Which Brooks has the most cushioning?

If you run, you’ve heard of Brooks. Their commitment to quality, innovation and pure knowledge of the sport makes them popular among everyone from beginner runners to pro athletes. Whether you’re looking for a casual morning run shoe or a high-performance racer, Brooks has great options.

Brooks Running has been a force in the running shoe game since 1914 and sponsors running greats like Des Linden and Shadrack Biwott. They invest in using recyclable materials “whenever possible” and their HQ in lovely Seattle was named “one of the greenest buildings in the world.” Brooks focuses on innovation and deeply understanding their consumer. Their tagline is, aptly, “run happy” because they know how to make running shoes that help runners do just that.

Brooks offers highly cushioned running shoes for runners that like added comfort on long runs, lighter, faster shoes for speedwork and race day, and everything in between. One of the biggest perks of working for a running company is – you guessed it – we get to test the latest Brooks shoes. So rather than sifting through shoe descriptions, read on to find out why we’ve rated the shoes below the best Brooks running shoes of 2022.

• How We Tested These Shoes

1. Best Everyday Workhorse: Brooks Ghost 14
2. Best Race Day Shoe: Brooks Hyperion Tempo
3. Best Trail Running Shoe: Brooks Cascadia 16
4. Best Stability Shoe: Brooks Adrenaline GTS 22
5. Best Responsive Cushion: Brooks Levitate 5
6. Best Responsive Cushion with Stability: Brooks Levitate GTS 5
7. Best Everyday Speedy Training Shoe: Brooks Revel 5
8. Most Cushioned Ride: Brooks Glycerin 20

• Brooks Running Shoes: FAQs

How We Tested These Shoes

We evaluate running shoes based on specs, test runs, and customer reviews. When choosing the best Brooks shoes of the year, we looked at weight, cushion, durability, support and overall performance. To help you pick the right Brooks shoe for you, we broke them down by category based on performance. Here are our favorite picks:

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Best Brooks Running Shoes of 2022

1. Best Everyday Workhorse: Brooks Ghost 14

Brooks Ghost 14

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The Brooks Ghost line is one of the most popular Brooks models for a reason. The Brooks Ghost 14 is no exception. It’s a no-fuss daily trainer that’s durable, ridiculously comfortable and already wildly popular. 

The Ghost 14 is packed with great features. The 3D Fit Print upper is light, breathable, and form-fitting, which means you won’t have to worry about sweaty feet on hotter days or hotspots. Brooks packed extra DNA LOFT® cushioning into the midsole, ensuring that toe-offs and heel-strikes are smooth, cushioned, and springy.

Our team rated this model highly and thought it was the best option for a daily go-to trainer. We’d suggest it for everyone from running newbies to regular runners. It’s versatile enough to use for shorter tempo runs, daily short-to-mid-distance runs and long runs. 

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2. Best Race Day Shoe: Brooks Hyperion Tempo

Brooks Hyperion Tempo

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We love the feel of the fast, lightweight Brooks Hyperion Tempo. These sleek, elegant, tech-forward racing shoes really do feel fast. 

The Hyperion Tempo is a unique racing shoe because it takes the classic marathon shoe design to the next level. Weighing a feather-light 7.3 oz for the men’s shoe, and 6.7 oz for a women’s pair, you’ll barely feel these shoes on your feet. We especially like the nitrogen-infused DNA FLASH® midsole that helps make transitions feel smooth. The light, breezy stretch-knit upper locks feet in place for a secure ride.

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3. Best Trail Running Shoe: Brooks Cascadia 16

Brooks Cascadia 16

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If you prefer trail running, the Brooks Cascadia 16 is a solid (literally) choice. This compact, lightweight, and effective trail runner is built to help you boost your mileage while running on dusty trails and rocky paths. Our testers loved its smooth in-shoe feel, protective padding, and grippy outsole lugs. 

The Cascadia 16 comes with a suite of essential Brooks features. The new DNA Loft v2 cushioning is 5% softer and 20% lighter than last year. The Protective Mudguard protects runners from loose debris, like rocks and sticks that might ruin your run. And the TrailTack rubber outsole has a superior grip for full-sole-contact stability. 

If you’re looking for the best trail running shoe and you’re a fan of Brooks, we highly suggest the Cascadia 16.

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4. Best Stability Shoe: Brooks Adrenaline GTS 22

Brooks Adrenaline GTS 22

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Stability runners need extra support from their running shoes because they tend to overpronate. This is when your feet turn inward as you run, which can cause pain in your ankles, knees, and back. If you’re looking for a solid stability shoe to ease joint pain when you run the Adrenaline GTS 22 is a popular choice. 

This shoe has everything you could want from a stability running shoe, hence the GTS name, which stands for Go-To Support. It’s got ample support and a DNA Loft cushioned midsole for soft and protected landings. To prevent in-shoe wobble that can worsen ankle pain, the GuideRails Holistic Support System holds your foot securely in place. 

The most impressive part about the Adrenaline line of Brooks shoes is that they’ve been a fan favorite for over 20years. There’s no denying that Brooks is a respected name in the stability shoe game, and the latest edition of the Adrenaline GTS definitely lives up to that reputation. 

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5. Best Responsive Cushion: Brooks Levitate 5

Brooks Levitate 5 Running Shoe

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Running shoes often try to strike a balance between a soft cushiony landing and springy responsiveness. Some runners prefer having a pillow-soft landing when they strike the ground. While others prefer a more responsive shoe for a quicker turnover.

