Ah yes ladies finally a man that wants to talk about his feelings...
When brooks introduced the new PureProject line they used a graph to show the difference between them and the shoes in their traditional range. The graph shows a new scale Float vs Feel.
It highlights the different feeling of running in the pure project shoes. The Pure Project is all about feeling more on your run. Feeling connected with your running environment.
I recently obtained a pair of Brooks Ghost 4’s, this time not as part of my test packet. I have done the bulk of my training in several pairs of an earlier version, the Ghost 2. So I was really looking forward to this shoe. The first steps in the new Ghosts are comfortable, however…. I notice that the toe box feels a little restrictive. My toes were still a little swollen from the Röntgenlauf and the tip of the 4th toe was touching the end of the toe box… I decided to take the shoes off and put them on the shelf until I was fully recovered.
A week later when I next put them on, I got that ‘If I want I could go run 20km right now’ feel that I have come to expect from Brook’s shoes. With the swelling gone down my toes were no longer touching the toe box, although the 4th toe is still pretty close. The Shoe feels comfortably springy under foot. The heel seems quite soft when walking on it. I also notice that the tongue and heel cup seem to have a bit more padding than the Ghost 2. The shoe, or more likely the sock liner also appears to have lost a little height under that arch, something that you notice in the Ghost 2.
The Ghost 4 has the Brooks DNA material in the heel and forefoot, so I knew I could expect the shoe to feel firmer when I started running. My first run was the previously mentioned 20km. The Shoe does indeed firm up once you’re running but retainins its flexibility. Personally I try to avoid over striding and coming down hard on my heel, but in a shoe like the Ghost I do still land on my heel, especially after about 10-15km, the shoe transitions really nicely from the heel onto the toe.
The first run went well, as did the next few runs in the Ghost 4’s. However I cannot help comparing them to the ghost 2’s that Id been using previously, and unfortunately there are a couple of points where in my opinion they are not an improvement.
Firstly there is the weight issue. The Ghost was originally considered a light or at least a lighter trainer. My Ghost 2 weighs in at 306g in a US 9. The Ghost 4 is now up to 320g not really a lot ill agree but in my US13’s the difference is noticeable. The Ghost appears to be bucking the trend of shoes getting lighter. It has consistently put on weight with each new release. I guess the definition of light has also changed and now the Brooks Launch with its 260g better fills the Light Neutral Trainer slot.
Next is the overlays around the toe box. For me they come up a little too high which then causes that closeness to my 4th toe. In the ghost 2 the overlay is lower and allows the material in the toe box to spread just a little more.
However there are a number of areas where I do think they are better.
The outsole is a big improvement. In the Ghost 2 the forefoot is loosely divided into 3 sections in the Ghost 4 its 4 sections. With a deeper ‘Omega Groove’ cut into the midsole material. This provides even greater flexibility in the forefoot. The heel with its caterpillar crash pads help absorb and isolate the impact during a heel landing better. Although I am a little concerned at the relatively small amount of carbon rubber back there.
The Ghost4 has a good set of reflectors on the heel and another on the toe that the Ghost2 is missing. Anything that improves the safety of running in the dark or at dusk gets a big thumb’s up from me.
The Ghost 4 is an excellent all rounder, It is light and flexible enough to use during faster workouts, whilst robust and stable enough to cater for any amount of long training runs. This versatility has helped the Ghost 4 to a repeat 'Editors Choice' award from Runners World magazine. If you only have one pair of shoes in your closet then the Ghost 4 would be an excellent choice.
The ultimate question in any review is, Knowing what I know now about the shoe, would I go out and buy it again? Unfortunately for the Ghost 4 my answer at the moment is 'no'. The problem for me is that for what I would use the Ghost 4 for there is a slightly better big brother in the Glycerin 9, Ill explain my reasoning in an upcoming post. However that doesn't mean I don't recommend this shoe. For anyone looking for a Neutral Trainer you should consider the Ghost 4. After all, the little points that sway me in favor of the Glycerin 9 might just be the negatives that sway you towards the Ghost 4.
My Brooks Test Package included a shoe that Id not run in before. The Brooks Glycerin, currently in its ninth version.
