Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24 - Women's Review

With 5 mm of additional underfoot cushion and support, the 14 mm drop Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24 is as stable as it is reliable, making it a great choice for runners who want long-lasting support.

Side View Cut in Half

Cushioning

Brooks reworked their DNA Loft compound to be even more air-filled than it was before. The DNA Loft v3, as it is now called, adds a dose of levity underfoot, allowing the Adrenaline to be comfortable and firm underfoot.

The secret to the Adrenaline's landing comfort lies in Brooks' thoughtful design approach. With an additional 5 mm of underfoot material, this version of the shoe offers a more substantial crashpad, ensuring a cushioned and supportive experience. The rigidity of these materials stabilizes and guides each step, wrapping your foot in a veil of confidence for every mile. Brooks balanced its structure with a bit more softness, making this shoe more suited for various gait patterns. Previously more geared toward heel strikers, the additional stack offers forefoot support for those needing it. Overall, the landing comfort of the Adrenaline is well-cushioned, providing the shock absorption and joint protection that runners need without becoming pillowy underfoot.

Upper Comfort

Brooks continues to churn out shoes that provide durable, lasting upper comfort, despite their propensity to run a bit heavy. The engineered mesh upper of the Adrenaline delivers the same reliable performance it has for years, offering adequate breathability without compromising integrity. The tongue and toe box maintain a traditional design, incorporating just enough modern technology to feel mainstream. The tongue is well-padded and thoughtfully constructed, enhancing comfort and protecting the top of the foot from lace bed pressure. The firm and generously robust heel cup provides excellent rearfoot security, reducing friction and adding valuable support. Brooks continues to impress with its extensive range of narrow, medium, wide, and extra-wide options, ensuring a comfortable fit for running feet of all shapes and sizes.

This version of the Adrenaline feels slightly lower in volume in the forefoot when compared to previous iterations. It has a slightly longer fit but feels a bit shallower overall. While the outsole is only 0.1 inches narrower, the steeper differential and more supportive medial edge make the toe box feel more snug than before. This minor issue can be solved by opting for a wider width.

Stability

The Adrenaline GTS 24 remains a standout performer in the stability metric, continuing to earn its reputation as a go-to shoe for runners seeking reliable support. From heel to toe, every aspect of this shoe is crafted to deliver a stable and controlled ride. At the heart of the Adrenaline's design is Brooks' signature GuideRails system, a feature engineered to encourage smooth footfalls by minimizing excess movement and reducing torsional wobbles. This updated version introduces a supportive overlay on the medial side of each shoe, enhancing the GuideRails' ability to keep gaits aligned. Running in the Adrenaline instills confidence with every step since its secure feel helps runners maintain control throughout their stride. It is an ideal choice for those who value a well-structured and steady ride, seamlessly blending support with lasting comfort.

Responsiveness

The Adrenaline is not built for speed. It has never been, and this iteration certainly doesn't change that. It's unrealistic to expect a supportive shoe to double as a speed demon. The Adrenaline's GuideRails system, while excellent for providing stability and reducing excess motion, adds a bit of heft to the shoe. The added underfoot supports focus on delivering micro-adjustments for alignment and control rather than enhancing energy return, prioritizing stability over snappiness. As I mentioned, I enjoyed the shock-absorbing nature of the Adrenaline's undercarriage, but it doesn't pop the way a race shoe does. The steep differential helps one footfall roll into the next, but the Adrenaline feels flat in motion, standing in stark contrast to highly-rockered shoes. Runners who want to increase leg turnover during daily miles will find success here, but those seeking a speed training shoe should opt for something lighter and pepper.

Weight

The updated Adrenaline is scarcely lighter than the previous iteration; it is 0.16 ounces lighter, to be specific. The midsole compound feels lighter in motion, but that doesn't change the fact that the supportive Adrenaline GTS is on the heavier side. I expect well-structured shoes to weigh a bit more and will happily tote the weight if it is purposeful. The Adrenaline offers updated cushioning, solid stability supports, and capable traction, making its 8.05-ounce weight worth it.

Traction

The outsole of the Adrenaline is coated in a square and rectangle-shaped lug pattern. Each lug's sharp edges help guide and grip on variable surfaces. While not recommended as a crossover shoe, the Adrenaline is capable enough to wear down dirt roads if that is where your mileage takes you. One of my favorite winter milers, the Adrenaline's traction performs well on wet pavement and dewy grass.

Should You Buy the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24?

If a stability shoe is what your heart and legs desire, I enthusiastically recommend purchasing the Adrenaline 24. Its supportive nature, durable construction, and well-rounded comfort make it an easy choice for runners who want a stability shoe. Though not the peppiest in our lineup, this reliable workhorse is capable of picking up the pace with you — just don't expect it to moonlight as a racing shoe.

What Other Road Running Shoes Should You Consider?

When it comes to stability, the Brooks Adrenaline line stands out as a top choice, beaten only by the Asics Gel Kayano 31. Brooks also offers similarly designed shoes without the GuideRails system, which serve as a middle ground for runners seeking a balance between stability and greater flexibility. The Brooks Ghost 16 stands out as a reliable choice in this realm. It lacks the lateral structure of the Adrenaline but provides a classic, traditional fit for runners who want to keep things secure and simple. If you want something a bit softer and smoother than a Brooks shoe, I recommend checking out the Asics Novablast 5. The Novablast is a smooth, responsive, and moderately supportive option that is suitable for runs of all kinds.