REASONS TO BUY
Affordable
Comfortable
Familiar fit
Adequate protection and traction
REASONS TO AVOID
Less rugged
Less sensitive
Brooks Divide 4 - Women's Review
An incredible bang for your buck, this affordable trail shoe comfortably holds up to the demands of light trail running
The Divide is a great shoe for mild trails, especially if you may encounter some pavement during your outing.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Our Verdict
The Brooks Divide 4 is a great deal for a great shoe. With rigid support and plenty of cushion, this light trail shoe is the budget buy we recommend for beginning trail runners and veteran trail rats alike. With a measured drop of 8mm, the Divide feels similar to your favorite road shoe but has enough protection and traction to help you hit the trails with ease. It isn't our top recommendation for runners looking to take on rugged, sloppy terrain, but if you want to test your trail legs on fire roads, sandy single tracks, and even coastal bluffs, this is a great choice for a great price. See how it ranks next to other top-rated women's trail running shoes in our comprehensive review.
Editors Note: We updated this article on April 30, 2024 to remove comparisons to old products and add updated products.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Brooks Divide 4 - Women's | |||||
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| Awards |  |  |  | | |
| Price | $100 List $79.66 at Amazon | Check Price at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | Check Price at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | Check Price at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | $125 List $100.00 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | An affordable and functional trail shoe that is perfect for new runners, budget-conscious runners, any anyone looking to tackle moderate terrain | This is our go-to recommendation for runners seeking a comfortable, well-tractioned shoe for short and long distances alike | Featuring an upgraded upper and a stable zero-drop design, this shoe is a dependable and comfortable trail running option, ensuring comfort even during extended runs | This is the shoe you want if you need something rugged to tackle slippery, muddy, and otherwise messy trails | A heavy and well-featured shoe that performs well in many metrics but lacks sensitivity |
| Rating Categories | Brooks Divide 4 - W... | Hoka Torrent 3 - Wo... | Altra Lone Peak 8 -... | Salomon Speedcross... | Merrell Antora 3 |
| Foot Protection (25%) | |||||
| Traction (20%) | |||||
| Sensitivity (15%) | |||||
| Stability (15%) | |||||
| Comfort and Fit (15%) | |||||
| Weight (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Brooks Divide 4 - W... | Hoka Torrent 3 - Wo... | Altra Lone Peak 8 -... | Salomon Speedcross... | Merrell Antora 3 |
| Sizes Available | 5 - 12 US regular |
5 - 11 US regular |
5.5 - 12 US regular and wide |
5 - 11 US regular and wide |
5 - 11 US regular and wide |
| Measured Heel Stack Height | 29 mm | 26 mm | 23 mm | 34 mm | 29 mm |
| Measured Heel-to-Toe Drop | 8 mm | 5 mm | 0 mm | 13 mm | 8 mm |
| Rock Plate | No | No | TPU | Not disclosed | Unknown Material |
| Measured Lug Depth | 3 mm | 4 mm | 3.2 mm | 6 mm | 3.5 mm |
| Measured Weight | 7.82 oz | 7.52 oz | 8.14 oz | 8.54 oz | 8.14 oz |
| Upper | Mesh | Mesh | Ripstop Mesh | Textile/synthetic | Mesh, TPU |
| Midsole | DNA Loft | EVA | Altra EGO | Energy Cell+ | Super Rebound Compound |
| Outsole | TrailTack rubber | Rubber | MaxTrac | Rubber | Vibram TC5+ rubber |
| Heel Tab Type | None | None | Finger loop | None | Finger loop |
Show full specification details ▼Hide full specification details ▲
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Divide 4 isn't fancy and doesn't top our charts, but it's a dependable workhorse at a very nice price. As long as you're not planning to get too sloppy or rugged, this familiar-feeling shoe is ready to hit the trail with you.
Performance Comparison
If you want an affordable shoe that crosses over onto pavement with ease, the attributes of the Divide make it one of our go-to recommendations for moderate trails.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Foot Protection
The Divide 4 is made for light trails, and its protective elements demonstrate this intended use. It has a rock plate embedded in its platform, which provides a nice amount of underfoot protection.
The toe bumper on the Divide isn't as rugged as some but isn't as mild as others, making it adequate for moderately technical trails. Much like other shoes in the Brooks trail family, the Divide offers firm cushion throughout the shoe. It may sound like an oxymoron, but “firm cushion” is absolutely a thing when it comes to trail shoes. In the case of the Divide, the cushioning feels very compact but ample enough for prime joint protection.
Here is a closer look at some of the measurements we take while testing trail shoes. Measuring the lugs and stack height gives us more information about why a shoe, in this case the Divide 4, scores as it does in certain metrics.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Since the Divide is made for light trails, it isn't our lineup's most water or debris-resistant trail shoe. Its rigid platform, aka its rock plate, and its propensity to invite sand in make the Divide a no-go for sandy trails. The upper mesh is more breathable than most shoes but less water-resistant. The Divide can deflect random splashes well but doesn't handle full puddle submersion. Brooks does make a GTX version that boasts strategically placed water protection if you think that's something you'll benefit from, but expect the price to jump up.
