By Paul Freary
As one of the leading running shoe brands in the world, Brooks has established itself as a favorite with many runners.
Having a wide range of shoes, I think Brooks can cater for any runner’s needs, giving them a unique position in the market and helping them grow as a business year on year, but also being able to stay at the forefront of runners’ minds.
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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 I take a look at the best Brooks running shoes in all the key categories to find out which is the best shoe for you and your running needs. These are my personal selections both from the point of view of a runner and the owner of a specialist running store.
1. Brooks Glycerin Max 2 - Best Cushioned
The most cushioned running shoe from Brooks and one of the highest-stack, daily training shoes on the market right now, the Glycerin Max 2 is a slight revision of the original model, but continues to offer a super-responsive ride that’s great for logging mile after mile.
Despite looking almost unnaturally high in the midsole area, the foot sits within the cushioning a little, and this helps create some stability. The shoe doesn’t have the GuideRails seen in the brand’s support line of shoes, but the sidewalls of the Max 2 do extend up a little to help ensure general stability.
As with the original Glycerin Max, from my first run in the Glycerin Max 2, the cushioning feels great. On the run, the weight and extra bulk of the shoe disappears, and the ride is smooth and natural. The more miles I log in the shoes, the easier it seems to become.
The cushioning is soft, yet stable and bouncy and feels very composed throughout my gait cycle.
Verdict
For those running wanting the most cushioning possible, the Glycerin Max 2 is perhaps one of the best options on the market right now. Not just from Brooks, but from any brand.
I often say to people that the cushioning is so welcoming and accommodating in the Glycerin Max 2, that I can run 10 miles in them, get home and feel like I haven’t left the house! Okay, I am joking, but the ability of the cushioning to absorb impact really is that good.
2. Brooks Ghost 18- Best All-Rounder
Probably the most popular running shoe from Brooks, the Ghost is a do-it-all option that proves to be light, well-cushioned, stable and great value. The Ghost can be everything to every runner.
The brand’s DNA Loft v3 nitrogen foam takes care of cushioning in the Brooks Ghost 18, and as expected, it does a great job of providing a versatile midsole unit that is stable, light and durable.
The upper is well made and accommodates many foot shapes easily and comfortably. There’s also a wide range of width options for those with narrow or wider feet.
I find the nitrogen-infused foam to be a versatile solution for a daily training model. It’s soft without being unstable and responsive enough for a daily trainer. It’s also very durable, retaining its shape and cushioning quality fair longer than many competitor foams.
It’s a no-nonsense shoe, but manages to do the job asked of it every time you pull it on.
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).
Verdict
A great value, daily trainer, the Ghost 18 is the most popular shoe in my store (I sell at least one pair every day!), and I’d bet one of the best-selling running shoes in the world.
The Brooks Ghost 18, for me, like the Ghost 17 before it, 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 currently.
3. Brooks Glycerin GTS 23 - Best for Support
Brooks’ premium support category shoe, the Glycerin GTS 23, has deep, plush cushioning with dynamic control thanks to the GuideRail support system to make it the brand’s Go-To-Support shoe.
Brooks’ GuideRail system provides a high level and effective support and control for overpronators, as well, to a lesser extent to supinators. By cupping the rearfoot, the rails seat the foot with the shoe’s cushioning, keeping it in a neutral position.
The DNA Tuned cushioning is plush, soft and responsive, and proves to be exceptionally durable. The last couple of pairs of Glycerin GTS that I have worn have lasted way beyond my expectations! The shoe feels comfortable at any pace and is even surprisingly easy to pick up the pace in.
The Glycerin and Glycerin GTS models have always been Brooks’ range-topping shoes with a focus on comfort, and the latest version, the Glycerin GTS 23, is no exception, proving to be a great choice for racking up daily miles.
Verdict
With a deep stack of high-performance cushioning and a super-responsive forefoot, the Glycerin GTS 23 provides a great, stable-cushioned ride. Add to this the GuideRails, and we have a shoe that provides a complete package for those requiring support and control.
4. Brooks Hyperion Elite 6 Unisex- Best for Racing
With a new DNA Gold midsole foam, the Hyperion Elite 6 is, at last, a race-day model that can confidently toe the line with any other carbon-plated competition shoe and give any of them a run for their money.
