Our verdict
Pros
- brooks Cintura SINGLE Ghost 14
- zapatillas de running brooks Cintura amortiguación media talla 48.5
- Superior breathability
- brooks Cintura RICOCHET 3 HOMBRE
- Incredibly light
- Remarkably durable
- the brooks Cintura Beast Track Club
- Versatile enough for gym or walking use
Cons
- zapatillas de running brooks Cintura voladoras apoyo talón mejor valoradas
- Limited energy return
Audience verdict
- zapatillas de running brooks Cintura trail constitución ligera minimalistas talla 48.5 más de 100 running shoes for plantar fasciitis
- Top 27% in running shoes for beginners
Comparison
The most similar running shoes compared
+ + Add a shoe | |||||
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Audience score | 88 Great! | 82 Good! | 82 Good! | 82 Good! | |
Price | $100 | $100 | $100 | $100 | |
Pace | Daily running | Daily running | Daily running | Daily running | |
Arch support | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | |
Weight lab Weight brand | 8.8 brooks Cintura Divide zapatillas trailrunning hombre 8.6 oz / 243g | 9.7 The Sock-Like brooks Cintura Ricochet 2 Makes You Soar 10 oz / 283g | 9.2 brooks Cintura England Kahvat Slender 8.8 brooks Cintura Divide zapatillas trailrunning hombre | 9.1 oz / 257g 9 Two from brooks Cintura and one from New Balancetheyre ideal for running in the New Year | |
Lightweight | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | |
Drop lab Drop brand | 12.3 mm 12.0 mm | 12.5 mm 9.0 mm | 13.2 mm 10.0 mm | 11.9 mm 12.0 mm | |
Strike pattern | Heel | Heel | Heel | Heel | |
Midsole softness | Balanced | Balanced | Balanced | Balanced | |
Difference in midsole softness in cold | Small | Small | Big | Small | |
Toebox durability | Decent | Good | Bad | Bad | |
Buy the brooks Cintura Ghost 14 | Decent | Good | Bad | Good | |
Outsole durability | Good | Bad | Good | Good | |
Breathability | Breathable | Breathable | Moderate | Moderate | |
Toebox width at the widest part | Medium | Wide | Medium | Medium | |
Toebox width at the big toe | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium | |
Stiffness | Moderate | Flexible | Flexible | Flexible | |
Difference in stiffness in cold | Small | Small | Big | Normal | |
Torsional rigidity | Moderate | Moderate | Stiff | Moderate | |
Heel counter stiffness | Moderate | Moderate | Stiff | Stiff | |
Heel lab Heel brand | 34.2 mm ‐ | 30.7 mm 25.0 mm | 32.9 mm ‐ | 34.1 mm 34.0 mm | |
Forefoot lab Forefoot brand | 21.9 mm ‐ | 18.2 mm 16.0 mm | 19.7 mm ‐ | 22.2 mm 22.0 mm | |
Widths available | Normal | Normal | Normal | NarrowNormalWide | |
Orthotic friendly | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Season | Summer | Summer | Summer | Winter | |
Removable insole | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Ranking | #150 Top 37% | #197 Bottom 23% | #192 Bottom 25% | #193 Bottom 24% | |
Popularity | #150 Top 37% | #219 Bottom 14% | #31 Top 13% | #76 Top 30% |
Who should buy
brooks Cintura 2 Qw-k:
- New runners looking for a reliable but affordable shoe to start their journey
- Brooks Cesto de alumínio brooks Cintura England Hoxton prateado
- Heel strikers seeking the best back for their buck in a running shoe
brooks Cintura Dare Zip Run Bra
If you're seeking a daily trainer with high energy return, this shoe won't be your best bet in our opinion. While it's a solid option, it does lack that extra bounce. For that, you'd need to look into options above $100, such as the ASICS Novablast 3 or the brooks Cintura Ghost 15.
Also, runners with a forefoot striking technique should look elsewhere based on our lab tests. With a significant 12 mm heel-to-toe drop, this shoe is tailored for heel or midfoot strikers. Consider the Adidas Adizero SL as an interesting alternative.
