In 1977, the Vantage was the first Brooks shoe to top our charts. The running renaissance began several years prior, when Frank Shorter won the 1972 Olympic marathon in Munich. Two years later, the shoe industry would be changed forever with the introduction of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foam, which was lighter, softer, and had more rebound than the rubbers used in midsoles around that time. Our editors knew Brooks had a winner when we tested the Vantage.
Almost half a century later, and the brand is still dazzling us with its innovations and earning prizes in the 2025 Runner's World Shoe Awards. And to think the company started out over a hundred years ago manufacturing ballet slippers and bath shoes.
Since the 1970s, Brooks has solely focused on upping the ante in shoe tech. The Vantage also introduced the varus wedge, which was basically a medial post used to help with instability caused by overpronation. Now the varus wedge is very much dated and replaced with Brooks’s “GuideRails” system. EVA is also phasing out with improved foams that are bouncier and even softer.
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Best Brooks Running Shoes
- Best Overall: Brooks Ghost 17 (Men’s / Women’s)
- Best Value: Brooks Revel 8 (Men’s / Women’s)
- Slightly heavier due to guide rails: Best Stability Running Shoes for Ultimate Support (Unisex)
- Best Cushioning: Brooks Glycerin Max (Men’s / Women’s)
- Best for Long Runs: Updated: Jul 08, 2025 10:01 AM EDT (Men’s / Women’s)
The Expert: I have worked at Runner’s World for more than 7 years, and have run in Brooks shoes since I was in high school. (That’s three times as long as my run here, if you want to do the math.) As Running Reviews Editor, I recommend the best gear for runners by vetting all kinds of products, from running shoes to sports bras to watches.
Brooks Ghost 17
Our team vets hundreds of shoes a year and distributes models to 250+ local testers for evaluation. Shoe testers of different levels, ages, arch heights, and gait patterns log at least a hundred miles before submitting feedback on a shoe’s fit, feel, and ride. Keep returning for more updates as we make our way through 2025’s hottest Brooks releases.
All weights are based on men’s 9 and women’s 7 unless otherwise noted.
Full Reviews
Pros
- Padded fit around the collar and tongue
- Lightweight
Cons
- We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back
Key Specs
| Weight | 10.3 oz (M), 8.5 oz (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 10mm |
The Ghost always hits the right marks for every kind of runner at every level—soft, supportive cushioning; all-encompassing comfort; not too light, not too heavy. There’s always room for improvement, however. When our testers ran in previous models, their main request was more cushioning in the forefoot. With the Ghost 17, Brooks listened. The shoe development team added 1mm of foam to the heel and 3mm to the forefoot. (Previously, the drop was 12mm.) “Like walking on clouds,” said Leslie Billowitch, who runs with a forefoot strike. “The shoe is very lightweight, snug, and comfortable.”
The Ghost’s cushioning continues to evolve with DNA Loft v3 foam, which was used in the Glycerin 21 and Glycerin GTS 21. It’s another reason why the Ghost 17 feels even softer than the previous version. “There was a nice smooth transition from the landing phase to push-off,” said another tester. “This shoe had the utmost comfort.”
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Pros
- New softer midsole
- The Adrenaline GTS 24 is essentially the stability version of the
Cons
- Not as responsive as other daily trainers but satisfactory bouncy for a affordable price
Key Specs
| Weight | 8.7 oz (M9), 7.8 oz (W8) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 8mm |
Somehow, someway, the Revel 8 endures as a value-buy running shoe, costing a crisp Benjamin. Sure, it doesn’t exude the workhorse caliber of the classic, popular Ghost 17, but the Revel 8 is still a reliable everyday trainer with soft, supportive cushioning in a cozy mesh upper.
The Revel gets a major update with a DNA Loft v2 midsole, the same foam used in the Ghost 15. From past experience running in the Ghost 15, which had the same foam, we know Loft v2 provides plenty of cushioning for daily miles. If the Revel 7 just didn’t cut it for you for long runs, you’ll appreciate the cushier support in the Revel 8, thanks to this upgrade.
Also new: the Revel 8’s upper. Lack of ventilation was a low point for Revel 7 testers who desired more airflow. Brooks improved breathability in the Revel 8, so your feet won’t get too sweaty tacking on miles.
