Customer Reviews Brooks Ariel '18

Yes yes yes Brooks!!!! I have been so sad that Brooks has changed so much about their style and comfort in many shoes this year. I have been wearing Ghosts for years, and this year's Ghost 10 has fallen way below the bar. I have tried the Adrenaline, Ghost 10 and the Ariel 16 (plus some). All of which were so disappointing and I felt like the Brooks support that my very painful feet have come to rely on was a thing of the past. Ghost was so flat and unsupportive this year, Adrenaline felt inexpensive and Ariel 16 was just an over-stuffed shoe that I couldn't even squeeze my foot into. When I saw this new model pop up, I had to try it after 5 Brooks returns and a few New Balance returns, too. I have Morton's neuromas, weak ankle structure, a ruptured Achilles tendon and tons of nerve damage after a crushing injury. This shoe...this wonderful shoe is *exactly* what I love about Brooks. Cloud-like comfort with incredible support for ankles and feet. They even added a little reinforcement for the big toe where the fabric had seemed to wear after miles and miles of use. I am beyond thrilled that Brooks came back to what they do best, help people like me that demand comfort and support for special foot needs. Thank you Brooks and Zappos for helping me find incredible comfort...it truly changes my days!!!

The shoe has a very wide toe box that is good for people with foot problems. It has a nice removable insole, I just wish it had a little more cushioning in the heal area.

This is NOT the same structured sneaker as Ariel '14 or Ariel '16. This Ariel '18 unfortunately is very uncomfortable due to the VERY HARD, STIFF shell in the inside of the right sneaker. (Left sneaker is not as bad). I tried both size 8M and 8D and the inside of the right sneaker in the area before the right malleolus is hard and stiff to the point where walking about inside the house on carpet for 2 minutes starts to hurt the inside of the right foot! I DO NOT RECOMMEND. Brooks should not have modified the structure of the Ariel. So upset because this shoe has better (lighter) colors than Ariel '16. Brooks needs to maintain the structure of the Ariel throughout the shoe as the '14 or '16 sneaker but make the colors less dark. Dark colors make the foot look GARGANTUAN, something most women do not want! Attached is a pic where I used a pencil to point at area where the sneaker is hard, stiff and causes excruciating pain to the foot. DO NOT BUY THIS unless you don't need flexibility in middle of your foot where your ARCH is, where you need to flex/extend your foot! I cannot imagine anyone who walks or runs wants that area to be STIFF and PAINFUL.

Very disappointed with the 2018 version of the Ariel style shoe by Brooks. I have been wearing this style shoe for many years with very good results. In the past, I have found them comfortable to wear for hours and they provide great support for over pronating. This current version is awful! After wearing them only a few times, they feel like they are several months old and worn out. I can only wear them for an hour or two and my feet hurt. The material that they are made out of is very different (way too soft and pliable) from past versions and is not supportive or comfortable. They are too puffy and cushy around the heel causing your socks to slip down in your shoes which is very annoying. The puffy soft material also causes you to have to tie the laces much tighter to keep them on your feet. The style looks much wider and boxier than previous versions. Epic fail Brooks! Go back to your previous version.

This shoe is great for support but look at what has happened and it did early in the purchase but I kept it because I need the support. I will not be buying any more of the brooks brand if this major flaw is not addressed and fixed. I use them for walking only, no other sports. My other pair which I bought had the same thing happen!

The Ariel definitely fits well and provides the support I need for over pronation that is contributing to issues in my knees. They are comfortable to walk in. The primary con for me is the appearance. It only comes in a single color combination which I don't find appealing. Since I need to wear these shoes much of the time until my knees are stronger, it's frustrating to not have choices. Functionally they are great. Aesthetically, not as much and I would like for Brooks to offer additional combinations for this model as they do for their other models.