The Glycerin 9 is the Rolls Royce in the Brooks neutral category... built for comfort. The extra cushioning is immediately obvious. The whole shoe just feels plush when you put it on. From the thick foam around the collar, to the extra thick tongue, even the material in the toe-box feels thicker than what you get in a Ghost. Walking around in them the shoe feels soft, luxurious and just a little bit squishy underfoot.
When I first put them on I just knew that id be able to stand up, head out the door, and run a decent distance in them without any issues. The shoes just felt really good on my feet, I had no points that were pinching or were too tight. I know a lot of reviewers think they have unusual feet. I guess that is normal, few of us have feet that exactly match the shoe makers last. Ive been cursed or blessed with a rather long 4th toe (the one beside the pinky) which means that I often have to go up a size in shoes to get the required width across the tips of my toes. The Glycerin 9 doesn't have a high scuff protector overlay so my toes have plenty of room to spread, making them ideal for me.
It had been wet and windy all day Saturday so it was especially inviting to wake up Sunday morning to clear skies, some residual fog, and cool temperatures around 4°c Conditions that just scream at the runner that they should be outside taking advantage of the moment. The perfect opportunity to christen a new pair of shoes.
I started off with my usual slow warm up jog, to the meeting point. The extra cushioning was nice under foot, definitely a lot softer than my ghosts. The group run started off at a pace of 5:45/km. We ran along a bike path beside the canal. The Glycerin's easily handling the crushed gravel path. still comfortably soft but not too soft. After some 6km the only Lady in the group peeled off because she only wanted to run 10k...so it was just the lads left.... lads being lads from then on the pace slowly crept up as the kilometers got ticked off over a mix of gravel and asphalt.
What surprised me was that as the pace kept climbing the Glycerins also seemed to get firmer under foot. Still not as firm as the ghosts, but nothing like the soft cushy 'walk on clouds' feeling you get when your walking in them. I Guess the DNA does what it says it does and firms up the midsole as the impact increases. We wound the pace down to around 4:50/km the glycerins took it all in their stride. My first run in the Glycerin 9's turned out to be just over 21km.
The Glycerin 9 has a substantial overlay package around the mid-foot and heel, This provides plenty of support and ensures that shoe doesn't move around on your foot. The segmented out-sole under the forefoot allows for a very smooth transition through to toe-off. The heel is very forgiving for a heel striker, or should your form deteriorate over time.
Personally i wouldn't pick these shoes for short fast racing, there are other shoes in the Brooks lineup that might be more appropriate, however if your looking for extra cushioning, want to feel super comfortable or are planning on raking up some high millage then you cant really go wrong with them.
Going Far
It was that High Millage point that really piqued my Interest. Id decided to attempt my first Ultra as a reward for an outstanding run in the Münster Marathon. The Röntgenlauf a 63km race in Remscheid over a mix of mostly non technical bike paths and asphalt seemed like the ideal candidate. The Glycerin 9 like a good shoe choice. All that i needed to do was make sure that they, and I, would be up to the challenge.
Two weeks out i put us both to the test. On Saturday I ran the teutoberglauf, in the Ghosts that had served me well in Münster. Sunday it was time for the Glycerins to step up to the plate with a longer training run. I headed for the Halterner Haard, 47km later it was getting dark, and my legs were shot. My feet on the other hand were just fine, wrapped in infinity socks and the Glycerin 9's.
Here's a short video I took of me unveiling my feet after that run through the Haard. Im speaking (murdering) German in the Video btw.
After that, the decision was easy, id use that exact same combination for the Röntgenlauf.
My experience at the Röntgenlauf was fantastic. Yes it was hard, the hills were tough, and my legs were feeling it towards the end, but i achieved a great result for my debut. I must give some credit for that to the shoes, my feet posed me no problems during the race. The combination of the thick Infinity Socks and Glycerin 9 protected them from the pounding I gave them over the 63km course. In the final 10km's it was just a battle between my will, and my legs. My feet were fine, i didn't have any blisters or hot spots, nothing to make those last 10k harder than they were.
