Our verdict

The Brooks Divide 3 stands out as one of our top picks for door-to-trail shoes. With its complete makeover and budget-friendly price, we found it capable of tackling almost any situation—trails or roads alike. We were really surprised by its stability and build quality, though the ride felt incredibly firm and lacks enough cushion for longer distances.

Chico s CEO Bonnie Brooks Pros

  • Exceptionally comfortable
  • Versatile for roads and trails
  • zapatillas de running Brooks constitución media talla 49.5 negras mejor valoradas
  • Super stable
  • Amazing value at $100
  • Secure overall fit
  • Good durability

Chico s CEO Bonnie Brooks Cons

  • HOKA amortiguación media ritmo medio talla 38
  • Concepts X Brooks
  • Men's Brooks Launch GTS 9

Chico s CEO Bonnie Brooks | Audience verdict

90
Superb!

Who should buy

We believe the Brooks England Finesse Titanium Nose a solid choice for:

  • zapatillas de running Brooks entrenamiento neutro talla 36.5 mejor valoradas.
  • Those who prefer a firm ride and need a hybrid shoe capable of tackling a variety of surfaces.
  • Brooks fans who sometimes venture onto easy trails with their road shoes and want something with a bit more grip.

Brooks Divide 3

Who should NOT buy

The Brooks Divide 3 does a decent job in the versatile trail category, but if you're a runner who favors flexibility in running shoes, it might feel a bit too stiff underfoot even while walking. We think the ASICS Gel Venture 9 offers similar features and price with a much more flexible feel.

We also found the DNA Loft foam to be surprisingly firm. If a plush, soft ride is what you're after, we think the Divide 3 likely won't hit the mark. We know from our lab tests that there are softer midsoles in the road-to-trail category, like the Reebok talla 38.5 or the Nike Pegasus Trail 4.

Brooks Divide 3 pieces

Cushioning

Heel stack

With a 31.1 mm heel stack, the Divide 3 offers a decently cushioned ride by today's standards. Going any thicker would've just made the shoe feel too bulky and heavy. 

We think it can work for long runs, although preferably on softer trails.

Brooks Divide 3 Heel stack
Test results
Divide 3 31.1 mm
Average 31.9 mm
Compared to 137 trail running shoes
zapatillas de running Brooks neutro ritmo medio talla 47
19.6 mm
Heel stack
42.4 mm

Forefoot stack

Our calipers clocked the forefoot stack at 22.7 mm.

Brooks Divide 3 forefoot

This might feel a bit too thin for forefoot strikers who plan on tackling ultra distances. However, if you enjoy a more grounded feel and stick to shorter runs, the Divide 3 should be just fine!

Brooks Divide 3 Forefoot stack
Test results
Divide 3 22.7 mm
Average 24.5 mm
Compared to 137 trail running shoes
zapatillas de running Brooks neutro ritmo medio talla 47
13.4 mm
Forefoot stack
33.9 mm

Drop

In the lab, we measured the shoe's drop (the difference between heel and forefoot height) and found it to be 8.4 mm.

That's super close to the 8 mm advertised by Brooks, meaning it'll feel comfortable for pretty much any type of footstrike. And we want to give props to Brooks for being accurate with their specs—we often see bigger differences here!

Brooks Divide 3 Drop
Test results
Divide 3 8.4 mm
Average 7.5 mm
Compared to 136 trail running shoes
zapatillas de running Brooks neutro ritmo medio talla 47
-0.1 mm
Drop
17.3 mm

Midsole softness

Note: a low durometer measurement equals a soft material, whereas a high measurement means it's firm.

Let's talk about that DNA Loft midsole. Right out of the box, it has a noticeably firm feel—we think this'll really appeal to runners who love a snappy, classic ride.

To back up our initial impression, we whipped out the durometer and got a reading of 33.5 HA. This confirms that Brooks tweaked the DNA Loft in this shoe for extra firmness, likely considering its trail-running focus.

