Customer Reviews Brooks Ariel 14

I was hoping that other reviewers' reports that the 2014 redesign of this shoe had made the toe box unwearably narrow would prove to be exaggerated. Alas, they were absolutely right. I have worn the Brooks Ariel for years, but I can barely squeeze my feet into this new version. Now I'm desperately seeking a new brand of walking shoes. Suggestions, anyone?

I got this shoe because I love Brooks and thought this would be as good as the rest. But to my disappointment they are not. The tongue of the shoe is sewn in and makes it hard to get my foot in. So I thought I would just cut the tongue free and that would help. It did but then I realized that the space between the lacing is wider so I do not have enough lacing to lace up the shoe even with a 54 inch lacing. I have not problem with my other Brooks which I love but very disappointed with this design. And, yes, I have wide feet; that's why I got the Wide size. Really disappointed.

I highly recommend these sneakers but if you have had my experience with finding the right size and width for you be patient and keep on determining your fit. I normally take a 8.5 W in new balance but haven't been happy with their support. I bought a Brooks Ariel in size 9 and Double E which surprised me (yes, I originally had 8.5 w; 9 w). So from my experience I'm glad I stuck in there to determine my correct fit. I had an ice skating injury about 10 years ago, and these are the best in terms of support (I don't feel my arthritis when I wear them!). In addition, the $450.00 full length orthotics that I bought, I don't use. I think many of us with problem feet might start challenging podiatrists who tell us we need orthotics. (It is amazing to me that many podiatrists have a disconnect/ignorance with sneaker knowledge.) I never could find comfort in any sneaker wearing these orthotics. So reverse logic is this: good sneakers take the place of super expensive orthotics for many of us. Could many podiatrists out there not be sharing this?

I've worn Ariels for ten years. I won't be buying another pair. The back of the shoe comes up higher on the ankle, and makes blisters. They don't lace up the same. I've never had to break in a pair of Ariels before. Not going to now either.

Unfortunately when a good thing gets "updated" sometimes it loses what made it good. I wore out my Ariel 12's and can no longer find them. While the Ariel 14's are well made, they have lost the space in the toe area and are too snug all around. Using a wider width doesn't help as the heel is then too large and they slip. The heel isn't nearly as well cushioned and after testing them out for only two days, my heels are painful, the sides of my feet are burning and my knees hurt. So very disappointed.

I have been wearing Brooks shoes for years. This is the first time I've had a problem. The size 8 that I got is a full size larger and I have to return it. It's surprising after reading some of the other reviews where customers rated the shoe size as small. I can't evaluate the width of the shoe.

I'm with the 56% that think this feels significantly more narrow than labeled. I've worn Brooks for years and this is the first time I could not even get my foot into the shoe! The other Brooks shoes that I purchased along with this model fit fine, but I'm happy that Zappos has such a consumer friendly return policy.

Didn't like the Brooks Ariel 14. Tried the shoes in my regular size. Shoes were too short. Didn't like the new design feature of attaching the tongue to the sides of the shoe as it doesn't allow people with thick instep/high arches to open the shoe far enough to put it on. Tried half a size bigger - the length was now a little too long. Because the longer shoes fit poorly, there wasn't enough arch support. Did not like the tongue being attached to the shoe at all. Returned both pair and will look for something else.