When a new pair of running shoes arrives in a spaceship that plays a video when you open the box, your expectations are immediately high. Two months before Brooks Running launched its newest pair of cushioned stability shoes – the Transcend – a mysterious box arrived on my doorstep that completely blew me away. As I shared back in December, my shoes arrived unlike any delivery I’d ever experienced and left my jaw dragging on the ground.

Next, I received my January issue of Runner’s World and upon opening the issue, a video about the Transcends played on the pages. I don’t even know how it was possible, but I literally watched a video in a magazine. What the what?!?

When the marketing of a pair of shoes is that epic, it leaves you asking a few key questions: Do the Brooks Transcends really live up to all the hype? Are they as good to run in as the marketing surrounding their release?

The answer surprised me.

As someone who almost exclusively runs in the Brooks Pure Cadence (a lightweight, more minimal stability shoe within their Pure Project line), I didn’t think I was going to like the Brooks Transcend. When I took them out of the impressive confines of their spaceship, I noticed that they were larger and somewhat heavier than my typical shoes I adore. They were hot pink though, so they had that going for them. And, as someone who is an over-pronator and needs a stability shoe, these certainly offer that support.

Despite my initial reaction, I started integrating the Brooks Transcends into my training. I have enjoyed them for easy recovery runs, but have also run several tempo runs in them as well as my last 22-miler before this weekend’s Albany Marathon.

And lo and behold, they are pretty great. I would say they mostly live up to the hype. Let’s take a look:

• Hype: “Guide rails along the entire shoe help your hips, knees and joints move within their unique path without traditional posts.” Check! I feel incredibly supported in these shoes. My ankles especially feel extremely stable. On my regular running routes, I encounter rough sidewalks, uneven pavement and gravel along the way. These shoes truly make that terrain a non-factor.
• Hype: “Makes you feel like you’re floating by providing smart DNA cushioning that offers 25 percent more cushioning that adapts to your stride.” While I wouldn’t say I feel like I’m floating, there’s definitely a lot of cushioning in these shoes and they are softer than any other shoe that Brooks offers. Again, while running over rough terrain, I can’t feel the impact on my feet. I’ve found myself reaching for my Transcends when my feet are sore or are feeling the fatigue from speed work.
• Hype: “Distributes pressure of your impact evenly providing more comfort for your foot.” Check. I would agree with this. I also find myself wearing these when I travel as well and will be doing a lot of walking for this reason.
• Hype: “A plush upper portion of the shoe that conforms to your foot and customizes itself to different foot shapes.” The shoe fits well. I will say that it is about a half-size larger than the Pure Project. So, if you wear a size 9 in the Pure Project, you may need an 8.5 in the Transcend.
• Hype: “A rounded heel that encourages a more natural foot strike.” Truth! Unlike some of the traditional running shoes (like the Brooks core line), the heel of the Transcends are more innovative, making them more conducive for speedier runs. I have enjoyed them for a few tempo runs here and there, and I’ve also been able to safely rotate them into my weekly running mix.

So the final verdict is that the Brooks Transcends do live up to the hype, with a few caveats.

• It’s a bit of an overstatement to say the Brooks Transcends are like running on clouds, but they are very comfortable, cushioned, extremely supportive and visually appealing. They are more cushioned and plush than the Pure Project line hands down.
• If you wear a lighter-weight, more minimal shoe, these will take a little adjustment and getting used to, but provide an effective ride. If you are used to wearing a more traditional running shoe, there will be no challenge in transitioning to these.
• I would highly recommend the Brooks Transcend for people who need a stability shoe and tend to over-pronate. I even like these better than the Brooks Adrenaline, which previously provided the most support of all their stability shoes. However, be aware that they are more expensive than most traditional shoes, ringing in at about $160. There is no price you can put on your running fitness and staying injury free, but be prepared to shell out about $40 to $60 more than what you are likely paying for other shoes.

Looking for more opinions on the Brooks Transcend? Check out what other Run Happy ambassadors think about them:
Fit Bottomed Girls: Brooks’ New Transcend is Like Running on Clouds
Hungry Runner Girl: Brooks Transcend Review

Have you tried the Brooks Transcend yet? If so, what do you think? If not, do these sound like shoes you would enjoy? What is your favorite running shoe right now?