Brooks Divide 3 - Women's Review

The Brooks Divide 3 is constructed for light trails and lives up to our expectations. It offers a Trail Tack rubber outside with multidirectional lugs for confidence on tricky terrain. The Divide fits like a classic road shoe which can be more comfortable for some runners, especially those who have predominately worn road shoes.

Performance Comparison

Foot Protection

The Divide offers protection that aligns with what it was made for — light trails. It has many of the protective features that we are accustomed to seeing on our trail shoes, but without going overboard. The result is a shoe that is equipped for trails but rides like a road shoe. This creates a familiar fit that we wholeheartedly recommend to road runners who want to see what trail running is all about.

The outsole of the Divide 3 is a bit firmer than a typical road shoe but is still plenty responsive. The rigidity of the platform is noticeable when running on the roads, but the lack of a rock plate maintains some flexibility. The upper mesh and rubber coating do a great job of keeping sand and debris out of the shoe. Much like the other shoes in our lineup, the Divide is not waterproof, but if you run through occasional puddles, you'll be satisfied with the protection that it offers.

Traction

Part of what makes the Divide 3 a high-value purchase is that it has plenty of features that make it a trail shoe but in a minimalistic way. The outsole is not as rugged as shoes that are made for ultra-sloppy trails, but if you want some traction for ripping up fire roads and groomed single tracks, this shoe packs a punch.

The Trail Tack rubber outsole of the Divide 3 has well-spaced, multidirectional lugs to help you grip the trail. We found that this shoe performed best when we wanted to go fast on flowy, semi-groomed trails. It doesn't bite down quite enough to inspire confidence across scree or muddy terrain, but it has enough stability and traction for less intense terrain. If light trail runs and peppy paces are in your future, the Divide offers everything that it should.

Sensitivity

The platform of the Divide 3 is rigid but offers enough flexibility to feel the trail beneath you. It isn't the most sensitive shoe, but it also isn't the least.

For a shoe that is made for less rugged terrain, we think the sensitivity of the Divide is perfectly executed. The outsole of the shoe provides a firm, yet compassionate landing platform and allows you to feel the trail beneath you. With a 20mm stack height at its highest and a 12mm stack where you'll feel the ground the most, you aren't riding super high. There is adequate padding beneath the forefoot, so you certainly won't feel every sharp rock, but you're low enough to the ground to receive information and react accordingly. If you want a shoe that gives you all of the feels, this isn't it. And if you want a shoe that doesn't allow you to feel any bit of the topography beneath you, this also isn't it. If a “just right” shoe equipped for speed on less technical trails is your jam, the Divide might be your “just right.”

Stability

The stability score of the Divide is much like its scores in other metrics. This is a shoe that performs beyond average but is not quite in the top echelon. For its lower-than-average price, though, it provides more than we anticipated.

Because of its road shoe-esque countenance, the stability offered by the Divide 3 is good. The lateral edges of the shoe are structurally sound and thick enough to prevent unnecessary side-to-side movements. The 20mm max stack height and 8mm drop allow you to ride closer to the ground than in many trail shoes, which adds an extra element of stability. The Divide is fairly responsive for a trail shoe, which balances nicely with the lateral support. These two elements combine to create a stable shoe that can handle quick paces.

Comfort and Fit

The fit of the Divide 3 is comfortable in a familiar way, which is one of the main reasons why we recommend this shoe to new trail runners and the trail curious.

With slightly less heel-to-toe differential than a traditional road running shoe and a few protective elements, the Divide rides like a standard road shoe. The cushioning is compact and plentiful in areas where runners typically like it, and the comfort balances well with the more structured elements of the shoe. The midfoot runs a bit narrow, and the toe box doesn't provide as much space as some runners and walkers like. We never felt restricted or squished while running in the Divide, but we do understand that some trail runners prefer shoes with a bit more real estate. But if you want a comfortable option that fits like a road shoe and provides secure protection on moderate trails, this budget buy is a fantastic choice.

Weight

Each Divide 3 in a women's size 7 US weighs 8.04 ounces. This isn't a whole lot, but it also isn't the lightest we have seen. While the weight is not impressively light, the weight distribution is awesome. This allows the shoe to be more responsive than one might originally believe. We found this weight ideal for shorter trail runs with quick speed pick-ups sprinkled in.

Should You Buy the Brooks Divide 3?

If you have a ton of money to spend and want a shoe that will help you scramble up technical, sloppy, and loose terrain, the Divide is not the shoe for you. If you are a new trail runner who wants to test their legs on light to moderate trails, fire roads, and the occasional bike path, this budget buy is pretty ideal. The Divide is a great all-around shoe. It doesn't perform as well under rugged pressures, but it offers enough in every area to make it a solid and wallet-friendly contender.

What Other Trail Running Shoes Should You Consider?