10 of the best Brooks running shoes for every type of runner
Although it began as a manufacturer of thin bathing shoes and ballet slippers back in 1914, Brooks is now one of the world’s most popular producers of running shoes.
In fact, according to Strava's 2023 global report, the likes of the Ghost and Adrenaline are two of the most popular running shoes both in the UK and worldwide.
What are the best Brooks running shoes?
Our editors – along with a trusted team of gear testers – have been testing out Brooks' latest and greatest models, putting them through their paces during different types of sessions, and even during a few races. Here's are our favourites, at a glance, or keep scrolling for our full reviews.
It was only when running boomed in the seventies that Brooks entered the running shoe market: launching the perennially popular Villanova. Next came the Vantage, which proved so popular even the then US President Jimmy Carter was said to have ordered a pair. It was the first running shoe to use EVA, replacing the slow-rebounding rubber in the midsoles of old, and put Brooks in a league with the other big names in running of the time.
Fast forward to today and Brooks remains at the forefront of performance running shoe innovation. In 2017, it joined the race for the best super shoe with the Hyperion Elite. Combining their DNA Flash nitrogen-injected midsole foam with a carbon plate propelled Des Linden to win the 2018 Boston Marathon. Developing a super track shoe followed, with British Olympian Josh Kerr securing a new Scottish, British and European indoor mile record in the prototype spike, Wire 8.
Brooks road running shoes
Brooks Hyperion Elite 4
The latest iteration of the Hyperion Elite range, this is Brooks’ fastest shoe yet. And in many ways, the brand has ripped up the rule book as it’s moved from the Elite 3 to the 4, with the latest version presenting as an almost entirely different shoe.
There’s a new QuicKnit upper: an elastic fabric that offers just the right amount of support combined with breathability. There's also new padding in the heel and collar which adds an extra level of comfort.
The midsole features new DNA Flash v2 supercritical nitrogen-infused foam. It may not roll off the tongue, but it does help you to roll through your feet with more speed as you run. This, combined with the new full-length SpeedVault Race+ carbon plate, meant one tester described the Hyperion Elite 4 as 'bouncy, supportive and plush’.
That being said, the toe-off isn’t quite as snappy or aggressive as that of a Nike carbon-plated shoe, and it’s not the fastest, most propulsive carbon-plated shoe on the market. However, it is a brilliant choice for runners in search of a safer, sturdier super shoe for races or harder sessions.
Brooks Hyperion Max
The highly cushioned Hyperion Max is a real crowd-pleaser. The Hyperion midsole offering has evolved considerably since 2019’s first Hyperion Elite, which featured Brook’s DNA Zero foam. This was replaced with DNA Flash in the Hyperion Tempo Elite for a softer, bouncier ride; and the Hyperion Max is the Tempo’s more cushioned, yet ever-so-slightly lighter sibling. And while their secure and comfortable stretch woven uppers are the same, their rides underfoot are anything but.
Brooks has jacked up the Max’s midsole with an extra 4mm of nitrogen-infused DNA Flash foam to create a springier yet plusher ride. Testers said they felt the Hyperion Max is perfect for Sunday long runs, but at the same time it still feels fast. So much so that testers also saw it as a carbon-plate-less, and less costly, alternative to a marathon racing super shoe.
Brooks Ghost 15
The Ghost has been one of Brooks’ bestselling shoes since its launch in 2008, and our testers could see why. In a world of carbon-fibre plate population, the Ghost is the dependable trainer we rely on for all the other runs. It’s not a speedwork demon, it’s a throwback to ignoring the clock and getting lost in the run. ‘There’s something to be said for just putting on a shoe, going out for a run and letting your mind relax after a stressful day,’ said one tester.
In the 15th version, the midsole now features Brooks’ DNA Loft v2 cushioning, which is compression moulded EVA, for an even lighter, plush feel, and the upper has been enhanced for added structure and breathability. The shoes were found to be true to size and had plenty of room in the toe box. Women in particular praised the fit, and the fact they're available to buy in narrow, medium, wide or extra wide fittings.