I have flat feet and the arch on my left foot started pronating last year. I began having pain on the top of my feet radiating up to the ankle. I have a little arthritis and tendon problem and the pain can be awful at times with a little burning pain at the ankle now and then. I researched my problem and found a possible answer to help my feet and it was pronation control tennis shoes with "motion control." The gentleman did not mention a brand of shoe so I went straight to Zappos and found what I was looking for! He showed a shoe with a higher heel and sole and also showed it should not bend much at all at the toe box, you want it rigid for this problem, also with a good arch support. It took a few days to get used to them but I am happy. Love the look, get many compliments, and the fit is perfect. Love the room in the toe box even though I do not have wide feet, just flat, and the color "Ebony Black Thistle" is awesome! Like I said, I get Lots of "I love your tennis shoes" compliments. I have less pain on the tops of my feet when I wear them and they make my feet look smaller as well. I have a nine and a half shoe, medium width. A cool looking shoe and they work for me. Thank you Zappos!

I have been wearing Brooks Ariel for years and really don't want to switch because of the arch support and comfort that Ariel provides. But come on Brooks.........can we get a decent color? I am so tired of the grayscale/graphite colors. It seems as though there is one color that is released yearly, sometimes two. The past several years have been dark gray/graphite with a shade of pink or blue. I would love to see a white shoe or even a lighter shade gray. I am at the point of switching if I can find a shoe that provides the same comfort and arch.

As a Brooks customer of a couple of decades, it pains me to write this review, but these shoes are just a flat-out rip-off. I rely on the brand, and Ariels specifically, for their arch support and motion control characteristics. The drastic re-designs they do every couple of years make me hold my breath, but in the end, while the visual appeal of the shoes can be limited, they have always done for my feet what I needed them to do, and been quite durable to boot. Until this model. My feet are exceptionally flat, and I'm heavy, but I'm not a runner, and since I've gotten these, I've not walked extensively. So what I'm about to say is not due to overuse. After less than 2 months of moderate use at most, these shoes have totally given out. The motion control is totally gone, and the material they've chosen for the construction of the shoe has lost its shape. By that, I mean it's gotten wrinkled and warped due to the lack of motion control (flat feet move around in shoes, hence the need for this feature). The arch support, for its part, remains good, plus I wear an orthotic on top of that so no problems there. But everything else is a colossal fail with these shoes. Brooks Ariels were life-changers for me...resulting in easier movement, elimination of the foot and ankle pain that overpronation can result in. They were worth every penny I ever paid. With these, I've lost my faith in the company. And yeah, I feel 100% ripped off. And since I'm angry and my feet and ankles are killing me, I will be petty and say...they're also ugly. Thanks for nothing, Brooks.

I really liked the Brooks Addiction 12 and was so disappointed that the Addiction 13 didn't work out for me. I worked my way through other Brooks shoes and finally found the Ariel 18. They feel comfortable, but at this price point, I would expect better quality. Within a week, the laces began fraying and the liner had a hole in it, despite my being extra careful in them. As someone with rheumatoid arthritis and a laundry list of foot problems, I guess I just have to take what I can get.

Having worn previous generations I had hoped these would work well. My heel kept slipping in the back even with thick socks even though shoe width and size was identical to previous. It will be challenging to find a replacement shoe.

So disappointing! I lived in the Arial 14 which had tons of cushioning and acceptable colors in the WW model. Arlel 16 was okay--good color but too narrow for a WW. While this new model is wider in toe box than the last model, the color provided for WW feet is absolutely hideous. I'm not sure I've ever seen an uglier WW model of running shoe in any brand. Brooks, I don't know what you're thinking, but please stop making such ugly shoes for WW feet. These are going back.

Great fit. Highly recommend this shoe. This style is available at the podiatrist which is why I shopped at Zappos for a 2nd pair. I have fallen arches, tendinitis, and plantar fasciitis. I wear orthotics. Due to a bunion, wear 2EE “extra wide.” This shoe is very stable. Lots of support, toe box is roomy, it accommodates my orthotics, and there is added support depending on how I lace up my shoes. Currently wearing a brace on my right foot for added support of the tendon, and there is adequate room to accommodate my brace and orthotics. This shoe is an excellent choice for the issues listed above, and they are cute! Brooks is stylish and functional, and I highly recommend this shoe.

