No more Brooks Pure Cadence!

October 3, 2019 11:29 AM

I just found out that Brooks is going to discontinue their Pure Cadence shoes. I've been using them for years and, dang it, I love them. I like the stability and zero drop. For that reason, they're great for racewalking and trail running. My running store said to try the Altra Escalante. I like their zero drop and the cushioning. The heel's a little wide, though, which makes it hard to plant the foot during racewalking. Any recommendations for a low drop, minimally cushioned, light weight running shoe? Thanks.
posted by holdenjordahl to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (6 answers total)

Best answer: Any reason not to buy a couple pair of the Brooks now? ISTR lots of running sites have back inventory because maybe people want (e.g.) the Gel Kayano 9 and not the Gel Kayano 8 or whatever.
posted by uberchet at 12:16 PM on October 3, 2019 [1 favorite]

Best answer: It's so funny, I was just thinking of this question this morning and researching it. I've already bought pretty much all the stock on Ebay and Amazon in my size (though I will keep an eye on Ebay). Two possibilities I found were New Balance Vongo and Saucony Liberty. I haven't tried these shoes on though, so cannot vouch for them--others online vouched for them.

The Pure Flow sort of approximates the Pure Cadence for me, but not really. I am so annoyed with Brooks right now.
posted by whistle pig at 12:39 PM on October 3, 2019

Best answer: And, I hate hate hate the Altra and the Hoka shoes. The enormous cushioning and wide sole are so annoying to run in. Pure Cadence truly was perfect and I feel like its combo of features is near impossible to find replacements for in the current running shoe market.
posted by whistle pig at 12:41 PM on October 3, 2019

Best answer: Maybe the Topo ST-3? Foot shape is supposed to be better than the Altras (which are kind of blobby), zero drop, little cushioning.
posted by meowzilla at 5:28 PM on October 3, 2019

Best answer: If you were mostly OK with the escalante except for the heel, gave a look at Topo UltraFly. There's mild stability (none in the escalante), and Topo has always (IMHO) done a good job with heel lock, while Altra has only once had a reasonable heel feel to me (Torin 3.5). Yes, I still run in mainly Altra's, but I hate their heels, and despite using a heel lock lacing technique, I get enough movement that usually the inside liner in the heel wearing it is what causes the death of the shoe (granted, they've all lasted at least 800km).

Technically the Topo line is low drop instead of zero drop, but when I have a pair of Topo's in my rotation of otherwise mostly Altra shoes, I don't notice any drop change.

As someone who's been known to buy multiple pairs of a shoe I like if I find it on sale, I'll also say to start watching for some sales and maybe budget to buy many pairs.
posted by nobeagle at 9:26 AM on October 4, 2019

Response by poster: Thanks for the feedbfack!
meowzill and nobeagle, I'm going to check out the Topos. They look good.
Yes, whistle pig, the Hoka are what I would imagine wearing platform shoes would be like. Ugh.
Yes, uberchet and nobeagle, I had bought a bunch of the 6s and 7s - now I can't find anymore.
And yes, whistle pig, I'm annoyed at Brooks too. Why couldn't they at least have something similar???
Again, thanks everyone!
posted by holdenjordahl at 9:33 AM on October 11, 2019