Brooks Divide 3 Midsole softness
Test results
Divide 3 33.5 HA
Average 22.6 HA
Brooks Ravenna 4 Mens.
Compared to 113 trail running shoes
zapatillas de running Brooks neutro ritmo medio talla 47
9.1 HA
Midsole softness (soft to firm)
39.0 HA

Brooks Beast 1 Brown Royal-Gold (%)

We were curious to see how the midsole handled the cold, so we put it in our lab freezer for 20 minutes.

After our retest, it clocked in at a firm 40.0 HA (+19.4%), basically a brick underfoot.

Brooks Divide 3 Difference in midsole softness in cold
Test results
Divide 3 19%
Average 26%
Compared to 113 trail running shoes
zapatillas de running Brooks neutro ritmo medio talla 47
5%
Brooks Beast 1 Brown Royal-Gold
68%

Insole thickness

The insole is about average thickness at 4.2 mm, so we think it'll feel familiar compared to most of your running shoes.

Brooks Divide 3 Insole thickness
Test results
Divide 3 4.2 mm
Average 4.7 mm
Compared to 135 trail running shoes
zapatillas de running Brooks neutro ritmo medio talla 47
2.1 mm
Insole thickness
7.9 mm

Size and fit

Size

Brooks England Finesse Titanium Nose half size small (10 votes).

zapatillas de running Brooks hombre pronador talla 36.5?

1 size small ½ size small True to size ½ size large 1 size large
Compared to 121 trail running shoes
zapatillas de running Brooks neutro ritmo medio talla 47
½ size small
Slightly small
True to size
Slightly large
½ size large

Brooks Momentum Thermal Tight

And what about the toebox? Well, it delivers what we think it's a spacious fit, clocking in at 99.1 mm in the widest part.

Brooks Divide 3 Toebox width at the widest part
Test results
Divide 3 99.1 mm
Average 99.0 mm
Compared to 122 trail running shoes
zapatillas de running Brooks neutro ritmo medio talla 47
92.6 mm
Brooks Momentum Thermal Tight
104.9 mm

Chico s CEO Bonnie Brooks | Nuestras zapatillas Brooks preferidas

We took a second measurement specifically around the big toe area—where fit can get tricky for many runners.

Brooks Divide 3 big toe

Here, the Divide 3 measures in at 79.5 mm, providing plenty of room for comfortable toe splay. While it's not a true wide-toebox shoe, we think the Divide 3 strikes a great balance for runners who want a bit more space up front without sacrificing a secure fit.

Brooks Divide 3 Brooks Brothers Braided Leather Slide
Test results
Divide 3 79.5 mm
Average 79.4 mm
Compared to 83 trail running shoes
zapatillas de running Brooks neutro ritmo medio talla 47
70.5 mm
Nuestras zapatillas Brooks preferidas
90.1 mm

Stability

Lateral stability test

One awesome perk of a super-firm midsole is that it instantly boosts stability. That's a big part of why the Divide 3 feels so rock-solid on the run, but it's not the only reason.

Torsional rigidity

We tried our best to bend and twist the Divide 3, and it seriously put up a fight—way more rigid than we were expecting at 4/5. While this definitely reinforces its stability, a touch more flexibility would make it a better all-around shoe.

Test results
Divide 3 4
Average 3.6
Compared to 131 trail running shoes
zapatillas de running Brooks neutro ritmo medio talla 47
1
Torsional rigidity
5

Heel counter stiffness

We found the heel counter offers that same tough-as-nails feel—we rated it a 4/5 for rigidity.

Though we think 3/5 would be a better approach, heel strikers are sure to appreciate the locked-in, super-secure feeling it provides.

Test results
Divide 3 4
Average 3.1
Compared to 129 trail running shoes
zapatillas de running Brooks neutro ritmo medio talla 47
1
Heel counter stiffness
5

Brooks Cascadia 15 zapatillas trailrunning hombre

Our measurements showed the forefoot clocks in at an average 113.6 mm. This width is absolutely perfect for a hybrid shoe like the Divide 3.

Brooks Divide 3 Midsole width in the forefoot
Test results
Divide 3 113.6 mm
Average 112.3 mm
Compared to 137 trail running shoes
zapatillas de running Brooks neutro ritmo medio talla 47
102.1 mm
Brooks Cascadia 15 zapatillas trailrunning hombre
124.3 mm

Midsole width - heel

Another big reason for the excellent stability we found is the width of the midsole in the heel area.

