The best running shoes from Brooks right now
Brooks is a 100-year-old company that has been making running shoes since 1977. In fact, it is one of the few companies that produces only running shoes, which allows it to be competitive with much larger brands. For proof, look no further than its GTS (Go To Shoe), which dominates sales through specialty retailers.
As a brand focused on running shoes, Brooks has developed a number of key technologies, and traces of that DNA can be found in modern shoes. Its initial running model, the Villanova, was introduced in 1974 and is the first running shoe to use EVA foam, a revolutionary technology at the time because it was lighter and softer than other options. The company’s Vantage model, introduced in 1977, was the first to include a varus wedge, which helped runners whose feet rolled too far to the inside (overpronated). This technology is still popular today.
The Beast burst onto the scene in 1992 and included a modified Diagonal Rollbar design which provided exceptional stability. It’s still in Brooks’s line and is considered one of the most stable shoes available. In 2017, Brooks introduced a soft, bouncy foam in the Levitate, officially entering the company in the soft-foam wars that have dominated running shoes over the last three years.
Brooks also makes excellent trail-running shoes, super-cushioned options, and models for runners who need foot-cradling support. Here are our favourite models from the brand.
Adrenaline GTS 19
Buy Men’s Buy Women’s
The right shoe for: The perfect blend of cushion and support
The GTS, short for Go To Shoe, is currently one of the best-selling running shoes on the market and the top one through running stores. It has a great fit and is packed with plenty of protection. When the GTS came on the scene in early 1994, it wasn’t necessarily considered revolutionary, but the shoe’s fit proved to be its secret weapon. The shape of the sole was more curved and the forefoot a bit wider to better fit the foot. This design has built a massive, loyal following over the years.
Cascadia 13
Buy Men’s Buy Women’s
The right shoe for: Runners who want bonus trail-specific features
Trail runners will likely see a lot of themselves in the latest Cascadia-it’s quick and at its best when covered in mud. For its 13th revival, Brooks harnessed that ambitious trail-headed mentality by adding more tools to gobble up the gnarly miles off-road. A 3D-printed rubber mud guard now shields the lower foot from rocks and roughage, and four handy gaiter hooks debut along the shoe’s outsole.
Ghost 11
Buy Men’s Buy Women’s
The right shoe for: Long runs, and new runners
This year, the Brooks Ghost racks up its seventh Editor’s Choice award for its appeal to a wide variety of runners. Newbies love its comfy cushioning, marathon vets pick it for pounding out high-mileage weeks, and road runners like its quick, smooth ride. And the 11th version of the shoe is no exception. The Ghost delivers again with an almost spooky consistency, with some notable updates to its midsole.
Glycerin 16
Buy Men’s Buy Women’s
The right shoe for: Luxurious long runs
The name of the game for the Glycerin 16 is comfort, plain and simple. This neutral trainer is the plushest pair Brooks has to offer right now, and has delighted many a runner who just want a shoe that feels indulgent on their foot. While this does make it one of the heaviest shoes out there, the Glycerin nearly maxed out our cushioning rating at the RW Shoe Lab.
Levitate 2
The right shoe for: Crushing long runs and tempos
Levitate is all about the bounce. Launched in 2017, the shoe’s sole has a high-tech mix of old-school foam and new-school rubber, ranking it among the 20 bounciest shoes of the thousands we’ve tested over the years. Testers favoured the lightweight feel yet incredible support and cushioning in the latest version of this model, calling it “super comfortable.”
Revel 2
The right shoe for: Cushioning for mid-distance runs
With an updated knit upper and a cushy midsole, there’s a lot to like about the Revel 2- an affordable shoe with off-road and on-road appeal. Our wear testers praised this neutral trainer because it felt lightweight yet still plush, and they liked the snug, soft feel of the breathable upper. The Revel 2 is best suited for mid-distance runs (3-6 miles), but it can withstand the occasional long run if called to do so.
Bedlam
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The right shoe for: Runners who want a stable and responsive ride
The Bedlam reveals what Brooks has in store for stability: a GuideRail system that focuses on alignment by working to prevent excess heel rotation that puts torque on the knee. This system is far different than the medial post set up that so many people associate with running stability, with the guide rails working more like bumpers at a bowling alley than an obstruction forcing your foot into place. Combine that with a ribbed heal collar, a full-knit upper, and an DNA AMP midsole, and you’ve got a stable, comfortable shoe that’s ready for your next training run.
Ricochet
Buy Men’s Buy Women’s
The right shoe for: Faster-than-usual runs
The Ricochet offers runners an energetic, propulsive ride, thanks in part to a DNA AMP and BioMoGo midsole, a knit upper, and an arrow-point tread pattern on the outsole. The RW Shoe Lab, along with wear tester feedback, further proved that this shoe offers a responsive ride, with one tester even saying that the Ricochet “just felt like it wanted to go faster.”
Ravenna 10
Buy Men’s Buy Women’s
The right shoe for: Runners who want a lightweight, everyday trainer
If you like switching your pace and distance between runs, the light and fast Ravenna is a great choice. Compared with previous versions, this Ravenna weighs less and has a new knit upper with a more secure arch wrap. It’s also worth noting that the women’s Ravenna 10 is more flexible than the men’s, which is not typical. In fact, most of the women’s shoes we tested this season tested stiffer-something that might make this an even bigger hit among women.
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