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{{DISPLAYTITLE:Brooks PureCadence 3 Review}}
The PureCadence is part way between a true minimalist shoe and the massively cushioned [[MinimaxMaximalist]] shoes. I found the PureConnect to have less cushioning than I expected given its weight. Of the three shoes I've tested in the Brook's Pure range, I think the PureCadence is the weakest. It has firmer foam on the inside of the heel (a medial post) that is intended to reduce pronation, but science has shown this to be ineffective. These "stability" features simply makes the shoe firmer than it needs to be, though this firmness breaks down fairly quickly. {{H:WhatToLookForInShoes}}
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=Characteristics=
* {{H:WhyBuy}}. The PureCadence might make a good shoe for someone looking to transition from a more traditional shoe, though the PureFlow is a better choice from the Brook's Pure range. The [[Saucony Kinvara]] is a better transitional shoe than either the PureCadence or PureFlow, as it's lighter and more softly cushioned. If you're not looking for a transition shoe, then the [[Hoka Clifton]] is lighter and much better cushioned, or the [[Altra One2| Altra One<sup>2</sup>]] lot lighter and more softly cushioned.
* {{H:cushioning}}. The PureCadence is reasonably cushioned, but the medial post makes the rear of the shoe far too firm out of the box. I was surprise how rapidly the midsole became softer; I don't expect foam to break down quite as quickly as that. Overall the PureCadence is a little on the firm side and I'd like to see more cushioning for this weight.
* {{H:drop}}. The PureCadence has 5mm of drop when unloaded, but this drops quite a bit when you're wearing the shoe.
* {{H:flexibility}}. The PureCadence is nicely flexible due to the midsole groves and the gaps in the outsole.
* {{H:outsole}}. The hard rubber outsole covers the contact areas of the shoe, which improves longevity and grip, but adds to the weight. As you can see from the pictures, the outsole is in patches, which helps keep the shoe lighter and more flexible. This is because the harder rubber of an outsole is quite inflexible, so a continuous layer is not only heavier, but less flexible as well. The outsole rubber used here is a nice combination of hard wearing and grippy, and is fairly thick. Of course this is also the Achilles' heel of the shoe, as the outsole is probably part of the reason the shoe is quite heavy when compared with the [[Hoka Clifton]], or [[Saucony Virrata]].
* {{H:shape}}. The shoe of the shoe is closer to the human foot than many designs, but it's not quite right. It's like someone described the shape of a human foot to the designers, but they couldn't picture it. I'd recommend [[Shoe DissectionModifications| cutting open the toe box for comfort]].{{H:TryCuttingShoes}}
* {{H:upper}}. The upper is inflexible and a little more complex than I'd like, with a few seams. The seams did not cause me any problems, but I think they could be an issue for some runners. The ankle opening is well padded, but the rest is thin and breathes reasonably well. The PureCadence has Brooks' "Nav Band" which is an elasticated band over the middle of the shoe, going from where the upper meets the arch of the foot, over the top and down to the outside edge of the midsole. This elasticated band is intended to keep the shoe secure, but it just puts extra pressure on the top of the foot. I didn't like this band at all, but it's easy to cut it open where it crosses the tongue. Overall the shoe is slightly less comfortable than average.
* {{H:tongue}}. The PureCadence has a tongue that is attached to the inside of the upper, with the outside free, a combination that I like. This is sometimes called a "burrito-wrapper tongue". It keeps the tongue in place without the problems of a sock style upper. The tongue has a slight degree of soft padding which should be enough for most runners.
* {{H:lacing}}. The laces are bumpy, which helps them stay tied, but also makes it trickier to get the tension right when tying the shoe. The laces also have an asymmetric pattern, which I didn't find made any difference when compared with other shoes.
* {{H:heelcounter}}. The heel counter is quite solid, with hard edges that might cause some people problems.
{{BuyShoesFastBlr|RW=Tbrooks/pure-cadence-4-1063|RRS=T1063|AZ=TBrooks Pure Cadence 4}}
=Comparisons=
Here are some direct comparisons with its potential competition.
==PureCadence, PureConnect, & PureFlow==
The Brooks Pure range of shoes is intended to be more minimalist, but they're only minimal when compared to a traditional shoe like the Asics GT 2000. I would consider Pure shoes as in the "balanced" category that is part way between minimalist and the massively cushioned Minimax Maximalist style of shoes. The Pure range all have some over engineering, with pointless features such as the "Nav Band" that puts extra pressure on the top of the foot. It seems that most shoe manufacturers feel the need to justify their prices with some type of gimmick rather than producing simple, effective shoes, which is a shame. To evaluate the three shoes, it's best to look at how they compare to the PureFlow, which is the middle ground.
