Tech Specs
At A Glance
Geometry
WEIGHT192g
STACK & PITCH40mm/33mm 7mm
MIDSOLEPEBA
Fit & Use
TECHDNA Gold PEBA Midsole
FITSnug but true to size
BEST USERoad Racing - Marathon/Half Marathon
Market
PRICE$420
LAUNCH1.8.26
COMPETITIONOn Cloudboom Strike 2, Hoka Rocket x3
First Look
For as long as we've had super shoes, the argument has always been "can I stay in one piece long enough to get to the finish line." I do believe we'll begin to see crazier geometry as these top-tier foams get so light we could have shoes stacked at 40mm and weighing under 100g. The race to the best chemistry is on, but the brands who are taking a step back and asking "how light can we make the best shoe" — not "the best shoe is the lightest" — are the ones to watch.
The Fit
Like almost all Brooks shoes, this fits like a glove. My usual 8.5 US was perfect, and the big toe joint lined up bang on the rocker. The small grip pads in the heel counter are a nice touch, and the squared-off nature didn't annoy my Achilles or peroneal like version 5 did. My only real piece of feedback is that the tongue is only gusseted on one side, so it feels like it could slip — though it does have some padding to stop lace bite. The volume is okay (generous for a flat) but definitely isn't wide. The upper itself is crazy breathable without sacrificing structure, and I felt like this would excel on a corner-filled course. Tighter weave in high-pressure areas and more open segments on top show someone did think about it — overlooked, but the upper is very difficult to get right, and I'd say this comes damn close.
The Feel
A glued-in sockliner, classic Brooks shape, and a medial sidewall (I'll get to that later) make the step-in feel very good. That first connection with the shoe can really deter or intrigue, and I think it's the latter here. The midsole shaping, geometry, pitch, rocker, and toe spring all lead this to be a shoe that makes you want to roll forwards — a good sign they got the balance point right. I wouldn't go as far as saying the DNA GOLD feels ZoomX-like, but you've got a pile of it underfoot, with a plate closer to the ground giving you a lot of midsole to load while still keeping good ground feel. The laterally biased midsole is clever and will look after those who get medially tired at the back end of a marathon, without interfering with those who don't need it. The shaping in the medial forefoot gives proprioceptive security, and the early-stage lateral sole flare will catch those who land that way at speed.
Function
As I said at the top, anyone can get a decent slab of foam, and some people will be able to load that foam no matter the geometry for a couple of hours — think Sawe in the Evo Pro 3. His tissue tolerance, tendon capacity, and joint movement are extraordinary, but for most of us mere mortals it's inconceivable to assume we could hold those shapes for any decent amount of time. Brooks have taken their best in-house PEBA-based midsole material, looked closely at the aspects of the lower leg and hip that tire first in a marathon, and done everything they can with their knowledge base to aid in the deterioration of those mechanics. I love the volume of midsole material behind the metatarsal heads and the very gradual toe spring (it shouldn't load the posterior hip/proximal hamstring as much). The slightly laterally positioned heel bevel should also slow the impact for a heel striker in the later stages. The grip has decent coverage, and I felt safe enough on the corners on a very wet day in Hagley Park.
The SpeedVault carbon plate does enough to keep the shoe longitudinally stiff, and the steep curve of the plate in the midfoot plus the rise at the toe hold the foot in a powerful position — but it always felt like I was in control.
The SpeedVault carbon plate does enough to keep the shoe longitudinally stiff, and the steep curve of the plate in the midfoot plus the rise at the toe hold the foot in a powerful position — but it always felt like I was in control.
The Verdict
Summary
Is it the fastest-feeling, poppiest shoe I've ever chucked on? No. Am I reaching for it for a 5k PB? Probably not. Am I considering it for a marathon, paired with a body that's had some issues in the back end of a thon? Absolutely. They built this with feedback from Clayton Young as he battled back from a lateral ankle injury — and he ran 2:05. That says it all.
There's no doubt for me this is a clear step in the direction of not only offering shoes with high energy return and maximised energy potential, but also one that's looking at how a body deteriorates over the course of 42.2k. Can we keep someone moving forwards? Can we build safety features into the shoe for if and when they're needed? And can we help make the human movement as solid as possible for that duration?
Only time will tell.
There's no doubt for me this is a clear step in the direction of not only offering shoes with high energy return and maximised energy potential, but also one that's looking at how a body deteriorates over the course of 42.2k. Can we keep someone moving forwards? Can we build safety features into the shoe for if and when they're needed? And can we help make the human movement as solid as possible for that duration?
Only time will tell.
The Authors
