Best for daily runs

Brooks Glycerin 22

What the Glycerin lacks in quickness, it makes up with its soft and easygoing ride character.

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Within the everyday trainer category, Brooks offers a couple of options. The first is the Ghost 17 – it features a soft, single-density midsole for easy training miles. The second option is the Glycerin 22, a premium Ghost 17 of sorts.

The less expensive Brooks Ghost 17 with its single-density midsole is also an option.

The Glycerin gets an extensive makeover for its 22nd version. The new midsole borrows the ‘DNA-Tuned’ cushioning technology from the Glycerin Max. The dual-density midsole uses a firmer forefoot foam (Lime Green) inside a softer casing. Compared to the Glycerin 21, the newest version is noticeably softer under the heel. The white DNA foam uses larger ‘bubbles’ than the previous model, making it easier to compress. The deeper under-heel groove also makes the ride softer.

Pictured here is the cushioned and neutral DNA Tuned midsole of the Brooks Glycerin 22.

The Brooks Glycerin 22's footbed is thick enough to be replaced by a stability Orthotic.

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There’s also more life in the midsole than before. Calling the DNA-Tuned midsole bouncy is a stretch, but the dual-density setup is more responsive than the 21.Unlike the Glycerin Max, the Glycerin 22 lacks a forefoot rocker. Runners won’t get the distinct roll-forward effect of Glycerin Max or other comparable trainers like the New Balance 1080V14, Nike Vomero 18, or even the Asics Nimbus 27. Everyday miles or long-distance cruising at speeds slower than 5:00 min/km (8:00 min/mile) are the ideal use cases for this trainer. On a relative scale, the cushioning is peppier than the Glycerin 21 and Ghost 16. However, the Glycerin 22 lacks the versatility of comparable trainers.

The upper fits true to size with a less cramped forefoot than the 21 – courtesy of the toned-down heel padding. The newly added heel loop is helpful – we can see it’s inspired by the Asics Nimbus. Brooks has changed the tongue design, so it’s about 5 mm shorter than it needs to be. The tongue length isn’t sufficient when used with heel-lock lacing or a runner’s loop. The upper is available in an optional 2E (wide) in most colors, and up to a 4E (extra-wide) in select colors.

Best for arch support

Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24

The Adrenaline GTS 24 is like the Brooks Ghost 16, but with higher midsole edges.

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Brooks makes the ‘Guiderails’ the highlight of the Adrenaline GTS 24, but that’s not what makes the shoe supportive. The Guiderails – the Brooks lingo for the raised sidewalls – only offer a slight cupping action. Their role in minimizing ‘excess motion’ (as per what Brooks claims) is overstated. What makes the Glycerin GTS 24 a supportive running shoe is the firm DNA Loft foam. Also, the midsole sidewalls (excluding the Guiderail) are designed to deliver a stable and neutral platform. The foam density is noticeably firmer than the Ghost 17, so the ride offers superior stability. The removable insole and strobel create a soft base of step-in comfort. On the other hand, the Adrenaline GTS 25 is softer, making it more similar to the Ghost 17.

The 'Guiderails' of the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24.

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Given its ‘stability’ shoe status, is the Adrenaline GTS 24 more stable than the Ghost? Yes – however, that’s due to the outer midsole design rather than the Guiderails. As far as pronation management is concerned, the Adrenaline GTS doesn’t offer much. The ‘cupping’ effect around the GTS 24’s heel is more noticeable, that’s all. Just like the Ghost, the Adrenaline GTS 24 isn’t very exciting to run in. What it offers is predictable cushioning comfort for everyday runs. It’s not bouncy, nor does the midsole have a rocker shape.

The secure upper fits true-to-size and is offered in multiple widths. It’s plush as most Brooks uppers are, and has a thicker upper panel under the arch for durability. The tongue is missing a sleeve, but it stays put because of the two lacing loops.

Best for 5K, 10K, marathons

Brooks Hyperion Elite 5

Brooks finally brings its A-game to the carbon-plated racer market.

