As your heart begins to pump faster, your legs start to kick harder, your music begins to take over your mind, and suddenly you are starting to get lost in your run. Your mind drifts off, but your body keeps pushing you forward, almost on auto-pilot. Soon, you approach a hill, and your body tenses up as you are about to push yourself to the max. Just as you approach the hill a stiff head wind begins to gust and you thoughts of doubt begin to pop in to your head as you worry about your worst enemy; resistance. Resistance in the form of wind, but also weight. Imagine that enemy conquered and you began your kick up the hill; legs burning and churning, mind drifting, and the burn becomes enjoyable.
Running is a challenge that we do for our mind and our body. With the PureDrift I found a lightweight companion for my feet that made the challenge a little easier and a lot more enjoyable.
Technology:
- Dual Toe Flex
- Injected Midsole
- Removable sockliner
- BioMoGo DNA Midsole
- IDEAL Heel
- Nav Band
Specs:
- Category: PureProject
- Platform: Anatomical
- Sizes: Men’s: 7-13, 14 Women’s: 5-12
- Widths: Men’s: D Women’s:B
- Construction: Strobel
– Brooks PureDrift Review –
Comfort:
(8 out of 10) Putting on the PureDrift requires you to change your thought process when it comes to running shoes. The dual Toe Flex splits allow your forefoot to flex through its three functional units, creating what Brooks says a natural balance and a spring push-off. To put it in laymen’s terms, it puts your feet in a position that you are not used to. I spent a few hours walking in them to get used to the feel and I recommend you do the same. It took me about three runs to really get comfortable with them and to start to appreciate their style. Given the minimalist design of the shoe I expected it to be flimsy but it is actually quite firm, especially in the forefront.
It truly is a unique running experience which I equated to running on grass with bare feet, which every runner will tell you is a magical feeling. Other reviews have noted a hotspot/blister issue that they were able to combat with the different insole. I found no issues with blisters and I logged 40+ miles on them before writing the review.
DESIGN:
(9 out of 10) I gave these a 9/10 for the minimalist design, because they are perfect for that style. However, if you are not into minimalist running then you will need to think twice about buying these. What is minimalist running you ask? Minimalist running became hugely popular after the 2009 book “Born to Run” and 2010 study of Kenya’s Kalendjin barefoot distance runners. Barefoot running forces people on their forefeet, which absorbs the considerable impact that running places on feet and lower legs. Traditional running shoes of the past 40 years are designed to make runners land on the cushy, raised heel, which can be contributed to lower leg problems.
The PureDrift is for that minimalist runner that wants the closest possible run being barefoot. A key design to the PureDrift is the adjustable drop, from 4mm to 0. With the sock liner in, it’s a 4mm drop shoe, which is designed for runners who like a more traditional shoe versus a barefoot shoe. If you pull the sock liner, you will have a zero drop shoe that keeps your stride connected to the ground. I reccomend you play with this to determine which style suits you best. I also really enjoyed the tongue on the PureDrift. It is a integrated part of the upper on one side and lays over the foot. It really made for a nice snug fit, which in turn increases comfort.
The PureDrift will force you to spread your toes with two split grooves that allow your forefoot to flex through its three functional units. A hardly-there upper has a close fit and provides a small amount of coverage. The feathery light 5.6oz shoe is designed for you to feel your run, as Brooks says about the PureDrift: “Feet, Meet Feel”.
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Brooks is one of my favorites. Thanks for giving a review about this shoe. I’m sure a lot of runners would really appreciate this.
I was reading this post again and I wonder if you have other suggestions for new running shoes of 2017? I would love to learn new stuff from you.
Best regards!