Brooks T5 Racer

At £45 it’s hard to fault the Brooks T5 Racer. It’s certainly a light one (at less than 200g) and the fit is adequate – perhaps not as adjustable as we would like to see but it raised no issues.

There’s never going to be a stack of cushioning at this weight, but the ride is soft to springy with HydroFlow (silicon-based cushioning) in the heel to add some buoyancy.

The midsole and outsole allow great flexibility at the forefoot. There’s not much support but we’re now at the serious end of racing shoes where those extra grammes are being stripped away in search of more speed.

This is a neutral shoe but it doesn’t feel unstable, and is aimed at shorter races and/or lighter runners. If you want protection, then the shoes at this end of the spectrum aren’t for you.

Contact : Brooks 01903 817009 www.brooksrunning.co.uk

Matt Baird Editor of Cycling Plus magazine

About

Matt is a regular contributor to 220 Triathlon, having joined the magazine in 2008. He’s raced everything from super-sprint to Ironman, duathlons and off-road triathlons, and can regularly be seen on the roads and trails around Bristol. Matt is the author of Triathlon! from Aurum Press and is now the editor of Cycling Plus magazine.