With a large following of fans eagerly awaiting the latest update, the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23 has a lot of runners to please. This everyday running shoe is loved by beginners and seasoned marathon runners alike – it was my very first pair of running shoes way back in 2008, and I’ve run marathons in various models over the years.
How does the 2023 update measure up compared to the best running shoes out there? I took it for a run to find out.
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23 Technical details
Weight: 258g
Drop: 12mm
Price: £135
Special technology: Guide Rails for support.
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23 pros and cons
pros
- Supportive shoe without being too controlling.
- Plenty of room in the toe box.
- Lightweight, breathable upper.
cons
- Not the sexiest looking shoe on the market.
Who and what is this shoe for?
The Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23 is a support shoe designed to help runners who tend to overpronate when they run. They feature Brooks’ GuideRails® technology which is designed to cut down excess movement and support your feet, knees and hips. They’re for everyday running and long runs.
How does the shoe fit?
I found the shoe to be true to size in my UK size 6. There’s a good amount of wriggle room in the toe box and while it fits snug at the ankle, it wasn’t tight in the forefoot. They sit lower around the ankle than other shoes I run in.
Is it comfortable?
I’ve run 13 miles in these shoes across two runs without any issues. They were comfortable and easy to run in. The updated midsole features lighter weight DNA LOFT v2 cushioning. It’s a firm kind of cushioning – not the type of squishy sole you’ll sink into. I’d say they’re softer than the Brooks Hyperion Max, but firmer than the Brooks Glycerin.
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23 running review
Having run in many models of the Adrenaline over the years I felt confident in taking them straight out of the box and out for a 7 mile run. It was Saturday and I was doing my usual parkrun sandwich (2 miles to parkrun, run the parkrun, 2 miles home). During that first mile I did wonder if I’d made the right decision – the shoe felt a little stiff and 7 miles was suddenly feeling like a long way.
I wasn’t planning to run fast at parkrun that week, so I settled in somewhere around the mid pack and started at a comfortable pace. When I first put them on the upper seemed to sit too low under my ankle and I felt like my foot was sitting on the sole rather than in it. As I got further into the run the shoe became more and more comfortable as we both loosened up.
My second run in the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23 was an easy 6 miler a couple of days after a hard interval session. This is where the shoes worked well. While I might typically reach for a super squidgy, cushioned shoe like the Brooks Glycerin or Asics Gel Nimbus 25 for a recovery run, the support from the Adrenalines helped me run well on tired legs. It’s a moderate level of support that doesn’t feel overly controlling. They have a good amount of width in the sole for a stable, secure landing.
The Adrenaline GTS 23 looks like a lot of shoe but feels pretty light on your feet. That last mile of my run was my fastest as my legs recovered and I headed for home – I felt like I could probably push them to a tempo run. While they’re not designed for speed (look out for the Brooks Hyperion GTS later in the year for that) they will let you pick up the pace a bit.
They’re definitely a shoe that benefits from a bit of bedding in.
When can I buy them?
The Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23 are on sale on 1 June 2023 and you can buy them from Brooks.
