Brooks is one of the most reliable, consistent, and trustworthy running shoe brands. It's also one of the most boring. Although the brand has launched several intriguing new shoes in recent years, it tends to stick to its guns, refining and tweaking its most popular models or spinning off a new product line from an existing one. The Ghost and Glycerin series have loyal fan bases because they deliver the same no-fuss fit and comfort year after year, while the Adrenaline GTS remains one of the most popular shoes among new runners, thanks to its unwavering stability. The Hyperion family of performance-oriented shoes is relatively newer and doesn't yet seem to have as clear a direction as Brooks' more established series, but it still maintains the same commitment to comfort.
We have bought and tested over 20 different Brooks models, and below are the best Brooks running shoes you can get.
Updates
- 04/08/2026Brooks Glycerin 23 reviewed
- 03/24/2026Brooks Launch 12 updated
- 03/02/2026Brooks Glycerin Flex reviewed
- 12/17/2025Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24 reviewed
- 12/15/2025Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23 reviewed
We buy and test running shoes with a very data-oriented approach. While we're just getting started, our methodology already has dozens of tests to help you make the right purchasing decision for your needs. Not only do we use high-end equipment to gather objective data, but we also order multiple sizes of the same shoes so team members can log in miles. This real-world testing is conducted at various paces and conditions, across different types of workouts, to cover all the bases. This allows us to verify our results and ensure they align with what you might feel with a specific pair.
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Best Brooks Running Shoes
Marathon Racing8.35K/10K Racing8.4Energy Return8.5Cushioning7.4Lateral Stability7.3Weight:200.9 g (7.08 oz)Heel-To-Toe Drop:9.3 mmSee all our test resultsPlate:Carbon FiberThe Brooks Hyperion Elite 5 is the brand's top-of-the-line super shoe and the best Brooks running shoe we've tested. This shoe is designed for race days rather than everyday use and features a carbon fiber plate in PEBA-based foam that delivers excellent energy return. It's remarkably comfortable for a racing shoe, with a sock-like upper that wraps around your foot, and a slight rocker that helps keep your feet turning over without disrupting your normal biomechanics. All of this contributes to a shoe that practically disappears on foot; it readily complies when you push the pace, but it's not overly aggressive like some other brands' super shoes. That said, it's also not as streamlined or lightweight as many super shoes, so if you're already optimizing every other aspect of your training and desperately trying to trim every last second off your current PR, there are more competitive shoes out there. For most runners, though, this one is PR-ready.
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Best Upper Mid-Range Brooks Running Shoes
Marathon Racing7.45K/10K Racing6.2Energy Return7.6Cushioning9.0Lateral Stability6.5True To Size9.7Weight:290.0 g (10.23 oz)Heel-To-Toe Drop:7.7 mmSee all our test resultsPlate:PlasticThe Brooks Hyperion Max 3 is a souped-up super trainer and the best upper mid-range running shoe we've tested from the brand. It's a big, bouncy shoe that's not built for race day efficiency like the Brooks Hyperion Elite 5, but it brings a lot of fun to interval workouts and progression runs, while packing enough cushioning to absorb the repetitive pounding of long runs. The midsole features a top layer of the same foam that's in the Brooks Hyperion Elite 5, a nylon plate, and a bottom layer of more stable DNA Flash v2 foam. It's not the most stable shoe, though, and the high stack height, combined with a midsole cutout on the medial side, could feel too unsteady for some.
If you want a smoother, steadier ride, the Brooks Glycerin Max 2 is a very comfortable alternative. It's heavier and less lively than the Hyperion Max 3, but still offers great cushioning for long runs.
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Best Mid-Range Brooks Running Shoes
Marathon Racing5.95K/10K Racing5.4Energy Return4.1Cushioning7.4Lateral Stability7.4True To Size9.0Weight:299.4 g (10.56 oz)Heel-To-Toe Drop:9.6 mmSee all our test resultsPlate:NoneThe Brooks Glycerin 23 is a cushioned daily trainer designed to make everyday miles more comfortable. It doesn't have the bounce or propulsive geometry of any of the shoes in the Hyperion family, but it does have decent cushioning that is especially well-suited to heel strikers. The reworked upper of the Glycerin 23 balances supportive structure with sock-like flexibility, but it's quite thick, and could become uncomfortably sweaty if you live in a hotter climate or do most of your runs indoors on a treadmill.
