Review: BROOKS Transcend 4 Women's A stellar masterpiece from the Land of Freedom
written by Outdoor Gearzine Editorial Department
the last long-distance running shoe comparison review, "Which running shoes are best for long distances and long periods of time?" was published. During this time, our leisurely, laid-back triathlete writer has been taking his time to thoroughly test each shoe. From now on, we'll be delivering a hands-on review of each shoe. This time, we've chosen Brooks' "ultra-next-generation" cushioning and support model, which came in second place in the comparison review, just behind the top-placed Asics. We used them in the long-distance international triathlon held in the Goto Islands, Nagasaki Prefecture.
After a 3.8km swim and a 180km bike ride, my feet were worn out, and then I had to complete the full 42.195km. So how did these shoes react? Let's take a look
table of contents
Detailed review
Item name
Brooks Transcend 4 Women's
side
Outsole
Main Specifications and ratings
| item | Specifications and ratings |
|---|---|
| weight | Actual measurement: 273g (one foot 25.0cm) |
| Upper fabric | Synthetic fibers. Uses a "guide rail" that combines two different hardness materials |
| Outsole | The outer sole is synthetic. "Super DNA" technology increases cushioning by 25% |
| Comfort | ★★★★☆ |
| weight | ★★★★☆ |
| grip | ★★★☆☆ |
| protection | ★★★★☆ |
| Stability | ★★★☆☆ |
| Overall score | ★★★★☆ |
This is amazing
You'll be amazed at the comfort of the latest cushioning system, "Super DNA"!
This is the effect of Super DNA! The sensations are constantly changing, and every time you run, it feels fresh and exciting
The force of your kick is transmitted directly to the ground, and your body moves forward smoothly. At other times, it feels like you're being gently pushed forward..
The world's first unique cushioning system, "Super DNA"
Quoted from Brooks website
Looking at the sole, it appears that only the teardrop-shaped part is functional, but the DNA function is built into the entire midsole
First, please pay attention to the center of the heel of the shoe. The teardrop-shaped part with "Super DNA" written on it is made of a special rubber material. If you press that part with your finger, you will feel a strong push back
This is a unique system called "Brooks DNA." Its cushioning has been improved by 25%, and it has been renamed "Super DNA." I'm not familiar with the previous model, but I can see the benefits of this when running. There are few Brooks reviews in Japan, so if you compare the old and new versions on overseas sites, you'll find many positive comments, such as, "The cushioning has clearly improved, making running easier!"
The cushioning adapts flexibly to your running speed, providing a soft rebound when you're jogging lightly and a stronger rebound when you pick up the pace. It's a truly excellent product that constantly adapts to your running pace and even responds to differences in body type and weight. This adaptability is truly worthy of the name Super DNA
In my triathlon race, I ran in the first half without increasing my pace too much, minimizing impact as much as possible, and was able to conserve my energy, which allowed me to use that energy to increase my pace in the second half, a very pleasant strategy that was a great success. While some shoes have cushioning that sinks in when you run slowly, making you tired, these shoes protected my feet according to my running style
Not a bad weight
Because of its high cushioning performance, it's not an ultra-lightweight shoe, but it still weighs in at 273g, which isn't too bad. Most entry-level models for runners who run at a 6-minute kilometer pace are around 270-320g, so it's probably quite light for runners who run for long periods of time
Grip is no problem
As for grip, I only slipped a little bit once during the initial break-in period during my three-month test run, on a light climb on damp soil, but otherwise I haven't experienced any issues. I think it was just bad timing. The yellow area around the arch of the outsole says "BLOWN RUBBER," which is a lighter and softer material than typical rubber soles, which likely contributes to the high cushioning. Since road races don't usually involve long periods of running on dirt, this shouldn't be a problem
Open and comfortable fit
The heel cup, upper material, and toe area are important parts when it comes to comfort and fit
The heel cup is neither too hard nor too soft, just right. The streamlined plastic material holds the heel in key areas, reducing the overall feeling of tightness, and I personally find it very comfortable to wear
The upper is made of synthetic mesh with a 3D-FIT system, which means there's no tightness around the toe area and the toes are free to move freely
This is not good
It may be a bit annoying until you get used to it!? The contact with the tongue
It's not that it's painful or difficult to wear, but the yellow part of the tongue is a little hard and interferes with the instep of the foot, which is a bit uncomfortable until you get used to it. It's a shame that this stands out even more because the overall fit is so open and comfortable. Once you get used to it, it's not a problem, but it may be bothersome for people with high insteps or sensitive skin
The Guide Rails feature was supposed to counter overpronation by guiding the foot to a natural movement without forcing it, but even with computer diagnosis and video recording, it didn't seem to adequately support my right foot, which has a strong tendency to overpronate. While I don't experience any pain that could lead to injury while running, I unconsciously lean my right foot inward, which could be combined with the rubbing of the tongue and toe. Over time, the upper fabric has begun to chafe in places
I've been using these shoes for three months, running only about 200km a month, which isn't much, but for some reason my right foot is showing a lot of wear. However, if I were to use shoes that forcefully correct my bad habits, I wouldn't be able to run for long periods of time. These shoes are excellent in a sense, as they wear down but don't cause any pain in my feet
Summary: I want to use it in these situations!
These shoes have a quick kick response, and the changes you experience while running are fun! If you kick your feet powerfully, they move forward powerfully, and if you kick gently, they respond gently. They're shoes you'll want to play with forever. They're not too stiff or heavy, so you'll want to wear them casually from everyday jogging! And in endurance races, they feel as if Brooks is supporting you as you run, adapting to changes in road surface and your level of fatigue. They're reliable shoes that adapt to any situation
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