The outsole of the shoe is one that allows the shoe to provide the wearer with a decent level of traction during use. The Brooks Pureflow 5 has an outsole designed primarily from a hardened rubber material. This material works to ensure that the wearer has a decent feeling ride while the shoe is in use. The use of this material allows the shoe to provide the wearer with a high level of responsiveness and grip that simply isn’t there for other shoes; the material is also only featured in certain parts of the shoe such as the toe box to place emphasis on those areas. Also, the sole unit is separated into sections that allow the wearer to experience natural transitions and a decent level of flexibility during use.

The midsole of the shoe is primarily designed from Brook’s signature DNA foam. This material allows the shoe to bend to the will of the wearer’s foot and provides ample cushioning for various types f runners; this is one of the main reasons why the shoe is so supportive for some. The heel of the shoe has loads of cushioning in place that allows the shoe to provide for that area of the foot and to ensure that the wearer receives ample support during their wear. This portion of the shoe is also separated into grooves that aid the shoe in it’s ability to provide the wearer with a decent level of flexibility in their movements.

The upper of the Brooks PureFlow 5 is minimal to say the least. The upper is made entirely from mesh but has a few printed overlays that allow the shoe to provide the wearer with a decent level of stability during use. The design of the upper is also seamless, preventing the wearer’s feet from blistering and becoming overall uncomfortable while the shoe is on foot. Overall, the use of mesh on the upper of the shoe allows the shoe to retain its lightweight effect and contributes to the feel of the shoe greatly. This portion of the shoe isn’t as durable as other shoes because of the lack of protective cushioning throughout the shoe, but the shoe still functions relatively well despite.

The PureFlow 5 was designed form materials that naturally promote and provide a lightweight feel to the wearer of the shoe. The DNA foam in the midsole of the shoe provide the wearer of the shoe with a decent level of cushioning and responsiveness without adding much to the weight of the shoe. The same goes for the upper of the shoe and the use of both mesh and printed overlays; the printed overlays take away some of the weight from the upper of the shoe and allows for a high range of motion for the wearer. In total, the PureFlow 5 weighs an astonishing 9 oz which is surprisingly low for a shoe of it’s caliber.

The use of printed overlays on the upper of the shoe allows for a high level of breathability for the upper of the shoe. The PureFlow 5 has an upper designed from primarily an engineered mesh, a material that is naturally porous and promotes circulation throughout. To enhance the breathability and natural feel of the shoe, Brooks featured printed overlays throughout the design; this allows the shoe to provide the wearer with a decent level of airflow while still allowing for a bit of variability in the temperatures that the shoe is worn in; the shoe provides the wearer with a decent level of comfort in the warmer temperatures while taking away from the shoe’s ability in the colder ones.

The mesh upper and the DNA foam come together again to provide the wearer with extreme levels of comfort while the shoe is in use. The PureFlow 5 has an upper designed primarily from mesh material that conforms to the shape of the wearer’s foot an allows them to move freely while the shoe is worn. This effect is enhanced greatly by the DNA foam’s ability to conform and flex along with the movements of the wearer; this enables the shoe to be extremely supportive and responsive during wear. The porousness of the upper of the shoe also allows for a decent level of breathability for the wearer of the shoe because f the lack of sweat accumulation in the shoe.

The PureFlow 5 is relatively stylish despite popular belief. Brooks designed the shoe in a variety of colorways to allow the wearer a decent number of options to choose from. Apart from this, the cut of the shoe itself is relatively sleek and allows the shoe to be worn in a variety of areas and with a variety of clothing choices. The use of a seamless design for the upper of the shoe also allows for a decent level of comfort and style to be added to the shoe’s design. While this shoe can’t be viewed as the most attractive shoe in the bunch, it does provide the wearer with a decent level of aesthetic appeal just in case it is to be worn with clothing outside of the usual athletic gear.

In terms of durability, this lightweight shoe has a decent level of it. The PureFlow 5 features a sole unit designed primarily from both hardened rubber and DNA foam; these two materials when paired together hold up rather well during use. The DNA fam, while being relatively responsive doesn’t break down very easily and retains its high level of bounce even with extended use. The rubber on the outsole is as efficient as the midsole of the shoe and doesn’t break down very easily. The upper of the shoe, despite being so minimal and cushion-less (in certain parts) holds up for a decent length of time as well.

