When it comes to finding the best Brooks for running, the search can be overwhelming. Brooks has established itself as a leading brand in the running shoe industry, known for its commitment to quality and innovation. With a wide range of options available, runners of all levels can find a shoe that meets their specific needs and preferences.
This comprehensive guide examines the top Brooks running shoes for 2024. From daily trainers to race-day speedsters, trail runners to stability options, we’ve got you covered. We’ll explore key features, such as support, cushioning, and durability, to help you make an informed decision. Whether you’re a seasoned marathoner or just starting your running journey, this roundup of the best Brooks shoes will point you in the right direction to find your perfect match.
Brooks Glycerin 21 – Best Overall
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The Brooks Glycerin 21 stands out as the pinnacle of comfort and performance in the Brooks lineup. This shoe delivers a plush ride that caters to various running styles and distances.
Cushioning and Comfort
The Glycerin 21 features an impressive 37.2 mm stack height at the heel, surpassing the lab average by 3.6 mm. This substantial cushioning comes from the DNA Loft v3 foam, which offers a balanced ride with just the right amount of bounce and stability. The shoe’s broad base, measuring 100.0 mm at the heel, provides confidence and control during landings and toe-offs.
Durability
Brooks has equipped the Glycerin 21 with a Roadtack Rubber outsole, boasting an above-average hardness of 84.9 HC. This ensures the shoe will endure many miles without significant wear. The outsole’s durability was further confirmed through a Dremel test, which showed minimal damage.
Fit and Support
The Glycerin 21 features a new engineered warp knit upper that’s breathable and accommodating. It provides a flexible fit while remaining soft against the foot. The shoe’s broad platform stabilizes the foot and promotes smooth heel-to-toe transitions, making it an excellent choice for heel strikers seeking luxurious cushioning.
Brooks Ghost 16 – Best for Daily Training
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The Brooks Ghost 16 stands out as an exceptional choice for daily training, offering a perfect balance of comfort and performance. This versatile shoe caters to a wide range of runners, from beginners to experienced marathoners seeking a reliable workhorse.
Versatility
The Ghost 16 excels in its ability to handle various distances and paces. Its DNA Loft v3 midsole provides a balanced ride, offering just the right amount of softness without feeling mushy. This makes it suitable for everything from short recovery runs to long-distance efforts. The shoe’s durability is impressive, with a RoadTack rubber outsole that showed minimal wear after extensive testing.
Responsiveness
With the introduction of DNA Loft v3 foam, the Ghost 16 has received a significant boost in performance. This nitrogen-infused foam enhances energy return, making the shoe feel more lively underfoot compared to its predecessors. The midsole strikes a good balance between softness and responsiveness, providing a smooth transition from heel to toe.
Breathability
The Ghost 16 features an engineered mesh upper that offers excellent ventilation. In lab tests, it scored 4 out of 5 for breathability, making it suitable for most running conditions. The upper design strategically combines a well-ventilated toebox with thicker sides, enhancing both stability and airflow.
Brooks Hyperion Elite 4 – Best for Racing
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The Brooks Hyperion Elite 4 stands out as the brand’s premier racing shoe, designed to help runners achieve their fastest times from 5K to marathon distances. This latest iteration showcases significant improvements in performance and design.
Lightweight Design
Weighing just 7.2 oz (204g) for a US M9, the Hyperion Elite 4 is one of the lightest Brooks shoes available. Its featherweight construction allows runners to maintain speed without sacrificing comfort or support. The shoe features an ultra-breathable mesh upper that scored a perfect 5/5 for breathability in lab tests, ensuring optimal ventilation during intense races.
Carbon Plate Technology
At the heart of the Hyperion Elite 4 lies the innovative SpeedVault Race+ carbon plate. This 3D-printed plate is uniquely designed with cutouts to maintain rigidity while reducing weight. Remarkably, the plate’s stiffness varies with shoe size, offering tailored performance across different foot sizes. The carbon plate contributes to the shoe’s impressive rigidity, testing 115.0% higher than average in flex tests.