Our calipers measured a generous 94.1 mm, offering a wide and solid base for support. Brooks really delivered with this design, creating a shoe apt for beginners that really inspires confidence.

Brooks Divide 3 Midsole width in the heel
Test results
Divide 3 94.1 mm
Average 89.5 mm
Compared to 137 trail running shoes
zapatillas de running Brooks neutro ritmo medio talla 47
72.0 mm
Midsole width - heel
106.0 mm

Brooks Bred Addiction Walker 2

The goal of the Divide 3 is ultimate versatility – from trips to the store to long trail adventures. That means it needs to strike a balance and avoid being too stiff, or it'll feel downright uncomfortable.

Brooks Divide 3 outsole
Selim Brooks England B17 Special Curto preto.

In our 90-degree bend test, the Divide 3 resisted up to 29.8N of force, placing it squarely in the average flexibility range. While just a touch more flexibility would've been ideal, this result proves it should be comfortable for a variety of activities.

Test results
Divide 3 29.8N
Average 27.2N
We use an average of four tests. The video shows one of those tests.
Compared to 137 trail running shoes
zapatillas de running Brooks neutro ritmo medio talla 47
5.6N
Flexibility <> Stiffness
54.5N

Weight

Let's be honest, the Divide 3 isn't some featherweight speed demon when it comes to how it feels on your foot. But clocking in at 10.25 oz, it's not what we'd call heavy—it sits just in that middle-of-the-road weight for its category.

When you factor in the wallet-friendly price, it's definitely a fair deal!

Brooks Divide 3 Weight
Test results
Divide 3 10.26 oz (291g)
Average 10.23 oz (290g)
Compared to 137 trail running shoes
zapatillas de running Brooks neutro ritmo medio talla 47
7.51 oz (213g)
Weight
12.66 oz (359g)

Breathability

Right out of the box, it's obvious that the Divide 3's upper draws inspiration from The Brooks Catamount is basically the, giving us high hopes for better-than-average airflow.

And our smoke-pumping test proved these hopes right! The Divide 3 delivered a nice 4/5 rating, which is seriously impressive for a trail shoe.

To understand the mechanics behind this breathability, we held the upper up to a light. This instantly revealed ventilation holes and the shoe's strategic structure. It boasts sturdy support from the midfoot to the heel, yet maintains a remarkably ventilated toebox with countless tiny air holes.

Brooks Divide 3 microscope

Next, we brought out our trusty lab microscope to zoom in on those holes.

Brooks Divide 3 holes

The images were fascinating, clearly highlighting Brooks' commitment to crafting a mesh with great breathability.

Finally, we examined the cut-in-half upper. The engineered mesh offers a touch of stretch and generous padding for enhanced comfort.

Test results
Divide 3 4
Average 3.2
Compared to 113 trail running shoes
zapatillas de running Brooks neutro ritmo medio talla 47
1
Breathability
5

Durability

Toebox durability

Just like we mentioned earlier, the Brooks Divide 3's upper feels more like a slightly-tweaked road shoe than a real trail beast. So we honestly weren't expecting much before putting it under the Dremel.

Unfortunately, the results were worse than we thought and earned it a rock-bottom 1/5 rating. The damage was pretty bad, and frankly, this shoe is likely to struggle on tough, rocky trails.

Brooks Divide 3 Toebox durability
Test results
Divide 3 1
Average 3.1
Compared to 94 trail running shoes
zapatillas de running Brooks neutro ritmo medio talla 47
1
Toebox durability
5

Heel padding durability

After the disappointing toebox durability test, we crossed our fingers for a stronger heel performance under the Dremel.

But, that hope quickly shattered. The Divide 3 delivered another bad performance, earning yet another rock-bottom 1/5 rating. If you're the type of runner who tends to blow out heels thanks to your Achilles, this shoe definitely isn't for you.

