Brooks Adrenaline GTS 21
Support and cushioning where it’s needed most.
The Brooks Adrenaline GTS 21 is a support shoe, with the cushioning and rigid sole unit you’d expect. Compared to last year’s GTS 20, it uses more of Brooks’ DNA Loft material in the midsole (a cushioning material made from EVA and rubber, designed to be soft and lightweight, but durable).
DNA Loft now extends along the outside edge of the midsole for smoother transition as your foot rolls, but Brooks has opted to keep the firmer BioMoGo foam on the inside. This is a good compromise that provides a little extra cushioning, while also preventing the sole unit from twisting.
The GuideRails support system is designed to control movement as your foot rolls, and is intended to reduce excess rotation of your heel and shin. It consists of two firm pieces of foam on either side of your heel.
If you’ve used and enjoyed Brooks stability shoes before, we’re confident you’ll get on well with the Adrenaline GT 21 – and if you haven’t (favouring brands with fancier proprietary materials), you may be pleasantly surprised.
As expected, the ride feels smooth and very stable. This is definitely a firm shoe, but not unpleasantly so. The rigid design ensures good transfer of energy as your foot rolls, while preventing unwanted twisting. Although the GuideRails are definitely firm (particularly the lateral one), we were able to forget about them while running and simply enjoy the stable feeling they provide.
If overpronation is causing you serious grief of course, you’ll need professional advice on your biomechanics – there’s a limit to what any shoe can provide.
This shoe has a 12mm heel drop, which is on the higher side, even for a stability shoe (2mm higher than the Asics GT-2000 9), which combined with the extended DNA Loft cushioning, makes it a particularly comfortable choice for heel-strikers. It’s soft, without being bouncy.
They aren’t the most breathable shoes we’ve tried recently (Saucony’s engineered mesh gives more airflow), and our testing took place in early spring so we haven’t been able to try it out in hot weather yet, but we found it comfortable even for long training sessions.
The upper’s padding is well positioned, though; the tongue is nicely cushioned without being excessively thick, and your heel is held securely in place.
The ‘GTS’ stands for ‘Go To Shoe’, and it’s a name this latest iteration of the Adrenaline lives up to. Comfortable and dependable straight out of the box, they’re a great all-round training option if stability is your chief priority.
A well-crafted stability shoe, the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 21 is an excellent everyday training option. Brooks’ GuideRails, together with the sole unit’s broad heel, help prevent unwanted torsion and encourage a smooth roll throughout each step. The high arch won’t suit everyone, but if overpronation is an issue for you, then they’re well worth investigating.
Cat Ellis