The toe cap is perfect for moderate terrain, but the not-quite-tight-enough upper weave allows sand and water to get in. On the bright side, the Divide is one of the more breathable trail running shoes in our lineup.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Traction
The grippy traction of the Divide 4 is impressive for light trails. With high-area lugs and points facing in all directions, the TrailTack rubber outsole performs well on dusty singletracks and pavement.
Our testers described the traction of the Divide as “grippy” instead of “bitey.” Its shorter-profile, 3mm lugs don't claw at the earth like other lugs but instead feel sticky and secure on damp pavement, rain-soaked bluffs, and even slippery granite. The slight softness of the lugs further adds to the Divide's ability to wear well on abrasive paved surfaces. While we don't recommend this shoe if you only intend to run roads, the Divide is still a solid shoe for a super reasonable price if your training takes you across multiple terrain types.
The traction of the Divide is stronger than its claims let on. Though the lugs might be shorter than some of our grippiest trail shoes, the multidirectional points allow for strong grip on slick surfaces.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Sensitivity
The Divide 4 offers more sensitivity than your average trail shoe, but the heartiness of the rock plate inhibits a good deal of trail sensation. Much like its predecessor, this version of the Divide isn't the most sensitive shoe in our arsenal, but it definitely isn't the least.
The platform feels a bit firm, especially in the forefoot, which prevents trail feedback from coming through clearly. Though the underfoot firmness might not suit all runners, we recommend this middling level of sensitivity to new trail runners and those who are trail-curious. The Divide provides enough that your body can adapt and create its inherent stability but not so much that your soles will be sore for days following each trail excursion.
The sensitivity of the Divide isn't the best we've seen, but this can appeal to new trail runners who want to build up the correct endurance for long days on the trail.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Stability
The toe box of the Divide 4 has slimmed down with this iteration, creating a shoe that locks onto feet even better than the previous version. This is not to say that it is narrow, but it is ever-so-slightly more svelte, which may not be appropriate for all runners. Our testers enjoyed the security and stability of this small tweak, as it made for a shoe that could be extra trustworthy on slippery downhills.
The heel cup of the Divide is plush enough to prevent slippage, further adding to stability. Since the Divide was built to feel familiar, it incorporates some arch support and a noticeable amount of lateral structure. This is a neutral shoe, but all its elements combine to create a trustworthy trail companion with balanced stability.
The familiar fit of the Divide helps it feel stable and neutral as you run.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Comfort and Fit
Slipping on the Divide 4 is like putting on a pair of shoes you used to love but don't wear anymore. They are adequately comfortable without any frills. The hard-packed DNA LOFT is plenty cushioned but doesn't provide the plush and maximalist feel some runners might crave.
The Divide 4 runs true to size but is mildly narrow. Runners with average feet will likely feel comfortable in the body, but those desiring a larger toe box or additional wiggle room might find it restrictive. The tongue is comfortably plush and prevents the laces from digging into the top of the foot when tamped down and ready for action. The Divide isn't the most universally comfortable shoe in our lineup, but its price makes it a worthy investment. There isn't anything especially remarkable about the comfort and fit, but if you want a solid trail shoe you'll hardly think about as you run, you've found one.
The magic in the Divide's comfort is simply that it doesn't require any effort or thought as you run. Once you tie the laces of this shoe, it's ready for whatever the trails throw at you
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Weight
A women's size 6.5 weighs 7.82 ounces per shoe. This is nearly identical to the previous version of the Divide. The weight distribution allows it to feel a bit lighter underfoot than it is.
The Divide sits in the middle of the pack in terms of weight, which is to be expected. It lacks some of the heavy protective features that more rugged trail shoes have, lightening its load. It does, however, contain a rock plate, which adds bulk. Overall, the weight of the Divide isn't a make-or-break feature. It won't be your best bet if you want ultralight gear for optimizing your speed, but its weight isn't heavy enough to slow you down either.
The Divide may not be the lightest shoe in our lineup, but it definitely hits a sweet spot between comfort and well-distributed weight.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Should You Buy the Brooks Divide 4?
If you are looking for a trail shoe on a budget, the Divide is the one we recommend. It lacks some of the technical features of higher-scoring trail kicks but holds its own for the price. Rookie trail runners will enjoy the familiar fit, and experienced runners will enjoy the seamless transitions between road and trail. Even those seeking the best walking shoe for casual jaunts in the park or dog walks will appreciate this shoe, especially for the price.
There is a lot to love about the updated Divide, making it an easy recommendation for trail runners who want an affordable trail companion.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
What Other Trail Running Shoes Should You Consider?
If you like the sound of the Divide but want a shoe with a bit more protection built for tougher runs, we recommend the Brooks Catamount 3. The updated Catamount has a similar fit and style but comes with additional foot protection — though you have to be willing to pay for it. For only a bit more money, the Hoka Torrent 3 offers more comfort and stability than the Divide. The Merrell Antora 3 is another shoe that is on the affordable side. Though it doesn't fit like a traditional running shoe, a feature we appreciate about the Divide, it does fit like your trusty and ultra-comfy pair of hiking boots (though definitely lighter).
—
Ally Arcuri
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