Over the years, Brooks running shoes have become synonymous with support, reliability, and comfort. Founded back in the 1940s, Brooks has risen to become a powerhouse in the running shoe world, with countless runners turning towards its dependable shoes for everyday training, workouts, and racing.
And few of Brooks’s shoes are more popular and renowned than the Adrenaline GTS. Now on its 25th iteration, this supportive daily trainer is one of the best in the brand’s lineup.
With the release of the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25, the shoe underwent significant changes while still maintaining many of the features that drew so many people to this model in the first place. If you’re wondering what some of these key updates are, or if this newest Adrenaline model is the right shoe for you, you’ve come to the right place.
Our Marathon Sports review team put this newest update to the test to see how it compares to previous versions and if the 25th edition of the shoe holds up to its beloved reputation. In this review, we’ll cover some of the biggest changes in this new iteration, along with some of the key features that give this daily trainer its signature comfortable, stable feel.
Keep reading for an in-depth look at the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25, all the essential elements that might make this shoe work for you, and how the shoe stood up to our comprehensive road testing.
Our Review Process
At Marathon Sports, our footwear experts and review teams are all about helping you find the best running shoe to meet your needs and help you reach your goals. That’s why we put every new running shoe through rigorous testing to learn the ins and outs of every new model.
For this review, we took the Adrenaline GTS 25 through several trial runs to give us the best understanding of who might benefit from the shoe’s features. Along with diving into all these features, we’ll provide a road test summary and cover some similar running shoe models so you can have the insight and tools you need to choose the best running shoe for you.
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25: A Quick Overview
Looking for some fast facts on this tried-and-true running shoe? Here’s a rundown of all the specs, tech, and highlights
- Designed as a stability daily trainer
- Stack height: 37 mm in the heel, 27 mm in the forefoot
- 10 mm drop
- Weight: 10.6 oz (M), 9.5 oz (W)
- Midsole made of balanced nitrogen-infused DNA Loft v3 foam
- GuideRails technology provides support and structure to reduce excess overpronation
- Upper is made with a soft and breathable mesh and is constructed with 66.2% recycled materials
- Rubber outsole adds traction and grip on slippery terrain while improving durability
- Price: $155
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25: Top Features
Now that you have an overview of the shoe, let’s take a deeper dive into some of the features that make this one of the most popular stability daily trainers around.
DNA Loft v3 Midsole
One of the biggest updates from the Adrenaline GTS 24 to the Adrenaline GTS 25 is found in the amount of midsole foam. The newest iteration features more cushioning than ever before, with 37 mm of foam in the heel and 27 mm in the forefoot.
While Brooks may have added some foam underfoot, the brand does continue to use its reliable DNA Loft v3 foam to make up the midsole.
DNA Loft is Brooks’ proprietary foam, combining underfoot comfort with dependability and durability. The nitrogen-infused foam feels light and airy, all while offering a firm and stable underfoot ride. While DNA Loft isn’t the softest, plushest foam on the market, it’s perfect for any runner who prioritizes stability and groundfeel and prefers a firmer daily trainer.
Re-engineered Mesh Upper and Fit
The increase in cushioning isn’t the only major upgrade you can expect with the Adrenaline GTS 25. Brooks also redesigned the shoe’s upper, offering a more streamlined, cushioned design made from a soft and breathable mesh material.
The mesh is stretchy and breathable while still maintaining structure and support around the foot, offering a secure, comfortable lockdown. The Adrenaline GTS 25 also added some extra cushioning along the tongue and heel collar, along with a stretchy heel tab for more convenience.
And while the shoe fits true-to-size and the upper is soft enough to comfortably accommodate different foot shapes and widths, runners with a wide foot may find the tapered toe-box too narrow. Fortunately, the shoe is available in a wide width to meet more runners’ needs.
GuideRails Technology
Runners who overpronate, meaning their arches roll in excessively throughout their running gait, often need a running shoe that supports the arch and prevents it from collapsing. Luckily, with innovative GuideRails technology, the Adrenaline GTS 25 is a fantastic option for runners who need this extra support.
In Brooks running shoes, GTS stands for “Go-To-Support”, meaning the shoe incorporates technology that reduces overpronation. In this case, this technology takes the form of GuideRails along the medial and lateral edge of the shoe that add reinforcement without obstructing your body’s natural gait and movement.
You can think of GuideRails like bumpers on a bowling alley – they’re there for reinforcement if necessary, but won’t overcorrect or feel too intrusive. Our reviewers really appreciate this extra touch of support without the stiff or overly obtrusive feel that often comes with more traditional forms of stability in running shoes.
Shoe Construction and Geometry
Brooks tends to be on the higher end of running shoes when it comes to heel-to-toe offset, and the Adrenaline GTS 25 is no exception. The newest iteration of the Adrenaline GTS features a 10 mm drop. While this is 2 mm less than its predecessor, it remains one of the highest drop running shoes on the market.
If you prefer your feet in a more natural position while running, this high drop shoe may not be for you. But runners and walkers who tend to heel strike and want more impact absorption will likely appreciate the extra cushioning under the heel.
Value and Durability
The bad news? The Adrenaline GTS 25 did increase slightly in price from the previous iteration, ringing up at $155. But is the durability worth the extra cost?
Our reviewers found that despite the cost increase, the newest Adrenaline did offer exceptional value and versatility as a daily trainer. The thick RoadTack rubber outsole withstands wear from daily mileage and increases the shoe’s lifespan, so you can enjoy longer-lasting use for mile after mile.
