REASONS TO BUY
Great stability
Smooth heel transition
Durable construction
Multiple widths
REASONS TO AVOID
Heavy
Runs warm
Firm ride
Lacks energy return
Thick heel padding may irritate some runners
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25 Review
A dependable stability trainer with smooth transitions and structured support for runners who need guidance through their stride
Credit: Matthew Richardson
By Matthew Richardson ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ May 14, 2026
RELATED: The Best Running Shoes for Men
Our Verdict
The Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25 does what stability shoes are supposed to do: keep your foot moving in a straight line without making a fuss about it. The Brooks' GuideRails system provides medial and lateral support that works with your stride rather than fighting it. The Brooks' DNA Loft v3 cushioning is firm and protective, and the lower drop creates smoother transitions than previous Adrenaline models. It's not light, and it's not exciting, but for runners who overpronate or just prefer a structured ride, it's one of the most proven options available in the best running shoes for men lineup.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Everyday Running Shoe |  Best for Race Training | Best for New Runners |  Best Runner on a Budget | |
| Price | $155 List Check Price at REI | $150 List Check REI (on sale!) | $150 List Check Backcountry (on sale!) | $145 List Check Price at REI | $130 List Check Backcountry (on sale!) |
Overall Score  |
|||||
| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | A dependable stability trainer with smooth transitions and structured support for runners who need guidance through their stride | One of the best all-around running shoes that can reliably handle whatever you throw at it, but not the best for new runners | Thanks to a premium midsole foam and no-nonsense design, this shoe pairs great cushioning with top-notch pace versatility | A forgiving, well-rounded daily trainer with reliable grip and a ride that makes easy miles feel effortless | A great value shoe that can crush fast or slow runs, but it might be a little too narrow for some |
| Rating Categories | Brooks Adrenaline GT... | Asics Novablast 5 | Adidas Adizero Evo SL | Saucony Ride 19 | Adidas Adizero SL2 |
| Comfort and Fit (45%) | |||||
| Cushioning (30%) | |||||
| Breathability (15%) | |||||
| Traction (10%) | |||||
| Specifications | Brooks Adrenaline GT... | Asics Novablast 5 | Adidas Adizero Evo SL | Saucony Ride 19 | Adidas Adizero SL2 |
| Who is it best for? | Runners needing moderate stability | Everyday runners | Everyday runners | Everyday neutral runners | Everyday runners |
| Best Use | Daily training, walking | Versatile for variable paces | Versatile for variable paces | Daily training, long runs | Versatile for variable paces |
| Measured Weight | 11.25 oz | 9.50 oz | 8.73 oz | 9.54 oz | 9.36 oz |
| Measured Heel-to-Toe Drop | 11 mm | 5 mm | 9 mm | 7 mm | 9 mm |
| Measured Heel Stack Height | 38 mm | 41 mm | 39 mm | 35 mm | 38 mm |
| Available Sizes | 7-15 US, regular, wide & narrow | 6-15 US, regular & wide | 6.5-16 US, regular | 7-16 US, regular & wide | 4-19 US, regular & wide |
| Midsole | DNA LOFT v3 | FF Blast Max | Lightstrike Pro | PWRRUN+ (SCF reformulated) | Lightstrike Pro, Lightstrike |
| Plate Type | None | None | None | None | None |
| Upper | Engineered mesh (66.2% recycled) | Engineered jacquard mesh | Engineered mesh | Engineered mesh | Engineered mesh |
| Outsole | Rubber | AHAR LO | Continental rubber | XT-900 rubber | Rubber |
| Heel Tab Type | Pull tab | Finger loop | None | Pull tab | Pull tab |
| Style | Stability Trainer | Daily Trainer | Daily Trainer | Daily Trainer | Daily Trainer |
Our Analysis and Test Results
The GTS fits as expected, offering a comfortable and structured fit. Credit: Matt Lighthart
The Adrenaline is a stability trainer built for runners who need structured support. Credit: Matthew Richardson
Comfort and Fit
The Adrenaline fits true to size, with a slightly roomy midfoot; the upper is thick and well-padded throughout, providing a secure, cradled feel. The heel collar has a lot of cushioning, almost too much, and we could see runners with sensitive Achilles areas feeling pressure from the padding pushing against the back of the ankle over longer runs. The rigid heel counter adds to the locked-in feel. Some runners will love that structure; others will find it restrictive. The pull tab is a nice touch and makes getting into the shoe easier. It comes in narrow, regular, wide, and extra wide, which gives some of the best sizing coverage in our lineup. The materials feel durable and well-constructed; this shoe feels built to last.
