Brooks Adrenaline GTS 18 Shoe Review

The Brooks Adrenaline GTS model is the most popular stability shoe from Brooks. Every year, Brooks makes significant improvements to the latest version to provide runners with a more satisfying running experience. This latest version is no exception. The Brooks Adrenaline GTS 18 provides a good balance of cushioning and support. It is a great shoe for runners who need more stability in their performance while also enjoying a great level of comfort and a responsive ride.


Summary

Score: 92/100

Pros:

  • It is lightweight.
  • It provides high level of support
  • It is breathable and comfortable
  • It provides reliable traction on the road.
  • The sole unit is durable
  • It is reasonably-priced

Cons:

  • The cushioning is too soft.
  • Small stones get stuck in the grooves.

Brooks Adrenaline GTS 18 Design

Upper

One of the notable updates of the Adrenaline GTS 18 is the upper. The shoe utilizes a new engineered mesh that is designed to provide breathability and enhanced fit. True to what Brooks promised, the mesh upper provides an excellent fit. The stretchy material hugs the foot comfortably and it provides a decent level of breathability. The upper coverage has a sleeker look compared to the previous version.


The upper also has lesser overlays which enhance the overall fit of the shoe. While the overlays from the previous version provided structural integrity, the lesser overlays from this new version provide a much more accommodating fit.


The tongue of the Adrenaline GTS 18 remains unchanged. The padded tongue provides plush comfort and gives added foot security. It also comes with a side tongue loop just like its predecessor. The placement of the side loop is great because it prevents the tongue from sliding.


The shoe also utilizes the flat, semi-elastic laces used in the previous version. Along with the laces are the extra eyelets that help achieve a better heel lockdown. Some people may find the extra eyelets useless but others find it very useful. Having a secure heel lockdown also helps reduce blisters.

The upper design of the shoe offers a modern look that does not look bulky when worn. The label on the tongue, the logo on the sides, and the reflective strips on the heel are small details that give the shoe a pleasant touch.

The changes in the upper of the Adrenaline GTS 18 are undeniably satisfying.

Midsole

The Adrenaline GTS 18 has a 12mm heel to toe drop. Just like its predecessor, the shoe utilizes the BioMoGo DNA midsole foam. In this version, Brooks made small enhancements in the cushioning system to make it softer and more flexible. In addition to the BioMoGo DNA midsole foam, Brooks incorporated into this shoe the Progressive Diagonal Rollbar, which is specifically designed to reduce over pronation and make running less painful and more efficient.


The shoe also has a removable sock liner that is made of BioMoGo foam. It provides contoured support and additional cushioning.

Outsole

The Adrenaline GTS 18 uses a hard carbon rubber material in the heel and a softer blown rubber in the forefoot. These materials were also used in the previous versions of Brooks Adrenaline GTS shoes. They are specially placed in the sole unit to deliver durability and traction.


The grooves and tread in the outsole have been redesigned to provide reliable traction without affecting flexibility. The shoe provides reliable grip on the road. The traction is impressive, even when running on a wet surface.

Along with this improvement, the Flextra technology is specifically added in the sole unit. It gives the shoe a fine-tuned level of flexibility. Compared to other support shoes, the Adrenaline GTS 18 offers a good of level of flexibility.

The only minor issue encountered with the sole unit was that small stones get stuck into the grooves, specifically in the forefoot area. While this happened a few times during runs, they were easy to remove and the shoe was fine.

Fit

Aside from the high level of support, the Adrenaline GTS model is widely known because of its excellent fit. When it comes to the overall fit of the shoe, there is no observable difference between the Adrenaline GTS 18 and previous Adrenaline GTS versions.

The snug fit in the heel and secure midfoot fit are a plus, with the forefoot area perfectly accommodating the foot. The toe box of the Adrenaline GTS 18 is roomier than the previous version, and there is more room for toes to fit comfortably. Also, the new engineered mesh and the internal fabric lining contribute to the overall upper fit of the shoe. It was comfortable to wear this shoe during regular runs, especially while running downhill or uphill. Overall, the Adrenaline GTS 18 provides a great in-shoe feel.


