5 best Brooks running shoes, from running experts

If I needed to personify running shoes manufacturers, I’d liken Brooks to a reliable best buddy who offers you encouragement and luxury if you want it probably the most. I’ve been testing running essentials for years and no different model has such an expansive vary of stability footwear that provide the assist and construction of orthopedic shoes in eye-catching designs with high-tech options in addition.

There are numerous types to decide on from, however after running 50 (or extra) miles in a dozen pairs, I got here up with an inventory of the best Brooks running footwear for quite a lot of tastes and wishes. If you’re like me and experience joint pain, or if you must take care of annoying plantar fasciitis aches, you’re positive to discover a stellar mannequin that might assist alleviate some discomfort. In this record, I’ve additionally included some podiatrist-recommended Brooks types for folk with wide feet or for individuals who overpronate. So, get studying and discover a new pair of Brooks sneakers that’ll assist your running, whether or not it’s informal jogs or in your subsequent marathon.

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If you’re searching for a pair of running footwear which can be light-weight, responsive and prepared for pace, the Hyperion Max 3 mannequin is for you. They’re designed with nitrogen-infused cushioning that protects and propels your ft with every step by cushioning the bottom’s influence and boosting your toe-off, leading to faster, extra easy strides.

The footwear’ ventilated mesh uppers are supremely breathable and splendid for warm weather or longer runs that get scorching over the miles. My ft get heat quick, which ends up in sweat, blistering and discomfort most of the time. In these footwear, although, these points are a factor of the previous. I additionally like that these speedy trainers are designed with the model’s proprietary RapidRoll rockers, that are the upward-curved toe and heel sections of the soles. This ensures I hold strong heel-to-toe strides even on drained legs.

Stability footwear get a nasty rap for being clunky, heavy and uncomfortable (because of the entire corrective options included all through the designs), however these Brooks footwear hold my ft correctly in place with out making them really feel like they’re sinking in quicksand. “This is a highly supportive stability shoe that uses GuideRails technology to keep your foot centered and limits excessive foot motion, which is critical for reducing strain on the plantar fascia,” Dr. Miguel Cunha, a podiatric surgeon and founding father of Gotham Footcare in New York City, stated. The GuideRails are raised foam edges on the perimeters of your heels that stop your ft from overpronating or supinating.

The Adrenaline GTS 25 have the next 10-millimeter toe drop — the space from the place your heels and toes relaxation on the insoles — than most Brooks footwear, which generally supply between 6 and eight millimeters. But this more-pronounced slant may be splendid for folk who expertise calf tightness, Cunha stated. He added that greater toe drops additionally relieve stress on the Achilles tendons, so in case you expertise calf or Achilles pressure, these may very well be a great choice for you.

Plantar fasciitis, which is irritation of the tissue that runs from the heels to the balls of every foot, can wreak havoc on runners and sideline them from coaching. Finding correct footwear can stop this damage earlier than it occurs. Dr. Nicole Freels, a double board-certified pedorthist and podiatrist at Lexington Podiatry, recommends the Ghost Max 3 for folk who’ve (or who need to stop) plantar fasciitis. “It’s designed not only to give you solid rear foot support and stability, but also has the functionality of absorbing shock, which is fantastic for plantar fasciitis because that shock is generally being absorbed into the heel bone as well as the fascia, creating more pain and tenderness when walking,” she stated.

I’ve had these day by day trainers in my rotation since they launched in August 2025. They’re cushioned however don’t really feel heavy, and so they conceal the jolting sensations that come from running on pavement. The broad bases assist with steadiness and the responsive soles assist in consolation, completely combining stability and shock absorption for on a regular basis put on, whether or not you’re strolling, jogging or sprinting.

Coming in large and extra-wide sizing choices, the Brooks Glycerin 22 running footwear have versatile uppers and spacious toe containers that hold ft comfy and of their pure place. In these footwear, my toes can splay out naturally and be freed from any discomfort that comes from cramped footwear. This prevents blistering and in addition takes plenty of strain off my joints. Cunha stated that when toes can’t splay out, knees tackle the brunt of the work and pressure. I’ve put greater than 100 miles on these footwear and I can verify that the tread and cushioning are nonetheless top-notch.

In addition to the large toe containers, Freels stated she’s additionally a fan of the Glycerin 22’s outsoles which can be designed with pressure-absorbing foam. “They have plush cushioning, which is giving more comfort and support,” she stated. “By adding these shock-absorbing materials, we’re able to mitigate overall foot and leg fatigue.”

I really like any pair of max-cushioned footwear, which generally characteristic excessive stack heights (the space from the outsoles that hit the bottom to the insoles the place your ft sit) and plush foam cushioning. Case in level: These marshmallow-like Brooks footwear soften the influence that comes from running on stiff treadmills or concrete, permitting for my hips, knees and ankles to get a much-deserved break.