Ive done my best to find the Distance Limit for the Glycerin, but it has me beat as the guys at activegearreview say 'you’ll quit long before they do'. For comfort, for high millage the Glycerin 9 is a fantastic shoe. My pair is going to see some pretty hard usage this winter, especially on my long runs, as I build up for Boston. I know that they can handle it.
My Test Packet from brooks didn’t just contain shoes, after all brooks isn’t just a running shoe company, they also have a good range of clothing and accessories that cater to the runners needs. To get a first impression of the clothing in my packet I decided to spend the whole of the first week running in nothing but the new brooks attire.
Of course with a weekly routine like that I had to stay on top of washing. Everything except the jacket was washed after every run. All no problem with the Brooks technical running gear because it dry’s really fast.
Rogue Runner Shorts
The Rogue Runner III Shorts are fantastically light, the material is slightly stretchy. They have a generously wide cut leg and a built in liner. The elasticated waist band also has a draw string. Personally I prefer short tights to actual shorts, however I imagine these could be a cooler option on really hot summer days. I had no issues with the material bunching between my legs like with some shorts. My keys were stored safely in a zipped pocket on one side and didn’t bounce around too much. If I don’t wear these during my actual runs they will definitely have a place in my sports bag during summer as something to change into post-race.
The Essential Run Jacket has almost been a constant companion this week. It really stood out for me on Day 4 when it was raining and quite windy. The Jacket is water repellent, which means that the rain drops pearl up on the jacket and roll off. It is also windproof, which meant that even though with the LS Shirt on under the jacket I was dressed a little to warm and sweating a little more, the wind didn’t get through to make me cold. Day 6 saw more rain, a bit heavier this time, and the jacket coped well. The Jacket is so light the it can easily be taken with on days when the rain is just threatening, either tied around the waist or stuffed info the cargo section of a hydrationpack.
Seamless Headband
This little beauty was a bit of a revelation for me. It kept my ears warm and provided a comfortable base for my headlamp. For full details see My Review.
Infiniti Tights.
Im a tall guy at 194cm (6’4’’) so things like long tights can be difficult to get the right size on. They need to be small enough around the waist but long enough in the leg. So I was pleasantly surprised when I tried on the Infiniti Tights to find that the size L that I had, also covered my ankles. My enthusiasim got the best of me and I decided to try them out on Day 3 when it was definitely too warm for long tights. My morning run on Day 6 was much more comfortable in the cooler temperatures. The tights are cut from multiple pieces of material which mean that they fit really well, once in place they don’t move around, there is no bunching of material anywhere. Most importantly for me is that during the run the bottom cuff stayed in place, it didn’t ride up exposing a band of skin between tight and sock that can be uncomfortable in mid winter.
Versatile LS Shirt
The Versatile LS Shirt is made with layering in mind, it is equally at home as a base layer under a jacket on wet and windy days, or as a top layer when it’s dry, either on its own or perhaps over a thermo singlet if it’s cold. The bright green version that i haves color description hardly does it justice. The shirt is not just bright green it’s almost luminescent, which makes it an extremely good choice as a top layer at this time of the year. In this shirt i have absolutely no worries that i will be overlooked. However it does also limit its use in the casual arena…well for me anyway.
Infinti Socks
I have two sorts one in a low quarter the other in a high quarter. The low quarter is great when wearing shorts, the higher cut one excellent in winter to ensure that you don’t expose any skin between socks and tights. The socks are quite plush compared to my other running socks and provide a nice extra layer of cushioning. They make a great partner to the brooks running shoes.
I will provide some more details reports once the first flush of Limerance has dissipated, but if there is anything you would like me to specifically look at let me know.
The Brooks HVAC Synergy Short Sleeve Shirt is primarily at home in hot Sunny conditions. As we're now approaching the middle of Autumn the opportunities to test it out under a sweltering sun are limited. But thats OK because this shirt isn't just a one-hit wonder.
The shirt is constructed of several different materials, on the shoulders and upper arms is a thicker material that provides the UV+ 40 protection. That panel extends down the chest to about sternum height on me and to the top of the shoulder blades in the back. The rest of the front and back is a much lighter material. The shirt comes with a reflective brooks logo on the left of the chest, and small tribal like reflective patches on each sleeve and between the shoulder blades. All seams are flat and well sewn.
