11720 North Creek Pkwy. N.
Bothell, WA 98011
800/227-6657
www.brookssports.comAll the shoes are available as of December 15, 1998, unless otherwise noted. The new early winter, '98 shoes--evaluated in our December '98 issue--are also noted by an asterisk. But not every shoe is available at every store. When weights are mentioned, they are for men's size 9. When two prices are listed, the first is the men's price. The less expensive of the prices listed is always for the women's model. Sizes listed are for men's and women's models, when applicable. When it's not, the shoe is a men's models and the sizes listed are for men.
* Signifies new early winter, '98 shoes (or updated model) that has been evaluated in the Shoe Buyer's Guide in the December, '98 issue of Runner's World.
** Signifies one of the very best shoes in a particular category.
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| Cheetah II: $75 |
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At Brooks, the Cheetah is known as a "go-fast shoe." What it does, is allow the runner to go as fast as possible without any extraneous shoe getting in the way. So you know it's a stripped-down, lightweight trainer/racer with the emphasis on lightness (10 oz.). Built on a curved last for responsiveness, the Cheetah has the HydroFlow cushioning pad in the forefoot and a very thin outsole. For the majority of runners, it's not a good daily trainer (because it's not durable or stable enough), but for the biomechanically efficient it's fine. It's also a good racing shoe for the recreational racer. Sizes: (m) 7-12, 13; (w) 5- 11. |
| **Vapor: $70 |
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A Runner's World "Best Buy" for spring '98, the Vapor is such a good stability shoe that it could easily cost $15 more. Even though it doesn't, it stacks up favorably with such $85 stability gems as the Asics GT-2030 and Nike Structure Triax. The Vapor has terrific cushioning, stability and fits extremely well. It has a wide base of support, a tapered heel and good midfoot support. A flat-out winner of a shoe. Sizes: (m) 7-13, 14, 15; (w) 5-11. |
| **Addiction II: $75 |
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Brooks is known for its stable, durable trainers and the Addiction II is one of the best, well-priced shoes in the entire category. It has a wide base of support, the Diagonal Rollbar design (to reduce pronation) and HydroFlow cushioning in the rearfoot to enhance the cushioned ride. An excellent shoe for overpronators, but not for extreme heavyweights. There's also an Addiction All Seasons ($80) available with a water-resistant upper. Sizes: (m) 7-12, 13, 14, 15; (w) 5-11, 12. Also comes in a wide width. |
| ASR Extreme: $80 |
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A good shoe if you do some road running as well as on the trails. The Extreme is versatile and well-cushioned (with rearfoot HydroFlow). It also offers plenty of protection from wet weather. Sizes: (m) 7-12, 13; (w) 5-11. |
| Radius OC: $80 |
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The Radius was one of the best cushioned shoes Brooks has made in years and the Radius OC (for "optimal cushioning") takes that concept one step further. It combines excellent cushioning (with rear and forefoot HydroFlow cushioning pads) with a stable midsole and the Podular (the ``pods'') outsole technology for flexibility. The most important update of the OC is that the outsole ie new and offers a softer, better cushioned ride. Sizes: (m) 7-12, 13; (w) 5-11. |
| Gecko: $80 |
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Essentially the Gecko is a Radius OC for all-terrain use. Just like the Radius, it uses podular-flexibility technology in the forefoot and HydroFlow cushioning pads in the forefoot and rearfoot. Although the Gecko is slanted toward the off-road category, it's also fine for road use. Sizes: (m) 7-12, 13; (w) 5-11. |
| Talon: $85 |
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The Adrenaline was one of Brooks' better shoes and the Talon is its successor. They are very similar shoes, but the Talon places far greater emphasis on cushioning, particularly forefoot cushioning where there are six separate pods of outsole rubber to create flexibility and mobility. Responsive and cushy, the Talon also has adequate stability. Sizes: (m) 7-12, 13; (w) 5-11. |
| *Beast: $100 |
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The name of the shoe describes its consumer profile: big, heavy runners who overpronate. And the Beast fits the bill. It's durable, built on a straight last (for medial support) and has a firm midsole with the Diagonal Rollbar to reduce pronation. It also has excellent cushioning with the HydroFlow cushioning pads in the rear and forefoot. Although it's heavy (14 oz.), the Beast is an excellent shoe for overpronators of all shapes and sizes. The latest version has better forefoot flexibility and a more rigid midsole with a plastic medial post. Although the price has gone up $5, the quality of the shoe has as well. Sizes: (m) 7-12, 13, 14, 15 in wide and normal widths; (w) 5-11, 12. |
| **Tsunami: $110 |
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Brooks has never made a shoe this expensive--or this cushioned. It has the Brooks podular technology in the forefoot for an exceptionally cushioned ride which is also light and flexible. The medial post is very small, yet contributes to the smooth heel-to-toe transition. An excellent shoe. Sizes (m) 7-12, 13; (w) 5-11. |
| TriDemon: $75 |
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Designed specifically for the triathlete because of its unique, laceless, closure system (makes transitions easier), the TriDemon is certainly light (9 oz.) and flexible. It's not particularly stable and the HydroFlow cushioning pad is only in the forefoot. Sizes: 3.5-12, 13. |
| Street Demon: $105 |
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Wow! The $105 pricetag is the heftiest for a conventional racing flat and the reason it's so expensive, is because the Street Demon is hand made in Japan. It's extremely light (5.3 oz.), but the tradeoff is there isn't a lot of protection. If you don't need a lot, that's OK. If you need some support and cushioning, you might look elsewhere. Sizes: 8-12, 13. |