By Paul Freary
The 25th anniversary model of the ever-popular Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25 continues the legacy of the model, improving upon cushioning and support to create the smoothest and plushest ride of the shoe to date.
With 3mm more cushioning in the forefoot compared to the previous version and 1mm more in the heel, the shoe has a higher stack height, but the heel-toe drop is down from 12mm to 10mm. The result is a more cushioned and balanced ride.
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Stats
Brooks | Adrenaline GTS 25 |
|---|---|
Best for | Daily trainer for those seeking a great combination of cushioning and support |
Support | Stability Shoe |
Cushion | High stack cushioning with support |
Stack Height | 36mm heel |
Drop | 10mm |
Weight | Men 300g (10.6oz) Women 269g (9.5oz) |
Suggested Retail Price | $155 |
Fit | True to size |
Rating | 9.5/ 10 |
Design
The new Adrenaline GTS 25 sees improvements in many areas. Let’s take a look at the technical points of the shoe:
New Co-Moulded GuideRails
The reason you’ll be choosing the Adrenaline is thanks to its popular support feature, the GuideRails. Now, thanks to improvements in the manufacturing process, the GuideRails are co-moulded with the midsole cushioning. This results in the same great level of control but with a smooth, more natural ride sensation.
GuideRails are essentially a higher section of the midsole cushioning that wraps up around the rear of the foot. These rails seat the foot centrally within the shoe and help control overpronation (and to some extent supination). The system is highly effective, and similar iterations of this type of control mechanism can be found in other models from different manufacturers.
DNA Loft V3 Nitrogen-Infused Foam Midsole
The nitrogen-infused midsole cushioning remains in place from the previous model of the shoe, only here sees an increase in stack height, in the heel by 1mm and the forefoot by 3mm. This results in a higher stack, but lower drop. The heel-to-toe drop is now reduced from 12mm to 10mm.
The resulting feel is a noticeably more cushioned ride, yet at the same time, more balanced.
New Ankle Collar Design
The new Adrenaline GTS 25 features a new style ankle collar inspired by that of the more premium model, the Glycerin. It’s a design we’ve also seen in a few other models from different brands, such as the Puma Mag Max and ASICS Kayano. The lining features deep, plush padding around the ankle, with a secondary, stretch section and pull-on tab that sits on the outer part of the upper. The result is a very comfortable fit and hold around the rear foot.
New Double Jacquard Engineered Mesh Upper
A refreshed upper design uses a familiar double jacquard engineered mesh construction that has a premium feel and feels very well around the foot. The step-in feel is an improvement and as well-made as we have come to expect from Brooks.
Adrenaline GTS 25
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Fit
Straight from the first moment you step inside the new Adrenaline GTS25, it’s a welcome and familiar feeling. Previous wearers of the shoe will know what to expect, and this update doesn’t disappoint, only improving on the overall fit and feel.
The padding in the ankle collar and Achilles area is softer and plusher than the previous version, and the tongue sits neatly on the instep. The tongue padding is much more noticeably padded and while some will feel this is a little much, I enjoy the plushness of such padding.
Performance
As was the transition from the Brooks Ghost 16 to 17, the additional forefoot cushioning makes the new Adrenaline noticeably more cushioned. It may only be a 3mm more stack in the forefoot and a single mm in the heel, but the shoe instantly feels softer.
The cushioning is the same DNA Loft V3, nitrogen-injected foam, but instantly feels plusher and smoother riding. The support is very effective, and to me and the few other runners I have assessed in the shoe, it remains highly effective at controlling pronation.
The support not only comes from the revised GuideRails, but the overall geometry of the midsole has been tweaked a little. Upon close inspection, you’ll notice the lateral side wall of the midsole is concave, to compress a little more easily upon heel strike, while the medial side of the midsole is convex, to resist compression.
The level of control remains very effective and, if anything, a little more natural feeling, thanks to the new moulding process of the GuideRails.
It’s hard to comment on the durability of the shoe right now, but the outsole seems to be thicker rubber pieces that provide more coverage while at the same time having plenty of grooves to flex.
Shoes Like the Adrenaline GTS 25
Brooks Glycerin GTS 22
The immediate competition will come from in-house, with the Brooks Glycerin GTS 22. The Glycerin now offers just 2mm more cushioning than the Adrenaline but does benefit from DNA Tuned nitro-infused foam. The slightly softer heel and springier forefoot may prove a deciding factor for some, but with the Adrenaline costing a little less, the new shoe could steal a little ground.
Bear in mind that we’ll have a new Glycerin GTS23 early in 2026, so we’ll wait to so how that model fares in due time.
Saucony Guide 18
The Saucony Guide 18 has in 2025 closed the gap on the Adrenaline GTS 24 due largely to providing excellent support and offering great value for money. The GTS 25 arrives just in time to take a lead once again thanks to its improved cushioning. Again, a new Guide, the Guide 19, will arrive in Spring 2026, but with a slight price increase, the Adrenaline should prove the better value option.
My Verdict
Even with a $10 price increase, the improvements in the new Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25 make it a shoe worth having.
The cushioning is better, the fit is better, and the ride and support offered by the shoe make it once again one of the best all-around running shoes on the market right now!
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