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23
The Adrenaline has been popular as an every day training shoe for overpronators for years, and is now in its 23rd iteration. The latest version features Brooks' DNA Loft v2 midsole foam from heel to toe, and offers a soft, cushioned ride.
The medial post that was used in the past to correct overpronation has been replaced by Brooks’ innovative GuideRails. These are two firm pieces of foam on either side of the heel which reduce the rolling of the foot inward. Brooks says the technology also helps correct alignment of the knee and ankle.
The consensus from testers is that it remains 'the same excellent shoe that it’s always been', while it also impressed testers who were running in the Adrenaline for the very first time. One female tester commented that it felt 'cushioned and supportive but surprisingly light' and she discovered that the GuideRails were doing their job well when she had her running gait analysed on a treadmill. 'I didn’t notice the GuideRails but slow motion footage of my feet running in the Adrenaline compared to a different shoe revealed they were correcting my overpronation.'
Another tester, however, didn’t get on too well with the heel drop, which at 12mm, is much higher than many other stability shoes on the market, such as the Saucony Guide 17's 8mm and Hoka Arahi’s 5mm. A few testers also felt they were a little too heavy for running at faster pacers, so wouldn’t work so well for speedwork or racing.
For support and cushioning over long, slow miles, though, these are a safe bet.
Brooks Glycerin 21
The Glycerin has always been Brooks’ 'super soft' shoe, and the 21st version feels softer than ever. This is because the chunky midsole packs in 2mm more nitrogen-infused DNA Loft V3 foam than the previous version. Our testers loved this soft – 'but not too soft' – cushioning and many described the shoe as 'comfortable', thanks to both the foam, as well as the gently hugging heel cup. Despite the extra foam, though, we’d still describe the Glycerin as a cushioned daily trainer, rather than max-cushioned, and it’s definitely not one we’d describe as bouncy or responsive either.
But for easy runs, they offer optimum comfort. 'When I was running, I wasn’t thinking about my feet, which I think is a good measure of a shoe,’ said one tester.
The shoe fits true to size, too, with plenty of room in the toebox, and testers noted the long, traditional lacing for helping keep the foot securely in place and for locking in the ankle. The outsole was also described as providing 'excellent grip on wet pavements and light trail paths'.
Overall, the consensus was the Glycerin is a workhorse shoe – ideal for high-mileage runners and for long, slow jaunts.
Brooks Ghost Max
The name 'Ghost Max' might suggest a more cushioned version of the Ghost 15, but it's ultimately a different shoe with a considerably altered ride. This is due to the lower 6mm heel-to-toe drop (versus the Ghost 15's 12mm drop), which means you're getting a more level shoe with more foam under the whole foot.
While the name and appearance of the shoe suggest spongey cushioning territory, we found the type of foam (DNA Loft v2) and quantity used in the Ghost Max strikes a fine balance between cushioning and responsiveness. It's firmer than expected to begin with, but once you're moving it settles into a responsive feeling training shoe that can eat up the bigger mileage.
It's got a completely new last too, featuring a GlideRoll Rocker which promotes smoother heel-toe transitions. As a result, we found the Ghost Max a much more enjoyable shoe to run in than the Ghost 15. Sure, it's not super snappy by any means, and still a shoe better suited to longer miles and easy runs than tempo work, but it definitely helps spur on tired legs. The heel counter is also firm and supportive, giving a feeling of being locked into the shoe.
Brooks trail running shoes
Brooks Cascadia 17
The Cascadia is Brooks' best-known trail shoe, largely thanks to legendary ultra-runner Scott Jurek being such a big fan. And you really need to be channelling your inner Scott Jurek to get the most out of these shoes, as they’re built for long runs on mountainous terrain. The midsole is made up of Brooks’ DNA Loft v2 foam, making it softer and lighter than ever.
These feature a Ballistic Rock Shield in the forefoot, which our testers welcomed when running over rocky terrain and tree roots, thanks to the excellent protection it provided, however, some felt this made the shoe a little 'rigid' and inflexible. Despite being lighter than its predecessor, some of our male wear testers also found the shoe a little too heavy.
