Customer Reviews Brooks Ariel '20
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2027
2,027 total reviewsReview Breakdown:
62%5Rated 5 stars out of 5
19%4Rated 4 stars out of 5
8%3Rated 3 stars out of 5
6%2Rated 2 stars out of 5
6%1Rated 1 star out of 5
Customer Fit Survey:
75%"Felt true to size"
92%"Felt true to width"
69%"Moderate arch support"
Additional Reviews
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Overall4Rated 4 stars out of 5
Comfort5Rated 5 stars out of 5
Style5Rated 5 stars out of 5
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I've worn Brooks Ariel shoes for two years. And these are so much cuter than my first pair. I love the fit, the look, most everything, except... I put my custom orthotics inside, and they squeak. Constantly. Both shoes. And my Ariel 18s didn't do that. Did the inner or outer sole change? Cheaper materials? I guess they'll be able to hear me coming! ?
Anonymous, Zappos Customer,
1 found this review helpful.
Overall4Rated 4 stars out of 5
Comfort4Rated 4 stars out of 5
Style3Rated 3 stars out of 5
Verified PurchaseReview for Zappos VIP Points(What's this?)
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There is a lot to like about these shoes: width and length felt fine, the mesh upper is lighter weight and keeps my feet cooler, the black upper with a bit of blue contrast looked good.
But I felt like I was standing on top of the shoe instead of in it.
Also the stark white sole was too much contrast--I wanted a dark/black shoe.
Anonymous, Zappos Customer,
1 found this review helpful.
Overall3Rated 3 stars out of 5
Reviewed at Brooks Running
Cute shoe but very uncomfortable. I liked the cushion around the top of my foot but the bottom and toe area did not seem flexible enough for my foot when walking. I work in healthcare I bought these to wear on the job but my feet ached so badly after a few days that I could barely walk back to my car at the end of my shift. Had to return them :/ I will stick to the ghosts from now on
HeatherM,
1 found this review helpful.
Overall3Rated 3 stars out of 5
Comfort1Rated 1 star out of 5
Style1Rated 1 star out of 5
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Poor SupportGreat Support
Horrible on my back and did damage in just 4 days, I believe. The high foot drop of 12mm is BAD, too high, and painful for my knees, and back. I wish Brooks would make this shoe exactly how they make it but make in with a 5mm foot drop.
Birdlynn, Zappos Customer,
1 found this review helpful.
Overall3Rated 3 stars out of 5
Comfort3Rated 3 stars out of 5
Style3Rated 3 stars out of 5
Review for Zappos VIP Points(What's this?)
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Poor SupportGreat Support
I usually get Brooks Ghost. They come in wide and I always have to stretch the one shoe a bit wider. These come in xwide so I thought I'd try them. Unfortunately although wider in the front they are also wider in the heel. Too wide for my obviously strange feet. They also seemed to move pressure from the heel (which was great) to the ball of my feet (not so great). I'll stick with my Ghost style for now.
Anonymous, Zappos Customer,
1 found this review helpful.
Overall3Rated 3 stars out of 5
Comfort5Rated 5 stars out of 5
Style3Rated 3 stars out of 5
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Poor SupportGreat Support
Brooks Shoes have been my go-to shoes for several years, but the last 3 pairs I have purchased have worn out and a tiny hole near the big toe will develop. While the shoes are well vented, it proves to be an issue as anyone with a toe that is a bit higher will wear through the toe area quickly. I feel the quality of material may have something to do with it. Didn't have the with this issue with the Ariel 18s. Zappos customer service is second to none though!
Maureen, Zappos Customer,
1 found this review helpful.
Overall3Rated 3 stars out of 5
Reviewed at Brooks Running
This is a great shoe and has all the support my physical therapist and podiatrist recommend. However, after owning the shoe for about a month, the inner ankle had ripped at the top. My physical therapist showed that his Ariel's are ripped in the same spot and he blamed it on his dog, but I don't have a pet in my home. Other than that, A+++
JamesW,
1 found this review helpful.
Overall3Rated 3 stars out of 5
Comfort3Rated 3 stars out of 5
Style5Rated 5 stars out of 5
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Poor SupportGreat Support
I have been purchasing Brooks Aeriel for a few years now, a pair every 6 months, and they have consistently gone down hill. They get holes in the material easily, and don’t feel as supportive anymore. It used to be that when I put the shoes on it righted my standing, it no longer does that.
Amy, Zappos Customer,
1 found this review helpful.
Overall3Rated 3 stars out of 5
Reviewed at Brooks Running
I've been wearing Ariels for about 10 years. They used to be my favorite shoe.
My complaints now are:
1) the footbed support is excellent, but the padding around the heel felt like a squishy mess. The back of the shoe totally caves and bends as I put my foot in. I didn't used to need a shoehorn to hold the heel stable to get my foot in.
2) The colors since from Ariel 18 forward have been very disappointing. I used to love the color schemes on the Ariel. Over the past 3-4 years I've tolerated it. this year I didn't even think it was worth it to upgrade.
Dana,
1 found this review helpful.
Overall3Rated 3 stars out of 5
Reviewed at Brooks Running
The shoe is great except the back of the shoe is too soft .collapses when your putting it on.
Marillynb,
1 found this review helpful.
Overall3Rated 3 stars out of 5
Comfort3Rated 3 stars out of 5
Style4Rated 4 stars out of 5
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Poor SupportGreat Support
These sneakers are advertised as having lots of cushion. They do have some padding but definitely should not be advertised as max cushion. If you are looking for support and a soft base then these would not work. They do have adequate support for athletic walking.
