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Best Brooks Running Shoes (August 2024)

Written on 29th August by Ruggero Loda Founder and Publisher, Running Shoes Guru
314 other reviews
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Brooks Sports, Inc., also known as Brooks Running, is an American sports equipment company that designs and markets high-performance men's and women's sneakers, clothing, and accessories.

Headquartered in Seattle, Washington, Brooks products are available in over 60 countries worldwide. Brooks is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway.

It's not always easy for runners to choose the best Brooks running shoe for them. Here is Brooks’ lineup, with our selection of the best shoes for different runners and usage.

Our favorite Brooks Running Shoes in 2024

Keep scrolling or click on a shoe to find out why we chose it and what other shoes you should consider.

Brooks Ghost Max

Best for Daily Training
Weight: 10oz Drop: 6mm
Our Rating
8.0
Users Rating
5.0
The Brooks Ghost Max is a good, text book daily trainer which can perform a variety of runs well. It has a balanced ride with good stability and a typical Brooks comfortable upper. The Ghost Max is a...
MSRP $150 $119 Best price today this will redirect you to BrooksRunning

Brooks Glycerin GTS 21

Best Supportive Trainer
Weight: 10.7oz Drop: 10mm
Our Rating
9.0
Users Rating
0.0
The Brooks Glycerin GTS 21 continues the line's tradition of cushioned stability with a smooth transition. Overall it is a quality shoe that is fun to run in, but the shoe's average sock liner and...
MSRP $160 $160 Best price today this will redirect you to BrooksRunning

Brooks Glycerin 21

Best Max Cushioned
Weight: 10oz Drop: 10mm
Our Rating
8.0
Users Rating
9.0
The Brooks Glycerin 21 is a good max-cushioned trainer with a supportive, deeply cushioned ride that's best suited to slow running. It doesn't have a very lively ride but it feels luxurious and has...
MSRP $160 $160 Best price today this will redirect you to BrooksRunning

Brooks Hyperion Max 2

Best Lightweight Trainer
Weight: 9.2oz Drop: 6mm Carbon plate
Our Rating
7.0
Users Rating
9.0
The Brooks Hyperion Max 2 is a good speed trainer best suited to uptempo runs. It doesn't have a bouncy ride due to its EVA midsole but it has a durable outsole and upper comfort which is second to...
MSRP $180 $180 Best price today this will redirect you to BrooksRunning

Brooks Catamount 3

Best for Trail Running
Weight: 9.4oz Drop: 6mm Carbon plate
Our Rating
10
Users Rating
0.0
The Brooks Catamount 3 is a solid lightweight trail shoe that can handle distances up to 100k. It can tackle any trail and gives you confidence to reach your maximum speeds....
MSRP $169.95 $170 Best price today this will redirect you to BrooksRunning

Brooks Hyperion Elite 3

Best Racing Shoe
Weight: 8.1oz Drop: 8mm Carbon plate
Our Rating
8.0
Users Rating
0.0
The Brooks Hyperion Elite 3 is categorized as a top-of-the-line super shoe. I think it’s been miscategorized and overpriced. It is a shoe that will help get you those race day personal best times...
MSRP $249.95 $159 Best price today this will redirect you to BrooksRunning

Table of content

  Our Top 6 picks for all categories
 
 
What to consider
 
 
Best for Daily Training
 
 
Best Supportive Trainer
 
 
Best Max Cushioned
 
 
Best Lightweight Trainer
 
 
Best for Trail Running
 
 
Best Racing Shoe
 
 
Quick questions you might have
 
 
Comments
 

How Brooks classifies their shoes

Brooks Running divides their running shoe lines into three different “experiences”:

Cushion
All of Brooks running shoes offer cushion, but the shoes in this category focus on delivering a comfortable, soft ride for many miles. The most popular shoes in this category are the Brooks Ghost, Adrenaline, Glycerin.

Energize
In this category, Brooks places their shoes that are a little less cushioned, and more responsive. Most popular shoes in this category are the Brooks Revel and Levitate.

Speed
As the name implies, shoes in the Speed category are meant for racing or faster efforts in general. In this series you will find the Hyperion line and the Launch shoes.