For runners who need more support to correct pronation issues, there is a GTS version of the Glycerin that has raised sidewalls from the heel to the midfoot. But if stability is your top priority, and you're willing to sacrifice cushioning, consider the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25. In addition to the sidewalls, it also has a firmer, sculpted midsole that guides your foot into a neutral position.
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Best Budget Brooks Running Shoes
Marathon Racing4.35K/10K Racing5.6Responsiveness4.8Cushioning6.2Lateral Stability7.8True To Size9.1Weight:282.3 g (9.96 oz)Heel-To-Toe Drop:10.9 mmSee all our test resultsPlate:NoneThe Brooks Ghost 17 is a no-frills daily trainer and the best budget shoe we've tested from Brooks. Its cushioning is not as soft or absorbent as the Brooks Glycerin 23, and it offers even less energy return, but it delivers solid, durable comfort. As such, this shoe is suitable for walking or running. Unlike previous iterations of the Ghost, which had a 12 mm heel-to-toe drop, the 17th version has a 10 mm drop; that doesn't change the fact that this is still very much a shoe for heel strikers, but it does mean there's a little more cushioning in the forefoot.
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Best Cheap Brooks Running Shoes
Marathon Racing4.25K/10K Racing5.9Energy Return2.5Cushioning5.4Lateral Stability8.0Weight:259.2 g (9.14 oz)Heel-To-Toe Drop:8.6 mmSee all our test resultsPlate:NoneThe Brooks Revel 8 is a cheap, all-purpose shoe that isn't specifically engineered to excel at running, but is still capable enough. Its comparatively low stack height keeps it stable, but if you're looking for plush cushioning, you'll be disappointed. The forefoot is particularly thin and bottoms out quickly, making it an unpleasant shoe for long runs. For beginner runners who mix walking and jogging in their workouts, this shoe can get the job done.
Compared To Other Brands
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Innovations focused on the middle of the pack.
While Brooks is certainly not on the cutting edge of super shoe development, it's still an innovative brand. Much of the research and development conducted in the Brooks Biomechanics Lab focuses on technological innovations to improve everyday running for average runners rather than just race-day performance for elites. Brooks was the first brand to use EVA foam in running shoes, starting in the 1970s, setting the industry standard for decades to come. Today, Brooks' dual-density midsoles are among the best-engineered in the industry.
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Great lateral stability.
Brooks was the first brand to introduce a stability trainer in the 1970s, and that legacy continues today. The base version of most of Brooks' daily trainers has an inherently stable design featuring a solid platform that inspires confidence underfoot. Models with the suffix "GTS" (short for Go to Stability) build further on this by adding guide rails to help correct overpronation. Because they're so solid and stable, these GTS shoes are particularly popular among newer runners.
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Reliable comfort.
From daily trainers to racing shoes, Brooks is known for the step-in comfort of its shoes. This comfort starts from the top with well-designed uppers that generally strike a good balance between structure and padding. The plush interiors of Brooks' running shoes sometimes give their trainers a more cushioned feel than just the midsole alone would suggest.
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Trails behind industry trends.
Perhaps the biggest knock on many of Brooks' running shoes is that they're a bit boring. Brooks' design team seems content to sit on the sidelines as the rest of the industry adapts to new trends. One example is PEBA, the first "super foam" introduced by Nike in 2017, and quickly copied by other brands in racing shoes and speed trainers. Other brands besides Brooks, that is. They didn't incorporate PEBA into any racing shoes until late 2024, with the Brooks Hyperion Elite 4 PB; by then, other brands had already started incorporating even more advanced foams like Aliphatic TPU (A-TPU) or TPEE.
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Steep heel drop.
