Let me start off this post by saying that I run exclusively in Brooks shoes and that I have been a member of the Brooks I.D. program for the last few years. Brooks I.D. From Brooks' website:
"Brooks I.D. stands for Inspire Daily. These two simple words guide the principles of the program. Brooks I.D. is made up of over 800 members who are active in their running communities and share a passion for the Brooks brand. They are runners who are winners in their own right: Winning their age divisions, accomplishing their personal goals, pushing their own limits, and, by extension, encouraging others to do the same. Brooks I.D. athletes members use their athletic talent to help carry out the Brooks mission: To inspire people to run and be active. We look for athletes who have a passion for Brooks, race and train in Brooks' shoes and apparel, and enthusiastically evangelize the brand."
I have personally found that Brooks makes a great shoe for my foot. I have worn every version of the Brooks Cascadias and used them during the McNaughton Park 150 mile trail run in Pekin, IL in 2007, 2008, and 2009 and again during the 200 mile trail run in Pittsfield, VT in 2010 and 2011. I have worn the Brooks ST Racers in dozens of marathons and ultra-track runs. Sometimes the shoes work well and hold up beyond 600 miles of use and sometimes they don't. But overall I am extremely happy with the quality of workmanship Brooks puts into their designs and products. The following photo is from the Badgerland 24 Hour Run Labor Day weekend 2011:
I am wearing Brooks ST Racers and am about to retire that same pair of shoes after running in them during that race, 3 marathons in October, and training in them over the last 3 months. Well over 700 miles.
It was with great excitement that I received my pair of Brooks new lightweight PureConnect Shoe. This is one of four different types of shoes in the Pure line:
I wore these shoes on two runs - the second of which was my daily commute home from work (7 miles). My feet hurt so bad with these shoes on that I literally decided I would be better off removing the shoes and running the remaining 3+ miles home barefoot. Now, in speaking with Brooks, my feet are probably better suited for their other 3 Pure shoes (i.e., Pure Cadence and Pure Grit).
But this experience made me realize how much I absolutely love many of Brooks current line of shoes:
Cascadias
ST Racers
Launch
Green Silence
Your feet shouldn't hurt if you have the proper shoes - you shouldn't even notice them.
