Customer Reviews Brooks Ariel®

I thought I was going to have to find another career in 2002 due to the foot pain I suffered. I had been wearing custom orthotics for more than 25 years and had already had several foot surgeries. My pedorthist put me in a pair of Brooks Ariels in 2002 and this ER Nurse was up to full speed once again in a few weeks! The colors rarely adhere to my employer's dress code, but since this "seasoned" (that's a nice way to say that I am in my 33rd year of critical care practice) sternly stands by her vow that without her Ariels she can't work, they have been granted amnesty once again for the 12th year!

I really liked these tennis shoes and was excited to get them but seemed to run a 1/2 to a size too short. I have reordered and will see how they work. Seem to be supportive and comfy.

I love these shoes! They're great for people with problems like pronation, as they have a lot of support. My orthotics fit well in them too. I'm on my 6th pair, I think.

This is my second pair of Brooks Ariel shoes. They make walking feel as if I were walking on a cloud. They encourage me to take longer walks.

If you have pronation issues, prefer generous cushioning, use custom orthotic inserts and/or require extra room like I seem to (available in wide widths!), Ariel is an awesome and attractive walking shoe for you. Brooks is the bomb!

These are excellent shoes! They fit great, and were even able to accommodate my orthotics. I love them and would definitely buy again!

Great shoe! Feels so comfy! I was used to Brooks Adrenaline, but I needed a light colored sneaker that supported my feet. I wear a large size, so it is hard to get a good fit. But this pair fits the bill!

These shoes are heaven-sent! I have just taken up running again after a 30 year "break." I was a runner all through junior high and high school and into my 20s ... but ended up sidelined with a bunion and no insurance to get it taken care of. Well, many years later and three toe surgeries (with the last one ending in a toe joint replacement) later I have taken up running once again. There are two reasons why: 1) because I love how running makes me feel, and 2) to lose the extra 60 pounds that have crept on over the years. Because I know quite a bit about running I knew that I needed to do my research before investing in running shoes. I knew that my bunion developed in the first place because I have a moderate over-pronation and the running exacerbated it to the point of a bunion. The Brooks Ariel takes care of the pronation problem with the slant of the shoe (thicker toward the inside of the foot and gradually sloping downward toward the outside of the shoe). The Brooks Ariel takes care of the extra weight that I have put on over the years with an amazing amount of padding (especially on the heel where I strike first). The designers at Brooks also realized that over-pronaters tend to "clip" the inside of their heel with the opposite foot heel as they run and so the designers at Brooks added extra protection to the inside of the heel (but it really is on the outside of the shoe). Check it out in the pictures as it is really quite a stroke of designing brilliance and not just for looks. In my research for new running shoes I realized to avoid injury I need to rotate my shoes and not wear the same pair every day. This greatly decreases the risk of repetitive motion injuries. To accomplish this I decided to get a pair of the Brooks Adrenaline. They are like the little sister to the Brooks Ariel in design and function without the extreme slope and not quite as much padding. So far I have been very, very pleased with both and wear one pair one day and the other pair the opposite days. Another thing to remember with all of your running shoe purchases: make sure you buy a size at least 1/2 size larger than you normally wear in shoes. You need that thumbnail width between the end of your longest toe and the end of the shoe. This accounts for swelling of your feet when you run. I wear a lot of 9 and 1/2 size shoes and size 10 in Keen sandals and my Brooks are all size 10 and 1/2 (which are perfect). I love both my Brooks running shoes so much that I vowed to write a review on them if I was asked by Zappos, even though I'm not the type to write a review about items that I purchase. I will forever be a "Brooks" girl and I will always buy them from Zappos!

Ordered the Brooks Ariel on Sunday. Last pair available in my size. Received my shipping confirmation that night and the box arrived Tuesday afternoon. Perfect service, as usual. Just took them out for a quick 2.5 mile trail run and they performed beautifully: Lightweight, stable, comfortable and well-ventilated. Perfect. If I could snap up another pair, I would in a minute. Fantastic shoe. Unbeatable service. Thank you, Zappos!

I love these shoes! They are very comfortable. They actually make me feel like I can do more, and when I do, they do not make me feel like it was a mistake! I also love that they come in wide sizes.

The best tennis shoes I have ever ordered. I have plantar fasciitis. And this gives my feet amazing support. I ordered 3 pair that were on the list for Plantar Fasciitis and I liked these the best.

These are my go to shoe. I'm a walker, not a runner. Love the stability, comfort and support. Brooks Ariel has never let me down. They do run a little smaller than my 'normal' size. I prefer to order a full size up so I can wear a thicker sock. But a half size up is sufficient with a thin sock.

I need a shoe with good stability but never had Brooks before. They offer great support and have a slightly more snug fit. The lighter color is perfect since so much now is very bright. The toe box could be a little higher but it won't make me return them.

Best athletic shoes ever! I have high arches and knee problems and walk 4 miles per day. These are the most comfortable shoes for hiking and walking long distances!

I have been wearing Brooks Ariels for 7 years now. I need the extra wide size available for this shoe. I pay the extra money because it is the brand and model of walking shoe that is consistently comfortable without giving my feet any problems. Nice mesh fabric allows air to vent so keeps feet cooler than other walking shoes. I was happy to find the blue color which I wish were always available. In the past I have postponed buying a new pair because the color changes yearly and only pink or another undesirable color was available. I gave only 3 stars for style because the pink is ugly to me. Other than that, the shoes are great!

Bought these for my mom, who needs very well-made, comfy, wide sneakers. She said these are the best she has ever had and she can walk and walk in them with no problems. Would recommend these for anyone who wants a well-made, top of the line sneaker.

This is a great, stable running shoe. I have been wearing these for years and I buy them over and over again. They run small and I wear a larger size in these than any other shoe I have.

Absolutely love these shoes. I've got fallen arches, and these fit perfectly and give the support I need to be comfy all day.

I found this to be the best running/daily wear shoes. Lots of foot problems due to extensive running in the past and "old age." This shoe is extremely supportive, roomy in the toe box. Bought the same shoe last year.

Brooks has been my daily wear shoe for several years because it accommodates my orthotics, has a wide toe box and is very comfortable. Styles are getting better. Pricey, but worth it for comfort.

This shoe was recommended to me by a Pedorthists for my foot condition. I purchased one pair of Ariels by Brooks, a different color for 2013, at their store. This is the same shoe but I like the color better.

I live very rural so I use the internet to purchase items. I spent hours upon hours looking for a shoe that not only looked pretty but was wide enough for my feet. I purchased and sent back more shoes than I care to think about until I found Zappos! I have arthritis in my toes and I have wide feet so I needed just the right shoe. The Brooks Ariel is the best shoe I've ever had on these tired feet! Fit so comfortably from day one, are pretty, allow my feet to stay drier than other shoes...just all around great.

I usually wear the grey leather Expedition. These are great with almost the same support. They are sporty looking. I wear prescribed orthotics in them.

These shoes are like a "cloud". The moment I put them on I fell in love with them. Wish they were a little more "sleek", but the cushioning, arch support and comfort are wonderful!

This shoe has been the most comfortable shoe I've worn in years. I have flat feet w/plantar fasciitis & heel spurs. These shoes are the best!