Energy Return
The Hyperion Elite 4 incorporates DNA Flash v2 supercritical nitrogen-infused foam, which Brooks claims increases energy return by nearly 10% compared to its predecessor. While the midsole provides a balanced ride with ample cushioning, some runners may find it firmer compared to other super shoes on the market. The shoe’s 40mm stack height at the heel offers maximum cushioning for longer distances, making it suitable for marathons and half-marathons alike.
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23 – Best for Stability
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The Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23 stands out as a top choice for runners seeking stability. This shoe offers a perfect blend of support and comfort, making it ideal for those with mild overpronation.
GuideRails Support System
The Adrenaline GTS 23 features Brooks’ innovative GuideRails technology. This system provides holistic support by gently steering the runner’s stride when form begins to fade. It acts like bumpers on a bowling alley, keeping excess motion in check and preventing unnecessary impact on knees, back, and hips.
Cushioning
Brooks has updated the midsole with DNA Loft v2 cushioning, which is softer and lighter than its predecessor. This new foam compound offers a more responsive ride with increased bounce, reducing the break-in time typically associated with Brooks trainers.
Smooth Transitions
The shoe’s design promotes smooth heel-to-toe transitions, particularly benefiting heel strikers. With a 12.6-mm heel-to-toe drop, it caters well to those who land on their heels first. The wider forefoot and heel provide a stable landing platform, enhancing overall stability during runs.
Brooks Cascadia 18 – Best for Trail Running
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The Brooks Cascadia 18 stands out as a top choice for trail enthusiasts seeking a versatile and reliable shoe. This latest iteration builds on its predecessor’s success, offering enhanced features for tackling rugged terrain.
Traction
The Cascadia 18 boasts impressive grip with its TrailTack Green rubber outsole. The 4.5-millimeter lugs, inspired by mountain goat hooves, provide excellent traction on various surfaces, including mud and snow. This design ensures secure footing, allowing runners to focus on the trail ahead rather than worrying about slipping.
Protection
Brooks has equipped the Cascadia 18 with a robust protective system. The shoe features a rock plate in the forefoot, shielding the foot from sharp objects on the trail. The upper incorporates protective overlays in high-wear areas, enhancing durability and filtering out debris like pebbles and sand.
Comfort on Rough Terrain
The Cascadia 18 utilizes DNA LOFT v2 cushioning, offering a balance of softness and responsiveness. The Trail Adapt system, combining an integrated midsole and strategic outsole pods, provides stability on uneven surfaces. This design ensures comfort during long trail runs, making the Cascadia 18 an excellent choice for endurance-focused trail runners.
Brooks Hyperion Max 2 – Best for Long Distance
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The Brooks Hyperion Max 2 stands out as a top choice for long-distance runners seeking a balance of cushioning and responsiveness. This versatile shoe offers impressive performance for various training scenarios.
Cushioning
The Hyperion Max 2 features a thick midsole with DNA Flash v2 foam, providing ample cushioning for long runs. With a 33.2 mm heel stack height and 26.4 mm forefoot stack, it offers substantial protection without sacrificing ground feel. The dual-layer midsole design, incorporating a softer secondary foam layer (17.6 HA), enhances comfort during extended runs.
Responsiveness
Despite its cushioning, the Hyperion Max 2 maintains a responsive ride. The addition of a full-length nylon SpeedVault plate contributes to a snappy feel, especially during uptempo runs. The RapidRoll rocker design promotes smooth heel-to-toe transitions, enhancing efficiency over long distances.
Durability
Brooks has equipped the Hyperion Max 2 with a durable outsole, featuring extensive rubber coverage. Although the rubber is relatively soft (72.0 HC), it shows minimal wear after testing, indicating good longevity for high-mileage training.
Brooks Catamount 3 – Best for Trail Racing
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Lightweight Trail Design
The Brooks Catamount 3 stands out as a top choice for trail racing, offering a perfect balance of speed and durability. Weighing just 9.4 ounces (266 grams) for a U.S. men’s size 9, this shoe provides exceptional agility on the trails. The updated single-layer TPEE mesh upper enhances flexibility and breathability, ensuring comfort during long races.