I’ve arthritis and my joints ache usually, particularly throughout marathon training season once I’m logging extra miles than regular, however once I put on these footwear, my knees and hips really feel recent and pain-free. This is probably going as a result of these sneakers have a minimal 6-millimeter toe drop that alleviates some strain in these areas. According to 1 National Institute of Health (NIH) study, footwear with minimal or no toe drop might help cut back the incidence of contralateral pelvic drop, hip adduction and knee inner rotation in members’ gait, that are examples of poor kind that trigger ache or result in damage. Another medical study discovered that flatter footwear may also put much less strain on patella joints and femur bones.

Brooks presents all kinds of sneakers that cater to totally different existence, well being situations and aesthetic tastes, and you probably have wider ft or favor stability footwear, it’s an particularly nice model to look into. To determine which pair fits your wants the best, we gathered key issues to think about when shopping for a pair of Brooks running footwear. Ultimately, in case you’re unsure the place to begin, we all the time advocate visiting a podiatrist or a specialty shoe retailer like Fleet Feet.

Shoes with cushioning can alleviate the uncomfortable pounding feeling that comes from hitting pavement or treadmill tracks time and again. There are totally different ranges of consolation to decide on from; Brooks particularly presents cushioned and max-cushioned footwear. If you expertise joint ache or favor to really feel much less of the bottom beneath you, cushioned or max-cushioned running footwear may very well be your splendid choices. “Cushioning helps absorb shock and reduce impact of stress transmitted through the feet, ankles, knees and hips with every step,” Cunha stated. “By enhancing strain distribution and limiting overpronation, cushioned running footwear promote correct joint alignment and stability, which might lower discomfort and fatigue, and gradual the development of arthritis.

The Brooks Glycerin Max 2 footwear are probably the most cushioned footwear the model presents, and I prefer to put on them once I’m experiencing arthritis flare-ups. Another cushioned pair I like is the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25, that are made with a smaller stack peak and fewer foam. The impact-absorbing midsoles are made with light-weight nitrogen-infused cushioning within the heel and forefoot areas (two spots that take the brunt of the influence whereas running) for consolation. However, in case you expertise any steadiness points or have weak ankles, these cushioned footwear may not be the best match for you. Instead, I’d advocate the Brooks Glycerin 22 footwear as a result of they’re nearer to the bottom and have a decrease stack peak.

If you overpronate, supinate or have joint ache, a pair of stability footwear may very well be your treatment, in keeping with Freels. Brooks presents quite a lot of stability fashions, together with the Ghost Max 3 and Glycerin 22. These footwear characteristic designs like safe heels, large bases and structured uppers, which work collectively to lock ft into correct positioning and forestall ankles from rolling in or out.

If you’re on the hunt for a pair of Brooks footwear for running particularly, a pair that options rocker-style midsoles, light-weight cushioning and breathable uppers may benefit your cardio routine. If you’re strolling or doing a gymnasium exercise in Brooks, flatter footwear with toe drops beneath 6 millimeters which have stability options comparable to large bases may encourage your toes to splay in a pure place that takes strain away from your knees and hips.

Some running footwear have minimal rocker designs, whereas others characteristic extra pronounced contours. Rockers sculpt the toe and heel areas of footwear upward, making a semi-circle form on the backside of the sneakers that encourages heel-to-toe strides and offers drained legs encouragement and momentum every step. If the toes and heels are shifted upward nearer to the center of the midsoles the place your arch rests, the rocker is probably going relatively noticeable and also you’ll really feel the distinction when running. If the toes and heels elevate a bit of bit however solely on the ends, I’d contemplate that to be a minimal or average rocker design. Usually, I like to recommend of us purchase footwear with dramatic rockers provided that they’re planning to race in them. Otherwise, the momentum-boosting form may really feel uncomfortable for jogs and walks. Moderate or minimal rocker types are strong for restoration runs and upkeep cardio.

In addition to those basic tips, you’ll additionally need to perceive Brooks’ particular design options earlier than lacing up your subsequent pair.

For this text, we consulted the next experts to realize their skilled insights.

NCS Underscored has a crew of expert writers and editors who’ve a few years of expertise testing, researching and recommending merchandise, and so they guarantee every article is fastidiously edited and merchandise are correctly vetted. We discuss to high experts when relevant to make sure we’re testing every product precisely, recommending solely the best merchandise and contemplating the professionals and cons of every merchandise.

The author of this story, well being and health editor Summer Cartwright, is an RRCA-certified running coach and four-time marathoner. She’s been sporting Brooks footwear for near a decade, together with them in her coaching rotation for lengthy runs, pace periods and restoration jogs. She is presently coaching for the Boston Marathon and makes use of the Brooks Ghost Max 3 and Brooks Glycerin Max footwear weekly. She examined each pair of footwear featured on this article and wore them for at the least 50 miles’ price of runs.