Customer Reviews Brooks Ariel '18

It was too tight in the heel. Started a blister! I have worn these for years and the size didn’t vary! Going to try a half size larger. Praying they fit!!

I am usually a size 9.5-10 but most of my Brooks sneakers are 10.5 although I haven't bought a pair in many years. I have regular width feet but maybe borderline wide in styles that run narrow. All my regular shoes are regular width, I do not own a single pair of wide shoes/boots. I am 5'7' and athletic built, hourglass and normal weight for my age. First, about the style: they are massively ugly sneakers - very clunky, lacking a nice proportion, just a gigantic looking sneaker. Size: I ordered them in 10.5 based on the other reviews, size was fine for my regular size 10 fit. Width: horrible fit, they hurt pretty much in every point but mostly on my moderate bunion on the right foot. The seam goes directly above it and it is miserably designed, hits just on top of the bunion and makes it hurt quite a bit. But overall they are more of a size A narrow, they are not even normal width. Last but not least - the insoles. Those are super uncomfortable too, they were hitting me in all the wrong spots. I do have regular arched feet so maybe that's why, it's possible they are made for flat feet. I returned them right away. I felt it was a very bad combo of ugly design and poor fit. On a totally opposite side of the spectrum, I ordered an Adrenaline GTS 19 running shoe in size 10, also in wide (D) which was less expensive and ended up fitting me perfectly the minute I put them on. I've been wearing them for a few hours and my feet feel better and better, they are fantastic shoes. This is just for reference, I think it's always good to order a few different styles in different sizes to find the perfect fit.

As a longtime fan of Ariel 14 I hoped for the best and selected the Ariel 18 in shark/alloy/turquoise which really looked like a khaki color in person. The toe box was huge, even for my bunion, and felt as if it would accommodate both feet at the same time. Basically, it reminded me of a trail/camp shoe and was returned.

I really wanted these Brooks to work.. But epic failure again. The sides of heel start to squeeze down and colaps the shoe starts to shift over and past the side of the sole. Very disappointed again. Going back to asics.

Too narrow in the toe box. would replace with EE but not available in Zappos

I have been wearing Brooks Addiction for years and love them. I was in need of a new pair, but they did not have my size, so I talked to the people at Brooks and they suggested these. Wrong! THE platform was hard as a rock compared to the Addiction. THYe seem to work for others, but did not give me either the support or cushioning I have loved in the Addiction.

I wish Brooks' fit and sizing would be more consistent from shoe-to-shoe. More and more I find myself ordering a number of size and width variations until I get it right, and even then, it doesn't feel right. This particular Ariel shoe does not have the support I'm looking for and doesn't feel as solid as my last Brooks pair.

I hate this model, but I had to wear them for a while to know that. I kept thinking they would break in. I had the prior model of Ariel as a step up in stability from my beloved Adrenalines, and it was pretty good. These hurt my feet, and yet I still rolled my ankle pretty bad in them. They are also really heavy. Going back to the Adrenaline.

Shoe is nice but was smaller than expected. Will order half a size bigger

While the size seemed right, my heel lifted out as though the shoe was too wide at the heel, but not the rest of the shoe. The shoe is well cushioned and the arch support is excellent. While the sneakers looked good, and had the kind of arch support I was looking for, they were not comfortable enough to keep.

Used to wear Ariels exclusively for my battered feet and had good luck but this new model is too stiff, heavy though there is good pronation and motion control but zero arch support. Must use own orthotics. The colors in this shoe have always been hideous and this new model is no exception. Can no longer recommend.

I have had many Brooks and it is usually my go to show. But this one didn’t work, the arch support hit in the wrong place and it just didn’t have enough structure. The Adrenaline 17 was my favorite, but the next couple models just aren’t the same which is why I tried the Ariel.

I wish Brooks would stop changing features on the Ariel sneaker. I have been wearing Ariels for many years and loved them until this year. The ankle cut out is not deep enough. For the average person this may not be a concern. I had torn ligaments in my ankle so this is a problem for me. I was going to return the sneakers but my cat got sick on them and had to have emergency surgery. My sneakers were the least of my problems at that point. Luckily kitty made a full recovery and I will have to make do with these Ariels until next year! Other than the ankle issue, these are a great choice for those who overpronate and need a good stability sneaker. The inner sole is easily removable for custom orthotics. Brooks still makes a wonderful sneaker.

I have worn Brooks Running Shoes for years as everyday shoes. While the support on the bottom of my foot was great, the stretchy mesh on top did not offer any support. My feet sort of ”fall off” the sides. I understand that this type of fabric is on so many sporty shoes these days but it’s just not suitable to my needs. I wish Brooks would offer a model that had a firmer mesh top to hold ALL of my foot in place.

I have a pair of Ariel'16 and had hoped this pair would give me another option in a more toned down color scheme. The fit of these Ariel'18 sneakers is totally off. They sit lower on the foot/ankle and offer less ankle support. I have an overpronation issue, and these sneakers made my foot look deformed -- something about the off-kilter positioning of the laces, etc. Just very unattractive. They just felt unbalanced and uncomfortable. The upper also looks and feels very cheaply made. The price is completely unwarranted. Bad all around, returning this pair.