Customer Reviews Brooks Beast '18

I am a long time Brooks Ravenna and Adrenaline user and I decided to try the Beast. I like the spacious toe box and the more accommodating instep design. The Beast accommodates both running and walking. The BioMoGo midsole cushioning technology is still able to retain the comfortable feeling when the shoe is first worn. My feet felt exhausted because the cushioning in the Beast 18 was thinner than the previous version and the stability mechanisms is a bit flimsy. The weight of the Beast is heavy. The color schemes are bland and uninteresting. The midsole support and cushioning can be helpful in alleviating the pain of fasciitis.

I am a Brooks loyalist, have been wearing their shoes for over 4 years now. The pair I got is very stylish and very comfortable but it is not very durable. For $170, a shoe should last more than 6 months. The fabric above the toes is particularly vulnerable and starts to separate and thin out to the point that your socks start to become visible. Also the threading on top of the big toe started to come off. Within a six month period I couldn't wear these shoes in public any more Having said that, I would like to give Kudos to Zappos' excellent customer service for sending me a new pair, even though this was not their fault in anyway. I hope someone at Brooks is listening and they can work to improve their product reliability.

Cushioning good but feel they don’t encourage proper running form and found myself relearning to run and slowing my improving (w Mizuno Creation & Inspire, Brooks Ghosts, & NB 1080s (the latter two only for shorter or partial track runs where cushion isn’t needed as high as Mizunos provide). I’d given up on these for 4 years but based on reviews thought it worth last try tho i’ve never felt totally at ease (perhaps I’m mild underpronating runner or at worst - neutral - n maybe if explains why i first tried the excellently styled Brooks Adrenaline GTSs with solid 5 star reviews but in spite of “mild guidance” on stability they hurt my calves and cushioning was just bit light n i’m not light 6 ft & 237 lbs and if can get to 220 then I’ll be able to use regular folks runners like Wave Riders which I love to wear or use lightly at a track or smooth trail. Nothing against Beasts for folks they work for great but I didn’t use forty main purpose of 10k on 4/28 opting for older Mizuno Creations as they encourage my better mid-sole strike running but my beloved VaporMax Nikes w mesh upper blew their typical 5 month flat leaving me high and dry with the most cushioned shoe that was my planned trainer n race runner.. n i finished 10k but worst time ever wont mention but was last or 2nd to last so u get idea I don’t do this for my ego! Back to 990sv3/v4? Nahh i’m gonna give Mizuno Creation 20s w mesh upper a last hurrah as they’ve never failed me as 2-3x week trainer & for solid cushioning (D widths fit okay but EE S Mizuno given i’m calling your shoe best big man trainer and prophecy is also imho best long distance runner but 219? yikes that’s a bit above my tax bracket -179 mesh is even pushing it on Creations but it may help me on no EEs).

I had to return these shoes as they triggered my Morton’s Neuroma. I have since switched to Hokas and am VERY satisfied. I wanted to like them as I’ve worn Brooks for several years. Pain shooting up my leg was crippling.

I ordered this shoe twice once in a 9 4e and again in the 8.5 4e. The 9 was too big and the 8.5 was too small. I wanted to like these shoes and keep them however I had to send them back. The shoes have a solid, non flexible sole which is what my podiatrist wants me to wear but the fit is just not right. My heel slipped out of both and the 8.5 even in the widest width was not wide enough, wearing throughout the house for three days it continually felt like my pinky toe was going to slip out of the shoe! The fabric is good if you have bunions as it is very soft and almost flimsy but it is a little too flimsy for my taste. Didn't seem worth the 160 price tag, really felt kind of cheap. Brooks improved the Beast slightly but it still isn't as good as the Beast 14. I don't understand why they don't reinstate the 14 as it was the best model shoe for anyone with foot problems. Don't get me started on the colors, or lack of, as they are not flattering at all!!!!! Come on Brooks, make a shoe worth the price you are charging!!!!!

From reading the reviews and wearing the Beast 18 for a couple of weeks, it is apparent that this was made for big people (heavy and large). I am a small person that needs support. The Beast is frustrating because it has excellent support but the heel is too wide. The toe box is OK but could be wider. Why doesn't Brooks make a Beast that has a heel that a narrow foot does not slip out of? What ever happened to the old days where one could get a shoe that had a different width for the main body of the shoe and the heel (like a B/AA)? Overall it is a good shoe but the large width of the heel makes it a drag to wear. It keeps wanting to slip off.

After I read a review here that the Brooks Beast 14 fit was back, I was thankful. I ordered a pair. Wrong. I have plantar fasciitis and in 2014 my podiatrist suggested this shoe. I bought one pair, then 6 more pair. Support was excellent, I would alternate 3 pair of shoes for 6 months, then start over with three new pair. I wore nothing else but this shoe. When they went on close out, I bought 20 pairs of Brooks Beast 14. My feet never felt better. Relief. Then along comes the 2016 Brooks Beast. When a company has perfected a shoe (for me), why change it up and add $10 to boot? The 2016 sizing was different, and did not offer the same support. The 2016 shoe felt off when I went up a half size too. So, with six pairs of the 2014 shoe on the shelf, I have been looking at all brands, cannot find the 2014 Brooks Beast fit. So, I see the review, here, on the 2018 Brooks Beast and order a pair. The fit is mushy, it is wider than the 2014. The shoe box in the front is larger, no cramped toes. But, it does not fit like a glove. It is too roomy for me. Maybe, you will like this fit. Not me, I still will continue to look. In the mean time I've ordered some orthotics for whatever shoe I end up with in the future.

I returned my pair and I suspect it was a defective pair. The right foot gave me pain in the arch. I am getting very hard to fit and I appreciate Zappos return policy.

I have owned Brooks Beast shoes before and this vintage seems to run narrower.

Brooks has definitely changed this shoe. It used to be my go-to shoe. good arch support, it fit my orthotic, the sizing stayed constant across the various yearly versions. all that has changed. the sole feels flimsier, does not provide the sold platform i used to rely upon. the fit is different, than past versions. i don't like the look any better either. i'm pretty unhappy w this new release.

The Beast comfort and support is excellent. Problem I had after about 3 weeks of walking about 3 miles a day with these shoes is the outer sole is almost already worn trough the bottom black layer ( about 1/8 thick initially) to the gray sole material. Fortunately, Zappos provides a 30 day return for Running shoes.

Previous Beasts overall fit was better. I always bought 1/2 size more than actual shoe size which fit very well. If I decide to purchase again I would increase one inch.

I ha e worn the Beast for 15-17 years and this is the first time I have had to send them back. This model year is cut narrower and shorter than previous editions. The color and style looks awesome wish they fit.

These shoes are marked as: "Support Type: Overpronation/Stability." However, these do not support overpronation. Also, the EE (2E) width is narrow and no where as wide a true EE size. Went back to the Brooks Addiction 13, which run true to size and support the arch better.

VERY STIFF sole...not good for healthy feet. Also, the right shoe felt extremely large while the left one fit fine. Thought there might be a Zappos mix-up but both are marked correctly.