Brooks running shoes have a long history in the world of running dating back 96 years to their Pennsylvanian beginnings. Now based in Seattle, this high quality high performance footwear brand is only second to running giants Asics in terms of sales, however for technology and innovation they are right up there at the top. When Ethylene Vinyl Acetate, or EVA, was developed in the seventies Brooks were the first trainer manufacturer to realise the potential of the new material for footwear, and in 1975 they became the first shoe manufacturer to used the EVA in the construction of their running shoes. The material has since become an industry standard and offers the utmost support and underfoot comfort, offering excellent cushioning to absorb the shockwaves created when running on hard surfaces. For many years women had to suffer from a lack of footwear catering specifically to the form of the female foot, having to make do with models designed for men. In response to the growing popularity of jogging and running in the late 1980’s, Brooks developed the first running shoes made specifically for women and from 1987 the custom female last finally allowed a shoe which was perfectly suited to the differing anatomy of women’s feet.
A couple of years later and the major innovations kept coming with the development of the now legendary HydroFlow ® cushioning system. It was only a short time before the super shock absorber to gain the coveted American Podiatric Medical Association Seal for its superior cushioning to the feet and protection offered to the joints of the leg. Featuring in all of their running shoes, the HydroFlow system consists of silicone oil filled pods located in the heel of the shoe, which offers exceptional cushioning to the feet and provides one of the best shock absorbers for even the heaviest footfall. Dampers for the feet, they are perfect for heavy runners gave cushioning far superior to anything else on the market. The design is virtually unchanged 21 years later and it remains one of the best cushioning systems available in modern running shoes.
Brooks were the first company to offer a shoe which solved the problem of over pronation, and finally offered runners that extra level of support and protection to prevent common running injuries arising from heavy footfalls and over pronation of the feet. The technology was first developed in 1977 which saw their Vantage trainer take the Runner‘s World‘s Five-Star Award. With many technologies to their name, each catering to the changing needs of running, in 1992 Brooks decided to combine all of their technological skill into one shoe, and they created The Beast. It is an industry leader in terms of motion control providing the highest level of support for over pronators and heavy runners and the safest shoe on the market, and is one of the most technologically advanced shoes on the market.
Brooks now offer 7 ranges of shoes spanning over 32 models, each offering a different design in response to differing needs of runners and a wide range of running surfaces. For superior cushioning for the feet the Neutral range offers excellent running comfort. The Guidance range take this a step further with the use of DRB® and DRB® Accel technology, specifically created to offer correction for for mild to late stage over pronation. For moderate to heavy over pronation the Support range gives the maximum correction, whilst the Control range takes this to the extreme with the highest level of correction and support for the most severe over pronation. For the track there are spikes and high performance competition models catering to the most demanding professionals and for the more leisurely walking market for maximum comfort. If off road running is more your bag, then the trail and cross country range give the extra protection from uneven surfaces and superior grip on mud and slippery surfaces.
Whilst innovation for the feet continues, of late Brooks have been making headlines for their innovation to help protect the environmental. Brooks developed BioMoGo which is the first fully bio degradable midsole. Naturally this is not something that should be restricted to just one footwear manufacturer so the development remains unpatented and free for anyone to use. It has been estimated that this innovation alone could easily save over 14,000 tonnes of landfill every 20 years. It is no surprise that such an innovation is rewarded and it has so far won the Runner’s World International Green Award, the Footwear News Green Award and the Trail Runner Sprout Award for its all round pleasantness to the environment.
Brooks may be number two running brand in the world, but for over pronators and heavy runners Brooks is firmly in top spot, and until other brands take Brooks’ lead it is worth considering a switch to Brooks to help save the environment.
