The Top 8 Brooks Running Shoes of 2024, Endorsed by a Marathon Runner
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I don't know when, exactly, I became a running snob. Maybe after my first marathon. Maybe after the year when I decided to run a half-marathon every month. Maybe last week. But, somehow, I ended up here. A picky runner whose nose never leaves the sky when she's out shopping for the best running shoes. I'll judge them on how they look, their lack of support, their lackluster design, their marketing ploys, and so on. However, there's one brand that somehow always crafts sneakers I love: Brooks.
Brooks running shoes are by no way the sexiest out there. Since the brand started in 1914 it's been cranking out trainers and cushioned running shoes for everyone, from grandparents to kids on a middle school cross-country team. Brooks shoes are the kind your podiatrist and your wallet will love, which is likely why they've become such a fan-favorite among beginner runners and seasoned marathoners alike. Luckily enough, my job as Shape's senior commerce editor allows me to test out the latest and greatest running shoes and see firsthand whether they're worth the hype. Over the years my Brooks collection has become vast. I have a dozen pairs in my closet right now, truly. So, I took it upon myself to narrow down the best Brooks running shoes out of all the brand's offerings.
Below, you'll find the best Brooks running shoes for everything from long-distance runs to speed sessions. You'll read about models designed for people with flat feet, high arches, plantar fasciitis, pronation, supination, and so on. So, lace up and get your watch ready to log some miles. We're going on a journey together to find the best pair for you.
Sizes: 5-12 | Width: Regular and Wide | Midsole drop: 10 mm | Cushion: Most Cushioning | Support: Mid-level
The Glycerin 21s will always and forever be famous to me. The first time I saw them — nearly a year ago — I wasn't expecting much. They looked a bit clunky, to be honest. But, when I tried them out on a quick three-miler, I was shocked at how light they felt (they're 9.2 oz.) and how much energy they gave back my stride. When I run in these, I don't feel the ground smashing against my feet, but I also don't feel jolted up from an excess amount of spring or soft cushion. Brooks has what I call harder cushioning in its running shoes, in that the soles never give your joints a jolted feeling if you're running strides, hitting a weird angle, or accelerating up or down hills.
This support is long-lasting. I love to wear these shoes on long training runs, slow recovery miles, and even on walks. They've held up incredibly for the near year even after I've been wearing them for an estimated 20 miles of running and walking a week. If you overpronate like me, you might notice the heel rubbing your inner shins throughout your runs, but this never leads to any irritation. You just might get some dirt on you from the ground.
I recommend these Brooks running shoes to pretty much everyone with ears. They're solid for neutral runners, provide cushion for people who struggle with joint pain, and give the necessary stability for people who overpronate. These aren't speed shoes, so if you're looking for some sneakers to wear on your next 5k or to get you a PR in whatever race you have coming up, scroll below to my speed pick from the brand.
Sizes: 6-12 | Width: Regular, Wide, Extra Wide | Midsole drop: 6 mm | Cushion: Most Cushioning | Support: Neutral
If I had to describe these shoes in two words, it would be 'cloud-like.' The plush shoes give a ton of cushion to every step I take and make it feel like running is a low-impact workout (I wish). These shoes have the maximum amount of cushion Brooks offers and a 39mm stack height that proves it. If you're not used to tall shoes, these will take a moment to get used to, but once there, you'll be glad you made it.
Since they're super cushioned, they're perfect for people who run on roads and suffer from joint pain. Think of it this way: the more cushion a shoe has, the less impact each stride has on your knees and hips. Usually, the first mile of every run is a bit of a warmup for my joints, but with these, the first step is just as comfortable as the last. As if that weren't impressive enough, the rocker noticeably improves my strides. There's a curve at the heel and the toe which allows for your feet to move more naturally in the heel-to-toe way they should, and by golly, it works.
Sizes: 5-13 | Width: Narrow, Regular, Wide, Extra Wide | Midsole drop: 12 mm | Cushion: More Cushioning | Support: Mid-level
Plantar fasciitis, aka pain in your aches caused by inflammation, is a common running injury that is equal parts annoying and stubborn. It seems like the condition pops up during the worst times (training blocks, days before a race, an early morning run when you're already struggling) and comes back for visits whenever you're on the struggle bus. Fear not. One of the best running shoes for plantar fasciitis is the Adrenaline GTS 22.
Designed with the brand's GuideRails and DNA Loft V2 cushioning, the 9.1 oz. stability shoe is lighter compared to many others on the market that typically come in around the 10-11 o.z range. Wearing this, I didn't feel stupendous cushioning, but I did take note of how solid the supportive design felt. It takes a minute to get used to a shoe built for stability if you're used to neutral trainers or speed shoes so give it some time and you'll fall in love with these. Especially when you realize you're no longer feeling those aches and pains you've become accustomed to.
