Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23

Innovation almost always gets good press... until we get tired of it. In the end, the avalanche of technology in new devices makes us rethink whether it was easier before innovation.

The same thing happens in running shoes: innovation means that we have very specific shoes. There are shoes for running, for series, for recovery, for trails, for tracks, for paths, etc. This range of possibilities is fantastic because it allows runners to choose the shoe they need depending on the activity they are going to do.

Strengths and Highlights of the Brooks Glycerin GTS 23

But what if as a runner you don't want to complicate your life? Here you may feel nostalgic for the times when one shoe was good for everything. They weren't overly adapted to one activity, but they were good for all of them. They were versatile. This is the feeling I have had with the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23. They are classic running shoes in the positive sense of the term. I have worn them in the Madrid Marathon and in my attempt to conquer the 101km of Ronda. Yes, I have worn them successfully in 42 km of Madrid asphalt and, with some misfortune, in an ultra like the 101 of Ronda. I say misfortune because I had to retire at kilometer 70, but the shoes have nothing to do with it. In this test I will tell you all about it.

Support and stability

The letters GTS on the Brooks models stand for "Go-to support", i.e. shoes that have elements to provide support in case of runners with pronation. In Brooks these elements are materialized with the Guide Rails technology that allows the footprint to remain stable regardless of the distance. That's why I didn't hesitate for a minute to take them as a travel companion to run the Madrid marathon.

I was going to run at a very relaxed pace, it was the last long run before going to Ronda. I needed good cushioning but with some response and stability. And they performed so well in these aspects that later I will tell you how I decided to wear them to run on the trails of the dreaded 101 of La Legion in Ronda.

The 12mm drop of the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23 is a shoe's feature that I appreciate over the miles, especially when fatigue starts to affect stride fluidity and running technique. This higher drop is especially useful for runners who tend to land heel-first, as it softens this initial impact and facilitates a smoother transition into the toe-off phase.

In both marathon and ultra, fatigue builds up and my muscles began to tire, it is common at those times that my poor running technique is further compromised. This leads to a heavier landing on the heel. In this regard, the 12 mm drop of the Adrenaline GTS 23 helped me reduce the impact on the heel and allowed for a smoother and more efficient stride.

This feature is especially beneficial over longer distances, where muscle fatigue can be a limiting factor. The drop design on these shoes allows for a smoother and more natural transition between each stride.

Cushioning and firmness

The midsole is composed of DNA Loft v2 foam. The Glycerin, another iconic Brooks model, features DNA Loft v3. The v3 is bulkier than the v2 and provides more cushioning; it is softer. The v2 has a slightly firmer feel, resulting in a more ground hugging, less maximalist shoe. I've titled this review 'A classic as I like them' because with this compound it has a classic style, away from the current maximalist trend.

I was attracted to the idea of testing the DNA Loft v2 in a marathon because I had in mind to take these shoes to Ronda. When I run asphalt ultra marathons, I prefer to have soft shoes. In my last 100km race on asphalt, at Millau 2023, I wore the Glycerin GTS (with the DNA loft v3). But when it comes to trails, I prefer to use running shoes, not trail, but with a bit more firmness to maintain stability even on not perfectly smooth terrain.

After the test in the Madrid marathon, specifically in its passage through the Casa de Campo part, where the ground is sometimes clay, sometimes pavement, in short, anything but smooth, I felt very comfortable with the DNA loft V2, cushioned but without sinking into every imperfection of the terrain. So they were my companion on the trails of Andalusia.

Breathability and roominess

Also worth mentioning is the design of the upper, composed of a single seamless piece, which provides excellent breathability. At no time did I experience any sensation of overheating in the foot or chafing. The width in the forefoot area is remarkable, allowing enough room for the toes, while the forefoot feels comfortably supported without exerting uncomfortable pressure.

As I progressed through the miles, both in the marathon and the ultra, as usual, my feet swelled slightly, but at no time did I feel discomfort. The lacing system with flat and elastic laces offers a perfect fit, although it is important to tie a tight double knot; with a single knot, in my experience, they came untied when walking down the street.

Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23 runner type.

These Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23 shoes are versatile, ideal for runners who require support. They are not designed to go for your best time on asphalt, nor for technical trails.

With the arrival of summer and our multiple activities, ranging from walking, running, jogging to hiking in mid-mountain terrain or forests, if I could only carry one pair in my suitcase, it would undoubtedly be these stable shoes from Brooks. The Adrenaline GTS 23 saga is a real winner.

With which models do I compare these Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23?

With everything I've told you about the virtues and points of improvement of these Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23, I'll also tell you which models on the market compete with these running shoes for overpronators: