Brooks Running Shoes Review

Customer Reviews

Most helpful customer reviews

21 of 24 people found the following review helpful.
Powergrid 9
By ken
I have run in Saucony shoes for years, starting with the triumph 3 shoes all the way up to the triumph 7. Unfortunately the triumph 7 introduced a new, slightly porky mid sole connecting the forefoot and heel with a relatively stiff chunk of rubber. I tried a pair, but returned them after a few short, but painful heel-striking runs. I stocked up on Triumph 6's, ordering as many as I could, hoping to weather the storm until the next shoe. Unfortunately I run a fair bit so shoes only last a few months before they reach the 400 mile retirement point. With the triumph 8, things were improved, but not perfect, the shoe still felt like it had a slightly heavy awkward heel. Nearly out of triumph 6 shoes, I found myself shopping for other neutral + shoes. After trying nearly every brand, I found some good, workable shoes but nothing that rode or fit as well as the triumph 6 shoes.As soon as I saw the triumph 9 show up as available online I eagerly purchased a pair; the specs are impressive, nearly an ounce lighter than the triumph 8's, with new features such as 8mm offsets and an ibr+ rubber compounds.The smell of new shoes wafting out of the familiar red and brown box I pulled the new triumph 9's out. They look like an entirely new shoe. Gone is the characteristic Progrid "window" on the bottom; instead in its place is a simplistic Powergrid logo. Most importantly the awkward mid sole material that was added in the triumph 7 and 8 has been dramatically changed. First impression on fit is that the toe box is pretty big (actually just average compared to other brands). Gone are the round laces, instead the triumph 9 has flat laces. Shoe flexibility is good - much better than previous triumphs. Overall the shoe feels light, and somewhat minimalistic. Fabric padding in the heel is much less prominent than in previous triumphs, but seems to be strategically placed.After the first 15-mile run I was reminded why I like the triumph line of shoes so much, they provide an excellent, balanced, and plush ride that has great upper shoe support. The triumph 9 has the traditional arch lock / support that is characteristic of the triumph line. Gone is the heavy hoofed heel of previous triumphs; in its place is a plush, balanced, cloud like ride. Given the new lighter weight materials it will be interesting to see how they hold up as the miles add up.Update: After about 2 weeks running in these (about 150 miles) it is apparent that after some longer 20+ mile runs they are not for me. I have unfortunately started to feel it in my knees. I had to stop running in these shoes. These do still feel ok on shorter runs, they just don't work for me for the long distances.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful.
The same but different...
By Jeff Whitmire
I've been wearing the Saucony Triumph running shoes since I bought my first pair of Triumph 4's. This version has the same roomy toe box and large ankle opening that I like from the previous models with the advantage of a less pronounced heel to toe drop. At over 220 lbs. I was afraid I'd miss the extra cushioning in the heel, but my ongoing efforts to land more mid-foot instead of on my heel have been rewarded with this shoe. Less rubber between the heel and the ground has promoted a better stride for me since the thickest part of the sole isn't hitting the ground as quickly as it did in the previous versions of this shoe.Very well ventilated and easy to unlace after a run.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful.
Best Running Shoe I've owned
By KillerWhale
Best running shoe I have owned. I started with the Triumph 6 and loved them, moved on to Triumph 7 when they came out and hated them (very uncomfortable). With my experience with the 7, I was hesitant to go back to Triumph, and skipped the 8, but others' reviews on the 9 convinced me to give them a try: This shoe combines great cushioning with great stability (though it is not a stability shoe). I highly recommend.