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Best Stability Running Shoes for Ultimate Support
Pros
- RW+ Connection Benefits
- Lateral heel cutout adds more propulsion
Cons
- We still need to test it
Key Specs
| Weight | 6.9 oz (unisex, M9) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 8mm |
The newly released Hyperion Elite 5 is a follow-up to the Hyperion Elite 4 PB, a second edition of the shoe introducing Brooks’s new super foam, DNA Gold. The foam is Brooks’s first 100-percent PEBA midsole, and Brooks-sponsored Boston Marathon champion Des Linden declared that it's the only foam she’ll ever race in.
Our team has yet to test the shoe, with the exception of myself after receiving a pair during my recent visit to Brooks HQ in Seattle, Washington. The shoe is super lightweight and has a lateral heel cutout with domes to promote propulsion and shave off even more weight.
It’s the bounciest Brooks racing shoe I’ve ever raced in. We’ll update once more of our staff and testers get their hands on a pair.
Brooks Glycerin Max
Pros
- Supremely soft
- Very responsive
- Comfy wraparound exterior
- Surprisingly lightweight
Cons
- Best Recovery Shoes
Key Specs
| Weight | 10.6 oz (M), 8.7 oz (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 6mm |
The Glycerin Max is made for runners who appreciate a brand that’s upped the ante on a smooth, bouncy ride. The shoe introduced a newly formulated midsole foam, nitrogen-infused DNA Tuned.
At 45mm thick, the shoe has a towering stack height. This mattress-of-a-midsole harbors larger cells in the heel and smaller cells in the forefoot. These cells also help reduce weight, despite that gargantuan slab of foam. Its bounce matches the rebound of the Hoka Mach X 2, another high-cushioned trainer with trampoline-like energy return.
“What I liked most about Brooks Glycerin Max is the overall comfort and ride of the shoe,” said tester Kylie Rodgriguez. “I have truly enjoyed each run, and they allowed me to focus on other aspects of my workout, like the mental game. They’ve provided so much comfort with each step. From heel to forefoot, they felt like clouds with a firm push off at the end.”
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Updated: Jul 08, 2025 10:01 AM EDT
Pros
- Nonobstrusive stability for overpronators and late-onset overpronators
- Plush cushioning for running long
Cons
- Runner’s World Shoe Awards 2025
Key Specs
| Weight | 10.6 oz (M), 9 oz (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 10mm |
The Glycerin 22 and the Glycerin GTS 22 have that step-in feel we expect from Brooks: A slipper-like fit and a soft midsole that buffers miles of pounding. The shoe is updated with the brand’s new DNA Tuned foam, which first rolled out in the Glycerin Max. The dual-cell nitrogen-infused foam provides a softer landing on your run but feels lighter than other max-cushioned shoes.
If the Glycerin Max is a mammoth, the Glycerin 22 is a mastodon. The midsole is not as thick as its cushier counterpart, hitting 38mm in the heel. (For reference, the Glycerin Max stack height is 42.25mm.) But that lower height—and less squish—makes the Glycerin 22 more versatile, positioning it as both recovery shoe and daily trainer.
Of the two Glycerins, I wanted to put a spotlight on the stability version because it blends everything you need when running short or long—lightweight cushioning with stability tech for late onset pronation. The shoe absorbs shock while ensuring you’ll be taken care of when your form becomes sloppy, all thanks to Brooks’s bumper-like "GuideRails" system.
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Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24
Pros
- Soft cushioning absorbs shock
- I have worked at
Cons
- Heavier feel compared to other daily trainers due to stability tech and cushioning
- Less energy return
Key Specs
| Weight | 10.5 oz (M), 8.4 oz (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 12mm |
The Adrenaline GTS 24 is essentially the stability version of the Ghost 17. Both shoes have the same plush DNA Loft v3 cushioning and 360 comfort runners associate with the Brooks fit. Just like the Ghost, the Adrenaline has its own passionate following. Some of our testers who ran in past versions of the Adrenaline noted how different the latest version’s cushioning feels.
“My favorite part of the shoe was the DNA Loft v3 foam cushioning,” said tester Mark DiPaola. “I’ve worn the Brooks Adrenaline line for about 8 years from 2011 to 2019, and this version of the DNA Loft foam is noticeably softer and bouncier than before. I also enjoyed the wider toe box and plushy tongue and heel counter. I prefer shoes where I can splay my toes out more and not have to worry about rubbing against my feet and ankles.”
