In this product guide:
The Adrenaline GTS 24 is the ‘stability’ version of the Ghost; its DNA Loft midsole has a nearly identical ride, but with one important difference. The midsole has raised sidewalls called ‘Guiderails’ that cup the foot on either side.
The 'Guiderails' of the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24.
Do the Guiderails work? As in, influence the gait during runs? We highly doubt it. That said, it does offer a cushioned and stable ride with a heightened sense of under-arch support. Just like the Ghost, the GTS 24’s upper is accommodating yet secure. It won’t be a stretch to call it plush due to the use of spongy spacer mesh and foam-quilted heel. If you’re upgrading from the GTS 23, you’ll notice a slightly changed ride. The softer DNA Loft v3 foam now feels less EVA-like and more lively.
Even though the Addiction GTS 15 is very different than the Addiction 14, it’s still a 12-mm heel drop trainer. We’d classify the Addiction GTS as a walking shoe rather than a running shoe. The 12.2-ounce/346-gram weight makes it difficult for the Addiction to be taken seriously as a running shoe. In return for its 12-ounce bulk, the Addiction GTS 15 offers an ultra-supportive midsole with a generous amount of cushioning. The GTS 15 has one important feature that the Addiction 14 did not have – the midsole has ‘Guiderails’ on its side for increased under-arch support.
The engineered mesh upper is soft, spacious, breathable, and sells in three additional sizing widths. So how are the Addiction GTS 15 and Beast GTS 24 different? The Addiction uses a different midsole foam, has more outsole rubber coverage, and is slightly heavier. In short, it offers a marginally higher level of stability than the Beast.
The Mizuno Inspire 21 is the ‘support’ variant of the Wave Rider 29. But take that analogy with a grain of salt, as both shoes are fairly similar. Both the Rider and Inspire have a soft midsole with a stiff Wave plate under the heel. The Waver Rider 29 has a 10 mm drop instead of the Inspire’s 12 mm offset.
The only difference is that the Inspire 21’s plate is reinforced on the inner side for added stiffness. The Inspire’s upper is reinforced with fused overlays and heavier mesh. Everything else feels similar to the Rider 29, so the cushioning has a familiar feel. The Inspire 21 is a stable running shoe that’s good for everyday miles and slightly quicker (5 min/km, 8 min/mile) paces.
From what we’ve seen (and experienced), the ‘Guiderails’ on Brooks running shoes oversell their usefulness. That also holds for any other ‘stability’ shoe with raised midsole walls; they have a negligible effect on limiting pronation. What’s more important is the overall midsole stability, and that’s where Brooks generally excels – be it the Ghost 17, Glycerin 22, or Beast GTS 24.
The Brooks Beast GTS 23 weighs 12.4 ounces (351 grams), so it’s not your everyday trainer. The ultra-wide midsole offers greater stability than lighter trainers. The women’s version of the Beast GTS 24 is the Ariel GTS 24; both are the same shoes, but in different size ranges and colors. Brooks’s DNA Loft 3 midsole foam is inherently stable and resistant to bottoming out. The Beast is like a wider Glycerin, but with raised midsole walls and more outsole rubber. While the Beast is a decent shoe for slow-paced runs and walks, its versatility is limited.
The plush and secure upper is a good match for the cushioned midsole. It keeps the foot locked down, and optional widths are available (wide and extra-wide) for wide feet.
This $100 running shoe is a diet version of the Brooks Ghost. Despite the Brooks Trace 4’s entry-level pricing, the shoe doesn’t feel cheap. The Trace V2 has all the necessary bits – like a breathable mesh upper, padded heel, and a 6+1 row lacing setup. There’s even an optional width in one of the colors.
The midsole is DNA Loft V2 foam – an EVA foam blend that older versions of the Brooks Ghost had. The 12 mm heel-to-toe offset makes the cushioning beginner-friendly, as a higher heel drop will reduce the stretch on the Achilles and calves. At 9.3 ounces/267 grams, the Trace is fairly lightweight.
How we selected: What to look for
The heel drop – which is the difference between the forefoot and heel thickness of a midsole – can be one of the deciding factors for a running shoe buyer. The consensus is that running shoes with an 8-10 mm drop occupy the ‘sweet spot’ of heel-to-toe offsets.
It’s fair to say that psychology, not a hard number, dictates running shoe choices. The same psychology also draws a line with 12 mm drop running shoes. Most people view a 12 mm offset as the mental cut-off; anything higher is a difficult sell. Today, while a 12 mm drop is considered on the higher side, there’s some history behind it. Let’s explore some of those reasons, and why a lot of them still matter today.
A 12 mm heel-to-toe drop makes running easier for beginners
A higher heel-to-toe drop reduces stress on the Achilles Tendon. This makes it easier for new runners to get comfortable while minimizing the risk of soreness. Therefore, a 12 mm drop is a good starting point for new runners and less stressful for runners who are recovering from injuries.
Rearfoot landing is still the preferred way of foot-striking
Despite full-contact or midfoot landing’s rise in popularity, a rearfoot landing continues to be the preferred foot-strike pattern. Don’t take our word for it; there is plenty of epidemiological data to support it.
A thicker heel with a beveled design and cushioned midsole makes the rearfoot landings smooth and comfortable.