In the first week I used the shirt a couple of times as a base layer under the Essential Run Jacket when it was too warm for both the jacket and a Long sleeve shirt. In this transitional time of the year it is more than adequate for the job. providing an environment under the jacket that was not too warm and not too cold.
On Saturday the skies cleared and we were treated to a stunning Autumn day, which gave me the opportunity to test the Shirt out during race conditions in the teutoberger waldlauf. The start was at 13:50 and it was 14°c, Remembering the old adage that its best to feel a little cool at the start than to be too hot during the race I chose to run in short tights and the HVAC SS Shirt. But there were runners all around in Long sleeves, long tights, and plenty of jackets or vests on display too.
10 minutes into the race I got the confirmation that my choice was good as I'd warmed up and was now feeling very comfortable. From there through the rest of the 29km race the shirt didn't really enter my thoughts at all as I concentrated on my race, clambering up the hills or running hard on the descents...and i guess that is the greatest praise you can give a piece of running attire. It should fade into the background when your actually running, It should let the run itself be the star (or perhaps villain) of the show.
The shirt was however immediately brought back to my attention when I was lining up for some post race re-hydration, as I looked around at the other finishers, many with big sweat patches on their backs or chests it dawned on me that my shirt was still bone dry. A good thing because the then 12°c is no temperature to be standing around in wet or damp clothes. I also saw the inevitable bloody nipples on 1 or 2 runners, and realized that i to had forgotten to 'protect myself'. The shirt was forgiving and the shower afterwards was without any painful reproach for my negligence.
I was very impressed with how well the shirt performed, I was able to run comfortably in it the whole race, the shirt did not rub, or irritate me in anyway. Now i am really looking forward to seeing what it can do under warmer conditions, but short of a miracle Autumn I will have to wait till next Summer for that.
I have to admit that I almost certainly would not have purchased a headband myself. But thanks to Brooks and the Messengers of RunHappy Program I had the opportunity to try out the Brooks Seamless Headband that came in my test package.
I always associated headbands with John McEnroe or 80’s fashion mistakes. Olivia Newton John couldn’t convince me to wear one back then so I was likely to remain headband free the rest of my days. But then the Brooks Test Package arrived, with a headband! I felt obliged to at least try it out sometime, sometime preferable when it was dark, very dark.
Tuesday morning I woke to drizzle and strong gusty winds, but that’s not going to put me off a run. At 6:00am in a German autumn it’s pretty dark, the perfect opportunity to test the headband. I figured no-one would be able to recognize me so it was now or never. I ventured out onto the streets, I started my run, and something amazing happened…. I fell in love.
Who would have known… The Brooks Seamless Headband kept my ears, prone to feeling a bit cold, nice and toasty. My head didn’t over heat as it would have if id worn a hat. As an added bonus the headband made a really nice comfortable base for my headlamp to sit on.
I was so impressed that the next day I decided to wear it during daylight … in public… where people could see me. Nobody screamed. Nobody fell on the floor laughing. The 80’s police didn’t turn up. I was able to go for a great run with nice warm ears, and without feeling like my head was being slow cooked.
I’m a changed man. The headband will be accompanying me on most of my runs from now until it gets so cold that a hat is actually required. I guess sometimes you really do just have to overcome the barriers that you put in the way of yourself.
Feel the run from head to big toe with the radically lightweight and flexible PureConnect. Neutral runners who crave less shoe and more freedom will love the maximum breathability of an open mesh upper built on a slim and nimble underfoot. A split toe groove extends through the forefoot allowing the runner to really engage the foot and get a greater sense of connection to the ground. This is a shoe for those who want as little as possible between them and the road. - www.brooksrunning.com
The last few days have been pretty exciting for me. Last weekend i found out i was selected to be a test runner for Brooks, as a Meseneger of Run Happy. The excitment increased even further when brooks let us know that the first test packets were already underway. Its certainly helped me ignore not being able to run due to a cold this week.
So Friday morning the packet arrived, and well, to say that i was a bit overwealmed with its contents would be an understatement.
