- Weight 296g (M) 258g (W)
- Heel-To-Toe-Drop: 12mm
- Type: road/stability
- Price: £120
RW summary:
Exquisite comfort and a very soft feel. Go long with this one.
General comments
If you’re familiar with and/or a fan of the Adrenaline 21 you don’t need to read the rest of this review; it’s the same excellent shoe it’s always been. If you’re new to the model it’s a wonderfully cushioned, almost old-school running shoe that has a high heel to toe drop (12mm), weighs a little on the heavy side and is generally the perfect long-run shoe for those who simply want the most reliability and the least fuss for their long runs.
Lofty ambition
One of two changes to version 21 is that the DNA Loft (Brooks’s highly aerated midsole foam) has been extended all the way through from heel to toe to give a slightly softer, bouncier ride. In truth, this change was barely noticed but that’s because this was already a supremely cushioned shoe that absolutely coddles your foot through the gait cycle – if you love a soft feel you’ll struggle to find better.
Structured Upper
Secondly, the upper has been re-engineered to bring about two things: 1) to be more breathable, and 2) to give a bit more solidity and structure to the midfoot to hold the foot in place better. We loved this. It stretched just enough to allow for freedom of movement but retained enough shape that any unwanted lateral movement sense of bagginess was never an issue. It’s a change that is welcome because, while the Adrenaline has always been a very comfortable shoe, the upper was an area that needed a little tweaking to make it contribute a bit more rather than just sitting on top of the midsole.
Mild stability
It’s a shoe that appeals to neutral runner and mild overpronators alike. There’s no hefty medial post; instead, there are guide rails atop the midsole. Many brands now use these as a softer support structure but Brooks were the first to do it. Essentially It’s a plastic rail that runs around the outside of the upper at the bottom. If you overpronate (either from the start or later when you tire) your foot will be guided back to the centre by it. If you’re completely neutral you’ll never know it’s there.
Conclusion
A very accomplished companion for steady and long slow runs for neutral runners and mild overpronators.
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