Customer Reviews Brooks Ariel 14

I thought I liked the fit, so I wore them to work. They are fairly professional looking, trim and attractive for my large feet. I work 12 hour shifts as an RN; it's a hard test of shoes admittedly. After about three weeks (too late to return them), I found that the outer edge of my foot was in excruciating pain; there is something in the outer sole of the shoe that ends up being harder than the rest of the sole. This was a new problem for my feet, so I switched to a pair of Saucony's I had, and and the pain vanished. I'm bummed because these were not cheap shoes, and I can't return them. Definitely don't recommend this shoe, although previously I've been happy with Brooks.

The fit is true and they provide very good support and initially these were very comfortable. After only a few days the layers in one shoe seemed to separate causing a wrinkle on the inside surface over the toes. Thick socks and working to soften the area has helped but I can still feel it rubbing. At this price, I expected better quality.

I'm usually a Brooks fan and have owned several pairs but I don't like the Ariel '14s. They feel narrow in the toes and something about the arch support makes my feet hurt after a long walk. I can barely wait to take them off. I've put these aside for a pair of New Balance 990s, which I find much more comfortable.

I tried these on in a store. Crazy narrow toe box even in the EE - the arch was too far forward - a shame because the shoe itself felt very supportive.

I ordered my size 7D, but came out too small/tight. I wore Saucony 7D before, so I thought it would fit. The shoes also felt a bit unstable on my feet, I am an underpronator. I ended up getting the ASICS Gel Cumulus 16 which is cheaper and fits better. I had to order 7.5D on that one, so I guess either all the shoes run small these days or Saucony just runs big?

Why oh why mess with a good thing? I've been wearing the Brooks Ariel 13 for several years and was so excited to get a new pair, but oh so disappointed when I put them on. As others have said, they are much more narrow and short in the toe box. The tongue seems shorter than the 13. They've done something to the heel as the back comes up so high that it digs into my heel. I wear a 13W, so there is no other size or width to I try. I guess I'll have to go to another brand. Sad but true.

So sad that my go to shoe has changed! This new version squeezes my foot so much. I tried to go up in size and width, but it did not fit properly. I researched a bit, and found this version to have a reduced stack height. Ariel 12 was 32mm heel vs 20mm forefoot, this one is 27mm to 15mm. This for whatever reason kills my achilles. So frustrating , why redesign a previous perfect shoe? I hope Brooks reconsiders and brings back the Ariel 12 design. Until then I will be exploring other shoe options.

Ariels have been my go to show for about 5 years. This shoe however fits very different. Overall it is more snug. The fit hugs the foot which for some may be ok, but for me, and my sensitive feet this is a deal breaker. :( I went up a 1/2 size, and still a problem. I will try a wide and see if there is any hope left with this new style.

I liked the old shoe much better. The new Ariel is too narrow for me, yet they are the same size as my old ones. Very uncomfortable. Now I have to search for another brooks that will fit me. Please bring back the old style Ariel.

If you have loved Brooks Ariel as much as I, you may be disappointed in this incarnation. The shoe's last appears to be totally different and there is now a band across the instep disabling the tongue to be pulled up. Therefore, your socks can get all bunched up while trying to get your foot inside. Also, the width seems narrower: I usually get a wide (D) to accommodate orthotics, but had to get extra wide this time (EE), making the shoes feel extra clunky. Sure hope Brooks remedies this for the next version of my previous favorite! I'm going to write to them.

They do not have enough cushioning. I walked one mile in these shoes and my feet were sore and achy for days afterward. I could actually see the pattern on the bottom of my feet from where the rubber had irritated them from not having any cushion between that and the soul.

My first order was for a B width which was too narrow. I reordered in a D width and it is also too narrow. Therefore, I'm returning both pair of ARIEL 14 for credit. Better luck next year. This is a style I've worn for over 5 years; don't understand why they are so narrow now.

I ordered the double wide and still too tight. Also the fit for 8-1/2 was tight as well. My Mom loves these shoes but for me I'm returning and will go to a store to try on shoes.

I have been wearing Brooks Ariel for over 5 years and this shoe is not the same! It is very tight and narrow. Even with laces very loose it is still too tight. What happened to my favorite shoe. I will be returning these.

