Customer Reviews Brooks Ariel '18

I only wear Brooks’ Ariel sneakers for several years and I wish Brooks would stop changing the design and fit. The “positive” for this year is the toe box is wider than the previous year. The first “negative” is the area under the ankle bone is not cut as deep which causes the sneaker to rub one of my ankles. The second negative is the heels seem extra wide. I tie my shoe laces in an unusual way to tighten the heels — google how to tie shoelaces to prevent heel slipping, and they still slip a little. All in all, Brooks makes an excellent product and the removable footbed make them effect for custom orthotics.

I wore Ariel years ago and wanted to give them another try as I'm looking for a new hiking/traveling shoe. I think this is a very sturdy shoe, but there is just too much shoe for me.

Unfortunately I had to return the Brooks Adrenaline 18 and now the Ariel 18 shoes because they don't accommodate the Aertrex L2205 shoe insert. Makes the shoe tight at the top. Even tried ordering it in a wider size to accommodate but unfortunately didn't work for me.

Brooks Ariel 18 insole has a nice soft cushion, and I would have liked it, but the heel is too shallow for my foot. The support seemed decent. Orthotics would fit in the shoe if you remove the shoe's insole (which is removable). The sole is a bit stiffer than some athletic shoes, but not with out some give toward the front.

Normally wear a 9.5 in Ghost. Had to order a 10.5 in Ariel. Suggest you order up 1 full size - despite Zappos saying order up 1/2 size. Did that, had to send the 10 back as it was too short. Very loose in heel compared to the other Brooks I have worn. It's going back - I don't need blisters on my heels. A bit too wide in the width (normally they fit perfect, but this is wider than my other Brooks).

These shoes have a hard stiff sole. My feet were uncomfortable. My previous Ariels have been very comfortable as well as supportive.

This is a well-constructed beautiful shoe--with great ankle support/stability. However, I had to force highly padded orthotics into the shoes and by the time I got my fee it, they were pretty tight and uncomfortable. If they had been a extra wide, they might have worked (they were a wide). The weight of the shoe was a problem for me--my legs are thin and the shoe felt clunky/heavy. Kept thinking I was going to trip over my own feet, especially going down stairs. Not for heavy, cumbersome orthotics--but maybe for lighter ones.

This is not the same Ariel shoe of the past 6 years, especially the great structure of the Ariel '12, and less so with the Ariel '14,and Ariel'16. Brooks has taken a great shoe with the Ariel '12 and changed it's structure and stability with each new model since then. The Ariel '12 was originally recommended to me by my podiatrist and I bought 5 pair back then( a huge sale) to be sure I always had a new shoe I could rely on. The Ariel '18 feels completely different. It is hard and stiff, as a previous reviewer has stated, and just doesn't feel as stable. The toebox is not as deep or wide as previous versions. I actually ordered 4 pair in different sizes to try and have returned all but one size and am still testing them in the house to be sure I feel confident they will provide the support I need in a shoe.

It is a very motion control shoe. More than what I needed

The arch support is not as good as the ‘16. Color is a lot nicer. I need good arch support so I am returning them. ??

I wanted to love this shoe--but I don't. I've worn Brooks for years, and the Ariel has been my go-to shoe. But the design of the shoe has changed significantly. In the Ariel 16, I wore a 9.5 EE (extra-wide) which accommodated my flat feet, pronation and bunions. In the Ariel 18, the toe box is so wide that I switched to a 9.5 D, but found that I had to cinch the lacing to keep the shoe from slipping at the ankle. The padding around the ankle is so thick and unyielding that it's hard to get the shoe to feel comfortably snug. And the toe box is so loose that my tendency to pronate is not corrected by the structure of the shoe. I also felt that the arch support in the Ariel 16 was much better than the Ariel 18. I've recommended Brooks for years to people with problem feet, but can no longer do so. I'm very disappointed.

Like others, I have been wearing Brooks Ariel for years. The '18 is considerably wider in the toe area and generally feels softer and less supportive than in the past. Very disappointed. I have narrow feet and they only come in B width. It's been OK in the past but now....way too wide. Also, as others have mentioned these shoes get uglier and uglier each year.

So- these shoes just weren't for me... the real reaon I am writing a review is not for the shoes.. but for how EXCEPTIONAL the staff and the company ZAPPOS is. I called them as I wasn't happy with very expensive running shoes- the return, NOT A PROBLEM. they refunded me as soon as I dropped the returned shoes off at the UPS store with the prepaid return label they provided. NOT TO MENTION- I received the shoes THE VERY NEXT DAY after ordering. I will never buy sneakers from anywhere else. I am a devoted customer despite this pair of sneakers did not work out. Tank you so much ZAPPOS- you are the best company BY FAR. Thanks again.

I had three pairs of former Ariels,and loved them;roomy great support. This pair has a shorter toe box,and the sole is stiff. Hope the next series goes back to its winning ways

Could not find a size that fit, either too narrow or sloppy large.

The issue is support lasted only 3 months and had to buy another pair of sneakers to replace these. Extremely disappointed and will never buy this brand again