Brooks PureFlow 2

Name: Brooks PureFlow 2
Brand: Brooks
Rating: 4.2 (39 reviews)

Daily trainer · Neutral · Road · 7.2 oz (men's) · 22/18mm stack · 4mm drop

Discontinued — we no longer see this shoe in stock. The Brooks Pure Flow 4 replaced it

How it ranks

The Brooks PureFlow 2 trails most daily trainers in our data. Cushioning and value are its strongest sub-ratings. The rating is based on 39 runner reviews and 5 other rated shoes in the PureFlow product line.

Bottom-tier

Overall

Bottom-tier 51

Value

Below average 62

Cushioning

Bottom-tier 59

Durability

Bottom-tier 57

Appearance

Bottom-tier 51

Comfort

Bottom-tier 50

Confidence

How settled the rating is against every other rated shoe. A shoe can rate high on confidence with relatively few reviews of its own when its product line has a long record and external ratings from retailer sites agree. Confidence is low when we have few ratings or when runners disagree.

See the product line's history

Confidence

94 High

High 94

Based on

The bars show roughly how much each source contributes to this shoe’s rating. Their influence depends on how many reviews we’ve collected, how many earlier versions are in the product line, and the external ratings available.

Our ratings
Brand rating
External ratings

What runners say

“Comfy toe box, small drop, no pinch-points”

5/5 Full review 50 mpw training for a half marathon

“Upper allows toe-box movement for foot swelling on long runs”

5/5 Full review 55 mpw training for a marathon

“Shin splints went away after switching to these”

5/5 Full review 50 mpw training for a half marathon

“Low heel-to-toe drop puts slight strain on achilles”

4/5 Full review 55 mpw training for a marathon

“Only lasts about 300 miles”

5/5 Full review 50 mpw training for a half marathon

“Fits like a glove, holds foot in all the right spots”

4/5 Full review 40 mpw training for ultramarathons

“Well cushioned; wide forefoot with snug ankle and heel”

4/5 Full review 42 mpw training for a half marathon

“Not good on trails; rocks jam into foam and spike forefoot”

4/5 Full review 60 mpw 782 miles in this shoe training for a half marathon

“Low heel-to-toe drop and spacious toe box”

4/5 Full review 70 mpw training for a half marathon

“Lots of forefoot cushioning, durable, big toe box”

5/5 Full review 80 mpw training for a half marathon

“Tends toward overpronation; less neutral than expected”

3/5 Full review 35 mpw training for ultramarathons

“A little soft; not for those wanting super responsiveness”

4/5 Full review 70 mpw

“Light yet still cushioned to be comfortable”

4/5 Full review 70 mpw training for a half marathon

“Very durable with good forefoot flexibility”

5/5 Full review 55 mpw training for a marathon

“Lacing tightens at the toe box over the course of a run”

5/5 Full review 55 mpw training for a marathon

“Wears quickly”

4/5 Full review 55 mpw training for a marathon

“Firm but good forefoot cushioning”

4/5 Full review 60 mpw training for a half marathon

“Injury after switching from higher heel-drop shoe”

4/5 Full review 50 mpw training for a half marathon

“Good for forefoot strikers”

4/5 Full review 75 mpw training for a half marathon

“Wider base and upper not good for narrow feet”

4/5 Full review 70 mpw

“Encourages improper heel strike”

4/5 Full review 17 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Nike Flex Run 2013

“Could be lighter; lacing system not ideal”

4/5 Full review 60 mpw training for a half marathon

“4mm drop with wider-than-usual toe box”

4/5 Full review 70 mpw

“Wish it had zero heel-to-toe differential”

4/5 Full review 60 mpw training for a half marathon

Where to buy

No offers available

Affiliate links included. They never affect our ratings.

Prices updated daily. Last checked Oct 22.

Pros

At 7.2 oz it is well under the 8.9 oz median for daily trainers for sale, and reviewers use it for tempo and long runs.
Three reviewers praise the wide forefoot and the fit through the heel, though one finds the forefoot too narrow.
Three reviewers describe a smooth, flexible ride with cushioning under the forefoot.

Cons

Reviewers rate durability 3.9 out of 5, and three say it breaks down by about 300 miles.
Nine of thirty-eight reviewers who answered report an injury, and two link Achilles trouble to coming off a higher drop.
Three reviewers dislike the lacing, calling the laces short or the system awkward.

PureFlow 2 rates 51. This shoe has high confidence. See how we rate shoes.

Better Shoes Rating of prior versions of the Brooks PureFlow

Each dot is one version of the PureFlow, placed by its rating and release year. The gold dot is this shoe.

Rating

40 60 80 100

51 2014 64 2014 61 2015 57 2017 67 2017 54 2018

Release year

We use the reviews of past versions to inform this shoe’s rating. See why.

PureFlow 7

2018 · 9 reviews

54 Bottom-tier

89 Confidence
PureFlow 6

2017 · 4 reviews

67 Below average

87 Confidence
Pureflow 5

2017 · 2 reviews

57 Bottom-tier

73 Confidence
Pure Flow 4

2015 · 11 reviews

61 Below average

94 Confidence
Pure Flow 3

2014 · 45 reviews

64 Below average

98 Confidence
PureFlow 2 This shoe

2014 · 39 reviews

51 Bottom-tier

94 Confidence

Runner Ratings

39 ratings

5/5 13

4/5 22

3/5 2

2/5 2

1/5 0

See written reviews Write a review

Specs & fit

Sizing and ride details at a glance.

Weight: 7.2 oz (men's)
Release: 2014
MSRP: $100
Stack: 22/18mm
Drop: 4mm

Runner reviews

Write a review

5/5

Overall

allie.walters · Aug 28, 2014

40 mpw training for a half marathon

Comfort: 5/5
Durability: 3/5
Appearance: 2/5
Value: 4/5

5/5

Overall

The Pure Flow 2 is a very durable straight forward shoe with good fore foot flexibility and balanced padding. Paired with a Flexco insole for a bit of arch support, this has become my best training and marathon racing shoe. It also has and incredible range being comfortable for tempo runs as well as a 100 mile run. The upper allows for movement in the toe box area to accommodate the feet swelling during long runs, and they vent and dry easily (important for South Alabama running ). The only annoyance is the lacing tightens some at the toe box over the course of a run. It looks as though this has been addressed in the Flow 3.

Bford · Aug 28, 2014

55 mpw training for a marathon

Comfort: 4/5
Durability: 5/5
Appearance: 3/5
Value: 5/5

4/5

Overall

4mm drop shoe with a wider than usual toe box. It is a little soft, so if you prefer a super responsive shoe this isn't for you. 4mm is a nice transition from a classic shoe, zero drop can be a tough adjustment and this shoe is a good medium. Wider base and upper are not good for a narrow foot, but this is one of the few shoes I have worn that does not irritate my toes or cause calluses.

Anonymous runner · Aug 28, 2014

70 mpw