Kit & Gear

REVIEW: Brooks Adrenaline GTS 22 Running Shoes

Brooks most loved support shoe has had an update with the Adrenaline GTS 22 for their smoothest ride ever. Made with more strategic use of 3D Fit Print technology the shoe provides a structure that moves with the foot.

Pictured: Brooks Adrenalin GTS 22 Men's Road Running Shoes (Peacoat/India Ink/Grenadine)

Our Sportsshoes athlete Tom Fairbrother has been busy putting the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 22 to the test. Check out his review below;

Pictured: Brooks Adrenalin GTS 22 Women's Road Running Shoes (Navy/Yucca/Pink)

The Brooks Adrenaline GTS 22 is the newest update of the classic Brooks stability training shoes which have been a staple for many a distance runner over the years.

As someone who races in Nike Vaporfly Next% 2 and typically trains in a Hoka One One Clifton 8, I was intrigued to try out the Adrenaline GTS as I’m always in the market for a trustworthy, solid training shoe to wear for the bulk of my miles during marathon training.

To be upfront about my verdict, it’s no exaggeration to say the Adrenaline GTS is probably the most stable shoe I have ever run in.

Having had ankle surgery back in 2017 I have always been conscious of finding a shoe that I can trust and is stable. Pre-surgery I swore by the popular Nike Pegasus for my everyday easy training miles, but post-surgery I found there was too much lateral movement and it often felt unstable and a bit wobbly underfoot, especially when out running on dry, firm trails during the summer months.

Since then, I tried first the New Balance 1080, which I enjoyed for a couple of years before the later versions became too sock-like and less structured, which I felt compromised the stability and long-lasting qualities attracted me to them originally.

More recently, as mentioned above, I’ve trusted the ever-reliable Hoka Clifton 8. They have been incredibly durable and long-lasting, but I have never fully embraced the chunky soles and find them too cumbersome, especially when running off-road. They can feel a bit heavy, especially as I have to go up half a size due to the small fit which can add to the clown shoe feeling!

Pictured: Brooks Adrenalin GTS 22 Women's Road Running Shoes (Black/Purple/Coral)

The Brooks Adrenaline GTS 22 seems to find the sweet spot between the stability and support you want from a workhorse of a training shoe, without compromising the weight or comfort that is so important for distance runners racking up 60-80 miles per week.

I wore the black, blue, and orange colour combination which I personally think really pops. I have a soft spot for black trainers, and these are a thing of beauty!

I ran all kinds of runs in the Adrenaline GTS to give them the full review treatment and ensure they weren’t too good to be true. A long tempo, some miles on the trails, in addition to easy miles on the roads. Across all of them I had full confidence in the shoes and the stability. Even as I began to fatigue towards the end of the longer runs, I felt like the shoes were supporting me rather than hindering me.

The technical reason for this is the Brooks GuideRails® technology which adds support by keeping excess lateral movement in check. If you’ve ever been ten pin bowling with the bumpers up on either side, that is the best way I can describe the feeling. It really does feel as though the shoes gently point you in the right direction but crucially without restricting your natural gait or movement. The support is there if you need it rather than imposing itself on your stride.

Pictured: Brooks Adrenalin GTS 22 Men's Road Running Shoes (Peacoat/India Ink/Grenadine)

The Brooks Adrenaline have a 12 mm drop, with a heel height of 36 mm and toe height of 24 mm. That is certainly quite a reasonable drop but having come from wearing the Hoka One One it did not feel particularly noticeable and as someone who has experienced calf problems historically, the added heel drop was a bonus.

As with the guide rails, the size of the drop also did make it feel as though all my weight was moving forwards and encouraging me to run faster, which could be an issue if you are someone who tends to get carried away and run too fast on the easy runs!

The toe box is spacious without feeling too wide and the tongue is the perfect size. The laces are also just the right thickness. When it comes to the sizing of the shoe itself, the Brooks Adrenaline GTS fits very true to size. I am a size UK 10.5 and that’s what I wear in Nike and in the Brooks, compared to Hoka in which I have to wear a UK 11.

The shoe feels firm underfoot without being rigid and still offers lots of comfort. Brooks says this is due to an updated midsole which is now 100% DNA LOFT cushioning for an even softer, smoother ride. DNA LOFT is the softest cushioning offered by Brooks. It really is an incredibly comfortable shoe for running, but also for wearing casually when out walking to the shops. It doesn’t feel too squishy.

Pictured: (R to L) Brooks Adrenalin GTS 22 Women's Road Running Shoes (Black/Purple/Coral) and Brooks Adrenalin GTS 22 Men's Road Running Shoes (Black/Blue/Orange)

In summary, I would say the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 22 is the best training shoe I have worn in the past 4-5 years and I will definitely be switching from my Hoka One One Clifton 8. I wouldn’t wear it for racing or hard sessions as the lighter racing and carbon shoes are still superior, but for 80% of marathon training the Adrenaline GTS 22 does everything you need it to do.

I really did want to find faults with it, particularly as I did not get on with the latest Brooks Ghost shoe, but the Adrenaline GTS offers all the comfort, stability, and durability you would ever need without compromising the quality of the ride. It’s a great looking shoe that exceeds all expectations.

SHOP ALL BROOKS ADRENALIN 22 ROAD RUNNING SHOES HERE  

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