So, the virgin flight with the Brooks Trance 10 was a flat 10k out and back along the promenade from Sandbanks beach towards Bournemouth.

First impressions were very good, the fit is snug and comfortable. There is a very roomy toe box (runners with wide feet, like me, take note) and I particularly liked the upper, it feels more like a lightweight race shoe rather than a support shoe. For a support shoe the cushioning is excellent, the ride feels plush without being squidgy and I got decent feedback from the road. This is in part down to Brooks’ cushioning technology call DNA. This is what the folks at Brooks have to say about DNA:

BROOKS DNA™ always offers a perfect balance between shock absorption and energy feedback. The material itself is less of a solid than an extremely viscous liquid that behaves like millions of small elastic springs on a molecular level. The ground-breaking BROOKS DNA™ shock absorption technology hence immediately adjusts to the specific biomechanics, speed and weight of every runner.

The new shock absorption technology benefits from optimal energy feedback. With conventional sole materials, the energy feedback peters out as the impact force rises. This is also the reason why some shoes feel kind of „flat“ after a certain period of time. Exactly the opposite applies with BROOKS. With BROOKS DNA™, higher impact forces also boost the energy feedback.

BROOKS have thoroughly analyzed a large number of runners and running styles in order to develop the special form of the DNA™-elements. This way BROOKS found out where the pressure load of the sole is the greatest, and integrated the DNA™-elements at these very spots.

The DNA technology seems to live up to the hype, over the last couple of km of my test run I went through the gears, I tend to overreach and heel-strike when I run faster, the shock absorption on the Brooks 10 is as good as any I’ve come across.

So far so good, snug fit, good cushioning, good responsiveness. Next time out I’ve got a 20km run planned with a few hills involved to test out the support on the Trance 10.

Brooks Trance 10 Running Shoe

For all you runners and endurance althetes out there, we’re going to review some of the more popular running shoes currently on the market, starting with the Brooks Trance 10.

Of all the running shoes the sports shoes currently have to offer, why start with the Brooks Trance 10? Well, it just so happens I have taken delivery of a brand new shiny pair this week.

The Trance 10 is a stability shoe or support shoe as they are sometmes known, aimed at mild over-pronators. It has a reputatation for excellent comfort and feature Brooks DNA cushioning technology.

I want to put the shoe through it passes properly, so I thought it wouldbe a good idea to conduct a long term test over the course of a month, several runs and quite a few miles. I’m going to pop out for a quick 10k attoday, the sun is shining on the South coast, so it couldn’t be a better day to put the Trance 10’s to the test.

I’ll let you know how the Brooks Trance 10 and I get on together!