How to Choose Running Shoes

Soft, breathable and cushioned comfort meets reliable performance in the women's Brooks Trace 4 road-running shoes. They're constructed for smooth transitions to keep you in your flow zone.
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Imported.
View all Brooks Women's Road-Running ShoesBest Use | Running |
---|---|
Running Shoe Support | Neutral |
Running Shoe Cushioning | Moderate Cushion |
Heel-to-Toe Drop (mm) | 12 |
Heel Stack Height (mm) | 34 |
Forefoot Stack Height (mm) | 22 |
Footwear Height | Ankle |
Footwear Closure | Lace-up |
Upper | Engineered mesh |
Midsole | DNA LOFT v2 |
Outsole | Green Rubber |
Vegan | Yes |
Weight (Pair) | 1 lb. 0.16 oz. |
Gender | Women's |
5 | 5.5 | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 13 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
U.S. Women's | 5 | 5.5 | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 13 |
U.S. Men's | 3.5 | 4 | 4.5 | 5 | 5.5 | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11.5 |
EU | 35.5 | 36 | 36.5 | 37.5 | 38 | 38.5 | 39 | 40 | 40.5 | 41 | 42 | 42.5 | 43 | 44 | 44.5 | 45.5 |
Sizes along top of chart are U.S. Women's sizes. Correlating U.S. Men's sizes and EU sizes provided for clarity.
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[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I want my running shoe to be light - that’s a must when you’re going for mileage - but I also want to feel like I can run over rocks on the trail and not break my feet. These shoes are not only stylish (the perfect color!) but also so comfortable and functional. The ankle part doesn’t slip, so I didn’t need extra socks/tape to prevent rubbing. The laces stayed put without any fuss. The tread gave me good grip both while running in the elements and doing box jumps and lunges. I also didn’t feel like the shoes rocked one way or the other, and it kept my stride natural. I am in love with these! They are so comfortable and cute that I don’t mind running a couple of errands or stopping for coffee after my run.
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I have been wearing my Brooks for a couple of weeks now, and am really enjoying the support. The only thing that kept me from giving 5 stars is that the top/middle of the shoe seems to fit a little tight for me, even with loosening the laces. This may be more of a personal preference, as some may require a tight shoe for training. The toe bed is nice and wide and I like the overall look of the shoes. I have old knee injuries but wearing these has been great. Usually I will have quite a bit of fatigue in my knees or calves when I’m on my feet all day, but I’m really enjoying the support I’m getting from the Trace 4. They have a nice low impact feel for running, and I’ve also been wearing them for my errands since I’m enjoying the classic, clean design of them.
I love them! I'm not a runner but a healthcare worker in a hospital, I have a 85-90 hr work week. These are currently my main pair that I wear for my for my 8 day shift. I'm writing this review at the end of my second work week rotation so I could give some time to break them in. The fit is perfect, it's forgiving enough for when my feet start swelling towards the end of the work day but I also don't "walk out of them". I've noticed some heal pain at the end of a shift but I'm also a heal-strike walker. The sizing and width is perfect as well, I don't have any problems at all will them. This was my first purchase of the Trace and I am extremely pleased with my purchase.
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] These Brooks Trace 4 running shoes are my new go to shoe! They are hands down the comfiest running shoe I’ve ever owned. They fit true to size and feel supportive in all the right places. I have wider feet and tend to get blisters on my pinky toes and heel while running and these shoes are wide enough to fit comfortably and don’t give me blisters! The fabric is lighter and stretchier which allows for good air flow to my feet and makes the shoe comfortable for all day wear! I’m a beginner runner and have always had issues with my arch in my foot causes pain after only a mile, but the Trace 4 has such good arch support that I find myself running farther and farther every time. Whether I’m heading for a run or just know the day will be busy and I will be on my feet a lot; the Brooks Trace 4 are my new favorite shoe.
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I've absolutely loved my new Trace 4's! They arrived at just the right time, and the blue/white color combo is so pretty! They are super comfy to wear for hours on end. My only qualm is that I got my usual size of an 8.5, but they felt more like an 8, so I suggest you go up by half a size if you don't want super tight shoes. The design is super cute, and you don't have to break the shoes in, so all in all I will most likely be sticking with Brooks for a long while!
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I really love these Trace 4 running shoes! They fit perfectly like a glove, and they feel very lightweight and cushiony. As far as design goes, I like the mint green accent against the white background, and the breathable fabric upper means more comfort for my feet, especially when I’m really working up a sweat. There are also built-in grooves outside the shoe to help absorb impact and provide stability. What I love most is that they are super comfortable to wear, whether I’m walking or running, and are ideal when I’m using the treadmill. There are only a couple of things I would change: while this specific shoe only offers “neutral” support for comfort and durability, I do wish it offered a little more support for days that I’m running off trail. I also wish the shoelaces were a bit longer. Overall though, these are wonderful shoes and I am extremely happy with them!
Very uncomfortable. I order the pink nurse themed shoes. No cushion whatsoever. Felt like I was standing on wood blocks all night. I’ve only worn Brooks for the last 10 years. This is my first bad pair. Super disappointing. Maybe I’ll use them for grass cutting shoes. I can’t wear them much longer that an hour. The black ones are a tad more comfortable, but still bad.
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I tried so hard to love these shoes, but they just aren’t it for me. I much prefer my other Brooks shoes. For some reason, these fit much more narrow than my others. I primarily use them on my elliptical and while teaching where I log about 12,000 steps a day. At the end of the day, I have a full ache in the ball of my foot. I do like the cushion in these and my foot feels supported, just too narrow. They’re a pretty shoe and I feel like they nailed the colors for what is trending! I’m going to try and stretch the shoes out a little bit and hopefully add them into my teacher-shoes rotation.
Excellent comfort and fun print! I was motivated to run extra miles! Good fit, runs true to size, and did not need to break in. Good to go on first run from first wear. Also comfort on my feet all day long as a nurse who is always moving and standing throughout the day. Perfect gift for Nurse’s Week and my new favorite!
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] The comfort of the Trace 4 is something I adore. Even though my feet are wide, they never caused me any pain when I worked out on the treadmill. I enjoy the shoe's cushion and how airy it is, so my foot didn't produce sweat too much. Neither did they slip while I ran or walked.