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1. Read our detailed review of the Brooks Hyperion Elite 5 here.

Brooks has a lackluster start in the high-performance marathon racer segment. The last few Hyperion Elite (version 4 and older) models had very decent uppers and a clever carbon plate design, but fell short of expectations due to the DNA Flash V2 midsole. Compared to foams like adidas Lightstrike Pro and Nike ZoomX, the DNA Flash midsole felt flat and lacked bounce. The firmer base also muted the plate response by limiting its springboard effect. That’s now water under the bridge; the Hyperion Elite 5 is nothing like the Hyperion Elite 4. The midsole uses DNA Gold, a PEBA foam that feels like a blend of the Nike ZoomX and Asics FlyteFoam Turbo+. While it’s not as bouncy as the newest version of adidas Lightstrike Pro, it’s soft, bouncy, and receptive when pushed hard. The softness also does a better job of activating the carbon plate under the heel.

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There’s nothing unique about the Hyperion Elite – it follows the standard marathon racer design, with expected results. The rocker midsole and grippy outsole is ideal for ultra-quick turnovers, and the plate helps with the transitions. Unlike the adidas Adios Pro 4, New Balance SC Elite, and Nike Vaporfly 4, the midsole heel has a solid core – there’s no void or transition groove. If you were expecting plenty of heel stability, you’ll be disappointed. While the soft DNA Gold midsole is supportive by the plated racer standards, it doesn’t offer planted landings for heel strikers.

Except for the heel fit, the upper has an excellent lockdown. The snug fit of the ultra-breathable upper is great at transferring power to the midsole. What’s interesting about the upper is that it fits flush over the foot, but without feeling shallow. The heel fit doesn’t feel locked in because of the low back height. It doesn’t slip, but it feels as if it’s about to.

Also see: The Brooks Launch 11, if you prefer a less expensive shoe for 5K and 10K races, as well as tempo and interval runs.

Best for marathon training

Brooks Hyperion Max 3

A midsole upgrade gives the Hyperion Max a softer and bouncier ride.

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1. Read our detailed review of the Brooks Hyperion Max 3 here.

We have a feeling that Brooks will sell more pairs of the Hyperion Max 3 than the previous version. The Hyperion Max 2 was actually a very capable shoe; the firm DNA Flash midsole had excellent stability and performed well when pushed harder. The Speedvault plate prevented energy loss, and the stiff rocker accelerated turnovers. That said, the cushioning didn’t have a great deal of springiness, a trait that the Hyperion Elite 4 also suffered from.

The Hyperion Max 3 is built on a brand-new midsole architecture that utilizes DNA Gold foam. Yes, it’s the same PEBA foam from the Hyperion Elite 5. As a result, the ride experience is completely transformed. The DNA Gold foam on top increases the softness and bounciness; the denser DNA Flash base adds support. The nylon Speedvault plate creates an early-stage rocker effect for quick roll-offs. It’s worth noting that while the Hyperion Max 3 works for speeds up to 4:30 min/km (7:00 min/mile), the softer ride feels sluggish than the previous model. On the bright side, the softer ride improves comfort during long-distance training sessions or a marathon.

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For reasons best known to Brooks, the new upper features an elastic bootie-type entry and a thicker mesh. The lockdown isn’t a problem, but the ventilation is. The thicker mesh is less breathable than before. The closed entry is harder to get into, so a large heel loop would have made it easier. The Hyperion Max 2 had a much better upper design, so there was no need to fix what wasn’t broken.

Best for heavy runners

Brooks Glycerin Max

The Glycerin Max does recovery runs well. It’s not a slow shoe either.

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1. Read our in-depth review of the Brooks Glycerin Max here.

The Brooks Ghost-Glycerin relationship is well known. The Glycerin is a more cushioned and plusher version of the Ghost. On paper, the Glycerin Max certainly appears like a plusher version of the Ghost Max 2. It’s 8 mm thicker under the heel and forefoot and uses a midsole with a wide footprint. In reality, the Glycerin Max behaves very differently. The midsole doesn’t use the same foam as the Ghost Max, nor does it have the same density. The midsole uses a supercritical foam in two different densities. It’s of a lower/softer density under the heel with a firmer core under the forefoot.