Best for Daily Training

Brooks Ghost Max

merchant logo
$150.00
$119.00
See deal   >
In short
The Brooks Ghost Max is a good, text book daily trainer which can perform a variety of runs well. It has a balanced ride with good stability and a typical Brooks comfortable upper. The Ghost Max is a spinoff series of the regular Ghost. It has a softer, more cushioned ride which feels more lively than the Ghost 15.
Pros
  • Comfortable, luxurious upper
  • Softer than regular Ghost
  • More forefoot cushioning
  • Modern ride
  • Stable
Cons
  • Lower than average outsole durability
  • Laces fray easily
Who should buy it

If you find the Ghost 15 too firm and flat, the Ghost Max is worth a try. It has a more modern ride which feels more engaging.

Who should not buy it

If you buy the Ghost every year because you enjoy how firm, stable and consistent it is from year to year, you shouldn’t buy the Ghost Max.

Main Specs
Type
Cushioning
Weight
10 oz
Heel
39 mm
Carbon plate
No plate
Heel drop
6 mm
Toe
33 mm
Rating breakdown
Comfort
8.0
Build quality
9.0
Upper
9.0
Sole unit
7.0
Landing
8.0
Transition
8.0
Toe-off
8.0
Traction
7.0
Durability
6.0
Value / Price
7.0
Team review
Read full review

Best Supportive Trainer

Brooks Glycerin GTS 21

merchant logo
$160.00
$160.00
See deal   >
In short
The Brooks Glycerin GTS 21 continues the line's tradition of cushioned stability with a smooth transition. Overall it is a quality shoe that is fun to run in, but the shoe's average sock liner and poorly designed outsole coverage could be better for a shoe of this cost.
Pros
  • Super smooth transition
  • Cushion is soft but not squishy
  • Stable base
  • Secure, adaptive upper
  • High Quality heel counter
Cons
  • Sock liner mediocre
  • Decreased outsole under the toe
  • Price
Who should buy it

Average-to-heavy-weight runners will appreciate Glycerin 21 GTS for a long run shoe that can double as a speed shoe, especially those who need extra stability and find “speed shoes” too flimsy.

Who should not buy it

Skip Glycerin and Glycerin GTS if you like a connected “ground feel” while running. Those with narrow feet who want a high-quality running shoe may appreciate the Saucony Omni 13, which also offers a more supportive sock liner.

Main Specs
Type
Stability
Weight
10.7 oz
Heel
28 mm
Carbon plate
No plate
Heel drop
10 mm
Toe
28 mm
Rating breakdown
Comfort
9.0
Build quality
8.0
Upper
9.0
Sole unit
8.0
Landing
10
Transition
9.0
Toe-off
8.0
Traction
7.0
Durability
7.0
Value / Price
8.0
Team review
Read full review

Best Max Cushioned

Brooks Glycerin 21

merchant logo
$160.00
$160.00
See deal   >
In short
The Brooks Glycerin 21 is a good max-cushioned trainer with a supportive, deeply cushioned ride that's best suited to slow running. It doesn't have a very lively ride but it feels luxurious and has plush landings. The improved version 21 has a more comfortable but warmer knitted upper with a wider toe box. It has a softer, more cushioned ride than its predecessor due to 2 mm extra stack height.
Pros
  • 2 mm extra stack height results in a plusher ride
  • Wider and more comfortable toe box
  • Smooth, stable transitions
  • Durable construction
  • Weight decrease
Cons
  • Not as energetic as other max-cushioned competitors
  • Laces feel cheap and fray easily
  • Very warm upper
Who should buy it

If you’re a heavy runner (above 90 kilograms) or you prefer your max cushioned trainers to be stable and not super soft, the Glycerin 21 is a great option.

Who should not buy it

If you want a cloud-like ride similar to the Nimbus and Invincible Run, the Glycerin 21 is not the shoe for you.