The Brooks Levitate 5 offers the best of both worlds. Runners who like a soft landing, but still want plenty of spring in their step as they toe-off, will appreciate what the Levitate 5 has to offer. The secret is Brooks’ signature DNA AMP® midsole foam that offers noticeable energy return.

In addition to this breakthrough midsole tech, the Levitate 5 has a light and breezy in-shoe experience thanks to the freshly updated Universal Fit upper. Paired with the Comfort Collar, the Levitate 5 forms naturally to your foot, giving you a snug and firm hold without feeling stuffy or restricted.

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6. Best Responsive Cushion with Stability: Brooks Levitate GTS 5

Brooks Levitate GTS 5

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If you’re a stability runner who wants extra cushion to soften strides, you can’t go wrong with Brooks Levitate GTS 5, which was formerly known as the Brooks Bedlam model. These ultra-cushioned shoes bring all the classic stabilizing elements that overpronators need from a running shoe while also packing in extra spring in each step.

The Levitate GTS 5 is fitted with Brooks’ next-level DNA AMP midsole foam. This springy foam helps launch you from toe-off to heel-strike. It smoothly propels you forward and softens each step to prevent excessive soreness. 

The Levitate GTS 5 also gives overpronators critical support through the GuideRails Holistic Support System. Your feet will feel firmly locked into place and supported throughout your run. 

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7. Best Everyday Speedy Training Shoe: Brooks Revel 5

Brooks Revel 5

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Want a shoe that’s quick, snappy, and feels light on your feet? Brooks’ answer to that is the Revel 5. This is a sleek and simple running shoe for fast-paced everyday runs. It’s also a great go-to walking shoe or a comfier casual option than your beat-up pair of canvas sneakers.

The silky-soft and breathable knit upper keep feet cool and the BioMoGo DNA midsole foam feels springy and responsive. The inner bootie has been refreshed for a comfier, more snug fit that won’t crowd your foot. This helps prevent hotspots during high-intensity runs. 

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8. Most Cushioned Ride: Brooks Glycerin 20

Women’s Brooks Glycerin 20

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Some runners prefer a maxed-out cushion system to stop the shock of landing. The Glycerin 20 is that and more. This shoe is the most cushioned option available from Brooks. Our testers loved the super cushioned plush feel. It may not be as snappy and responsive as some of the other options on this list, but when it comes to shock absorption and luxurious landings, you can’t beat it.

This extreme level of comfort is made possible by Brooks’ next-level technology. First, the Glycerin packs DNA LOFT v3 cushion, Brooks’ nitrogen-infused, extremely cushy midsole tech that stops shock in its tracks. They’ve also added an Engineered Mesh Upper for a silky-soft in-shoe feel. 

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Brooks Running Shoes: FAQs

What is the most comfortable Brooks Running shoe?

The shoe that you find most comfortable totally depends on your personal preferences, foot anatomy, and favored style of running. When you’re looking for the right pair of Brooks Running shoes for your workout, there are a number of questions you should ask yourself:

• Do you prefer a smoother, softer ride, like the Brooks Glycerin 20, or a speedier, more responsive shoe like the Brooks Ghost 14?
• Are you a neutral runner, or do you overpronate and find that stability running shoes do a better job of keeping you going while stopping ankle pain?
• Are you looking for the perfect daily trainer, like the Levitate 5, or a shoe you can use on race day to max-out your speed, like the Hyperion Tempo? Or, maybe you’re just in the market for a solid morning jog shoe, like the Revel 5.
• Where do you plan on doing most of your running? A trail shoe like the Cascadia 16 is your best bet if you’re hitting the trails more often than not.

At Road Runner Sports, we know every runner is unique. That’s why we tailor our shoe suggestions to each customer, helping you find what works best for your specific running needs. 

What makes a good running shoe?

A good running shoe should enhance your natural abilities, support you during your run, and protect you from the shock of pounding the pavement for miles. Brooks running shoes excel in these areas. Thanks to innovative tech like DNA AMP and DNA LOFT, they help you spring forward quickly and easily, completing your run with agility from start to finish. 

Brooks’ innovative midsole tech, and the cushioning and GuardRails found in stability shoe options, help runners tackle more miles while protecting them from ankle and knee pain. 

What’s the difference between Brooks Glycerin and Ghost?

The Brooks Glycerin and Ghost are both top-of-the-line running shoes. They’re great for a variety of skill levels and types of runners and can be used as your day-to-day workout shoes. However, they differ in a few key areas:

• The Ghost is a firmer ride than the Glycerin which is geared more toward a highly-cushioned ride. We rate the Ghost a 4 on our cushion scale and give the Glycerin a full 5/5.
• The Glycerin 18 has DNA Loft throughout the ENTIRE shoe which makes it a great choice for long runs, while the firmer – yet still highly cushioned Ghost – is a great versatile daily training shoe.
• The Glycerin is just a little bit heavier due to its added cushion. The Ghost may be a better bet if you’re hoping to shave off weight for a lighter ride.

If you’re still not sure which shoe is right for you, don’t worry. Visit any of our 40+ running stores to experience the Perfect Fit Zone. Our fit experts will analyze your feet, gait and more to find the right shoe for your activity.

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