Brooks PureGrit/Minimal shoe line page

[Invictus14]

Has any one tried out the Brooks PureGrit or any of their new minimal running shoes launched in October 2011? I am looking into new trail running shoes, have both Merrell Trail Glove and NB Minimus Trail and am interested in trying another minimal trail shoe.
I have looked at the Brooks website and read some good reviews, however, my question left unanswered by researching the site is: "What is the heel to toe differential?"
After using both the NB's and Merrell's I have preference toward the Merrell because of the zero diff. I am in the Army and want to wear them for PT, so VFF's are not an option. Thanks.

[primalrob]

i haven't. i have severe brand loyalty so i stick with vibram and merrell. but, it's good to see that brooks is getting on board with a barefoot shoe; i remember them being really anti barefoot a couple of years ago.

a lot of good running stores will let you take them out for a test run, so you can try them yourself. brooks makes really good shoes, so you can expect them to be pretty good...but i wouldn't expect them to have zero drop.

[fishin-frog]

According to the Pure Grit Spec sheet on Brooks web site the "offset" is 4mm. I assume that means the heel to toe drop. From what I understand that is about in line with the New Balance minimus. Looks like they have a much more padded sole than the other brnads you mentioned. You should look into Altra Adams as well. I now have vivo barefoot (old model), merrel true glove, vff (many models), and the altra adams. I now run primarily in the altras. The only draw-back I've found is they tend to develop a funk even faster than the VFFs even with the mesh panels.

[Busphan]

Just an FYI, New Balance just released the minimus zero in trail and road shoes. I have not tried them but they are zero drop.

[Invictus14]

primalrob, thank you for the insight, I wore a pair of Brooks Cascadia for about 6-8 months and was a big fan of them for trails until I transitioned to minimal/barefoot running. I would love to go to a running store, unfortunately I am in Afhanistan right now, so a test run is not much of an option. I will likely hold off as long as I can with my NB Trails and Merrells, but I have already put about a good 8 months on each.

fishin-frog, Thanks for finding those specs, I couldn't for the life of me. They do look like they are more padded than the NB's and Merrells. Thank you also for recommending the Altra's, I am going to look them up for sure.

Busphan, Saw the NB's "0" and will consider them in the future due to my fondness of the original NB's, thank you.

[Invictus14]

Hey fishin-frog, how do thos altras run in size compared to the merrells? I wear like a 9-9.5 (w/socks, Army rules). I am thinking about putting in a order for the Samson while I am over here. Thanks again for the good info.