Indicative of the brand's tendency to lag behind the industry trend is the heel-to-toe drop of its flagship daily trainers. The Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25 has one of the highest drops of any running shoe on the market, at 12mm. Although the drop in the Ghost series has recently been reduced from 12 to 10mm, this is still steeper than most other brands' daily trainers. That said, Brooks now has several max-cushioned models with a much less pronounced drop, as the higher stack height still allows ample heel cushioning without a dramatic tilt shifting so much pressure from the calves onto the quads.
Brooks vs Nike
Brooks and Nike are both based in the Pacific Northwest of the US, and each manufactures some of the most popular running shoe models on the market. Because Nike is a much bigger brand, it can draw on a larger R&D budget and is often a bit ahead of Brooks in bringing innovations to market; some of the technology in the latest Brooks shoes was already in Nike's several years ago. Nike also devotes much more focus to elite-level performance, so you'll find more options for race-day shoes from Nike than from Brooks. That larger R&D budget also means Nike can take more risks with its running shoes, and some of the models it has released have been definite misses. So while Brooks's models might be a bit more boring, they're often more consistent and reliable. These two brands are among the few that still use a 10 mm heel-to-toe drop in their daily trainers, which is helpful if you're a heel striker but can be annoying if you're not.
Brooks vs ASICS
Brooks and ASICS both have a well-deserved reputation for reliable, comfortable running shoes. For newbie runners, both brands offer a good selection of models, with Brooks' Adrenaline GTS series a popular choice for beginners who need extra stability, and ASICS' GEL-NIMBUS series one of the best cushioned daily trainers. For slightly more advanced runners, Brooks has good options as well (the Hyperion family of shoes caters to different speed-training philosophies). However, ASICS offers more with the BLAST family of shoes, each covering a broad spectrum of uses. For race day and elite-level performance, ASICS offers far more. The METASPEED series features three super shoes, each highly engineered for peak performance and finely tuned for different uses, while the YOGIRI S4+ is geared toward 4-hour marathon runners. Brooks, meanwhile, has the Hyperion Elite series, a perfectly serviceable but rather generalist racing shoe. The flip side to all this is that ASICS' lineup has more overlap between shoes, while Brooks' is more straightforward.
Brooks vs Saucony
Brooks and Saucony are two running specialty brands that focus all their efforts on running shoes. Both brands have lineups that are comprehensive enough to cover everyone from beginners to elites, but with a much greater focus on everyday runners. One particular area where both brands excel is making very stable running shoes. Brooks' lineup is a bit more straightforward: all models with the GTS suffix (for "Go To Stability") feature the same raised sidewalls to support runners with pronation issues. Saucony's stability lineup is a bit more complicated but offers more options: the Hurricane, Tempus, Omni, and Guide all feature different degrees of support, with different configurations of stability features. Each brand groups its racing- and performance-oriented shoes under a single umbrella: for Brooks, that's the Hyperion family; for Saucony, the Endorphin family. Both brands stand out for their consistent sizing.
Brooks makes very comfortable, durable running shoes that fit a wide range of foot shapes. Their shoes are generally not the most hyped, which goes hand in hand with their reputation for being aesthetically unimaginative. But what they lack in excitement, Brooks' running shoes make up for in reliability. They tend to offer more options for heel strikers, owing both to their higher heel-to-toe drop and their unique process of crafting midsoles to be denser under the forefoot than the heel.
Lineup
Brooks' road-running lineup is built around comfort, support, and everyday dependability, with options covering stability, daily training, max-cushion cruisers, faster workouts, and race-day efforts as well. The brand is famous for secure fits and step-in comfort, with a much-deserved reputation for reliable shoes that get the job done. Compared to other brands, Brooks categorizes its shoes relatively simply, making it easy to differentiate between models once you know whether you want cushioning, support, or something faster.
Support Shoes
Brooks' support models use GTS ("Go-To Support"), with GuideRails that help with overpronation, keeping the foot centered for a more controlled ride.
Adrenaline GTS: The classic stability trainer. Think of it as the Ghost with support added: a dependable daily shoe with GuideRails, a broad platform, and a controlled feel.
Glycerin GTS: The premium cushioned stability option. It takes the comfort-first feel of the Glycerin and adds support, making it a better fit for runners who want more cushioning but still need structure underfoot.
