THE BROOKS BLOG

Our Apparel Sales Director, Liz Wilson, couldn’t narrow her pick down to just one from this season. An Equilibrium top and the LSD Lite Jacket are her dynamic duo. Here’s why, in her own words:

“The Equilibrium is my super hero clothes. It’s silky soft against the skin, provides insulation against the chill as a base layer, great single layer in a variety of conditions, won’t pick or snag while being so light you’ll feel naked! Plus, in most colors you can travel with it, wear it out with jeans and a cool vest and take it on your next long run!

The LSD Lite has become my pal around! Super lite, packs into its own pocket so I bring it everywhere with me. Windproof, and pairs nicely over the Equilibrium for a lite but powerful combination against the elements. Available in Nightlife so you’ve got a safety solution as well.”

Get the combo:

 

One of the questions we frequently get asked is: What’s the real difference between the Brooks Adrenaline™ GTS 10 (the newest version of our best-selling Go To Shoe) and our other shoe in the support category, the Trance 9 ?

Someone who wears the Adrenaline™ GTS 10 could also wear the Trance 9 , as they provide support for the same type of runner: the moderate overpronator. With that said, there are a few key differences between these shoes:

- One of the biggest difference is the fit. The Adrenaline™ GTS 10 has its signature "midfoot wrap." (“Midfoot wrap” is how the upper of the shoe conforms to the middle of the foot. Not just the arch, but also the side of the foot. With a snug midfoot wrap you get a shoe that feels “at one” with the foot.) In comparison, the Trance 9 can feel like it has a roomier, wider toe box.

- The Trance™ 9 provides much more cush in both the heel and the forefoot by using our biggest HydroFlow® XL pad.

- The materials in the upper of the Trance™ are top-of-the-line premium plush and softer, which adds to the cost.

Woo Hoo! The Adrenaline™ GTS 10, the much-anticipated tenth edition of our best-selling Adrenaline™ running shoe, is here! (See Men’s /Women’s .)

Brooks has diligently worked to evolve the Adrenaline™ line to maintain its signature fit and function runners have come to know and love, while still finding ways to exceed their expectations. In the Adrenaline™ GTS 10, we feel we’ve nailed it. Here’s a quick overview of how it compares to the Adrenaline™ GTS 9.

Improved :
1. Enhanced upper materials and construction to provide maximum comfort and breathability, while maintaining a conforming fit.
2. Asymmetrical upper overlays to create a more secure arch capture.
3. Increased heel bevel to create a smoother transition, a softer lay down, and slower rate of pronation.
4. Caterpillar heel pad;  A more segmented crash pad that customizes the individual’s lay down for the right amount of cushion and stabilization, resulting in a perfect ride for every stride.

Maintained :
1. Signature PDRB® triple-density post on the medial side of the shoe for industry-leading stability.
2. HydroFlow® cushioning in the forefoot and heel.
3. Iconic Adrenaline™ last and shape.

Oh, and did we mention that it’s especially good-looking? We hope you love the new Adrenaline™ GTS 10! We think it will definitely help stability-seeking runners and Adrenaline™ fans Run Happy®!

>>See the full spec sheet here .

Special thanks to Footwear Product Line Manager Carson Caprara for crafting this comparison!

Ready for cooler weather running? Brooks recently launched new fall outerwear for both Women and Men. My two personal favorites: the cozy and super-stylish LSD Thermal Vest and feather-light, highly reflective LSD Lite Jacket — both pictured below. Go check them out before you’re caught in the cold!

Men’s Running Jackets and Vests
Women’s Running Jackets and Vests

Summer racing season is in full swing … and so we welcome the Launch, a brand new neutral lightweight trainer that provides “just enough shoe” and cushioning. The Launch has one goal in mind: let you run fast and not lose any energy in the shoe. Lace these up for mile repeats or tempo runs, and know this shoe will help you hit your splits.

With a nice midfoot wrap, BioMoGo midsole, and carefully constructed forefoot – the Launch embodies the definitions of resiliency and effort-enabler. And the minimally constructed upper keeps you secure in the shoe, but avoids unnecessary weight or possible areas of irritation.  One early reviewer raves: “like running on a cloud…the miles feel effortless in the Launch.”

