Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25 Review

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

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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

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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 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.

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.

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

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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.

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.

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