Addiction GTS: The firmer, more traditional max-stability option. It's built for strong guidance, durability, and a rigid feel, making it best for runners who need all-out support and don't mind extra weight.
Beast GTS: The more modern max-stability running shoe. It still has a very structured ride, but with a softer step-in feel than the Addiction, plus a wide heel platform and extra rearfoot structure clips to help keep the foot locked in.
Ariel GTS: The women's version of the Beast GTS. A highly supportive shoe for women who need Brooks' strongest level of guidance.
Daily Trainers
These are the shoes that made Brooks its name, providing dependable comfort and stability for everyday running.
Ghost: The classic daily trainer in the lineup. It's a durable, stable workhorse with a familiar ride for easy runs and walking.
Glycerin: The premium daily trainer. It adds more stack and padding than the Ghost, giving it a softer, more cushioned ride.
Glycerin Flex: A more flexible take on the Glycerin. Its segmented midsole and deep flex grooves suit runners who want a more natural ride with less rocker.
Hyperion: Historically a more uptempo offering, the Hyperion is a shoe in transition. Sure, it's still lighter and more responsive than the Ghost or Glycerin, but less speed-focused than it once was.
Launch: The stripped-back daily trainer. It's slightly more responsive than Brooks' other daily trainers, and suits runners who miss the feel of the old Hyperion models.
Revel: The simple value option. It works best for short, easy runs or walking, especially for beginners who want a light, grounded ride.
Trace: The entry-level running shoe. It has enough durability for easy jogging or walking.
Anthem: The most basic no-nonsense trainer. It's built for casual running and general fitness rather than performance.
MAX-CUSHIONED SHOES
Brooks' Max models add more material underfoot for a bigger base and a more protective ride. Some are true max-cushion cruisers. Others are simpler high-stack shoes with a more casual brief.
Ghost Max: The higher-stack take on the Ghost. It keeps the familiar stable feel, but adds a wider platform with more protection underfoot, making it better for easy runs or slower daily mileage than faster efforts.
Glycerin Max: The comfiest member of the Glycerin family. Where the Glycerin Flex lets your foot move more freely, the Glycerin Max does more of the work for you, with deep cushioning plus a smooth rocker for long, easy runs.
Defyance Max: The firmer, more affordable Max option. It feels closer to the original Ghost Max than later models, with a stable platform that works well for walking or short, easy runs.
Revel Max: The casual Max option. It adds more cushion to the Revel formula and is best for walking or light jogging rather than serious training.
Super Trainer
Brooks' super trainer category is small, with one plated training shoe built for longer workouts where protection matters as much as pace.
Hyperion Max: Brooks' plated super trainer has a tall, cushioned midsole, giving it a more protective feel than the regular Hyperion. Protection is superb, and it holds up excellently on long runs, with good enough energy return for uptempo efforts as well.
Super Shoe
Brooks' single super shoe entry is built for race day, with less focus on comfort and durability than the rest of the lineup.
Hyperion Elite: Brooks' flagship racing shoe. It uses a responsive racing midsole with a carbon plate, giving it a lighter, faster ride than the Hyperion Max. Though the fit is stripped back, the step-in comfort Brooks is known for remains. The Hyperion Elite feels more stable underfoot than some more aggressive race shoes, making it a strong pick for runners who want speed without an overly chaotic ride.
Recent Updates
May 25, 2026:
We've updated the article to add a new section breaking down the shoes in Brooks' lineup.
Apr 22, 2026:
We've updated our recommendation for the 'Best Mid-Range Brooks Running Shoe' after testing the recently released Brooks Glycerin 23. We've also shifted the Brooks Ghost 17 to the 'Best Budget' shoe after its price dropped.
Conclusion
Brooks' lineup is neither as extensive nor as confusing as some other running shoe brands. And while Brooks focuses heavily on developing shoes for the middle of the pack, the company also offers shoes that can serve a wide variety of runners at different paces. If there's a Brooks model you want us to test, you can vote for it to help decide what we buy next. To learn more about each model, check our full list of the best Brooks running shoes in the table below.