I have been wearing these since they came out. I have a very wide foot and they fit perfectly. However, this latest one is absolutely horrible and I am beside myself because they quit making the shoe like they used to. It is narrower and most horrible is the way the tongue is sewed in. You cannot pull it all the way back and have to practically unlace the whole shoe to get your foot in. My question is Why? What on earth possessed them to change the style? Now I have to continue on a long search to find another shoe maker that can give me the same thing Ariel used to give. I paid good money for these shoes and they are sitting in my closet because they kill my feet.

These are horrible! Do not waste your money! These fit nothing like the Ariel from a few years ago. They are cheaply made and heavy. My feet are raw from the stitching on the inside of the right shoe. Bottom line is that these are much different than the earlier version.

Zappos is great! However, I'm very unhappy with Brooks. They took a great shoe and ruined its fit. I have had 4 previous versions of Ariel, always in the same size (7W). I am sending these back because the 7W is very tight across the top of the foot. I thought about ordering 7WW, but I'm so angry with Brooks for ruining my long-standing favorite shoe that I'm going to find another brand.

Brooks, what did you do? This once comfortable shoe is no longer the same shoe. I have been wearing Ariels since the model came out and have always worn a 9.5B. So I read the reviews which I generally take with a grain of salt and just decided to order my regular size. When it arrived yesterday I could barely get my foot into it. For years we have been asking for a variety of colors - this "renew" of the shoe is NOT good. I have re-ordered a full size up and I am hoping that it will work. After all these years I hate to think of changing to a different model of shoe. Note to Brooks: If it's not broke, don't fix it. This felt like a totally different shoe.

This is my 3rd pair of Brook Ariels. My second pair were so much smaller in the toe box so I was thinking I would get a wider size. I don't know who is redesigning these sneakers but I was absolutely disgusted with this shoe. A previous review said the Ariel 14 ran small so I ordered my usual size but in a wide and one size up also in a wide. The look of the shoe is fine but I couldn't even get my feet into either of the sizes. Someone had the BRIGHT design idea of sewing the tongue of the shoe to the sides so when you loosen the laces you cannot pull the tongue up and out. It's like trying to squeeze into a pair of tight slip on shoes. Also the laces are way to short. After a fight,I finally got my foot into the larger size. They still felt snug and no cushioning in the sole at all. I couldn't believe that they were calling them the same Ariel brooks. For a pricey shoe/sneaker they should feel like comfortable slippers. I am returning these and will have to find a new brand.

I had worn an Ariel 12 with no issues. I ordered the Ariel 14, thinking it would be a similar shoe. I was wrong. I could not even fit my foot into this shoe. The tongue is now tacked down, so you cannot move the tongue up to get your foot into the shoe. Also it is clearly much narrower now than the 12. I am very disappointed that these shoes keep getting narrower and claim that they are the same size. There are many people, like me, who have a wider foot and it is getting very difficult to find shoes that fit.

I have worn the Brooks Ariel for many years and used to love this shoe because of the wonderful support. Like many of the other reviewers, I was very disappointed with the changes made with the Ariel 14. I ordered my usual size of 8½ medium. (I normally wear a size 8 in a regular shoe.) However, the 8½ was too short and when I compared this new shoe against my previous Ariel I discovered it was ½" too short. So I exchanged it for a size 9 medium. This one is too long but I decided to keep it and just wear a thicker sock. But overall, I am disappointed with the changes to the Ariel and will be looking for another brand.

Brooks has changed the Ariel in the last few months, I bought a blue extra wide in July and it was perfect, I bought and returned three this month because they are all too narrow and shallow. I tried switching colors, I even tried a half size up. Brooks changed these shoes or manufacturers - someone is doing something wrong.

I bought a pair of extra wide Ariel 14's in July from Zappos they are perfect in width and depth. I have tried ordered the same sneaker 3 times this month and they are all shallow and narrower Brooks changed these. I even tried a half size bigger lengthwise - still narrow and shallow.

Runs small. I'm a wide, even getting it in wide it was too narrow. Moving to a size bigger and getting it wide to see difference. Did wear for one day to give it a feel. Plantar fasciitis acted up all night. Didn't get any sleep. Might need more time to break things in with the bigger size. Nice style.