Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23 Review
Our Verdict
Compare to Similar Products
This Product
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Awards | Best Overall Men's Running Shoe | Best Running Shoe for Uptempo Training | Best for Performance without a Plate | Best Bang for Your Buck | |
Price | $120.93 at REI Compare at 3 sellers | Check Price at REI Compare at 2 sellers | $169.95 at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers | $140 List $139.95 at Amazon | $135 List $135.00 at Amazon |
Overall Score | |||||
Star Rating | |||||
Bottom Line | A great option for stability and all-around reliability, though stiff and heavy | A daily trainer that can handle most runs, the Novablast 4 is fun and extremely comfortable | An all-around standout that can handle easy days as comfortably as hard workouts | Bouncy, responsive and well-cushioned, this shoe is performance-oriented but still versatile | A daily trainer that blends comfort and versatility at a reasonable price |
Rating Categories | Brooks Adrenaline G... | Asics Novablast 4 | Saucony Endorphin S... | New Balance FuelCel... | Puma Velocity Nitro 3 |
Cushioning and Landing Comfort (25%) | |||||
Responsiveness (25%) | |||||
Stability (20%) | |||||
Upper Comfort (15%) | |||||
Weight (15%) | |||||
Specs | Brooks Adrenaline G... | Asics Novablast 4 | Saucony Endorphin S... | New Balance FuelCel... | Puma Velocity Nitro 3 |
Sizes Available | 7 - 15 US, narrow, medium, wide & extra wide | 6 - 15 US, regular | 7-15 US, regular | 7-16 US, regular & wide | 7 - 14 US, regular |
Style | Stability | Daily/cushioning | Plated daily | Daily | Daily |
Measured Heel Stack Height | 35 mm | 43 mm | 38 mm | 36 mm | 39 mm |
Measured Heel-to-Toe Drop | 12 mm | 7 mm | 6 mm | 5 mm | 10 mm |
Plate Type | None | None | Nylon | None | None |
Rocker Angle | 24.0 deg | 22.5 deg | 25.0 deg | 19.5 deg | 18.0 deg |
Rocker Apex Location | 69.85% | 66.53% | 67.74% | 62.18% | 66.67% |
Measured Weight | 10.57 oz | 9.76 oz | 9.73 oz | 7.98 oz | 10.07 oz |
Upper | Engineered knit | Engineered woven/knit | Engineered mesh/knit | Engineered mesh | Engineered knit |
Midsole | DNA Loft v2 | FF Blast + Eco | PWRRUN PB | FuelCell | Profoam |
Outsole | Rubber | AHAR Lo | Rubber | Rubber | PumaGrip |
Heel Tab Type | None | Finger loop | None | None | None |
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Adrenaline has been around for a long time as a go-to for runners looking for support and stability. Obviously, shoes are a very personal thing, but we just don't think it holds up well from a performance standpoint; the cushioning is harsher than most modern shoes, and it isn't as responsive. That said, it's a good option we'd recommend if you're in need of something that can help cue healthier running mechanics.
Performance Comparison
Cushioning and Landing Comfort
In a lot of ways, this is a very similar shoe to the Ghost 15. Both shoes measured 12mm of drop — an identical 35mm in the heel and 23mm in the forefoot. The DNA Loft V2 foam is similarly firm in this application, although we think it is a little more forgiving. The GuideRails along the inside and outside of the heel and midfoot add some sidewall structure to provide motion support. Often, we find most support to feel intrusive. On this shoe, that wasn't the case.
While we thought the heel cushioning was fine, our lower legs took a beating from the lack of cushioning in the forefoot when landing mid to forefoot. We don't love the cushioning of this shoe. It feels both firm and dead. However, in a stability shoe, we expect a bit of added firmness to support the foot. We think the Adrenaline works much better for heel-strikers than it does for runners who land farther forward. Similarly, we found it was uncomfortable landing at high speeds, where the foot often first strikes on the outside and then moves inward as we roll through our gait.
Responsiveness
Because of the dense and firm foam, there isn't much bounce to the Adrenaline 23. There's no rocker to promote a snappy toe-off, just a slab of foam under the foot that isn't very responsive. While this isn't a responsive shoe, that typically isn't your biggest concern when you're looking for a stability shoe. The features that make the Adrenaline stable also reduce its responsiveness, so it's a reasonable tradeoff.
Stability
It's a stability shoe that gives lots of support! This shoe performed very well in this area. The GuideRails do a great job of keeping your foot feeling planted, and the very rigid heel cup keeps the foot locked in.
While the shoe scored highly for support, we think that the stiffness actually was a bit of a drawback when it came to lateral stability. On uneven surfaces, we found that the rigid heel cup and narrow base forced our ankles into awkward positions. This isn't a shoe we would recommend for anything other than smooth surfaces.
Upper Comfort
The upper of the Adrenaline is extremely comfortable. It's a traditional design that works well. We didn't experience any slippage, regardless of pace, and got no hotspots even on our longest runs. The padded tongue does a good job, and the gussets keep it well-planted. The footbed feels snug, as we would expect from a stability shoe, and we experienced great lockdown throughout the foot. Our only complaint about the upper is that we found it to be a bit warm on hot days. A little more breathability in the mesh would be a welcome addition.
Weight
This is one of the heaviest shoes in the test, which is to be expected. It packs a lot of motion support features and a comfortable upper, so weight penalties are par for the course. Weighing in at 10.57 ounces for a US men's 10.5, this is clearly not a light daily trainer. But we were impressed by how similar in weight the Adrenaline is to the non-stability Ghost 15.
Should You Buy the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23?
We think that this is the best all-around stability shoe in our lineup. If you want stability and support features, this is a good choice. If you don't need or want those supportive features, there are far more enjoyable shoes out there. The Adrenaline works well for longer and easy runs, but other neutral shoes offer decent stability that our testers prefer for workouts. But if you just want one shoe and need reliable stability, get this one.
What Other Running Shoes Should You Consider?
The Asics Gel-Kayano 30 is also a great stability shoe. It offers a wider base and less firm support, which we felt made it more enjoyable from a comfort standpoint. The Hoka Clifton 9's wide base and plentiful cushioning feels quite stable when fatigue sets in and mechanics begin to break down. It could be a great choice that's more enjoyable as a daily trainer.