Unlike behemoths such as Nike and Adidas that cater to the footwear needs of all kinds of sportspeople, Brooks is solely about running. This focus has allowed it to create some of the best running shoes for every type of runner, whether you’re looking for a soft and cushioned ride or a firm and fast one.
There’s a useful shoe finder tool on the website, which will make personalized suggestions based on the feel you want and how much and how far you run, but for an overview of the key styles stay right here. I’ve been testing a range of Brooks shoes for several years and can guide you in the right direction.
How I Test Brooks Running Shoes
You can trust Coach We give honest reviews and recommendations based on in-depth knowledge and real-world experience. Find out more about how we review and recommend products.
I am a keen runner who logs around 50-70 miles each week, usually while training for a marathon. I have tested Brooks shoes for many years, allowing me to try several generations of popular lines like the Ghost and Glycerin, along with faster shoes in the Hyperion line and many others.
The Best Brooks Running Shoes
The Brooks Ghost is one of the most dependable shoes available, and while it’s not the most thrilling, it is protective, stable and durable, making it a great option for runners just starting out in the sport. It’s not just for beginners either: the cushioned design makes it a good easy run option for more experienced runners, though I do prefer other cushioned shoes, both from Brooks and other brands.
While the latest version of the Ghost is decent value thanks to the long-lasting design, if you can find a good deal on the Ghost 14 then that might be worth snapping up, because I didn’t find the Ghost 15 offered a huge upgrade on the 14.
Read more in my Brooks Ghost 15 review
The Ghost Max is a departure from Brooks’s usual approach to cushioned shoes, with a higher stack and lower drop than the likes of the Ghost 15 and Glycerin 20. It’s a successful first stab at a max-cushioned shoe though, with a comfortable and surprisingly smooth ride thanks to the GlideRoll rocker, which means the Ghost Max can handle some faster running, though it’s definitely at its best for easy cruising.
Compared with the Ghost 15 and Glycerin 20 I found the Ghost Max to be smoother and more comfortable, but there’s some overlap between the three for sure. The Ghost 15’s higher drop and lower price might make it more appealing to many runners, but the Ghost Max is also a great beginner running shoe. The Glycerin 20 is more versatile thanks to the bouncier DNA Loft v3 foam in its midsole, but the Ghost Max also works well as a daily trainer.
Read more in my Brooks Ghost Max review
The Brooks Glycerin 21 is a comfortable cushioned shoe with a fairly high stack of cushioning, but because its foam is Brooks’ nitrogen-infused DNA Loft v3—which has a livelier feel than the DNA Loft v2 in the Ghost shoes—it’s a versatile shoe and great for daily training runs ranging from easy to tempo pace. That versatility is helped by the fact the Glycerin 21 is lighter than the Glycerin 20, despite having a higher midsole stack. I particularly enjoyed using the Glycerin 21 for long runs during marathon training, and it’s one of the best cushioned shoes for those tackling a marathon.
Read more in my Brooks Glycerin 21 review
Brooks has a few fast training shoes in its Hyperion line. The standard Hyperion (formerly known as the Hyperion Tempo), the Hyperion GTS, which is a more stable version of the Hyperion, and the Hyperion Max, which has a more rockered design and is a little lighter than the Hyperion.
Despite the Max in its name this is not a max-cushioned shoe, and it’s firmer and more direct than the best super-trainers for speed sessions from other brands, which have high stacks and some kind of plate in the midsole. The Hyperion Max is undoubtedly fast though, and feels agile and light during speedwork, if not the most comfortable for longer hard runs.
Read more in my Brooks Hyperion Max review
Compared with the best carbon plate running shoes from other brands the Hyperion Elite 4 falls short because the DNA Flash v2 foam in its midsole is not as springy and propulsive as the materials used on shoes like the Nike Vaporfly. However, within Brooks’ range the Hyperion Elite 4 is the best racer for any distance, with the carbon plate in the midsole and lightweight design making it a fast shoe.
I found that the Hyperion Elite 4 started to feel a bit firm on long runs and would suggest it’s at its best for races up to half-marathon distance. However, it’s still the best Brooks option for marathons, too. One advantage it has over other super-shoes is that it’s more stable than many others owing to the firmer foam in the midsole, so that could make it worth buying if you haven’t enjoyed the squishier feel of other carbon racers.
Read more in my Brooks Hyperion Elite 4 review
