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Tested using Methodology v0.15
Updated Sep 03, 2026 03:45 PM
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Tested using Methodology v0.12
Updated Aug 12, 2026 06:02 PM
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Heel Stack Height
33.8 mm
Weight
266.4 g (9.40 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
11.6 mm
Plate
None
Heel Stack Height
28.5 mm
Weight
259.7 g (9.16 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
8.3 mm
Plate
None
Our Verdict
Brooks Trace 4
Brooks Anthem 7
The Brooks Trace 4 is a better running shoe than the Brooks Anthem 7. Though the Anthem 7 is a bit lighter and more stable, its lower profile is much less protective underfoot. The only world in which the Anthem 7 makes more sense for running is if you want a very low stack height by today's standards; otherwise, the Trace 4 is the better running shoe.
Variants
- Trace 4 (Black/Cobalt/White - (Men - US 9))
- Trace 4 (Black/Ebony/Dusty Olive - (Men - US 9))
- Anthem 7 (Almond/Grey/Desert Flower - (Women - US 7))
- Anthem 7 (Antarctica/Harbor Mist/Skyway - (Women - US 7))
Main Differences for
Half/Full Marathon Racing
Half/Full Marathon Racing
Threshold
Half/Full Marathon Racing
4.8
3.9
Forefoot Compression Energy Return
4.9
0.7
Heel Stack Height
33.8 mm
28.5 mm
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
3.9
2.9
Full Comparison
Design
Weight
5.8
6.0
Right Shoe Weight Photo
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Left Shoe Weight Photo
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Weight
266.4 g (9.40 oz)
259.7 g (9.16 oz)
Stack Heights
Stack Height Photo
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Heel Stack Height
33.8 mm
28.5 mm
Forefoot Stack Height
22.2 mm
20.2 mm
Heel-To-Toe Drop
11.6 mm
8.3 mm
Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop
12.0 mm
10.0 mm
External Shape
3D Model Full Shoe
Preview 3D
Preview 3D
Outsole Heel Width
92 mm (3.6")
88 mm (3.5")
Outsole Arch Width
69 mm (2.7")
69 mm (2.7")
Outsole Forefoot Width
113 mm (4.4")
112 mm (4.4")
Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio
2.72
3.09
Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio
5.09
5.54
Internal Shape
3D Model Internal
Preview 3D
Preview 3D
Internal Length
278 mm (10.9")
277 mm (10.9")
Internal Heel Width
78 mm (3.1")
64 mm (2.5")
Internal Forefoot Width
90 mm (3.5")
94 mm (3.7")
Wide Sizing Available
Yes
Yes
Forefoot Fit: Width
9.6
9.6
Forefoot Width Photo
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Ball-Of-Foot TTS Deviation
1.9 mm (0.074")
1.0 mm (0.039")
Toe TTS Deviation
2.3 mm (0.091")
-1.9 mm (-0.073")
Forefoot Fit: Height
7.6
4.9
Forefoot Height Photo
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Toe TTS Deviation
-2.8 mm (-0.112")
-6.0 mm (-0.237")
Arch Fit: Width
7.7
9.0
Arch Fit Photo
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Arch Width TTS Deviation
-3.8 mm (-0.148")
-1.8 mm (-0.072")
Length Fit
10
10
Toe Clearance Photo
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Heel Rocker Geometry
5.8
7.2
Heel Rocker Photo
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Heel Spring
16 mm (0.6")
19 mm (0.7")
Heel Apex Position
12.4%
17.1%
Heel Rocker Angle
24.0°
20.8°
Forefoot Rocker Geometry
6.7
5.5
Forefoot Rocker Photo
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Toe Spring
46 mm (1.8")
40 mm (1.6")
Toe Apex Position
63.9%
69.3%
Forefoot Rocker Angle
23.7°
24.0°
Foam
Primary Foam Picture
Secondary Foam Picture
Primary Foam Name
DNA LOFT v2
Primary Foam Type
EVA
Secondary Foam Name
N/A
Secondary Foam Type
No Secondary Foam
Laces
Laces Picture
Lace Type
Flat
Width
5.0 mm (0.2")
Thickness
2.4 mm (0.1")
Stretch
13.0%
Other Features
Other Features Photo
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Tongue Gusset Type
Non-gusseted
Non-gusseted
Plate
None
None
Performance
Heel Compression Energy Return
2.3
0.6
Heel Compression Video
Heel Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Heel Energy Return
68.4%
61.5%
Forefoot Compression Energy Return
4.9
0.7
Forefoot Compression Video
Forefoot Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Energy Return
71.8%
62.1%
Heel Cushioning
6.5
4.6
Heel Cushioning Picture
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Heel Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 550N
2.92 J
2.09 J
Energy Absorbed At 1100N
8.09 J
6.43 J
Energy Absorbed At 1900N
14.39 J
11.74 J
Forefoot Cushioning
4.5
3.2
Forefoot Cushioning Picture
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Forefoot Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 800N
2.88 J
2.16 J
Energy Absorbed At 1300N
4.90 J
3.77 J
Energy Absorbed At 2050N
7.32 J
5.76 J
Heel Firmness
8.9
9.7
Heel Firmness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Firmness At 550N
52.7 N/mm
77.4 N/mm
Firmness At 1100N
64.9 N/mm
87.7 N/mm
Firmness At 1900N
89.2 N/mm
117.1 N/mm
Forefoot Firmness
10
10
Forefoot Firmness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Firmness At 800N
92.9 N/mm
138.6 N/mm
Firmness At 1300N
122.8 N/mm
176.9 N/mm
Firmness At 2050N
170 N/mm
239 N/mm
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
3.9
2.9
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 10km
4.54 J
3.50 J
Energy Absorbed At 20km
4.35 J
3.37 J
Energy Absorbed At 30km
4.23 J
3.31 J
Energy Absorbed At 40km
4.14 J
3.27 J
Rocker Stiffness
6.8
5.0
Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Video
Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Force To Flatten The Rocker
79 N
43 N
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
2.9
2.2
Forefoot Bending Video
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
49.7%
47.3%
Forefoot Bending Stiffness
4.0
4.0
Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture
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Forefoot Bending Resistance
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Bending Stiffness
-3.4 N/mm
2.0 N/mm
Forefoot Bending Force
289 N
214 N
Heel Compression Depth
5.0
Heel Compression Graph
Preview Graph
Heel Compression At 550N
10.4 mm
Heel Compression At 1100N
16.9 mm
Heel Compression At 1900N
21.3 mm
Forefoot Compression Depth
3.7
Forefoot Compression Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Compression At 800N
8.6 mm
Forefoot Compression At 1300N
10.6 mm
Forefoot Compression At 2050N
12.1 mm
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Brooks Trace 4
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Brooks Trace 4 vs Brooks Anthem 7: Main Discussion
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