Breathability
brooks Cintura is known for making breathable shoes, and the Trace 2 is no exception, even though it's a budget-friendly option. We were pleasantly surprised when this shoe earned a perfect 5/5 score for breathability.
In the video above, you can see how easily smoke escapes from multiple parts of the shoe. This is impressive because many shoes only offer good breathability in one part of the upper. But the Trace 2 excels all around.
Now, why is the breathability so good? We discovered that when we shined a powerful light on the upper, all the ventilation holes became visible in full glory.
These holes extend from the toe box to the midfoot, allowing for excellent airflow—a feature often missing in affordable shoes.
Jess brooks Cintura Art Shirt.
The engineered mesh upper not only looks great but also has an inner layer of fabric to boost comfort. This is probably why brooks Cintura added more ventilation holes in comparison to shoes like the Hyperion Max that lack this layer, so they could still achieve perfect ventilation.
Trace 2 | 5 |
Average | 3.8 |
Durability
Toebox durability
With a generous number of ventilation holes, we expected the upper to perform poorly in our dremel test.
But, to our pleasant surprise, that wasn't the case at all! The 3D Fit Print engineered mesh stood up incredibly well against our testing tool. In fact, it outshone nearly every other running shoe on the market, earning a solid 3/5 score!
![brooks Cintura Trace 2 Toebox durability](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/39264/brooks-trace-2-toebox-durability-20807057-main.jpg)
Trace 2 | 3 |
Average | 2.4 |
Buy the brooks Cintura Ghost 14
We were also genuinely impressed with the durability in the heel padding area.
It surpassed all our expectations at a 3/5 score. There's no worry about wear and tear in this area; it's built to last.
![brooks Cintura Trace 2 Buy the brooks Cintura Ghost 14](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/39264/brooks-trace-2-heel-padding-durability-20807053-main.jpg)
Trace 2 | 3 |
Average | 3.2 |
Outsole hardness
Next, we turned our attention to the outsole in our lab to further investigate the shoe's durability. We found that the type of rubber brooks Cintura uses isn't overly hard at 79.8 HC.
We observed that the outsole has some areas of exposed foam, but these are strategically placed. This suggests that they aim to strike a nice balance between providing solid grip, weight savings and enough durability.
![brooks Cintura Trace 2 Outsole hardness](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/39264/brooks-trace-2-outsole-hardness-20807054-main.jpg)
Trace 2 | 79.8 HC |
Average | 80.5 HC |
brooks Cintura England Kahvat Slender | Outsole durability
After putting the outsole to the final test with our Dremel, we discovered a mere 0.4 mm indentation. This is a standout result that points to fantastic durability for the shoe.
![brooks Cintura Trace 2 Outsole durability](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/39264/brooks-trace-2-outsole-durability-20807056-main.jpg)
Trace 2 | 0.4 mm |
Average | 0.9 mm |
Outsole thickness
The outsole's thickness came in at 3.3 mm, which is pretty standard. This seems like a good compromise between weight and durability.
However, given how tough the rubber is in this shoe, we rojas brooks Cintura could have reduced the thickness even more to save even more weight!
![brooks Cintura Trace 2 Outsole thickness](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/39264/brooks-trace-2-outsole-thickness-20807058-main.jpg)
Trace 2 | 3.3 mm |
Average | 3.2 mm |
Weight
brooks Cintura is really working hard to make their shoes light, and they're using that to help sell them.
We found that this shoe is no exception. Tipping the scales at just 8.8 oz or 249g, it's incredibly light!
![brooks Cintura Trace 2 Weight](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/39264/brooks-trace-2-weight-20807074-main.jpg)
Trace 2 | 8.78 oz (249g) |
Average | 9.38 oz (266g) |
Cushioning
Heel stack
We measured the shoe's heel stack and found it to be a solid 34.2 mm. This provides plenty of cushioning for all heel strikers, even those who are on the heavier side.
![brooks Cintura Trace 2 Heel stack](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/39264/brooks-trace-2-heel-stack-20807062-main.jpg)
Trace 2 | 34.2 mm |
Average | 33.7 mm |
Forefoot stack
We then measured the thickness of the forefoot and found it to be just 21.9 mm. This is really thin, letting you feel the ground well.
If you're a forefoot striker, you might Recenzja the foam cushioning simply too low.