So in the next few weeks and months i will be testing the following, keep an eye out for my first impressions, full reports, and follow ups.
The first run went well, as did the next few runs in the Ghost 4’s. However I cannot help comparing them to the ghost 2’s that Id been using previously, and unfortunately there are a couple of points where in my opinion they are not an improvement.
Firstly there is the weight issue. The Ghost was originally considered a light or at least a lighter trainer. My Ghost 2 weighs in at 306g in a US 9. The Ghost 4 is now up to 320g not really a lot ill agree but in my US13’s the difference is noticeable. The Ghost appears to be bucking the trend of shoes getting lighter. It has consistently put on weight with each new release. I guess the definition of light has also changed and now the Brooks Launch with its 260g better fills the Light Neutral Trainer slot. 
The outsole is a big improvement. In the Ghost 2 the forefoot is loosely divided into 3 sections in the Ghost 4 its 4 sections. With a deeper ‘Omega Groove’ cut into the midsole material. This provides even greater flexibility in the forefoot. The heel with its caterpillar crash pads help absorb and isolate the impact during a heel landing better. Although I am a little concerned at the relatively small amount of carbon rubber back there.
The Rogue Runner III Shorts are fantastically light, the material is slightly stretchy. They have a generously wide cut leg and a built in liner. The elasticated waist band also has a draw string. Personally I prefer short tights to actual shorts, however I imagine these could be a cooler option on really hot summer days. I had no issues with the material bunching between my legs like with some shorts. My keys were stored safely in a zipped pocket on one side and didn’t bounce around too much. If I don’t wear these during my actual runs they will definitely have a place in my sports bag during summer as something to change into post-race. 
HVAC Synergy SS Shirt
The Essential Run Jacket has almost been a constant companion this week. It really stood out for me on Day 4 when it was raining and quite windy. The Jacket is water repellent, which means that the rain drops pearl up on the jacket and roll off. It is also windproof, which meant that even though with the LS Shirt on under the jacket I was dressed a little to warm and sweating a little more, the wind didn’t get through to make me cold. Day 6 saw more rain, a bit heavier this time, and the jacket coped well. The Jacket is so light the it can easily be taken with on days when the rain is just threatening, either tied around the waist or stuffed info the cargo section of a hydrationpack.
Im a tall guy at 194cm (6’4’’) so things like long tights can be difficult to get the right size on. They need to be small enough around the waist but long enough in the leg. So I was pleasantly surprised when I tried on the Infiniti Tights to find that the size L that I had, also covered my ankles. My enthusiasim got the best of me and I decided to try them out on Day 3 when it was definitely too warm for long tights. My morning run on Day 6 was much more comfortable in the cooler temperatures. The tights are cut from multiple pieces of material which mean that they fit really well, once in place they don’t move around, there is no bunching of material anywhere. Most importantly for me is that during the run the bottom cuff stayed in place, it didn’t ride up exposing a band of skin between tight and sock that can be uncomfortable in mid winter.
The Versatile LS Shirt is made with layering in mind, it is equally at home as a base layer under a jacket on wet and windy days, or as a top layer when it’s dry, either on its own or perhaps over a thermo singlet if it’s cold. The bright green version that i haves color description hardly does it justice. The shirt is not just bright green it’s almost luminescent, which makes it an extremely good choice as a top layer at this time of the year. In this shirt i have absolutely no worries that i will be overlooked. However it does also limit its use in the casual arena…well for me anyway.
I have two sorts one in a low quarter the other in a high quarter. The low quarter is great when wearing shorts, the higher cut one excellent in winter to ensure that you don’t expose any skin between socks and tights. The socks are quite plush compared to my other running socks and provide a nice extra layer of cushioning. They make a great partner to the brooks running shoes.
The shirt is constructed of several different materials, on the shoulders and upper arms is a thicker material that provides the UV+ 40 protection. That panel extends down the chest to about sternum height on me and to the top of the shoulder blades in the back. The rest of the front and back is a much lighter material. The shirt comes with a reflective brooks logo on the left of the chest, and small tribal like reflective patches on each sleeve and between the shoulder blades. All seams are flat and well sewn.