* '''[[Brooks PureFlow| PureFlow]] and [[Brooks PureCadence| PureCadence]]'''. The PureCadence has a slightly thicker midsole than the PureFlow, but it's also a little firmer. The PureCadence also adds a Medial Post which makes the shoe a little firmer, but this breaks down remarkably quickly.
* '''[[Brooks PureFlow| PureFlow]] and [[Brooks PureConnect| PureConnect]]'''. The PureConnect has a little less cushioning than the PureFlow, though they are remarkably similar, even when wearing one on each foot. I did notice that the gaps in the midsole of the PureFlow do create a slightly uneven, "lumpy" feel underfoot.
|[[File:Hoka-OneOne-Clifton-outside.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Hoka OneOne Clifton outside]]
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==PureCadence and Altra One2 One==Comparing the PureCadence and the [[Altra One2| Altra One<sup>2</sup>]], the Altra wins on weight and cushioning, but the PureCadence will last longer:
* Advantage PureCadence
** {{H:price}}. The PureCadence is cheaper, especially when longevity is considered.
** {{H:trails}}. The PureCadence has more protection from rocks.
** {{H:longevity}}. The PureCadence lasts longer.
* Advantage [[Altra One2| Altra One2One]]
** {{H:cushioning}}. The Altra is a lot more softly cushioned.
** {{H:weight}}. The Altra is a lot lighter.
|[[File:Brooks-PureCadence-3-outside.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Brooks PureCadence 3 outside]]
|- valign="top"
|[[File:AltraThe One 2.5-One2top.JPG|none|thumb|150px|Altra The One 2.5 top]]|[[File:Altra The One 2.5-bottom.JPG|none|thumb|150px|Altra The One 2.5 bottom]]|[[File:Altra The One 2.5-inside.JPG|none|thumb|150px|Altra The One 2.5 inside]]|[[File:Altra The One 2.5-outside.JPG|none|thumb|150px|Altra The One 2.5 outside]]|}==PureCadence and Saucony Kinvara==Comparing the PureCadence and the [[Saucony Kinvara]], I prefer the Kinvara as it's lighter and better cushioned. * Similarities** {{H:shape}}. Neither has a good toe box.** {{H:flexibility}}. They are both nicely flexible.** {{H:availability}}. The both are reasonably easy to find. * Advantage PureCadence** {{H:grip}}. The PureCadence has more grip.* Advantage [[Saucony Kinvara]]** {{H:drop}}. The Kinvarais zero-drop, the PureCadence is 5mm.** {{H:cushioning}}. The Kinvarais more softly cushioned.** {{H:longevity}}. The Kinvara lasts longer.** {{H:weight}}. The Kinvara is lighter.{| class="wikitable" |- valign="top"|[[File:Brooks-PureCadence-3-top.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Altra One2 Brooks PureCadence 3 top]] |[[File:AltraBrooks-PureCadence-One23-bottom.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Altra One2 Brooks PureCadence 3 bottom]] |[[File:AltraBrooks-PureCadence-One23-inside.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Altra One2 Brooks PureCadence 3 inside]] |[[File:AltraBrooks-PureCadence-One23-outside.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Altra One2 Brooks PureCadence 3 outside]] |- valign="top"|[[File:Saucony-Kinvara-5-top.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Top]] |[[File:Saucony-Kinvara-5-bottom.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Bottom]] |[[File:Saucony-Kinvara-5-inside.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Inside]] |[[File:Saucony-Kinvara-5-outside.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Outside]]
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==PureCadence and Saucony Virrata ==
Comparing the PureCadence and the [[Saucony Virrata]]:, I prefer the Virrata due to its light weight, though the PureCadence has more cushioning.
* Similarities
** {{H:shape}}. Neither has a good toe box.
** {{H:longevity}}. Neither lasts as long as I'd have liked.
** {{H:availability}}. The both are reasonably easy to find.
* Advantage PureCadence
** {{H:grip}}. The PureCadence has more grip.
** {{H:trails}}. The PureCadence has more protection from rocks.
** {{H:cushioning}}. The PureCadence is has more softly cushionedcushioning.
* Advantage [[Saucony Virrata]]
** {{H:drop}}. The Virrata is zero-drop, the PureCadence is 4mm5mm.
** {{H:weight}}. The Virrata is a lot lighter.
** {{H:price}}. The Virrata is a little cheaper.
|[[File:Saucony-Virrata-outside.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Saucony Virrata outside]]
|}
{{ShoeGraphs}}
=A Comparison with other Recommended Shoes=
{{:Shoes-include}}
