I would love any recommendations from folks that enjoyed the Brooks PureFlow line. I have ‘run’ my last pair of PureFlow 6s into the ground and cannot find any more 6s or 7s. I searched around the Forum and didn’t many previous posts.
I loved the PF1 (3 pairs), PF3 (Meh, 2 pairs), PF6 (close to the PF1, 3 pairs). I skipped the PF2,4,5,7.
Features that I liked:
Wide toe box
4mm drop
Neutral cushion
High arch
Reasonably durable outsole and foam midsole
Reasonably lightweight
I feel I can cruise along on easy runs and enjoy the cushion, but can get up and go on faster runs/races.
For reference: I’m 49 years old, lifelong runner. 6ft, 150 lbs, size 12. No significant running injury history. I typically run year-round 10-30 miles/week. Easy pace 8:00-9:00/mile, tempo pace 6:40ish.
I do all of my runs in the same shoes - easy runs, tempo, races, etc.
I did a few test runs on a some other different shoes over that past few years and they just never felt as comfortable as the PureFlows. I tried a couple versions of the Kinvara on the treadmill at my local shop - just didn’t feel as ‘cushy’ - kept going back for more of the PF. Recently, I tried a pair of Topo Zephyr’s from some reviews elsewhere – just ok so far.
I turned to Altra a while ago. I love the zero drop. The Torin seems a similar cushioning to the PFs. The Escalante have much less cushion and I still like them for shorter (3-5 miles) runs and track sessions. That’s all I’ve tried so far. I’ll keep watching here for more suggestions. My closet of race expo shoe store sale shoes is almost depleted…
I agree, the Endorphin Speed or for a lower drop the Brooks Hyperion Tempo. Not quite as wide a toe box, but a good cushion (in fact, far better than the PF) and quite light. With the OP’s weight and minimal mileage, either one of those would be frankly a step up.
I’ve been a PureFlow user from the start. I had more than 12 pairs of those, all generations.
My only gripe with them was the fact that pebbles had too much of an affinity with the outer sole, but apart from that I loved the combination of cushion, speed and low drop.
I tried Altra, (escalante and escalante racer), really liked the racers but they are not cushioned enough for longer runs.
I switched to Hoka recently as they have a low drop too and the toebox is reasonably wide. I tried the Carbon rockets, found them a bit too firm. I like the Hoka Carbon X.
I used to love Pureflows as well, especially the first ones.
Although I’m using Vaporflys now, the shoes I went to for a few years after the Pureflows, were the New Balance Beacons. Light weight and nice padding.
I think you would like the Saucony Endorphin Speed (not the pro). It’s my do everything shoe from easy runs to fast intervals. IMO it blows the pureflow away big time. The Soeed was pretty much every shoe reviewer’s shoe of the year in 2020.