Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23 Review
Specifications & Fit
Shoe Specs
| Weight | Men's: 10.1 oz (size 9) | Women's: 9.1 oz (size 8) |
| Stack Height | 12 mm Heel-Toe Offset |
| Terrain | Road |
| Stability | Maximum stability |
| Sizing | Ture to size |
Individual Thoughts
I have put a lot of mileage in a lot of different daily training shoes, but I have to say that the Brooks Adrenaline is the winner for me when it comes to supportive comfort. My body is quick to let me know what will work and what will not, and the Brooks Adrenaline has the seal of approval from my hips and back as they never feel beat up or sore when the Adrenaline is on foot.
The Adrenaline is a shoe that I have grown familiar with over the years, having purchased previous models in the past, and when I went out for my first testing run in version 23, I was quickly reminded why I have purchased this shoe in years past and why I like it so much. From the first test run to the last, I hardly noticed them when I was running, which I always appreciate as this allows me to stay focused on simply enjoying the run. When wearing the Adrenaline I can always expect comfort, protection, and most importantly, support. Furthermore, the GuideRails® support system is not intrusive and I have always found the ride to be very smooth. It is not a fast shoe and definitely favors softness and support over speed, but for daily miles, that is exactly what I am looking for.
The Adrenaline is a great daily trainer for those who want that soft underfoot feel with reliable pronation correction for enjoyable, pain-free runs. The Adrenaline GTS 23 is definitely one of my favorite "go-to-support" daily trainers.
Overall, I enjoyed testing the updated Adrenaline GTS 23, and I will continue to use these shoes when I need a versatile shoe that can adapt to all phases of my day. These shoes provided a consistently soft and comfortable underfoot feel, regardless of whether I was in the office, out on the roads, or in the gym. The fit was excellent, and I really appreciated how breathable the upper was, especially in Atlanta's hot, humid summer weather.
When it came to running, these shoes performed as promised, delivering an abundance of comfort, as well as seamless stability support that helped guide my foot as I progressed through the gait cycle. The ride was always very smooth and provided a lot of protection from the constant pounding of footstrikes. Furthermore, the Adrenaline GTS 23 feels very lightweight on foot, and it almost disappears on foot as you settle into your running.
I would appreciate a more responsive energy return from the midsole, but given all the comfort and support benefits of this shoe, the positives heavily outweigh the negatives. With a smooth ride, the comfort level of your favorite pillow, and the airflow needed to survive Georgia heat, I recommend these for any runner looking for a solid shoe that will perform day in and day out, regardless of how you decide to use it.
Our In-Depth Look
Upper
Marie: "The Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23 gelled with me from the moment I put it on. I have narrower feet and often turn away from shoes if the toe box is too roomy. The Adrenaline has an adaptable upper that offers a great balance of security and space.
The upper was very breathable, and I appreciated having the Adrenaline on foot in the very hot summer weather. My feet never overheated while testing this shoe, which was a surprising highlight of my experience. The padding around the ankle is substantial, and it felt like it was set a little lower on the ankle compared to previous versions of the shoe. The padding was comfortable and did not irritate my ankle or Achilles, but runners with wider ankles and heels may notice it a bit more."
Brycen: "In the hot Georgian heat, it is essential to have a shoe that can breathe, and the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23 passes the test with flying colors, as I experienced no points of irritation, blisters, or hot spots throughout testing. The soft, padded upper comfortably wrapped around my foot and almost felt like a plush pillow of sorts, but the Adrenaline does not lack any security either, and I never felt like I needed to mess with the lacing system to improve the lockdown of the shoe."
Midsole
Marie: " I have run in almost every version of the Adrenaline, give or take a few, and it continues to prove itself to be a fantastic daily trainer and a reliable stability option. I have one foot that slightly pronates more than the other, and I could feel the supportive nudge from Brooks's patented GuideRails support system as I ran.
The DNA loft v2 is impressively soft underfoot and surprisingly lightweight. At first sight, the ADrenaline 23 does not look like the lightest shoe, but on foot, it almost disappears. For me, this is a Goldilocks kind of shoe, and the best way I can describe the ride is that it was "not too firm and not too soft, but just right."
Brycen: "After feeling the shoe out and breaking it in slightly on the first run, the Adrenaline's DNA Loft v2 midsole provided an incredibly soft underfoot experience that performed great in a variety of capacities. An attribute they did lack, however, was energy return, but with a daily trainer like this, a shoe that emphasizes comfort and stability support, the amount of return is good enough, complimenting the very smooth ride. You will not break speed records, but you will be comfortable and joints pain-free the entire ride."
Outsole
Marie: "Brooks executed the outsole really nicely. It provides excellent grip on the roads and appears highly durable, showing no signs of wear, even after doing the majority of my runs on hard pavement. I had no issues running on grass or crushed rock, but I would not recommend the Adrenaline for rougher, more technical terrain. The outsole has excellent traction on the road, and the shoe was not clunky at all underfoot, which is perfect for me."
Brycen: "The Adrenaline's outsole performed well throughout testing and always provided reliable grip. I ran on roads, boardwalks, and even some easy, well-groomed trails, and the outsole always delivered. The durability also was excellent, and I am sure runners will be able to pile up the mileage with these shoes."
Comparable Models
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23 vs. ASICS Gel Kayano 30
Marie: "In my opinion, the Brooks Adrenaline is comparable to the ASICS Gel Kayano. I have run in both of these shoes, and I have to say that the Brooks Adrenaline is the winner of the two. For me, it just fits really well and gives that just right support and comfort that I am looking for and need in a running shoe. The Adrenaline 23 provides reliable support with a lot of comfort. Again, the Kayano is very similar, but the Adrenaline 23 is my go-to."
Brycen: "The Adrenaline falls in the same category as the ASICS Gel Kayano, and both shoes are very similar. That said, the Adrenaline provides better traction, and I felt like the GuideRail stability system was more supportive and stable. The Gel Kayano, on the other hand, feels lighter on foot and delivers a more lively ride, but in terms of overall comfort, both shoes are pretty even. What works better for you and your stride will come down to preference."
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23 vs. HOKA Gaviota 5
Brycen: "Another comparable model to the Adrenaline is the HOKA Gaviota 5. Again, the Adrenaline excels in terms of overpronation support, and I also found that the Adrenaline's upper was more breathable than the Gaviota's. That said, in terms of overall comfort and performance, the Gaviota 5 has an ultra-smooth ride, and the shoe fits my foot almost perfectly, so the Gaviota 5 gets a slight advantage from me, but if you need more stability, the Adrenaline is my recommendation."
