Customer Reviews Brooks Ariel '16

These shoes offer the ultimate in support for the overpronators. However, they were a bit too supportive for me. There was virtually no flexibility for any motion of the feet. There was a lot of cushioning so they were comfortable, just not for me.

I've been wearing Ariels for years. I have terrible feet, and I live in my Ariels. This model goes back to the 2012 in terms of fit comfort, which is a great improvement over the 2014. It does run slightly short, but has great support and a comfortably-sized toe box. I agree that the colors are awful. Bring back the silver models!

I ordered these a size 7.5 wide, which was to be in stock and didn't check them when they came. They sent me a size 8, medium width, so I sent off for them again and kept the first pair for comparison, and they sent size 8, medium again, so I am returning them both. I did not like the color much either. The last time I ordered shoes from Zappos I got one show size 8 and one shoe size 7 1/2, but I had worn them outside before I noticed, so I kept them. What's going on with sizing? Also, it is a hassle to return shoes. There is nothing in the box for me to fill out to get them sent back or nothing on the emails I received about returning. I know I could call customer service, but that takes time and it is an inconvenience. I'll show locally from now on. Our stores need the business.

This shoe runs short, I had to order a full size longer that usual. The width was ok. This is my third pair of Ariels and my least favorite. The Ariel 14 felt great. The 16 feels totally different. I am keeping the larger size to use for hiking because of the color. For everyday use, I ordered the Ariel 18 in my regular size and it fits great, just like the 14's did. I don't know why the design was changed in the 16, but it was for not the best.

These shoes are pretty cool-looking, but I don't like the shiny, plasticky look of the detail on the back end of the shoe. I also think they need more protection over the mesh on the outside, forefoot area. They are pretty nice and deep in the toe box, but even in the widest size, they don't seem to have enough room for my wide feet. They made my feet look smaller than other wide shoes, which I really like. The insoles are wonderfully soft and padded, and underneath the nicely padded insole there is a built-in rubber padding along the entire inside bottom of the shoe, which gives more padding in the ball of foot area (great for Morton's Neuroma). They seem to be pretty well built overall. However, because I'm not 100% sold on these shoes, I will be returning them.

I have had a major problem with this pair of Ariel 16 Brooks. I have had 9 pairs of this type and this one has not felt like a comfortable shoe from the get go and it is an understatement. I have another just like it and they're different. I removed the shoe after an afternoon and my food and knees relaxed. I put an earlier version of the shoe on and felt relief. I think the sale price of this shoe was too good and I feel very dissatisfied with this brand for the 1st time ever. I would like a refund - sending them back.

I had high hopes for these, as they initially felt comfortable. The length and width were fine -- I ordered my usual 8.5 in a WW. However, after wearing them on the treadmill for three workouts, I found that they hurt the tops of my feet and made one of my ankles sore. The narrow tongue was particularly problematic -- with my orthotics in, the tongue did not completely cover the top of my foot.

I've worn Brooks Ariels for at least 12 years now. I have a very wide foot, flat feet and narrow heels. *** IF YOU HAVE NARROW HEELS IF YOU USE THE UPPER HOLE FOR LACING AND CINCH IT SNUGLY, THE HEEL WILL NOT SLIP. *** This is also a super useful trick if you use the Ariels for hiking (I do) and do lots of downhills...keeps your foot in place and prevents blisters. I love Ariels but the Ariel 16 has two problems. First of all, they are definitely smaller than they've been in the past. I've *always* worn an 8.5 EE. In the 16 the great toe of my right foot hits the end of the shoe and hurts when I wear them. Unfortunately, it took me 3 weeks to figure this out (kept thinking the pain was due to the toenail needing trimming/shaping). So BOO to Brooks for changing the sizing. Why would they do this?? Second problem is, unlike the Ariel 14, there is no toe guard over the great toe. Which means the shoe will eventually develop a hole there. Yes, I'm certain of this as some of the earlier Ariels without a toe guard developed this problem. For a shoe that $160 this is inexcusable. These are not stylish shoes, but if you need support and comfort, they are great. By the way, the gray/blue combo is actually nice. The dark gray doesn't show doggie paw prints! I've always given 5 stars to Ariel in the past, but because of the sizing and lack of toe guard I can no longer do so.

Have been wearing Ariels for years. These shoes are narrower and shorter and overall not as generous. Even the shoes strings are much, much shorter. They do not justify the price.