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The outer foam casing (in white) is similar to DNA Flash foam, but softer. It performs as expected – heel landings feel deeply cushioned yet supportive. The wide midsole base and deep transition groove make the ultra-tall heel surprisingly stable. The raised sidewalls also do a good job of keeping the foot seated inside the midsole. In the front, the midsole is noticeably firmer. The higher-density foam helps the turnover process by making the rocker more effective. The firmer forefoot also prevents the foot from sinking too deep. While it’s more nimble than the Ghost Max, it performs best at 4:30 min/km (7:00 min/mile) speeds and slower.

For a shoe with a high-tech midsole, the upper design is pedestrian. The flared heel collar doesn’t grip as well as the standard Glycerin, and there’s no tongue gusset. The forefoot fits narrower than the Ghost Max and the regular Glycerin. It’s not a bad upper, but we expected more.

Best for trail

Brooks Cascadia 19

The Cascadia’s unique ‘trail adapt’ plate makes the shoe stable for heavy runners.

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If we had to pick just one shoe from Brooks’ trail running assortment, it would be the Cascadia 19. While it lacks the cushy ride of the Caldera 8 or the lightweight, speed-focused feel of the Catamount 4, the Cascadia is easily the most versatile of the bunch. In many ways, the Cascadia 19 blends the strengths of both.

At the base, an articulated TrailTack rubber outsole provides dependable grip and protection on the trail. The outsole is split into multiple segments to improve ground feel while still offering protection. The Trail Adapt plate stabilizes the foot without negatively affecting proprioception. The firm DNA Loft midsole supplies cushioning, support, and a consistent ride, while the insole adds step-in softness.

The layered upper offers an excellent fit with true and secure sizing. It uses technical mesh combined with protective overlays that help keep out debris. A waterproof Gore-Tex version of the Cascadia 19 is also available for a $30 premium.

The Brooks running assortment looks and feels a lot different today than it did at the same time last year. Staples like the Adrenaline GTS 25 and Glycerin 22 have been updated with new versions of DNA Loft foam. For example, the Glycerin 22 has a brand-new ‘DNA Tuned’ midsole in a dual-density configuration.

The max-cushioning category has also been updated with the bouncy Ghost Max and Glycerin Max. The G-Max is a much softer, taller, and cushier version of the Ghost. If you want more cushioning, the newly released Glycerin Max is excellent for long-distance runs. Despite its stack height, it doesn’t feel lazy or slow, so the shoe’s versatility exceeds expectations. The Glycerin Max’s versatile and cushioned ride is the reason why it’s our recovery shoe pick.

Brooks has shuffled the Hyperion line-up. The Launch 11 is now the less expensive version of the Hyperion 3, but with similar performance benefits. It’s our top pick for tempo runs, interval training, and 5K/10K races. The Hyperion Elite 5 has been upgraded with a DNA Gold (PEBA) foam midsole, making it comparable to other popular carbon-plated racers.

On the other hand, the Hyperion Max 3 is a brand-new introduction that has very little in common with the H-Max 2. The DNA Gold foam has a soft and bouncy cushioning, while the Nylon ‘Speedvault’ plate supports the transitions and accentuates the rocker. These features make the H-Max 3 ideal for running half-marathons and marathon training. It also has the stability and durability for such use cases.

On the trail side of things, Brooks has three models. The Cascadia 19 is the do-everything trail runner; the cushioned Caldera 8 is for higher comfort, and finally, the Catamount 4 is designed for speed runs. The Brooks Beast has been the gold standard for max-stability running shoes, so that is also an option. While Brook sells a few shoes at $100 and below (Trace 4, Anthem 7, Revel 8), you’ll get better value with a discounted pair of previous season models like the Ghost 16, Adrenaline 24, and Hyperion.