I’m in a long-term, serious relationship with my running shoes. Yes, I’ve had a love affair with the Brooks Running PureCadence since they were first introduced more than four years ago. Like any serious relationship, we’ve gone through changes together. My running journey has experienced immense growth in the years we’ve been “sole mates.” From half iron triathlons to a Boston Qualifying marathon to simply running for fun, we’ve been through it all. My PureCadence find ways to reinvent themselves each year, which brings me to today: my PureCadence 5 review.

For those of you who aren’t familiar with the PureCadence or the Brooks Pure shoes within its Connect Me line, this is Brooks’ everyday collection of lightweight running shoes for runners who like cushioning and stability without the bulk of a more traditional shoe. The PureCadence 5 are about 2 to 3 ounces lighter than traditional running shoes, weighing in at 7.9 ounces. They have a mid-sole drop of 4 millimeters and are ideal for runners with medium to high arches who enjoy running on the roads.

Having loved the PureCadence 4 {you can see my full review of them here}, I was excited to try the 5s, especially after chatting with the Brooks footwear team earlier this year about the changes that have been made.

Technical Updates You Can Expect

• The band that has previously gone along the top of the shoe (the upper) under the laces has been removed and there is now a lightweight Guide Rail system that wraps all the way around the foot and connects under the big toe to help your entire body align with the way it wants to run. You can no longer visibly see the band as you have on past models.
• A rounded heel shifts impact forward to minimize joint stress and help prevent calcaneus (heel bone) rotation. As in other Brooks’ shoes, the PureCadence 5 have their BioMoGo DNA midsole cushioning and a 3D Fit Print, applying strategic stretch and structure for a great fit.

My Brooks PureCadence 5 Review

• The PureCadence 5 feel like the sleekest edition of these shoes yet. They look and feel more streamlined, as if they have a more minimal profile on your foot. The fit is great, and they appear to be a tad more narrow with a bit more length in the toe box.
• Unlike all former models of the PureCadence, the tongue stays in place. The PureCadence have long been known for the tongue of the shoe to slide down to the left or right, and this tongue securely stays in place.
• The upper part of the shoe feels a bit stiff at first, but quickly becomes more flexible after a few runs.
• The shoelaces are longer and easy to double knot, which I love. I found that I had to lace all the holes to create the right fit for me.
• While I really like the teal color, I do not like black shoes, which is the predominant color in the other available option. I’m hoping we will see some new colors this summer/fall to round out the line with some more feminine colors for the ladies (what can I say, I’m a sucker for bright pink shoes).

All-in-all, if you like the PureCadence, you will be happy with the PureCadence 5, and, if you’re running in something like the Brooks Ravenna now or another stability shoe but are looking for something different, you should definitely give the PureCadence a chance. I’ve run 4 marathons, 10 half marathons, one half Ironman and numerous other road races and runs in these shoes and have remained injury-free and running happy. The love-affair continues.

The Brooks PureCadence 5 retail at $120.

I am a Brooks Running Run Happy Ambassador and receive free products to test each month as well as a financial stipend I reinvest back into running and runladylike.com. I write about Brooks because I am obsessed with the brand, not because I have to. The content and views expressed on runladylike.com are never biased or influenced by partners I work with and never will be. You get the honest, raw, uncensored and unladylike version of the truth here. That’s it. If there are Brooks products you try and for some reason don’t like, please send me an email at runladylike@gmail.com and I’d be glad to pass along your feedback to the Brooks crew. There are affiliate links contained within this post.

Have you tried the Brooks PureCadence shoes or the PureCadence 5s? If so, what do you think? If not, what’s your favorite shoe to run in?