Main Specs
Type
Cushioning
Weight
10 oz
Heel
38 mm
Carbon plate
No plate
Heel drop
10 mm
Toe
28 mm
Rating breakdown
Comfort
10
Build quality
9.0
Upper
9.0
Sole unit
7.0
Landing
7.0
Transition
7.0
Toe-off
7.0
Traction
7.0
Durability
9.0
Value / Price
8.0
Team review
Read full review

Best Lightweight Trainer

Brooks Hyperion Max 2

merchant logo
$180.00
$180.00
See deal   >
In short
The Brooks Hyperion Max 2 is a good speed trainer best suited to uptempo runs. It doesn't have a bouncy ride due to its EVA midsole but it has a durable outsole and upper comfort which is second to none. Version 2 has a new Pebax plate in its midsole as well as a more polished upper. It also has a thicker midsole but weighs significantly more.
Pros
  • Thick rubber makes the outsole very durable
  • Stable and supportive ride
  • Outstanding build quality
  • Superb upper
Cons
  • Not much energy return from the DNA Flash v2 EVA midsole
  • $10 more expensive than v1
  • A lot heavier than v1
Who should buy it

If you’re looking for a trainer with a similar ride to the Hyperion Elite 4 but in a cheaper, more durable design, the Hyperion Max 2 is the shoe for you.
If you want a firm, stable trainer for speedwork, the Hyperion Max 2 would work for you.

Who should not buy it

If you want a soft, squishy, speed trainer, the Hyperion Max 2 will be too firm for you.
If you have sensitive arches and you don’t like a mild arch sensation, the Hyperion Max 2 is not for you.

Main Specs
Type
Lightweight
Weight
9.2 oz
Heel
36 mm
Carbon plate
Plate in other materials
Heel drop
6 mm
Toe
30 mm
Rating breakdown
Comfort
9.0
Build quality
10
Upper
10
Sole unit
6.0
Landing
6.0
Transition
6.0
Toe-off
7.0
Traction
7.0
Durability
9.0
Value / Price
6.0
Team review
Read full review

Best for Trail Running

Brooks Catamount 3

merchant logo
$170.00
$170.00
See deal   >
In short
The Brooks Catamount 3 is a solid lightweight trail shoe that can handle distances up to 100k. It can tackle any trail and gives you confidence to reach your maximum speeds.
Pros
  • Lightweight
  • Versatile enough for daily use and race day
  • Durable
Cons
  • A little firm
  • Not ideal for wide feet
Who should buy it

This shoe is for the runner who prefers a trail shoe that gives them a nice ground feel. It’s perfect for running fast short races to long high mile races.

Who should not buy it

This shoe would not be for the runner who likes a lot of cushioning. It’s a comfortable shoe but isn’t plush.

Main Specs
Type
Trail
Weight
9.4 oz
Heel
30 mm
Carbon plate
Full length carbon plate
Heel drop
6 mm
Toe
24 mm
Rating breakdown
Comfort
9.0
Build quality
9.0
Upper
8.0
Sole unit
9.0
Landing
9.0
Transition
9.0
Toe-off
9.0
Traction
8.0
Durability
8.0
Value / Price
7.0
Team review
Read full review

Best Racing Shoe

Brooks Hyperion Elite 3

merchant logo
$250.00
$159.00
See deal   >
In short
The Brooks Hyperion Elite 3 is categorized as a top-of-the-line super shoe. I think it’s been miscategorized and overpriced. It is a shoe that will help get you those race day personal best times but not worn for race day. It’s a fantastic choice for training runs. This road-racing shoe is designed to keep you running efficiently at race effort and includes a carbon plate that springs you forward with every step.
Pros
  • Breathability is superb
  • Laces stay put
  • Upper creates a great secure fit
Cons
  • Expensive
  • Lacks that super shoe “pop”
Who should buy it

This shoe is for the individual that wants a shoe that will help them maximize their potential on race day. You can wear this shoe for race day but I love using it for those important foundation runs leading up to race day.

Who should not buy it

I would not suggest this to the runner looking for a race day shoe or a long-distance trainer. Its overall feel is a firm one, so wearing them all day long isn’t recommended.

Main Specs
Type
Racing
Weight
8.1 oz
Heel
mm
Carbon plate
Full length carbon plate
Heel drop
8 mm
Toe
mm
Rating breakdown
Comfort
7.0
Build quality
9.0
Upper
9.0
Sole unit
7.0
Landing
7.0
Transition
8.0
Toe-off
8.0
Traction
5.0
Durability
7.0
Value / Price
6.0
Team review
Read full review

Quick Questions you might have

Are Brooks good running shoes?

Brooks running shoes are famous for being good quality, comfortable shoes for runners of all levels. Their racers are still not to the level of other brands though, mainly because of the use of traditional foam instead of PEBA.