woods as soon as my fitness allows. I am mildly concerned about the lack of any discernible protection in the foot but with that being stated, I could not detect any rocks while running on a gravel path.

These shoes have me curious about the other models in this line. The odd Brooks sizing has me somewhere between an 11 and a 11.5 and a reason why I cannot give this five stars as they seem slightly long. Width is perfect.

Comments about Mens Brooks PureGrit Trail Running Shoe:

I have about 50-60 miles on these to date with a 17 mile run and a few 8+ mile runs in them. So far they are my go to shoe and I will use them for an upcoming trail marathon.

Fit – Like some of the previous reviews say, the Pure Grit is a little wider and longer than, say, an Adios, Launch or Montrail Rogue Racer. I usually wear an 8.5 but had to size down to an 8.0 and still have some room. When sized properly, the shoe has a nice fit but is a little wide for someone with narrow feet. Not so much that it becomes an issue – just doesn't hug your foot like some others.

Feel – This shoe feels great on. My size 8 weighs in at 8.0 ounces and feels very light while running. It is well cushioned and responsive. The faster you run, the more responsive they feel.

Traction – Really good on dry and wet single track. I have climbed and descended a few muddy hills with good results. Shed mud with no issue. They do suffer with very poor traction on wet rock, wet wood and wet pavement (dangerously so – I say this because I just skied across a bridge on a fast run yesterday – going downhill I might add). Not a huge problem as long as you are aware and don't run on downhill, wet, algae covered bridges or rocks.

Features – When the shoe is tied tightly around my foot and most others feet, the Nav Band doesn't seem to serve a purpose since it is no longer tight across the forefoot. I will most likely cut mine off to save the .1 ounce and be able to more easily tie the shoe. The sensor on the bottom is supposed to inform you if you are landing too far back on your foot. It does seem to work and mostly disappears when you are on the trails. The sensor works by putting minor pressure on the bottom of your foot. If you run on the front-middle or front of your foot, you don't feel it. That concept is good until you get into some rocky areas or sometimes running downhill, then you can feel the sensor again. The split toe in unique and you can occasionally feel this being an advantage on toe off in some situations.

The shoes are not perfect but have made it to my go to list for all types of trail runs. I really like them. I have ordered a pair or Rogue Racers that may replace these for runs where traction could be an issue (i.e. wet rocks and bridges).

Comments about Mens Brooks PureGrit Trail Running Shoe:

Extremely happy with the Brooks Pure Project line up. Went to my local RRS Store to try on and walked away with two pair. Incidentally, my sizing experience was the same as Ken's below; I purchased a 10.5 in the Grit and an 11.0 in the Connect. Normally, generally, usually, I'm a 11.0 across the board but found the anatomical last and wider toe box on the Grit to warrant a 1/2 size down (or true to size in this instance, for me). Great fit and protection. I find most shoes with "rock plates" to be too stiff for my liking. I rather enjoy the absence of one in this shoe.

Comments about Mens Brooks PureGrit Trail Running Shoe:

I have high hopes for these shoes as they seem, well made, feel very comfortable, and are close to what I want in a low and light trail shoe. I bought a size 11.5 based on my sizing in the Cascadia 5 and Saucony Peregrine, though, and the Pure Grits felt too big with way too much room at the toes. I returned them for size 11 and am eager to start running in them.

Comments about Mens Brooks PureGrit Trail Running Shoe:

I bought these along with the Pureconnect recently. In the store I didn't even realize they were a trail shoe, which impressed me as I often run on mixed terrain.

I run on dusty, rocky trails in Southern California. I wore these once and decided to return them. They were a bit wide and mixed with a somewhat slick sock liner, I felt like I was slipping laterally as I ran. Also, the cleats on the sole run from front to back, which works for lateral slides, but doesn't give you much help going up or down hill.

I have been much happier with my Inov-8's.

I like what Brooks is doing in the pure series, but I would rather they just put cleats on the pureconnect--that would be a great shoe.

Comments about Mens Brooks PureGrit Trail Running Shoe:

needed to return for correct size as advice is wrong for the Grit. i did get the Connect 1/2 size larger and that was a correct fit, however that is NOT the case with the Grit.

Comments about Mens Brooks PureGrit Trail Running Shoe:

purchased the Grit 1/2 size larger recommended and was too big, needed to return for replacement for true fit.

however, i also purchased the Connect 1/2 size larger and it was a true fit.