 This Product
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23 - Women's | |||||
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| Awards |  Best Stability-Focused Road Running Shoe |  Best Overall Running Shoe for Women |  Best Value for a Women's Road Running Shoe | Most Versatile Road Running Shoe | |
| Price | $100.83 at REI Compare at 4 sellers | $109.95 at Amazon Compare at 3 sellers | $89.95 at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers | $140.00 at REI Compare at 3 sellers | $140.00 at REI Compare at 3 sellers |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | The structure and comfort of this shoe make it a highly recommended option for long distance runners who want a reliable road running steed | This running shoe offers the performance technology and comfort needed to be your go-to shoe, no matter your running goals | Affordable and minimally-minded, the updated Kinvara is a great everyday shoe that is suitable for a myriad of running situations | For epic versatility in a single shoe, we recommend this lightweight superstar | A geometrically-designed shoe that is great for uptempo runs when a lightweight shoe is what you need |
| Rating Categories | Brooks Adrenaline G... | Asics Novablast 4 -... | Saucony Kinvara 15... | Hoka Mach 6 - Women's | New Balance FuelCel... |
| Landing Comfort (30%) | |||||
| Responsiveness (20%) | |||||
| Stability (15%) | |||||
| Upper Comfort (15%) | |||||
| Weight (15%) | |||||
| Traction (5%) | |||||
| Specs | Brooks Adrenaline G... | Asics Novablast 4 -... | Saucony Kinvara 15... | Hoka Mach 6 - Women's | New Balance FuelCel... |
| Measured Weight | 8.21 oz | 7.36 oz | 5.44 oz | 6.27 oz | 6.00 oz |
| Measured Heel Stack Height | 33 mm | 38 mm | 27 mm | 33 mm | 31 mm |
| Measured Heel-to-Toe Drop | 10 mm | 8 mm | 3 mm | 7 mm | 8 mm |
| Plate Type | None | None | None | None | None |
| Rocker Angle | 26.5 deg | 22.0 deg | 25.0 deg | 24.5 deg | 24 deg |
| Rocker Apex Location | 71.4% | 69.5% | 64.7% | 65.4% | 66.7% |
| Style | Daily Trainer | Daily Trainer | Daily Trainer | Daily Trainer | Daily Trainer |
| Upper | Engineered air mesh | Engineered knit mesh | Mesh | Creel jaqquard | Mesh |
| Midsole | DNA Loft v2 | FF Blast Plus Eco | PWRRUN | Supercritical EVA | PEBA/EVA Fuelcell |
| Outsole | Rubber | AHAR outsole | Rubber | Rubber | Rubber |
| Heel Tab Type | None | Finger loop | None | Extended heel pull | None |
| Sizes Available | 5 - 13 US, narrow, medium, wide & extra wide | 5 - 12 US, regular | 5 - 12 US, regular |
5 - 11 US, regular & wide | 5 - 12 US, regular & wide |
If comfort and a traditional fit are your running shoe wishes, this supportive road shoe might be perfect for you. Weighing it at 8.21 ounces per women's size 6.5, the Adrenaline 23 is not necessarily light, but it is definitely comfortable enough for marathon training and long days on your feet.
The insole of the Adrenaline 23 is exactly what you want the interior of a workhorse of a shoe to feel like. Its cushion is forgiving and inviting but firm enough to provide long-lasting support. The rear foot stands 33 mm tall, and the forefoot stack is 23 mm, providing a familiar and comfortable launchpad.
Even after miles and miles of testing, the insole showed no signs of use outside of some dirt. The DNA Loft v2 midsole provides an excellent crash pad for your feet, giving much-needed protection from the impact of repeated footfalls. Since the interior never started feeling packed out, our testers felt confident tacking mileage onto already-brutal training regimens. For runners needing a bit of support in a shoe that will take you through all-day training and a marathon race day, the underfoot comfort of the Adrenaline 23 is a great choice. The outsole rides like you'd expect a classical running shoe, though it feels a bit lighter and bouncier than super old-school runners might expect.
While not necessarily a shoe made for speed, the Adrenaline is far from clunky. Its body shape is secure and peppy and provides some energy return, but along the continuum of responsiveness, other shoes are more impressive.
This is not to say there is anything wrong with the Adrenaline 23, because there isn't. This shoe is built for support and comfort over long-distance efforts, and it hits that mark beautifully. Some shoes are made with speed in mind, and while it is possible to push paces in the Adrenaline, it might not be the 5k shoe of an Olympian's dream. If you want comfort, support, and stability combined with enough energy return to keep you feeling fresh, the responsiveness of the updated Adrenaline will serve you well. The DNA Loft midsole encourages leg turnover without the rolling sensation that speed-focused kicks inspire.
This metric is where the Adrenaline shines. Many shoes do not offer built-in lateral supports to mildly correct overpronation, but the Adrenaline does.
The heel cup and mid-to-rear foot of the Adrenaline are well-cushioned and not especially firm, so the lateral supports aren't perceptible while running. This architecture stays strong, helping to encourage gait adjustments for runners in need.
The best part about the Brooks-made GuideRails is that runners who simply find the Adrenaline comfortable and aren't looking for a support-specific shoe will also feel right at home. This shoe holds feet securely, providing exceptional stability, and is versatile for many different types of users.
The breathable, engineered mesh upper of the Adrenaline 23 is similar to many other Brooks models that our testers have come to know and love over the years. The weave of the upper allows for airflow without compromising the strength of the shoe.
The shape of the upper, tongue, and toe box is traditional, and the multiple width options available (narrow, medium, wide, and extra wide) ensure a fit for runners of many shapes and sizes. The tongue is plush and well-made, providing additional comfort and protection from the lace bed. The width and softness of the heel cup lock in to create a snug and comfortable fit with very little room for rubbing blisters. If a comfortable, supportive, reliable shoe is what you're after, we think you'll find the upper comfort of the Adrenaline to be just right.
While not a clunky shoe by any stretch, the Adrenaline weighs in on the heavier side of our current lineup. With each women's size 6.5 weighing 8.21 ounces, this shoe is built for long-term comfort and support, not necessarily speed.
While pushing paces in the Adrenaline is possible, its weight makes it better suited to long, slow, and fatiguing efforts. The weight distribution is wonderfully comfortable, and while in motion, the GuideRails (and the small amount of weight they add) aren't really noticeable. If comfort, durability, and support are the keys to your success, the extra weight you'll carry in these supportive kicks is well worth it.
We love the traction that stability shoes offer. It's like manufacturers know that runners who want stability would also like to be able to grip the road!
The Adrenaline is yet another shoe that we dared to take off-road to see how powerful its traction pattern really is. This shoe performed incredibly well on loose dirt, rocks, and moderate trails, though it truly shines on the roads. The Adrenaline's traction will inspire confidence on runs that take you through damp, rocky, or other exciting terrain.
The Adrenaline 23 is one of the rare running shoes on the market that can hold up to the demands of most running-related situations. Because of this versatility, our running testers enthusiastically recommend it. If you want supportive comfort and a traditional fit, the Adrenaline hits the mark in all the right ways. Marathon hopefuls, this is likely the perfect match for you, especially if your ankles fatigue during long training runs. If you are motivated by short bursts of speed, you might opt for a more responsive and lighter shoe. But runners, or anyone on their feet for long stretches of time, will love the comfort, stability, and support of the updated Adrenaline 23.