The upper of the shoe is rather minimal and has very little in the way of protection for the wearer of the shoe; the upper has various printed overlays in place where the usual overlay material. The shoe’s material is also rather porous meaning that it doesn’t work very well on the damp terrains; the wearer’s foot will get wet rather easily if so. The sole unit of the shoe holds up and is rather shock absorbent; this protects the wearer’s foot from early fatigue and soreness from the wear of the shoes on developed terrains.

The shoes feature a midsole designed primarily of DNA material which allows a high level of responsiveness during wear. The DNA foam conforms to the shape of the wearer’s foot and sends back a bounce while the shoe is being worn; this allows for a more natural feeling ride and results in a decent level of comfort to be felt by the wearer of the shoe while worn. The use of the rubber in the forefoot of the shoe allows for snappy movements and adds a level of responsiveness to this already responsive shoe. The upper and the snug fit that it provides also works to this effect.

The DNA foam in the midsole is plentiful in the design of the shoe allowing for a level of support to be provided for the arches of the wearer’s foot. The cushioning in the sole unit of the shoe provides support for the arches of the wearer’s foot and is found in great supply in the heel of the shoe; the amount in the heel of the shoe allows the wearer to have a level of support for the curves of that portion of the foot. The upper also fits relatively snug allowing the shoe to provide for the outer curves of the wears foot, a necessary inclusion into the design of the shoe.

The PureFlow 5 is designed for primary use on developed terrains such as roads. The material used in the shoe’s design (primarily the sole unit) don’t allow for very much use on trails due to the degradation that may occur. The design of the sole unit of the shoe is one that works best on level surfaces due to the design of the tread and the like. The material in the upper of the shoe is one that will also wear very badly if used on less developed terrains such as trails; the material doesn’t have very much cushioning, opening the door for the wearer to experience tearing in the shoe’s design.

The shoes are priced about midrange, making them very attractive for purchasers. The shoe features several technologies that allow the shoe to provide the wearer with a high level of functionality during wear. The responsiveness provided by the sole unit of the shoe, coupled with the range of motion provided by the upper make this shoe somewhat more attractive when the price is considered. Overall Brooks didn’t do a very bad job with the pricing of these shoes and have included a high level of technology to improve upon the value provided.

The sole unit of the shoe is designed primarily form a hardened rubber material that works to ensure that the wearer receives a high a high level of grip during their time in the shoe. The use of the rubber material in the sole unit of the shoe in addition to the range of motion that is achievable greatly enhances the shoe’s overall functionality; the flex grooves that are present in the shoes design allow the wearer of the shoe to reach the places that they desire while seeking footing, ensuring that the rubber outsole of the shoe is placed to good use.

The shoe features various flex grooves placed throughout the sole unit that work to allow the wearer a decent range of motion during use. The shoe’s use outsole nit and the use of the grooves allows the wearer of the shoe to move freely in the shoes and when considered in tandem with the upper of the shoe increase the overall comfort and functionality of the shoe. The shoe’s mesh upper of the shoe, much like the sole unit works to allow the wearer of the shoe to move freely in the shoes; the lack of physical overlays only improves this function of the shoe.

The upper of the shoe allows for a decent level of stability to be provided for the wearer of the shoe, mainly because of the snug fit. The snug fit provided by the shoe prevents the wearer of the shoe from experiencing slippage while the shoe is worn; this results in an added level of security in movement to be provided to the wearer. The foam midsole works in much the same way and provides the wearer with a decent level of security in movement as well.

The drop on the PureFlow 5 is relatively non-existent, especially when considered alongside the shoe’s intended purpose. The heel-to-toe ratio on this shoe is around 4mm allowing the shoe to provide the wearer with insanely comfortable and natural feeling movements while in use. The low drop on the shoe also allows for smooth transitions for the wearer of the shoe.

• DNA Foam
• 3D Fit Print
• Sock Liner

Overall, Brooks did an amazing job with this shoe. Although the design is relatively minimal and doesn’t have many of the intricacies that are present on various models of shoe, it still gets the job done in abundance. The shoe provides the wearer with decent levels of grip and when considered alongside the upper and the range of motion that it allows, makes the shoe a powerhouse for marathon runners. Buyer’s of the shoe must keep in mind the low level of cushioning that is present on the upper of the shoe though simply because of the vulnerability that it makes present in the shoe.