Sizes: 5-13 | Width: Narrow, Regular, Wide, Extra Wide | Midsole drop: 12 mm | Cushion: More Cushioning | Support: Neutral
If you're looking for the best running shoes for flat feet, these might very well be your answer. The stability features help lock my floppy ankle into place during tempo runs or recovery jaunts without making my foot feel overly constricted. It's made with the brand's DNA Loft cushioning in the midsole and a soft-blown rubber outsole to give your foot comfort and allow for it to keep its natural shape throughout your strides.
What sets this Brooks shoe apart is the extended heel padding that helps with shock absorption. It makes all the difference during long miles and other Shape editors have even said it's helped them ease the pain of shin splints. The midsole drop on this doesn't feel too wild, but it's noticeable enough to get you going with some forward momentum. The wide options are great for people with flat feet, too, since toes tend to splay out and need more room with this condition.
Sizes: 5-13 | Width: Regular | Midsole drop: 10 mm | Cushion: Most Cushioning | Support: Neutral
I love and trust these shoes so much that on post-long-run days when my feet feel like they quite literally might combust, I wear them to keep everything together. They have the perfect Goldilocks feeling of cushion without any sinking and it outlasts the many miles I put on. Since they've got the maximum cushioning Brooks offers, this is no surprise, of course.
What stands out to me the most is the sole of this shoe — it's wider than the rest of the model and gives stellar stability during wet conditions, preventing any slipping or sliding. It also feels very supportive and stabilizing, almost acting like a magnet to the ground. My stride feels better and more natural in these. They're solid to use during long marathon training runs since thanks to the fabulous cushion and sock-lick upper that works with your foot and its natural shape. If you're training for a half or full marathon, or simply like to do some double-digits runs throughout the week, these are for you.
Sizes: 5-12 | Width: Regular | Midsole drop: 8 mm | Cushion: Most Cushioning | Support: Neutral
Why yes, the first time I ever wore these shoes was for a half-marathon race when I had a stomach bug and hadn't been able to keep food down for a week prior. Why yes, I somehow did finish and only paced behind my PR by a few seconds. Why yes, I do think these wonder shoes are partially responsible for this result.
When Brooks gave the world a carbon-plated shoe, the space-time continuum seemed to hault. A hush went over the galaxy. Not a single bird chirped. It was as if 'Lemonade' dropped again but this time, with video footage of the elevator incident.
Wearing these makes me feel like I'm Des Linden, who, by the way, does wear these. They're super bouncy, forgiving, and have that fantastic carbon-plated energy give-back that sheds seconds off of race times. They're a bit narrow on the bottom, but provide a heck of a lot more all-over cushion than models from other brands. While they won't give you a ton of stability — the mesh upper is great for keeping your foot cool, but not at keeping it locked in place — they will give you long-lasting comfort needed for longer runs. I whip these out for tempo runs, 5ks, and perhaps for the Chicago Marathon this October.
Sizes: 6-12 | Width: Regular, Wide, Extra Wide | Midsole drop: 12 mm | Cushion: More Cushioning | Support: Maximum
Usually, people who overpronate also have low arches, so zero-drop running shoes are essentially the enemies and cushioned models are the heroes. Enter stability running shoes like the Ariel GTS 23. These bad boys can protect your feet from anything. I know this because I run along the East River, which is essentially a construction zone for 5 miles. The potholes that come after my ankles have not had a single victory when I'm wearing these babies. They've saved me from rolling my ankles countless times, and also keep my foot from pronating even though it reallllly wants to.
They're sturdy and have more of a locked-in cushion versus a bouncy and soft one. So, if you like to feel propelled versus in place, these probably aren't for you. However, if you've ever experienced ligament pain like I have, and would rather not suffer in silence and invest in shoes that will protect your body, these are fabulous.
Sizes: 5-12 | Width: Regular, Wide | Midsole drop: 10 mm | Cushion: Standard Cushioning | Support: Mid-range
I'm special because I pronate and have high arches, which isn't the usual scenario. I've found that when it comes to the best running shoes for high arches, I favor lightweight models like the Launch. They're 7.8 oz. aka very light, and still have the essential GuardRails technology that people like me need. What's more, it's designed to conform to your foot and its unique shape, so for people with high arches, it'll naturally fill in some loose space and give you the support needed.
Cushion Level: Brooks has a three-part ranking system for shoe cushioning: standard, more, and most. When you scroll down on a shoe's page, you'll see this system on the right in the specs section.
Support Level: You'll want to know some terminology before finding the best Brooks running shoes for you.
Shoe Type: There are 4 best-selling families of running shoes from Brooks, each offering unique features runners will love.
Standout Features: The best Brooks running shoes offer a variety of design features that benefit all sorts of runners. Among them:
Summer Cartwright is a marathon runner who's running shoe closet is that of nightmares (or daydreams, depending on your POV). She's tested a lot of Brooks running shoes throughout her years of long-distance running, and tried out every pair on this list first-hand. She's tested each shoe for at least a month to close to a year — after all, she's not going to get rid of a shoe she loves just because a test is done. So, you can trust that the shoes on this list have her stamp of approval and have been through hundreds of miles to get that.