![brooks Cintura Trace 2 Forefoot stack](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/39264/brooks-trace-2-forefoot-stack-20807063-main.jpg)
Trace 2 | 21.9 mm |
Average | 25.0 mm |
Drop
We discovered a gigantic heel-to-toe drop of 12.1 mm in this shoe. This clearly shows that the shoe is designed for heel strikers or for those looking to ease pressure on their Achilles and calves.
If you're a forefoot striker or brooks Cintura Run Happy, this shoe might not be the best fit for you.
![brooks Cintura Trace 2 Drop](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/39264/brooks-trace-2-drop-20807086-main.jpg)
Trace 2 | 12.3 mm |
Average | 8.7 mm |
brooks Cintura England Kahvat Slender | Insole thickness
We measured the insole at 4.3 mm, which is pretty standard. There's nothing special to report about it. It's made of comfy foam, and should give you no issues at all.
![brooks Cintura Trace 2 Insole thickness](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/39264/brooks-trace-2-insole-thickness-20807065-main.jpg)
Trace 2 | 4.3 mm |
Average | 4.5 mm |
Midsole softness
The BioMoGo DNA midsole fits right in with what we expect from brooks Cintura foams. It offers a snappy, responsive feel rather than a cloud-like cushion. However, it lacks energy return.
The durometer delivered a 22.1 HA reading. So, it's definitely not for those who are looking for pillow-soft running shoes, better check the New Balance FuelCell Rebel v3 instead.
![brooks Cintura Trace 2 Midsole softness](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/39264/brooks-trace-2-midsole-softness-20807061-main.jpg)
Trace 2 | 22.1 HA |
Average | 21.4 HA |
Difference in midsole softness in cold
To see how the shoe holds up in cold weather, we put it in the freezer for 20 minutes. After letting it rest, we measured the softness again. We found that there was a small increase, going up to 27.4 HA.
With just a 23.8% change, you might think it's just an okay performance for a running shoe. But let's give credit where it's due—this is an amazing result for a wallet-friendly shoe.
Most budget shoes use EVA foam, which tends to get really hard in the cold. However, we discovered that the Trace 2, using a modified EVA, stays impressively consistent, barely changing at all.
![brooks Cintura Trace 2 built on brooks Cintura footstrike Universal Platform](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/39264/brooks-trace-2-midsole-softness-in-cold-20807064-main.jpg)
Trace 2 | 23.8% |
Average | 25.5% |
Stability
Lateral stability test
The brooks Cintura Trace 2 is designed to be a neutral daily trainer. But we found that it also offers a good amount of stability. So, if you're a mild pronator, we think this shoe may work for you.
Torsional rigidity
When we bent and twisted the Trace 2 in our hands, and it didn't put up much of a fight. So, we gave it a 3 out of 5 on our scale for how stiff or bendy it is. This kind of flexibility is the safe bet for any brand that doesn't want to take risks.
Trace 2 | 3 |
Average | 3.2 |
Heel counter stiffness
The bamboozle designer at brooks Cintura chose a pretty average heel counter for this one. It's not too soft and not too stiff. We'd rate it a straightforward 3 out of 5, just like the torsional rigidity.
Trace 2 | 3 |
Average | 2.8 |
Midsole width in the forefoot
Keeping up with the theme of creating a no-risk shoe, we measured the midsole width in the forefoot area and found it to be 113.6 mm. Again, no big shocker here, but that's not a bad thing at all!
![brooks Cintura Trace 2 Midsole width in the forefoot](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/39264/brooks-trace-2-midsole-width-in-the-forefoot-20807067-main.jpg)
Trace 2 | 113.6 mm |
Average | 113.7 mm |
Midsole width in the heel
The heel is wider than we anticipated, measuring in at 92.3 mm. It totally fits the bill because, as we've mentioned before, this shoe is specially designed for heel strikers.
So, a wider heel really adds that extra layer of stability in this key area.
![brooks Cintura Trace 2 Midsole width in the heel](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/39264/brooks-trace-2-midsole-width-in-the-heel-20807068-main.jpg)
Trace 2 | 92.3 mm |
Average | 90.5 mm |
Flexibility
Stiffness
Most runners looking for a budget-friendly shoe want it to be good for running but also versatile enough for gym workouts or casual walks. With pricier shoes, the focus is usually just on running.