This grippy rubber also makes the shoe more versatile, helping you easily tackle wet roads, dirt paths, or even light trails. If you’re looking for a do-it-all daily stability trainer, the Adrenaline GTS 25 is one of the most durable and adaptable options around.
Road Test Results
After 24 previous well-loved versions of the Brooks Adrenaline, our review team couldn’t wait to lace up the shoes and take them out for a spin on nearby roads, trails, and the treadmill.
Our first impression of the shoe was that it felt remarkably similar and consistent to previous versions of the Adrenaline. Underfoot, the cushioning and GuideRails felt immediately stable and supportive, and the shoe continued to offer this supportive feel throughout a variety of runs.
The unique support system felt like it stabilized our feet without being too stiff or obtrusive. The extra cushioning also gave the shoe a slightly more plush ride than its predecessors, which many of our reviewers appreciated on longer training runs.
Overall, long runs and daily training mileage is where the Adrenaline GTS 25 truly excels. When you just want to log some miles and not think about form, the nitrogen-infused cushioning, padded upper, and subtle GuideRails support make this a fantastic option, especially for runners who tend to overpronate.
Another aspect of this new Brooks shoe we really appreciated was the thick and grippy rubber outsole. When we tackled runs in the snow or on lighter trails, this sticky outsole kept us feeling safe and secure with every step. If you prioritize versatility in any weather conditions or terrain, you won’t have to look much further than the Adrenaline.
However, despite the shoe’s popularity and everything we found to love about the newest Adrenaline iteration, there are also a few areas where the shoe didn’t shine quite as much.
First, despite the lighter-weight upper, the shoe is actually slightly heavier than the previous version, weighing in at 9.5 oz for women’s shoes and 10.6 oz for men’s. While you can typically expect stability shoes to be slightly heavier than neutral counterparts, our reviewers found that the extra weight and cushioning resulted in a heavy, bulky feel that was particularly noticeable on uptempo runs or speed workouts.
The DNA Loft foam could be another point of contention with some runners. The shoe offers plenty of cushioning underfoot, but some of our reviewers found that the DNA Loft v3 foam had a stiff, firm underfoot feel compared to some other daily trainers on the market. Runners who prefer a soft, plush feel in their daily trainers may find the Adrenaline GTS 25 too firm for their liking.
Despite this room for improvement, our reviewers found that the Adrenaline GTS 25 proved why this reliable shoe has been a top choice for runners for over 25 years. We think this shoe thrives when it comes to supporting beginner athletes who overpronate or anyone who needs or wants a touch of support in a dependable and traditional daily trainer. Long-term Adrenaline wearers will be thrilled to know that Brooks maintains the no-frills approach that made this shoe such a fan-favorite in the first place.
Pros and Cons
Throughout our extensive testing, we uncovered some of the best features of the Adrenaline GTS 25, along with some aspects we thought needed some work. Here’s a rundown of these pros and cons:
Pros:
- DNA Loft v3 maintains a reliable and traditional feel that beginner runners or long-term Brooks fans will appreciate
- GuideRails technology offers effective support without feeling too stiff or obtrusive
- Redesigned upper has been optimized to offer more stretch, structure, and all-around comfort during runs
- Thick rubber outsole adds traction and durability
Cons:
- Balanced foam may feel too stiff for some runners
- Heavier than previous versions of the shoe
- Lower drop than past versions, but mid and forefoot strikers may still find the high 10 mm drop unnatural
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25 vs Competing Supportive Daily Trainers
Wondering how the Adrenaline stacks up next to similar shoes? We’ve got your back. Here’s how this newest iteration compares to other shoes in the saturated daily training shoe landscape.
The Adrenaline GTS 25 isn’t the only shoe on the market that uses innovative GuideRail technology for support – you can find similar support technology in the Altra Experience Form. Like the Adrenaline, the Experience Form has subtle support to guide you forward and a balanced underfoot feel.
However, Altra is known for its lower drop designs and roomy fit, as evidenced by the Experience Form’s 4 mm drop and foot-shaped toe-box. If you prefer a low drop or need a wider forefoot fit without sacrificing supportive GuideRails, this Altra shoe could be a good Adrenaline alternative.
The Adrenaline GTS 25 is a great daily training option, but some runners may find the balanced cushioning to lack softness and plushness for maximum comfort on long runs. Luckily, loyal Brooks fans have even more supportive options from the brand. Runners who need support but want a plush, more cushioned ride should check out the more padded Brooks Glycerin GTS 22.
Final Thoughts: Is the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25 the Right Shoe for You?
The Brooks Adrenaline has been one of the most popular and beloved support shoes around since its first iteration in 1999, and after testing out the 25th iteration for ourselves, it’s easy to see how the shoe earned this reputation.
The unique GuideRail technology is where the shoe really stands out, offering discreet and non-obtrusive medial and lateral support for runners who need a touch of stability. Paired with the balanced cushioning, comfortable upper, and versatile construction, this shoe has so much for both beginner runners and experienced athletes to enjoy.
While the Adrenaline is one of the most popular support shoes on the market, not every shoe works for every runner. The best way to decide if the Adrenaline is the right fit for your needs is to stop by your nearest Marathon Sports and use our personalized Right Fit process to narrow down your options.
Whether you end up in a shoe from Brooks or any of the other high-quality brands we carry, our team is dedicated to helping you find the perfect running shoe to guide you towards all your goals.
