By Paul Freary
As one of the leading running shoe brands in the world, Brooks has established itself as a favourite with many runners.
By making the commercial decision several years ago to focus purely on performance running, no fashion or other sports shoes, the brand has gone from strength to strength.
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Its wide range of models means they have a shoe for any runner’s needs regardless of speed or capabilities.
Doing what they do very well means their range offers step-in comfort, high-quality construction, high performance and durability.
Here, we’ll take a look at several categories of shoes and select the best Brooks model in each.
1. Brooks Glycerin Max - Best for Cushioning
Pushing the midsole cushioning stack to the max, the Glycerin Max is the brand’s maxed-out daily training neutral running shoe. With the highest stack yet from a Brooks shoe, the 47mm midsole does a great job of providing cushioning in a stable and controlled manner.
Also Available at
Zappos ; Holabird Sports
From the very first stride in the Glycerin Max, the cushioning is apparent and feels amazing. Once on the run, the initial weight and extra bult of the shoe seems to disappear and the ride is smooth and natural.
If you simply must have super high stack cushioning then look no further, the Glycerin Max provides one of the best running experiences around right now and manages to be incredibly durable. It’s a shoe I keep coming back to after 6 months of use and one which has retained its place in my weekly running shoe rotation.
2. Brooks Ghost 17- Best All-Rounder
Probably the brand’s most popular model, the Ghost is their ‘bread and butter’ model. It can provide a one-stop solution to many runners, and it offers excellent value for money as well as a range of colours and widths.
Also Available at
Zappos ; Holabird Sports
The Ghost 17 feels light on the feet and offers a smooth ride. The forefoot ride in particular is very plush, especially so for a shoe in this price bracket.
The Brooks Ghost 17, for me, remains the shoe to beat at this price, making it the brand’s best value for money running shoe, if not the best value for money shoe on the market full stop!
The Ghost is also available in a range of width fittings. In the women’s shoe, there are three widths available ranging from A (narrow), B (regular) and D (wide fit).
For men, the shoe comes in four widths: B (narrow), D (regular), 2E (wide) and 4E (extra-wide).
3. Brooks Glycerin GTS 22 - Best for Support
The Glycerin GTS 22 rides like a premium cushioned model but with support and control if required. The unique nature of the GuideRails means they only provide control should it be required. This makes the shoe a very versatile option for a wide range of runners. It’s also effective for mild supinators as well as overpronators.
Also Available at
Zappos ; Holabird Sports
The shoe feels comfortable at any pace and is even surprisingly easy to pick up the pace in, thanks to the nature of the DNA Tuned midsole in the forefoot of the shoe.
The Glycerin models have always offered great, high-mileage performance, and the Glycerin GTS 22 is the best yet.
4. Brooks Hyperion Elite 5 Unisex- Best for Racing
With a new PEBA-based midsole, Brooks joins the elite racing shoe pack with a model aiming to compete at the highest level. The new midsole, combined with a carbon plate, makes this the fastest and best race day model from Brooks to date!
Also Available at
Holabird Sports ; Brooks
The ride of the Hyperion Elite 5 has to be the best from a Brooks road racing model. Softer than any racing shoe from the brand before it, the use of the PEBA-based foam creates a model that can contest the podium with the best shoes on the market.
The initial feel is soft and cushioned but with a spring-like toe-off that comes from the new foam and carbon plate combination.
The unique nature of the carbon plate means every size in the line gets its uniquely sized specific carbon plate. This ensures a perfectly tailored feel to maximise the curve and propulsion of the plate.
5. Brooks Hyperion Max 3- Best for Tempo Running
The Hyperion Max 3 is one of those shoes that want to go fast. The rocker and lively foam combination encourages you to pick up the pace, and when you do, the shoe feels better and better.
Also Available at
Holabird Sports ; Zappos ; REI
It’s a shoe that can go the distance too, keeping you in a more mid-to-forefoot gait even when you begin to tire a little. The springy PEBA foam adds the pop, while the DNA Flash keep things stable and under control.
For the feel of a race day shoe with the protection and stability of your daily trainer, the Max 3 makes a great choice and a shoe you’ll want to use for everything.