Added perk: Fans of the old Brooks Burn can finally clean out their closets!

See the full blog post here:

http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/07/recycled-cds-and-sofa-foam-for-your-feet/

It was a great weekend in Landover, MD for high school running! Brooks is the official footwear and apparel sponsor of the Maryland Indoor Track & Field Championships and we are always looking for fun and exciting ways to reward these outstanding individuals.

This year www.flotrack.org came to town to cover the meet and also launched our new “mugshot’ contest. Check out http://www.flotrack.org/brooks/mug_shot_view_photo/258861

We also had a graphic artist at the event to “tag” Brooks Podium shirts for a few lucky athletes!  See you at in Baltimore for the Outdoor Championships!  Check out all meet footage-  http://www.flotrack.org/videos/coverage/view/234514-maryland-state-indoor-champs

Brooks T6 Racer

Now available for hungry road racers everywhere: the Brooks T6 Racer and Racer ST 4.

Simply put, these two shoes define performance for racing flats on all competitive levels. At the United States’ 2008 Men’s and Women’s Marathon Olympic Trials, roughly 30% of the athletes in the men’s race and 25% of the finishers in the women’s race were sporting Brooks racing flats.  Brian Sell’s shoe at the Olympic Marathon was a special version of the T6 Racer, and Ironman World Champion Chrissie Wellington captured her second world title in Kona last year in some Brooks T5’s. Now you can get the latest versions of these blazing fast shoes.

So what’s the difference between the T6 Racer and Racer ST4?

The T6 Racer provides an ultra-lightweight (6.1 oz), minimal, unrestricted, neutral ride. It’s designed for runners with an efficient stride who don’t need “a lot of shoe” when competing. The Racer ST 4 offers a bit more substance and stability for those wanting some medial support.

What changed compared to the last versions?

The uppers for both shoes were tweaked. The T6 Racer had the overlays in the toebox eliminated, which aided the flexibility in the forefoot. The updated upper of the Racer ST 4 focuses on even better securing of the foot to the base of the shoe, ensuring there is no wasted motion and that all energy is spent moving forward.

Of course, both shoes have cool new colors too!

Brooks Racer ST 4

Recently added to the Brooks neutral shoe lineup: the Defyance 2. The shoe is an update to 2008’s Defyance, which (despite a love-it-or-hate-it lime-green men’s color scheme) won the Runner’s World Editor’s Choice Award in 2008.

Now some inside scoop for the shoe geeks:

The Defyance can be thought of as the the “neutral cousin” to our Adrenaline GTS.  Our most popular shoe series, the Adrenaline is widely praised for its brilliant fit and ride for runners in the Support category. So the Defyance (and now the Defyance 2) takes this same fit and ride and translates it to a different foot type. The result is a flexible, cushioned, “go-to” neutral shoe with the instant fit, mid-foot wrap and famed ride of the Adrenaline.

How’d we do it? By removing the Progressive Diagonal Roll Bar (PDRB), and combination board last (used for additional support in the Adrenaline), the Adrenaline GTS series was “neutralized”. The Adrenaline GTS series and Defyance series live together in harmony, with the Defyance inheriting the previous year’s Adrenaline GTS, purposefully devoid of the stability features.

So what’s new with the Defyance 2 vs. the original Defyance?

- Uses the Adrenaline GTS 8 tooling and upper construction.
- Bulit with the environmentally-friendly BioMoGo midsole.
- New shoe laces are comprised from 100% recycled materials.
- Increase in the amount of flex grooves on the outside of the heel encourages a smoother transition and decreases the forces rotating inward at impact.
- A slight expansion in the opening of the heel geometry allows for better cushioning scores and flexibility.
- The metatarsal window openings on the upper have been reduced in size, improving forefoot capture and complimenting the secure midfoot wrap.
- Last but not least: new colors for men and women!

This time, Trail Runner, the only magazine dedicated to the off-road running community, presented BioMoGo their Sprout Award for “Best Green Innovation.”

New this year, the Sprout Awards recognize a race director, company, community leader, and innovation that have made steps to achieve environmental and social consciousness in 2008. To check out the other winners, pick up the December issue of Trail Runner, when it hits newsstands this November.