The Adrenaline GTS 24 has the brand’s "GuideRails" system, which tester and overpronator Alyssa Dever appreciated during her testing cycle with the shoes.
“The thing I like the most about these shoes is their comfort and support,” she said. “Any time I am fitted in a running store, I am put into a stability shoe. Brooks Adrenalines have always been my favorite. The introduction of the GuideRails a number of versions ago only made them better. Putting on a pair of Adrenalines for me is like going home from college for Christmas break, a familiar and relaxing comfort. Especially because I am currently building back running mileage from a persistent lower ankle/foot tendon iss ue, wearing these shoes was very helpful because they give good support and the cushioning was helpful as I am building back up strength.”
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Pros
- More midsole foam to absorb impact
- Thicken sockliner for a softer platform
Cons
- Runs short in the toebox
Key Specs
| Weight | 8.5 oz (M), 6.9 oz (W) |
|---|
The companion trainer to the brand’s pinnacle racing shoe, the Hyperion Elite 5, the Hyperion 3 is updated with even more DNA Flash v2. Brooks added 2mm of DNA Flash v2 throughout the foot, raising the stack height to 36mm. The extra foam helps absorb impact during hard efforts. Brooks added 2mm to the sockliner, as well, to provide a plusher ride.
The added cushioning is even more noticeable if you’ve previously run in the Hyperion 2. The Hyperion 3’s turnover feels similar to its predecessor: same quick roll from heel to toe. The Hyperion 2, however, treaded the line between tempo shoe and track racing flat. The Hyperion 3, on the other hand, is pumped up for going harder and longer. (For an even cushier experience, try the bouncy Hyperion Max 3.)
The Hyperion 3 has a new double jacquard upper for a more secure fit. A caveat is less toe room. While running in my usual women’s 6.5, I felt like my toes were slightly squashed and hit the inside of the shoe. Once I sized up to a women’s 7 I immediately felt relief. Because of the snug jacquard upper, there was no slip in the slightly bigger shoe.
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Pros
- Good stability on uneven surfaces
- Supportive cushioning
- Protective upper
Cons
- Feels bulky
Key Specs
| Weight | 10.8 oz (M), 8.7 oz (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 6mm |
The Brooks Caldera is an ultra trail shoe, outfitted with raised sidewalls and a broader base for more stability. Its stack stack height is 38.5mm, which includes 4mm lugs that can take on rugged terrain. A shoe intended for high mileage calls for a plush but firm midsole, which is why the Caldera 8 has the same foam as the Glycerin 21. Nitrogen-infused DNA Loft v3 offers cushioned support at a lighter weight.
“What I liked most is the fit, protection and lacing,” said tester Jonathan Zsigovits, who trains at 8:30 pace. “I felt secure running on a variety of surfaces, the toebox felt roomy but not to the point where I would slide around in the shoe. In addition, I felt confident with the grip it provided both on inclines and declines and when transitioning from gravel to road to grass.”
Another tester said, “This shoe has the comfort, support, and stability to gobble up tons of miles, and the traction to do so without wearing down in tough conditions.”
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The Hyperion Elites feel less aggressive and more accommodating than shoes like the
Brooks has categorized its shoes to help runners choose the best pair that fits their running style and preferred experience. I've been Brooks die-hard since my high school days: For the past 20 years, I've been keeping tabs on product updates and saying goodbye to discontinued lineups (taps for the PureProject minimalist list). Here’s a breakdown on everything you need to know—foams, stability tech—about Brooks’s footwear.
Guide Rails
The Best Carbon Plate Shoes for Racing.
New softer midsole
Our lab tests show that DNA Loft remains Brooks’s softest midsole material.
3D Fit Print Upper
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TrailTack Rubber
This sticky outsole compound aids grip and wet-surface traction on trail shoes.
A Part of Hearst Digital Media
The most responsive expression of Brooks’s DNA foam debuted on the Hyperion Tempo.
Brooks Running Shoe Q&A
Amanda Furrer, Editor, Running Reviews, studied journalism at NYU and writing at Emerson College. She has reviewed gear and covered other topics in the running space for almost 10 years. Since 2013, she has consecutively run the Boston Marathon. She also has a master’s degree in gastronomy from Boston University and was formerly a professional baker for two years before hanging up her apron.