Does not have the arch/over pronation support of the Ariel 14. I usually wear an 8 WW and my previous Ariels are a 9WW. Since they were a little short, i bought these in a 9.5WW. Fit is fine (I like the extra at the end of the toe box), and cushioning is fine. However, these just don’t seem to have the control/support for over pronation that the earlier model has (and that I also have in a pair of New Balance). I’m keeping them but I’m going to have to either get better support in an OTC insert or consider custom orthotics. Disappointing, though, as the reason I pay this much for shoes is because less expensive ones really don’t do the trick.

I have been wearing this shoe for 20 years and this model is much too short, and overall just feels tight. Going to have to find another shoe :-(

This was too small and too narrow. My feet pronate and are flat so when I walk I need the width of a Wide.

Felt loose/wide in the heel. Thick/cushy shoe.

I have loved wearing the Ariel for years but now it rubs on the top of my foot near my ankle. Tightening the laces did not help. I am very sad I loved this shoe. I do not like the changes you have made to this shoe.

Brooks really messed with a good thing on the Ariel. I used to adore this shoe--so comfortable, so much support, nice color combinations. Then the Ariel 14 had the tongue sewn into the shoe, which made it difficult to get on. I ended up cutting the tongue loose after a few months of frustration. I saw the 16 featured a non-sewn tongue and was excited, but the color combo is dark and unattractive. Other reviews said this year's model runs short, so I ordered a half size up and the shoe was slightly too big. An overall disappointment, but I've worn them outside a few times and can't return them. Wish they would go back to the older models.

These are so incredibly ugly that only sheer desperation will make me wear them. I have been wearing this shoe since I found them in 1999, but really, this new version of it is just hideous to look at. If I find a size that fits I will keep them -- at least it will keep me from looking down while I exercise.

The new sizing made it difficult to order online so I ended up buying locally. I don't understand why Brooks only offers one color a year. Are they unable to figure out more than one color scheme? Are they aware that a variety of colors means more sales? I have orthotics that my Dr. made specifically for these shoes and cannot wear any other shoes. So, it's frustrating to have one color available. I have bought extra pairs in the past because I never know what the new color will be but having 4 pair of the same color is not my preference.

Ahh this over corrected my foot that isn't all messed up, toe box is nice and roomy for my 2E feet. Great cushion. Wish I didn't have to return them

I really wanted to like these shoes. Like the colors for once and they looked good on. I just could not get the right fit...very narrow toe box and very loose in the heel. Length was ok, but somewhat snug. Going up a size or wider width wouldn’t work. I’ve heard all good things about Brooks, but I really wasn’t impressed with the quality of the shoe. I really wish someone would make a nice shoe and nice color for overpronation, stability, bunions! Thanks Zappos for letting me keep trying to find the right shoes,,

I was looking for a gym workout shoe. Normally take a 8 wide but, lately, I've been wearing 8.5 wide to give me that little extra room at the toes. So I ordered 8.5 wide in this style. Put them on and walked around the house for a day. (Didn't want them outside due to the return policy) Still felt tight at the widest part of my foot. I even loosened up the laces but no luck. Granted....they may have loosened up after wearing them for a while but if I wanted to return them they would have had to be in new (pristine) condition. I like the color combo and wish they would have worked. I'll keep looking. I do like the easy returns. Packed them up in original packaging and off to the UPS store. Easy and convenient.

My feet are very hard to fit. I have Taylor's bunions, and severely overpronate. Per the reviews I read, I ordered a half size up. I got the 9.5 EE. The support of the show is fantastic, but it was slightly too long, and even the EE was waaaaay too narrow. If you overpronate, but don't have wide feet, I'd recommend this shoe. Otherwise, I'd look elsewhere. I'm super bummed these don't come in a wider width, because I like the colors.

I have many versions of this shoe and 2016 model just doesn't fit like the others.

Runs small

RUNS ONE SIZE SMALL if the size was true they deserve a 5 star rating. I notice Nike and Puma also run small. These shoes were excellent for flat feet extra padding and comfortable. I did not need my orthodics inserts I have flat feet plantar issues. I wore these size 11 my size to work and my feet felt great all day until i go home and saw they rubbed on my arches, because they run 1 size small. Hoka Gaviota is my other shoe but was sold out my size, so i tried this Brooks. The Hoka Gaviota size 11 was 13 inches long. This Brooks Ariel size 11 was only 12 inches long. These would have been awesome shoes if the sizes were true. I am going to try to order 12 but afraid they may be too big. I cant return them because i wore them to work, so money down the drain.

I have happily worn Brooks Ariel for many years but something has gone wrong with Ariel 16. I wear a 10 medium--for my duck shaped foot. These are way too narrow in the toe box. I have worn them for 10 days hoping they would stretch a bit, but are barely tolerable, and now have to buy other walking shoes.