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I wore my Hyperion Elite 6 fresh from the box and ran a 16:59 5km in them (I am 58 years old for the record) and they performed as good as any other racing shoe I have worn in recent years!
The new midsole formulation is a PEBA material from Brooks called DNA Gold. It is a softer, lighter and more responsive material than any other midsole foam from the brand and is perfect for a performance racing shoe.
It is combined with a new carbon fibre SpeedVault+ plate. This plate features unique grooves and spaces in its shape rather than simply being a solid piece. These spaces help reduce weight and aid the flexibility and responsive toe-off of the plate.
From the moment I pulled the shoes on, I knew they had one thing in mind - speed!
The Hyperion Elite 6 is without doubt the best race day shoe ever from Brooks, and I think it competes against any other top-end model on the market right now.
Verdict
I know I have said this each year for the last few generations of the Hyperion Elite, but the Elite 6 is the best racing shoe ever from Brooks. The Hyperion Elite is a shoe that has managed to get progressively better and better; now we have a shoe that ranks amongst the best carbon-plated models on the market.
5. Brooks Ghost AMP - Best for Tempo Running
Using a new blend of midsole materials, the Ghost AMP takes the familiar daily trainer qualities of the Ghost 18 and AMPLIFIES them.
The Ghost AMP is lighter, more responsive and, I think, a great tempo running shoe option that proves you don’t need a plated shoe to move quickly.
A new midsole unit is made up of nitrogen-infused DNA HYPE, a combination of PEBA and EVA materials that create a soft and highly responsive ride as well as being durable for daily training.
A new SpringRamp forefoot design uses an insert under the forefoot in a slightly softer durometer, which, along with a rocker geometry, helps to create a smoother and stronger toe-off.
An interesting feature in the Ghost AMP is the absence of any internal board or last, with the sock liner sitting directly on top of the midsole foam. This reduces weight, adds flexibility and enhances the feedback from the shoe, creating a faster-feeling sensation.
The ride is undeniably smooth with a connected feel between the foot, shoe and ground. The SpringRamp geometry adds toe-spring, and I really felt the shoe set itself apart from the regular Ghost model. It feels more energized, livelier and amplified!
Verdict
I think the Ghost AMP has the familiar Ghost fit and feel but with a touch of speed sprinkled in for the perfect tempo running model.
6. Brooks Cascadia 20 - Best for Trail Running
For a long time, the Cascadia has been Brooks’s most popular off-road model. Offering a versatile mix of cushioning, protection and traction, the shoe is a go-anywhere, do-anything trail shoe.
Once again, the Cascadia 20 raises the bar in terms of fit, feel and performance, adding a lively, responsive midsole foam to the great traction for a versatile off-road model.
A new midsole combination adds Nitrogen-infused DNA Flash v2 cushioning to the previous midsole to give the shoe an added spring without adding to the weight.
Traction comes from the new Vibram Metagrip outsole with 4mm multi-directional lugs for grip on both ascents and descents.
A highly breathable upper uses 3D printed overlays for structure, support and durability it key areas and provides a neat fit that allows for some foot swelling over long distances.
The Cascadia 20 is aimed at the long-distance off-road runner. But this doesn’t mean you have to take it on 20-mile adventures every day. It is just as happy on a 30-minute jaunt around the park!
The level of comfort is excellent, and I feel one of the best feeling trail shoes on the market.
It’s a versatile off-road model and shoe prove suitable for the vast majority of runners as well as multi-day warriors.
I think the ride is very much road-like, with soft, smooth and responsive cushioning, with the added benefit of grip. The Cascadia 20 feels light and agile, being adaptable to the terrain.
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.
Verdict
Like the Cascadia 19 before it, the Cascadia 20 is my new choice for off-road running. The new midsole gives the ride an even better ‘pop’, and with the same great Vibram outsole, I am confident enough to take the path less trodden on every trail adventure.
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 2. 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 23 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 Ghost AMP has changed the game for me for this type of run. The high stack provides enough cushioning for even longer sessions, and the new midsole 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 20, 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 6 is my current favorite 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
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