Brooks Divide 5 Review

The Brooks Divide 5 is a standout choice for trail runners seeking durability and support. It's designed to withstand hundreds of miles across various terrains, from paved roads to moderate trails. Featuring a newly improved midsole compound, this iteration offers a softer, more responsive feel, adding an extra layer of comfort. With its excellent combination of affordability and quality, this shoe delivers great value, making it an ideal pick for those who want top-tier performance without overspending.

Performance Comparison

Foot Protection

While softened in this iteration, the Divide 5 still offers exceptional foot protection. As with most Brooks shoes, you can expect great support. This rigidness and lateral stiffness create a barrier between you and the ground offering fatigue reduction when your runs get long. While less rugged than the Brooks Cascadia 18, the two share many similar traits.

We'd recommend the Divide 5 most for moderate terrain, but experienced runners could easily push it further. The upper is made of thin mesh materials, with a semi-rigid, thin toe bumper. During our testing, we never felt like we needed more protection than was provided by the Divide 5.

Traction

The Divide 5 has some of the shortest measured lugs in our test group, standing at just 2.8 mm. This alone is one of the main reasons why we recommend the shoe for moderate terrain and below.

Smaller lugs paired with a slightly higher stack provide less sensitivity in technical and loose terrain. We found descending steep scree in the Divide 5 to be less confidence-inspiring than in other models we've tested. The lugs do offer good ground feel on less steep terrain and they go between different surfaces well — often, when lugs are too large, you can feel them drag across smoother surfaces.

With a measured hardness value of 69, you can expect a good blend of durability and grip in wet conditions. For those who frequently run in wet or muddy conditions, you may want something with a bit more lug depth to provide additional grip. (We'd also recommend finding a sole that is completely made up of rubber.) The exposed foam on the Divide 5 is more likely to attract mud that is harder to get off. For beginners or those in dry climates, we think you will be more than satisfied with the traction of this model.

Sensitivity

With one of the highest measured heel stacks in our lineup at 38 mm, this shoe feels less sensitive than most others. The sole tapers quite a bit, down 11 mm to be just 27 mm in the forefoot. This does bring back some feeling of liveliness when landing on your forefoot. The tall heel stack limits the effectiveness of this shoe over technical terrain but provides a good stable platform in more moderate trails and buffed tracks. It does a great job providing good ground feel over consistent terrain.

Due to the blend of supportive stiffness the midsole is less compliant. This means that the Divide 5 could feel fatiguing if you push it past its limits. This comes down to your experience, but the average user would probably want to find a softer model after about the 50k mark. If you want something more sensitive, we'd opt for a shoe with less stack and a smaller heel drop which will help you feel better connected to the ground.

Stability

As with most Brooks shoes, one of their standout features is their support. During our testing, we found the Divide 5 strengthened our confidence in our ankles, knees, and hips. While not everyone needs this added support, it's a great option for those who want a little reassurance when hitting the trail. Experienced runners can also benefit from this, as it helps to protect against fatigue when runs get long.

The stiffness of this shoe's sole did make off-camber and technical terrain less appealing. We'd recommend the Divide 5 most for smooth single-track, gravel roads, and city nature paths. With 11 mm of measured heel-toe drop, hilly terrain is more comfortable on your calves. If you're thinking about adding a bit more vertical gain to your training this would be a great option to start with, before considering changing to smaller drop options.

Comfort and Fit

The Divide 5 has a classic design and should feel familiar to those who have been in the running world for a while. If you're just starting out, this is one of our go-to recommendations due to its comfort and affordability. Brooks does an excellent job blending comfort and stability which is hard to get just right. The midsole feels stiff but after a break-in period, the foam livens up and becomes more comfortable. Keep in mind this is user-weight-dependent, so your experience could differ slightly. Our lead tester weighs 140 pounds — this means a heavier user will likely find the midsole softer, sooner.

Our in-house team measured the heel drop at 11 mm, using World Athletics measurement standards — 3 mm more than Brooks' claimed 8 mm. This is a fairly high drop and should help reduce fatigue in your calves and Achilles. This is good for those who are just starting out or putting in lots of miles on steep terrain.

Weight

Measured in our lab at 10.55 ounces (per shoe, size US men's 10.5), the Divide 5 provides an excellent feature set for its weight, making it a solid recommendation from our testing team. This model provides support but doesn't feel overly heavy or cumbersome, making it great for beginners. More advanced runners should find their stride smooth and largely unimpeded, especially in smoother terrain.

The upper is excellent and blends a premium feel without breaking the bank. This model is durable and should be considered by those who want a classic style of trail running shoe that's decently light and solidly dependable.

Should You Buy the Brooks Divide 5?

The Brooks Divide 5 is a durable and supportive shoe designed to last for hundreds of miles, making it a worthy investment for runners. Its improved midsole compound delivers enhanced comfort and agility, perfect for tackling a variety of surfaces, from roads to moderate trails. Offering exceptional value at an affordable price, this shoe is an easy recommendation for those who prioritize quality without breaking the bank. Whether you're new to trail running or looking for a versatile option, the Brooks Divide 5 is a smart choice.

What Other Men's Trail Running Shoes Should You Consider?

If you're looking for an affordable running shoe but want something slightly more freeing than the Divide 5, check out the Hoka Torrent 4. For even better long-distance performance consider the Brooks Cascadia 18, which has a similar feel but is more rugged for mountainous terrain. The La Sportiva Bushido III is also a great lightweight option that excels at providing excellent support while maintaining performance in technical terrain.