I don’t love most of the Brooks lineup. Their midsole foam is dull underfoot and the shoes tend to be slightly overweight and overpriced based on how they perform in my opinion. It isn’t the most plush shoe on the market, and its high drop may feel uncomfortable for some runners. But the Ghost does a great job of absorbing impact forces, and the footbed feels supportive—ideal for a day-to-day training shoe. Its upper is made with a breathable engineered mesh for good temperature regulation, and the shoe has a great overall fit: The midfoot is relatively wide, so it won’t constrict your feet. The padding around the collar creates a comfortable feel. Testers reported no issues with hot spots or rubbing. Overall, the Ghost 15 is an approachable, capable shoe that works well for a wide range of runners. The Revel weighs in at 8.7 (247g) ounces, which for a budget shoe is really impressive. This is a whopping 1.4oz lighter than the Ghost 14 (10.1oz/287g), a massive difference. The grip was good on dry hard surfaces. There’s a ton of micro siping on the outsole so it should do fine in wet conditions as well but I was not able to test in the rain. Shopping for affordable running shoes often feels like scraping the bottom of the barrel, which makes the affordable Revel 6 feel like a hidden gem. It’s a well-made neutral trainer that just happens to have a very attractive price point. Part of Brooks’ Energize cohort of high energy return shoes, the Revel 6 serves up a bouncy ride that field testers compared to the Hyperion Tempo, one of the brand’s premium speed training shoes.

The Hyperion Max is difficult to categorize, but that’s exactly why it’s one of the best Brooks running shoes: It does many things very well. The “max” in Hyperion Max refers to the hefty wedge of nitrogen-infused DNA Flash foam in the shoe’s midsole, which is very light and creates a plush, highly responsive ride. That makes the Hyperion Max an incredible dynamic shoe: You can lace them up for a long, mellow run or put them on for speedwork.

DNA Flash, like DNA Loft v3, is nitrogen-infused EVA foam, but it’s optimized for low weight and high energy return. It also offers some softness to absorb impacts. It’s Brooks’ lightest cushioning material, giving shoes like the Hyperion Tempo their propulsive, energetic ride. It’s the foam you want under your feet if you’re focused on speed training or racing.

In addition to its foams, Brooks has a key design feature called GuideRails for runners who need stability and support. GuideRails shoes have additional layers of firm, high-density foam on the medial and lateral sides of the midsole, which creates a bumper around your foot to keep it aligned in the shoe and counter overpronation. (When your foot rolls too far inward during your stride). The Revel is based on a BioMoGo DNA biodegradable midsole that is intended to be responsive. And, surprisingly, the entire sole is made of high abrasion-resistant rubber. Brooks has developed four main cushioning foams for its shoes. Each one is optimized for different traits, like soft cushioning or low weight, which play a large role in defining the distinct feeling of Brooks’ “Cushion,” “Speed,” and “Energize” experiences. Like the Ghost, it has a high drop, which may feel a bit clunky to runners used to lower-drop shoes. Even so, the plush heel cushioning softens impacts, and the thinner forefoot has good flexibility for snappy toe-offs. The air mesh upper breathes well and features lots of padding around the collar for comfy fit, and the high-coverage rubber outsole is grippy and tough enough to withstand high-mileage training routines. The Revel offers a near-perfect fit. There’s room up front for one’s toes to comfortably splay, and yet the fit is nicely snug around the heel.

Now don’t get me wrong, they have a Porsche in the garage with their DNA Flash midsole material, but Brooks reserves that sweet product for an extremely limited lineup, which is frustrating.

The Hyperion Elite has a relatively wide footbed compared to other elite racers, such as the Nike Vaporfly, which gives it a more stable ride (especially when cornering) and a more accommodating fit. Overall, the Hyperion Elite 3 is the best choice for longer races and marathons: You get a comfortable ride without compromising on weight or energy return. The Adrenaline GTS 23 offers a moderate amount of support and a soft, well-cushioned midsole, which makes it a great choice for easy runs and long distance efforts. Cushioned with DNA Loft v2 foam in the midsole, the Adrenaline serves up a highly cushioned heel and firm forefoot. DNA is the brand’s most basic EVA foam. Its primary attribute is softness, which it brings to entry-level shoes across all three shoe categories. While DNA doesn’t have the pillowy feel or high energy return of Brooks’ more advanced foams, it’s a tried-and-true option that creates dependable cushioning. If you just need a basic trainer and don’t want to spend a lot of money, DNA will work well for you.

Brooks has been around for over 100 years, but its story as a running company began in 1974, when the brand released its first running shoe, the Villanova. The shoe was a revelation: It was the first to use ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foam padding, which was lighter and softer than other midsole materials used at the time. The Villanova set a new standard for running shoes–EVA is still widely used in running midsoles today. The Ghost has been a favorite in the Brooks lineup for years, and the latest design is one of our favorite shoes of 2023. This versatile cushioned trainer is a go-to for everyone, from beginner runners to experienced marathoners looking for a reliable workhorse shoe. In RW testing, the Ghost 15’s DNA Loft v2 cushion served up a firm feel underfoot, or “an excellent ride with firm yet spongy cushioning,” as one tester described it. At Ravel we pride ourselves on offering an extensive range of high-quality women’s shoes for you to explore. From super-smart designs ideal for 9-5 or chic styles for a night out, our collection has a pair to suit every taste. Each shoe is expertly crafted with the finest materials, including premium leather and soft suede and finished with eye-catching touches that give each style a unique point of difference. Find your size today and dress from the ground up to create head turning looks. EXPLORE OUR RANGE OF WOMEN’S CASUAL SHOES