Brooks Divide 3 Heel padding durability
Test results
Divide 3 1
Average 2.9
Compared to 93 trail running shoes
zapatillas de running Brooks neutro ritmo medio talla 47
1
Heel padding durability
5

Outsole hardness

Turning the shoe over to check out the outsole, we first used our Shore C durometer to test the Trailtack rubber.

Brooks Divide 3 trailtack

It clocked in at 84.1 HC, which is right around average. This suggests a solid balance between good grip and decent durability. Let's see!

Brooks Divide 3 Outsole hardness
Test results
Divide 3 84.1 HC
Average 85.7 HC
Brooks Ravenna 4 Mens.
Compared to 137 trail running shoes
zapatillas de running Brooks neutro ritmo medio talla 47
75.5 HC
Outsole hardness
96.1 HC

Outsole durability

Considering its $100 price tag, the Brooks Divide 3 really shines with its outsole. After our final round of Dremel testing, we measured a mere 0.8-mm indentation.

That's seriously impressive, especially when you realize that plenty of pricier shoes with similar—or even worse—grip showed far more wear and tear in our tests.

Brooks Divide 3 Outsole durability
Test results
Divide 3 0.8 mm
Average 1.0 mm
Compared to 87 trail running shoes
zapatillas de running Brooks neutro ritmo medio talla 47
0.0 mm
Outsole wear
2.0 mm

Outsole thickness

zapatillas de running Brooks pie normal talla 36 entre 60 y 100.

Brooks Divide 3 outsole thickness

zapatillas de running Brooks ritmo medio pie cavo.

Brooks Divide 3 Outsole thickness
Test results
Divide 3 2.2 mm
Average 2.3 mm
Compared to 137 trail running shoes
zapatillas de running Brooks neutro ritmo medio talla 47
0.9 mm
Outsole thickness
5.5 mm

Misc

Lug depth

Since the Divide 3 is designed for both roads and trails, short lugs are key—those big, chunky lugs found on pure trail shoes would feel terrible on pavement.

Brooks Divide 3 lugs
Chico s CEO Bonnie Brooks!

Luckily, the Divide 3 features 3.1-mm lugs, a thoughtful touch that guarantees a smoother ride on hard surfaces while still offering good grip on the trails.

Brooks Divide 3 Lug depth
Test results
Divide 3 3.1 mm
Average 3.5 mm
Compared to 136 trail running shoes
zapatillas de running Brooks neutro ritmo medio talla 47
1.5 mm
Lug depth
5.8 mm

Reflective elements

Unfortunately, the Divide 3 misses the mark when it comes to reflective details. Still, considering its $100 price tag, we can't really complain about that!

Brooks Divide 3 Reflective elements
Test results
Divide 3 No

Tongue padding

Brooks England Bolsa Selim Scape Seat 8-10L!

Brooks Divide 3 tongue
There's an elastic strap in case you want to prevent the laces from moving while running

It uses a thick slab of foam closest to your instep, with another layer on top, totaling a whopping 8.0 mm. This design promises ultimate comfort with absolutely no chance of painful lace bite!

Brooks Divide 3 Tongue padding
Test results
Divide 3 8.0 mm
Average 6.3 mm
Compared to 137 trail running shoes
zapatillas de running Brooks neutro ritmo medio talla 47
1.3 mm
Tongue padding
12.3 mm

Chico s CEO Bonnie Brooks

We found that the Divide 3 features a semi-gusseted tongue, a premium touch that we were pleasantly surprised to see in a $100 shoe.

This design adds a snug and secure feel around the midfoot, helping ensure a comfortable and locked-in fit throughout your run.

Brooks Divide 3 Chico s CEO Bonnie Brooks
Test results
Divide 3 Both sides (semi)

Heel tab

The heel sports the Brooks logo indented right into the heel counter, giving it a cool look. Yet unfortunately, it's missing a finger-loop heel tab—a feature we think really comes in handy on trail shoes!

Brooks Divide 3 Heel tab
Test results
Divide 3 None

Removable insole

The insole is totally removable as it's not glued. On top of that, it has a pretty standard shape, so we think you can easily swap it out with your favorite aftermarket insole without any issues.

Brooks Divide 3 Removable insole
Test results
Divide 3 Yes