The GTX upper material was found to be mildly water repellent, but in the event of getting drenched in a giant puddle, heavy rainfall or a water crossing, was able to drain water well, thanks to ports on the side of the shoes. Previously, we found the lugs and sticky outsole didn't offer enough grip on muddy surfaces, but on the latest version the lugs are spread out across the entire outsole, and tapered in order to shed mud quicker. On slippy rocks and mild mud, our testers were pleased with the traction.
One tester wearing Cascadia for the first time concluded: 'I’d recommend these shoes to fell runners and mountain racers. They really come into their own on long runs on rocky terrain but are less suitable for grass and cross country races.'
Brooks Catamount 3
The Catamount is Brooks' offering for those who want to push the pace in trail training and racing. The trail version of the Hyperion Tempo, it uses the same nitrogen-infused DNA Flash foam for cushioning and responsiveness and was highly praised by our test team, who felt it answered the current gap in the market for a trail shoe which is light and speedy for racing.
'This shoe’s excellence is in its just-right DNA Flash midsole: not too soft to feel sluggish and not too firm to destroy my ankles or knees if I go more than a few miles,' said one tester.
Compared with the Catamount 2, there’s slightly more space in the upper too, which lends it better to longer runs where your feet may swell.
From the side, the Catamount could be mistaken for the Hyperion Tempo but it differs in the details to make it an off-roader. There is an added Ballistic Rock Shield in the midsole to protect feet from rocks and tree roots, and a full length TrailTack Green rubber outsole (made from 25% recycled materials) for extra grip on wet and uneven surfaces. However, being only 3.5mm in depth, they do struggle with thick mud.
Brooks Caldera 7
The Caldera 7 rivals Hoka’s maximalist cushioned trail shoes with a large midsole wedge of DNA Loft v3. The low drop of 6mm means it looks like your foot is on a shelf of cushioning, which offers a stable platform, but won’t suit trail runners who want to feel closer to the ground. Our testers who love a cushioned shoe were particularly impressed with the soft feel. 'The cushioning feels like a cloud,' said one. 'No matter what the surface, I felt confident in each step. I went over rocks, roots, wet leaves, creeks and gravel; my traction was great and I didn’t feel a rock or root underfoot.'
The outsole uses Brooks’ TrailTac rubber in a raised geometric pattern, which testers found offered excellent grip on slick surfaces. The fit was true to size with a roomy toe box and the mono-loop lacing helped to lock the foot in place.
The Caldera is definitely on the heavier side and so isn't suited for racing or traversing trails at speed. However, our testers agreed it's great for long, slow and steady trail runs and is comfortable enough to keep your feet happy for miles.
Brooks Divide 3
Similar to Invo-8’s Parkclaw, Brooks Divide 3 has been developed for those who want to mix up the surfaces of their running routes. They are ideal for those who want to hit the trails but don’t have them on their doorstep, so might need to take in some pavement first. To handle the road sections, there’s more cushioning in the midsole than you would expect in a trail shoe. This is made up of Brooks’ DNA Loft cushion.
The raised tread pattern uses Brooks’ grippy TrailTac rubber but the lugs aren’t as deep as on its other trail shoes, to ensure they don’t get worn down too quickly when pounding the pavements. We founded they provided good grip on light trails and grass, and the inclusion of a rock plate provided extra protection from gravel and roots. However, we found they weren't grippy enough for muddy or technical terrain.
As is the case with some Brooks models, our testers felt these came up small (it's worth going up by half or a full size), but once they found the right fit, were pleased with the lockdown they provided. The lacing system was praised for being secure and stable and one tester commented that 'each step felt secure and very little slippage occurred'.
Multiple testers said that these would work well as an entry-level trail shoe. 'I would consider the Divide a great transition shoe from the road to beginner trail runner. I think this is a great shoe for tow paths, cinder trails, rails to trail paths. Perfect for the runner who runs an equal mix of roads, and gravel/cinder.'
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