Traction
The Catamount 3 features a TrailTack Green rubber outsole with 3.5-millimeter lugs, providing excellent grip on various surfaces. This innovative outsole, made with 25% recycled content, delivers exceptional traction on wet and dry terrain alike. While not overly aggressive, the lugs offer sufficient grip for most trail conditions, making it a versatile choice for different racing environments.
Energy Return
Brooks has equipped the Catamount 3 with their DNA FLASH midsole technology, infused with nitrogen for a lightweight and responsive ride. The addition of the SkyVault trail plate enhances uphill efficiency and provides protection on rocky terrain. This combination results in a snappy, energetic feel that helps maintain speed over long distances, making it an ideal choice for ultra-distance trail races.
Brooks Revel 7 – Best Budget Option
Image Source:Â Revel 7 Mens Running Shoes | Brooks Running
Value for Money
The Brooks Revel 7 stands out as an exceptional choice for budget-conscious runners seeking top brooks running shoes. Priced at $100, it offers remarkable quality and versatility, making it an excellent value proposition. This shoe provides the features typically found in more premium options, including a lightweight feel and adaptable cushioning.
Versatility
The Revel 7 excels in its versatility, making it suitable for various activities beyond running. Its flexible design, measuring 30.9% more flexible than average in flex tests, allows the midsole to work harmoniously with the foot. This adaptability makes it an ideal choice for walking, gym workouts, and daily errands, in addition to running.
Comfort
Comfort is a key feature of the Revel 7, thanks to its breathable mesh upper and BioMoGo DNA midsole. The shoe provides a cushioned ride with a balanced 19.5 HA foam density, offering support for shorter distances without excessive sinking. Its lightweight construction, weighing just 9.1 oz (258g), enhances agility and comfort during runs.
Brooks Launch GTS 10 – Best Lightweight Stability
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The Brooks Launch GTS 10 stands out as a top choice for runners seeking a balance of support and agility. This shoe offers excellent stability without compromising on weight, making it ideal for those who need guidance during their runs.
Support Features
The Launch GTS 10 incorporates Brooks’ innovative GuideRails technology, providing targeted support where it’s needed most. This system consists of two firm foam pieces on either side of the heel, effectively reducing excessive inward rolling of the foot and outward shifting of the heel. This design helps maintain proper alignment, especially when fatigue sets in during longer runs.
Lightweight Design
Despite its stability features, the Launch GTS 10 remains incredibly light. Weighing just 8.3 ounces, it’s significantly lighter than other stability shoes in the Brooks lineup. This lightweight construction makes it an excellent option for tempo workouts and speed training, offering the perfect blend of support and responsiveness.
Responsiveness
The Launch GTS 10 features Brooks’ lightweight DNA cushioning, which adapts to each runner’s unique stride and weight. This responsive cushioning, combined with a rubber outsole pattern designed for quick transitions, promotes an efficient toe-off and a speedy feel underfoot. The result is a shoe that excels in both daily training and faster-paced runs, making it a versatile choice for runners seeking support without sacrificing performance.
Brooks Aurora-BL – Most Innovative
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Unique Midsole Design
The Aurora-BL showcases Brooks’ innovative approach with its distinctive midsole design. Featuring a decoupled construction, the midsole consists of two separate pieces – one in the heel and another in the forefoot/midfoot. This unique configuration allows for natural foot movement and a smooth transition, especially for forefoot strikers.
Breathability
The upper of the Aurora-BL is crafted from a thin, translucent monomesh that offers exceptional breathability. However, lab tests revealed a below-average smoke evacuation rate of 3/5. The paper-thin toebox enhances ventilation, while the thicker midfoot area provides stability and comfort.
Cushioning
At the heart of the Aurora-BL lies the DNA Loft v3 midsole, a nitrogen-infused supercritical foam that delivers a plush and bouncy ride. With a Shore A durometer score of 15.3 HA, it offers cloud-like comfort for runners seeking a soft, cushioned experience. The foam’s performance in cold temperatures is impressive, with only a 22.2% change after freezing.