My podiatrist recommended these shoes to me. They are fabulous! I am an extreme overpronator (flat feet) and I also wear custom orthotics . My orthotics fit inside the shoes perfectly and I get tremendous arch support and heel cushion. I HIGHLY recommend these shoes to anyone with similar problems. I wear them to work where I am on my feet for 7 hrs a day, as well as working out in the gym. I have worn ASICS for at least 20 years and their quality has recently become substandard. These shoes are worth every penny.

Really comfortable right out of the box, but that is because the main material across the top of the foot is stretchy and flimsy, started to wear out and tear right away. Disappointing. Not normal, reliable Brooks quality. Stretchy material could be a plus for those with bunions and other foot/pain/width issues, but just be aware that it is not sturdy material. Foot bed and support are terrific.

I really wanted to like these shoes. I loved the way they looked and my orthotics fit perfectly in them. Unfortunately the heel is just too wide, and my heel would slide to much again the shoe.

Like many women, of an age, I have foot issues. I have had flat feet forever. A few years ago, I developed tendonitis in my left ankle because of the pronation of the foot. A podiatrist created hard plastic orthotics that only fit in a wide shoe. I knew that Brooks had a shoe to help with pronation so I went looking for Brooks and found the Ariel that came in a wide width. I wear my Ariels all of the time when I am home and frequently when I leave the house in jeans. My recent purchase, Ariel '18, is just as comfortable as previous versions. There are some minor changes in the materials and the look, but what is most important for me is my ability to wear these shoes with my orthotics without developing ankle pain (as a bonus it also helps my arthritic knees as my feet and ankles are in better alignment). I also like that the Ariel color change with each version....so I'm now walking around in shoes as on trend as my super athletic daughter. And when they get dirty, I toss them in the washing machine. I'm going on a couple of vacations in the next couple of months and my Ariel '18s are definitely going with me.

Love this Ariel which I purchased over my former favorite Addiction because of the wider toe box. So far my only complaints are that they look really big, and the fat collar around the opening tends to "eat" my socks, especially low profile socks. I hope I can accommodate to that as they are really comfortable.

I have worn Brooks sneakers and I love them, but these ripped after about a week of wear. I thought something was wrong with just that pair, so I returned them and got a new pair, but the same thing happened.

Fit was fine but they are starting to fall apart! Not the first time this has happened with Brooks. Too pricey for poor quality.

Great sneaker from Brooks! I've been wearing Brooks sneakers for many years, specifically the "Adrenaline GTS". I exercise regularly on an elliptical and walking. I needed to switch to a sneaker with more support and so I bought the "Ariel". Superb support, extremely comfortable and attractive! Brooks, you've done it again for me!

This is my 4th or 5th pair of Brooks Ariel sneakers in the last ten years or so. I think the colors are better than before, and more importantly, this model is a great running shoe for the heavier runner who needs good arch support. I find that they serve me best for working out, but not for just walking around in all day as they are somewhat heavy and stiff (which is what my zero-arch feet need during exercise to avoid knee pain and shin splints.) The price, of course, is outrageous, so hopefully they last me a long time, but I guess the cost of the shoe is worth the cost saved for preventing injury.

Have been buying Brooks Addiction 13 for years but now it is only offered in a very unlikable color combination, so I needed a switch. The Brooks Ariel is great. I like it better than Addiction 13. I have wide, flat feet and a bunion. The Ariel is wider in the toe box than the addiction, feels lighter in weight and is just a more comfortable shoe. I’m glad I was ‘forced’ to change.

I wanted to like these shoes. However they were not wide enough for my foot. I wear orthotics and that causes my foot to need a wide width. Also, cushioning was limited in the ball of the foot. I noticed that the men's shoe (beast 18) got better reviews and might be a better fit in the width. So I returned these and am awaiting the men's beast 18. Thank goodness for Zappos as no shoe store in my area has such a variety of sizes and lets you return shoes! Our UPS man probably thinks I am Imelda Marcos!!!!! Hopefully I can keep the men's version of this shoe!

I'm a 76-year-old woman with arthritic feet and toes who uses orthotics. I also have a very narrow heel.I bought these shoes just prior to a trip two months ago, and to my relief they were comfortable. They can lace up as tightly as one needs. I miss the extreme cushioning which used to come with New Balance athletic shoes and continue to seek it. For now, Brooks is my go-to.