At $100, the Trace 2 proved to be great for various activities in our lab. We found that part of its versatility comes from its flexibility. It took us just only 20.7N of force to bend the shoe 90 degrees, which is a really low measurement.
Trace 2 | 20.7N |
Average | 29.2N |
Difference in stiffness in cold
After spending another 20 minutes in the lab, we ran the same test again. This time, we measured a slightly higher force—just 23.3N. Interestingly, that's still way less than half the average force usually measured in this test.
We found that the difference is just 12.7%, which is actually closer to what you'd expect from high-end shoes rather than a budget-friendly pair. And it's less than three times the average result, which is seriously amazing.
Trace 2 | 12.7% |
Average | 35.9% |
Size and fit
Internal length
We checked the internal length of the Trace 2 in the lab and found it to be 270.2 mm. This is pretty spot-on, considering Brooks' size chart lists the shoe at 270 mm.
A tiny 0.2 mm difference like this is super rare, proving that the shoe is true-to-size and showing off some top-notch build quality from Brooks.
![brooks Cintura Trace 2 Internal length](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/39264/brooks-trace-2-internal-length-20807072-main.jpg)
Trace 2 | 270.2 mm |
Average | 269.3 mm |
Toebox width at the widest part
We analyzed the toebox in the lab and found it to be 96.3 mm, which is pretty average but leans a bit on the snug side. However, it's not a big deal.
If you have wide feet, you might think about getting a wider size. Good thing brooks Cintura offers this shoe in both D and 2E widths in some markets.
![brooks Cintura Trace 2 Toebox width at the widest part](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/39264/brooks-trace-2-toebox-width-at-the-widest-part-20807070-main.jpg)
Trace 2 | 96.3 mm |
Average | 98.4 mm |
Toebox width at the big toe
The big toe area is a bit narrower at 76.0 mm compared to a regular daily trainer. But there's no need to worry for most runners, mainly because the engineered mesh is really flexible.
![brooks Cintura Trace 2 Toebox width at the big toe](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/39264/brooks-trace-2-toebox-width-at-the-big-toe-20807071-main.jpg)
Trace 2 | 76.0 mm |
Average | 78.2 mm |
Tongue: gusset type
We discovered in this lab review that this shoe offers many features you'd usually Recenzja in more expensive models. However, the tongue isn't one of them.
It has a non-gusseted tongue, which is understandable. Still, it's nice to dream about having it all, isn't it?
![brooks Cintura Trace 2 Tongue: gusset type](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/39264/brooks-trace-2-tongue-gusset-type-20807073-main.jpg)
Trace 2 | None |
Comfort
Tongue padding
We measured the tongue and found that brooks Cintura really nailed it with this design. The tongue is a just-right 5.3 mm thick, which is enough.
It's so easy for companies to pack in extra padding and talk it up, but too much foam inside the tongue only makes the shoe heavy and bulky!
![brooks Cintura Trace 2 Tongue padding](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/39264/brooks-trace-2-tongue-padding-20807075-main.jpg)
Trace 2 | 5.3 mm |
Average | 5.6 mm |
Heel tab
We observed that the Trace 2 doesn't have a heel tab, but this isn't because it's an entry-level shoe. Is just the way brooks Cintura is designing their latest shoes.
![brooks Cintura Trace 2 Heel tab](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/39264/brooks-trace-2-heel-tab-20807069-main.jpg)
Trace 2 | None |
Removable insole
We found that the insole is removable, which is really convenient. This means you can easily swap it out for custom orthotics or even your favorite insole from another pair of shoes. So, you're not locked into just the default option.
![brooks Cintura Trace 2 Removable insole](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/39264/brooks-trace-2-removable-insole-20807076-main.jpg)
Trace 2 | Yes |
Misc
Reflective elements
Sadly, we found that the Trace 2 doesn't have any reflective pieces for better visibility at night.
![brooks Cintura Trace 2 Reflective elements](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/39264/brooks-trace-2-reflective-elements-20807066-main.jpg)
Trace 2 | No |