Comfort


The Adrenaline GTS 18 provides the necessary comfort needed during short and long-distance runs. In addition to the breathable mesh coverage and soft internal fabric lining, the padded tongue and collar contribute to the overall comfort of the shoe. The padded tongue makes it easy to tighten the laces as much as possible without putting too much pressure on the foot. The soft padding in the collar hugs the ankle comfortably while giving the foot a more secure lockdown.

Stability/Performance

When it comes to the stability feature, the Adrenaline GTS 18 will not disappoint. The shoe delivers the necessary level of support that is essential for over pronators. The presence of the Progressive Diagonal Rollbar prevents over pronation and provides a smoother heel-to-toe transition.

The Progressive Diagonal Rollbar technology works impressively. It is an essential feature of the shoe that provides support to the foot and prevents the ankle from moving inwards while running.

However, the BioMoGo DNA midsole appears to be too soft. A firmer midsole would have provided more structured cushioning and support to the foot.

Durability



The hard carbon rubber and the soft blown rubber of the shoe really delivers the durability needed for road running. While the shoe is still new, it has not shown any significant wear in the outsole or the upper.

Adrenaline GTS 18 vs. Adrenaline GTS 17

The Adrenaline GTS 17 provides the right amount of support and cushioning, and is a durable shoe. However, the Adrenaline GTS 18 is more supportive and the cushioning is softer than that of the previous version. These improvements to the shoe allow for a more balanced ride.

In addition, the Adrenaline GTS 18 delivers the right amount of shock absorption that is necessary for longer runs. When it comes to breathability and comfort, the Adrenaline GTS 18 is better than its predecessor. The engineered mesh upper provides the foot with a breathable coverage, helping protect feet from sweating. The overall comfortable fit is truly impressive.

Since the Adrenaline GTS 18 uses the same outsole material as that of the previous version, the level of traction and its durability remain the same. However, the redesigned flex grooves make the newer version more flexible.

The Adrenaline GTS 18 has a light upper mesh coverage, lesser overlays, and enhanced cushioning system. As a result, it weighs approximately 20 grams lighter than the Adrenaline GTS 17. The decrease in weight makes the shoe faster and ideal for daily training.

Compared to other stability shoes

When compared to stability shoes from other brands, the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 18 is not a totally dominant pair. However, it is comparable when it comes to stability, durability, and flexibility.

Saucony Omni 15

The Saucony Omni 15 provides a high level of support with a heel drop of 8mm. It has a plush cushioning system that provides a comfortable underfoot feel and reliable impact protection. The shoe is responsive just like the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 18. Similarly, it provides durable traction on the road, even when running on a slightly wet surface. The shoe utilizes the Tri-Flex outsole technology that delivers enhanced ground contact and greater flexibility. Lastly, the Omni 15 provides the same excellent fit. However, it is not as breathable as the GTS 18.

Asics GT 2000 5

With a heel drop of 10mm and a moderate level of cushioning, the Asics GT 2000 5 provides a good level of support. The Gel technology in the rear foot and forefoot delivers a responsive ride and smoother heel-to-toe transition. The Brooks Adrenaline GTS 18 is as flexible as the Asics GT 2000 5, and has the same level of comfort and breathability. The GT 2000 5 is also a lot heavier and requires a break-in period.

Nike Air Zoom Structure 20

The Nike Air Zoom Structure 20 is a close competitor to the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 18. Just like the Adrenaline GTS 18, the shoe has a soft cushioning but with a high level of support. Since the shoe uses a Flymesh material in its upper with a mesh inner sleeve, the Air Zoom Structure 20 provides an excellent level of breathability. The shoe also provides secure midfoot lockdown and comfortable, sock-like feel.

Conclusion

With a weight of 283.5 grams for men’s and 243.8 grams for women’s, the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 18 is lighter than the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 17. Aside from being light, the shoe also feels fast and flexible. Overall, the shoe performs impressively as a support shoe. Given the comfort, durability and balanced ride, it is indeed a reliable daily trainer for over pronators.

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Done in partnership with RunRepeat.com, written by Jens Jakob Andersen.