Anonymous, Zappos Customer,
1 found this review helpful.
Overall3Rated 3 stars out of 5
Comfort2Rated 2 stars out of 5
Style4Rated 4 stars out of 5
Runs SmallRuns Large
Poor SupportGreat Support
All brooks run small and narrow for someone with arthritic feet, hammer and mallet toes, bunions. Very little support under balls of feet and toes
Anonymous, Zappos Customer,
1 found this review helpful.
Overall3Rated 3 stars out of 5
Comfort5Rated 5 stars out of 5
Style5Rated 5 stars out of 5
Verified PurchaseReview for Zappos VIP Points(What's this?)
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I am very disappointed with this style of Brooks Ariel withe the green swishswoosh or a checkmark after wearing this style for many years. I own two pairs of the 2020 style with a fuchsia checkmark and I’m extremely happy with them. I buy the Ariel because I pronate and wear custom orthotics. Reason I am not happy with this pair of Ariel’s is the squeak when I walk with my orthotics inserted. I don’t know why. I have ordered another pair of those that I will be luckier with the replacement pair. Has anyone else experienced this problem?
Maureen, Zappos Customer,
1 found this review helpful.
Overall3Rated 3 stars out of 5
Comfort3Rated 3 stars out of 5
Style3Rated 3 stars out of 5
Verified PurchaseReview for Zappos VIP Points(What's this?)
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Poor SupportGreat Support
No comparison to previous Ariels. They don’t provide the same level of stability and support as previous year’s models. Disappointed.
Anonymous, Zappos Customer,
1 found this review helpful.
Overall3Rated 3 stars out of 5
Reviewed at Brooks Running
Awesome stability but absolutely no cushion. I have owned the Ariel for years and have been very happy until the 20 came out and there is absolutely no cushion at all. Going to try the Glycerin GTS.
KarmaS,
1 found this review helpful.
Overall3Rated 3 stars out of 5
Comfort4Rated 4 stars out of 5
Style5Rated 5 stars out of 5
Review for Zappos VIP Points(What's this?)
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Poor SupportGreat Support
I wear a 9 1/2. I ordered a 10 and it is still too small. I had wide enough room in the toe box, but my toe touched the end of the shoe.
Anonymous, Zappos Customer,
1 found this review helpful.
Overall3Rated 3 stars out of 5
Comfort5Rated 5 stars out of 5
Style5Rated 5 stars out of 5
Verified PurchaseReview for Zappos VIP Points(What's this?)
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Poor SupportGreat Support
Brooks runs usually a half size smaller. I wear 9.5 in the Hoka one one brand, but needed a 10 in Brooks for comfort.
I'd also recommend:
Hoka One One
Sue, Zappos Customer,
1 found this review helpful.
Overall3Rated 3 stars out of 5
Comfort2Rated 2 stars out of 5
Style4Rated 4 stars out of 5
Verified PurchaseReview for Zappos VIP Points(What's this?)
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Poor SupportGreat Support
These are too narrow for my bunions. I even ordered 1/2 size up and a Wide. I could insert my custom orthotics, but that didn't help with the width. Returning and will order a mens Adrenaline.-more toe box room.
Anonymous, Zappos Customer,
1 found this review helpful.
Overall3Rated 3 stars out of 5
Comfort2Rated 2 stars out of 5
Style5Rated 5 stars out of 5
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Poor SupportGreat Support
too small
Janice, Zappos Customer,
1 found this review helpful.
Overall3Rated 3 stars out of 5
Reviewed at Brooks Running
As shoes got worn, the memory foam compressed giving less overall support and I ended up with bilateral plantar fasciitis. Went back to Ariel 18's and problem subsided and improved.
LauraB,
1 found this review helpful.
Overall3Rated 3 stars out of 5
Comfort4Rated 4 stars out of 5
Style4Rated 4 stars out of 5
Verified PurchaseReview for Zappos VIP Points(What's this?)
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Poor SupportGreat Support
I always order 1/2 size up for running shoes but these were still too small. Nice shoe just didn’t fit right. A little too narrow for me.
Anonymous, Zappos Customer,
1 found this review helpful.
Overall3Rated 3 stars out of 5
Comfort3Rated 3 stars out of 5
Style5Rated 5 stars out of 5
Verified Purchase
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Poor SupportGreat Support
The shoe was too tight with my orthotic in the shoe.
Anonymous, Zappos Customer,
1 found this review helpful.
Overall3Rated 3 stars out of 5
Comfort2Rated 2 stars out of 5
Style4Rated 4 stars out of 5
Runs SmallRuns Large
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Poor SupportGreat Support
Disappointed that the toe box was not as wide as my old Brooks. They also felt shorter. I did return them but kept a different pair of Brooks.
Anonymous, Zappos Customer,
1 found this review helpful.
Overall3Rated 3 stars out of 5
Reviewed at Brooks Running
This shoe felt really good on my feet. Everything about it was plush, soft yet supportive. But when I tried to run in it, just too much shoe for me. I felt the guide rails a little too much. This is a great shoe for someone who needs a good amount of pronation support, it was just too much for me. I switched to the Transcend & that seems to be my personal sweet spot.
AprilE,
1 found this review helpful.
Overall3Rated 3 stars out of 5
Reviewed at Brooks Running
Toe box is far too wide, as is heel. Shoe kept slipping no matter what. Returned them, Disappointed.
ConstanceB,
1 found this review helpful.