The GTS has a firm and supportive feel rather than a bouncy or responsive bounce back. Credit: Matt Lighthart
The GTS has a thick, padded upper with GuideRails visible on the medial side. Credit: Matthew Richardson
Cushioning
Brooks' DNA Loft v3 is a nitrogen-infused foam that's been in Brooks shoes for a couple of years now. It's firm and supportive rather than soft or bouncy; we landed, the foam absorbed the impact, then we moved on. There's not much energy return, and the ride doesn't have the springy, lively feel that newer foam compounds deliver. What it does have is consistency. It feels the same on mile one as it does on mile six, and it provides reliable protection underfoot without any surprises, which can be really appealing for those who enjoy familiarity and dependability.
The GTS has the Brooks' DNA Loft v3 midsole with a heel bevel for smoother transitions. Credit: Matthew Richardson
The heel bevel helps smooth out the heel-to-toe transition, which is appreciated because without it, the high drop and firm foam could feel clunky. At easy paces and walking, the cushioning does its job well. However, when we pushed the pace, it felt heavy and stiff. The stability features in the midfoot add structure but also make the ride feel a bit choppy through that area, which is typical of shoes with medial support systems.
The Adrenaline runs on the warmer side thanks to extra padding throughout. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Breathability
The upper on the Adrenaline runs warm. It has a thick mesh with extra padding throughout, and it holds heat and moisture more than thinner, more open constructions. On cooler days, it's a non-issue, and the warmth can actually be welcome in winter.
Thick upper materials trade breathability for structure and durability. Credit: Matthew Richardson
But running in warm weather in these shoes gets uncomfortable, and when we got them wet in the rain, they took a while to dry. This is typical for stability shoes in this category. Breathability has never been a priority for the Adrenaline line, and that hasn't changed here.
The Adrenaline offers reliable traction. Credit: Matt Lighthart
The GTS rubber outsole has enough tread for road and light mixed surfaces. Credit: Matthew Richardson
Traction
The rubber outsole has some small tread elements that provide decent grip on pavement, both wet and dry. It isn't anything truly remarkable, but it isn't anything that lets us down either. We took these on a few packed gravel paths, and they handled it without any issues, which gives the shoe a touch more versatility than pure road shoes that struggle the moment we step off pavement. For a shoe that many people will use for walking, errands, and standing at work, in addition to running, the outsole is durable and functional, and we suspect it will hold up well over time.
A structured stability shoe for runners who value support and consistency. Credit: Matthew Richardson
Should You Buy the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25?
If you need stability support and want something proven, yes. The GuideRails system works, the build quality is solid, and it comes in more width options than almost anything else we test. It's not the shoe for speed or hot weather, and the firm ride won't appeal to runners who want a soft, modern feel underfoot. But for its target audience, runners who overpronate, walkers who want support, people who need a structured shoe for long shifts on their feet, it delivers exactly what it promises. It's not exciting, but it's reliable, and sometimes that's what matters most.
What Other Running Shoes Should You Consider?
If you want stability with a softer, more cushioned ride, the Asics Gel-Kayano 32 offers a plusher platform with Asics' FF Blast Plus foam and built-in support. For runners who need mild guidance but want something lighter and less structured, the Saucony Ride 19 has a wide, planted base that many runners find supportive enough without dedicated stability features. And if you want max cushion with gentle stability, the Brooks Ghost Max 3 provides a softer ride with some built-in guidance at a similar price.
—Matthew Richardson
You Might Also Like