6. Brooks Cascadia 19 - Best for Trail Running
My new favourite trail shoe full-stop, not just from Brooks. The Cascadia 19 is soft, light and flexible and makes trail running all together more fun. It’s a great value option too, offering high-level cushioning in a go anywhere package.
Releasing on 1st August 2025
The Cascadia 19 feels nimble, sprightly and adaptable to the ground; it seems to make trail running easier!
The new outsole pattern is effective, with the small teeth-like studs biting into the gravel paths and fire tracks of my local trail routes with ease and providing a confidence-boosting grip regardless of speed.
My Brooks Running Shoe Rotation
As a runner with over 40 years of experience and someone who runs 6 days a week, I have a rotation of different footwear. Having my own running store helps here and means I have a large selection of shoes to choose from.
When selecting a rotation of different footwear, from Brooks, I chose the following different shoes.
Easy run days : The Brooks Glycerin Max. The cushioning is exceptional and makes easy runs a pleasure. The high stack of Tuned DNA foam soaks up every step, meaning my legs feel fresh and recovered.
Steady runs : The Brooks Glycerin GTS 22 is my go-to shoe for steady-paced running. The GuideRails offer all-around support, and I like the combination of cushioning and forefoot propulsion the shoe gives. It’s a shoe that feels both protective yet at the same time able to pick up the pace a little; perfect for those days when I just go with the flow!
Tempo runs and interval sessions : Once a week, I’ll run an interval session (more often than not on the treadmill), and the Brooks Hyperion Max 3 has changed the game for me for this type of run. The high stack provides enough cushioning for even longer sessions, and the new PEBA-based foam adds a very springy feel to the toe-off.
Even with the high stack, the shoe feels incredibly stable and having used the shoes on tempo runs as long as ten miles, I found the shoe able to cope perfectly, adding a spring to my step the whole way.
For trail runs : I choose the Brooks Cascadia 19, the latest version runs just like a road shoe but with the bonus of great traction. It’s light, flexible and nimble, making it an easy shoe to run in and not as heavy or clunky as some trail models.
The Hyperion Elite 5 is my current favourite race-day shoe. Where some runners will wear a racing shoe for interval sessions, I usually keep my tempo-type shoes for training and reserve racers for racing!
The added benefit on race day then makes a real difference, and with the PEBA midsole and carbon plate of the Hyperion Elite 5, it feels like one of the best race-day options on the market right now. Light, fast and responsive, the carbon plate feels tailored to my foot and gives an incredible boost.
General Points About Brooks Running Shoes
Sizes and Widths – Most of the brand’s running shoes are available in multiple width fittings. Check when buying, but generally speaking, training shoe models are available in both regular and wide fits, with some models also available in narrow, regular, wide and extra wide options.
Men’s width options are
B – Narrow, D – Regular, 2E – Wide and 4E – Extra Wide
Women’s width options are
A – Narrow, B – Regular, D – Wide and 2E – Extra Wide
Fit – From my experience, all Brooks models are ‘true to size’ in terms of both width and length, and you should purchase your usual size. Brooks’ shoe sizes are very similar to brands such as Mizuno, Saucony, Nike and Puma
Brooks Shoes Comparison Chart
Brooks | Best For | Stack Height Men/ Women | Weight Men/ Women | Heel Drop | Cushion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Everyday Running, | 47mm/ 41mm | 298g / 10.5oz 269g / 9.5oz | 6mm | DNA Tuned - Nitro Foam | |
Daily Training | 37mm/27mm | 286g / 10.1oz 255g / 9oz | 10mm | DNA Loft v3 - Nitro Foam | |
Max cushioning and support | 38mm/ 28mm | 289g / 10.2oz 257/ 9.1oz | 10mm | DNA Tuned - Nitro foam cushioning | |
Racing | 40mm/32mm | 195g / 6.9oz | 8mm | DNA Gold | |
Faster paced interval and tempo running | 46mm/ 40mm | 280g/9.9oz 249g/8.8oz | 6mm | DNA Flash V2 PEBA DNA Gold | |
Trail running | 35mm/29mm | 286g/10.1oz 255g/9oz | 6mm | DNA Loft V3 |
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