Brooks Ghost Max 2 – Best Max Cushion
Image Source:Â Ghost Max 2 Mens Running Shoes | Brooks Running
Plush Cushioning
The Brooks Ghost Max 2 delivers exceptional comfort with its DNA Loft v3 midsole. This nitrogen-infused foam provides a soft yet responsive ride, striking a balance between plushness and support. The midsole’s durometer reading of 21.6 HA confirms its balanced cushioning, offering a springy feel without compromising stability.
Comfort
Runners appreciate the Ghost Max 2’s plush upper, which contributes to its overall comfort. The shoe’s wide base and high sidewalls enhance stability, making it an excellent choice for those recovering from injuries. Its 6mm drop promotes smooth transitions, complementing the GlideRoll rocker design.
Smooth Ride
The Ghost Max 2’s GlideRoll rocker technology facilitates a natural gait and effortless heel-to-toe transitions. This feature, combined with the responsive DNA Loft v3 foam, results in a smooth and comfortable ride, ideal for daily training and long runs.
Brooks Levitate 6 – Best for Energy Return
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DNA AMP Midsole
The Brooks Levitate 6 features the innovative DNA AMP v2 midsole, designed to provide exceptional energy return. This nitrogen-infused foam offers a unique balance of softness and responsiveness, with a durometer reading of 19.8 HA. The midsole’s resilient nature maintains its structure well, delivering a springy rebound that feels energetic at higher paces while remaining protective for longer runs.
Responsiveness
Despite its firm feel, the Levitate 6 showcases impressive responsiveness. The DNA AMP v2 foam contributes to a snappy toe-off, making it suitable for uptempo workouts and daily training. The shoe’s design promotes smooth heel-to-toe transitions, enhancing the overall running experience. Its flexibility, measuring 24N in lab tests, allows for natural foot movement during the gait cycle.
Fit
The Levitate 6 offers a secure and comfortable fit. Its engineered mesh upper provides excellent breathability and adaptability, accommodating various foot shapes. The shoe fits true to size, with a slightly snug feel throughout. The midfoot features a non-gusseted tongue and easily adjustable laces, allowing for a customized fit. The heel counter offers stability, while ample padding ensures comfort during long runs.
Conclusion
Brooks has made its mark in the running shoe industry with an impressive lineup catering to various running styles and preferences. From the plush comfort of the Glycerin 21 to the speedy performance of the Hyperion Elite 4, Brooks offers options to meet the needs of diverse runners. The brand’s commitment to innovation shines through in models like the Aurora-BL, while budget-conscious runners can find excellent value in the Revel 7.
To wrap up, Brooks continues to push boundaries in running shoe technology, blending comfort, performance, and durability across their range. Whether you’re hitting the trails, racing on the road, or simply looking for a reliable daily trainer, Brooks has a shoe to fit the bill. This roundup of the best Brooks running shoes for 2024 serves as a starting point to help runners find their perfect match and elevate their running experience.
FAQs
What are the most popular Brooks running shoes currently? The most sought-after Brooks running shoes include the Ghost 15, known for its overall quality, the versatile Glycerin 21, the Hyperion Elite 4 which is ideal for marathon running, the trail-specific Catamount 3, and the road-friendly Adrenaline GTS 23.
Which Brooks shoes offer the greatest comfort? For 2024, the top Brooks running shoes for comfort are the Ghost 16 for overall performance, the Ghost Max for superior comfort, the Glycerin 21 for exceptional cushioning, the Adrenaline GTS 23 for excellent arch support, the Beast GTS 23 for stability, the Cascadia 17 for hiking, and the Revel 7 as a budget-friendly option.
What are the recommended Brooks shoes for older adults? The Brooks Adrenaline GTS 22 is highly recommended for seniors due to its comfort and support features, including a wide and spacious toe box that accommodates foot changes like deformities or swelling common in older age.
Between Brooks Adrenaline and Glycerin, which shoe is better? While both the Brooks Adrenaline and Glycerin models offer substantial cushioning, the Adrenaline is generally firmer and utilizes an older version of Brooks’ DNA Loft cushioning. It also has a higher drop, provides more support, and is available in a wider range of widths compared to the Glycerin.
