There's a pretty good reason why you hear so many runners and experts name-drop Brooks when talking about sneakers — the brand has long been a staple for those searching for comfort and support for everything from marathons to long walks.
Brooks was founded in 1914 and began in a small factory in Philadelphia, making bathing and ballet shoes before shifting into manufacturing sporting cleats. But it wasn't until the latter half of the decade that the brand really began to find its stride, shifting its focus more heavily to running shoes, developing new technologies, and, ultimately, releasing one of its all-time bestsellers, the Adrenaline GTS 1 shoe in 1999. All of which helped establish Brooks as a top brand for runners.
"The Brooks brand itself has a really long history in the running world and a really great reputation amongst runners and podiatrists," says Dr. Priya Parthasarathy, a podiatrist in Silver Spring, Maryland. "They're unique because they combine newer technology and a really lightweight shoe."
Below, we're diving into everything you need to know about the brand and sharing some of the best Brooks sneakers (even on sale options!), according to both experts and editors.
Do podiatrists recommend Brooks?
Given its popularity, it's no surprise that the brand came highly recommended by both of the podiatrists that we spoke to. "Brooks are one of my top recommended gym shoes," Dr. Ashley Lee, a podiatrist in Hinsdale, Illinois (who also wears Brooks herself), tells Shop TODAY. "Year after year, Brooks makes a quality shoe and they do not compromise on the material."
When you're looking for shoes, one easy way to see if a pair might be a good option is to check whether it has the Seal of Acceptance by the American Podiatric Medical Association. "And Brooks actually holds one of the highest numbers of acceptances in their shoes," Parthasarathy says. To get this seal, companies can submit their shoes to be reviewed. And after a comprehensive review, if the committee finds that "the shoes allow for normal foot function and promote foot health," it will receive the seal.
One of the best things about Brooks is that it creates so many different styles, including protonated, neutral and supinated options, Parthasarathy says. "You could find something for everyone," she adds. "Because they do have wide styles, they're cushioned and they have enough of a variety that I'd be pretty confident that my patients would be able to find something that would work for them."
Lee says that the shoes are so versatile, she recommends them to "casual walkers and elite runners." And adds that their shoes feature quality materials along with "a nice balance of stability and cushion."
Many of their new technologies are also based on intensive research. (The brand says that it partners with researchers to study how the body moves before applying the learnings to its gear design and ultimately wear testing products with runners.) "Most recently, they have something called DNA AMP technology, which is featured in some of their brands, like the Levitate, Bedlam and Ricochet versions. Also, they have a lot of cushioning as well. So the cushioning combined with a lightweight shoe and the mechanics for a runner is really good combination."
We asked the experts to share some of their most recommended shoes from the brand. Plus, we polled our team to get some editor favorites as well. See them all below.
Best Brooks sneakers, according to editors
“I’ve worn Brooks throughout college and post-grad when running (after a short stint of trying out another brand, only to return to Brooks!) and this pair is really lightweight, yet provides an ample amount of cushioning needed to not feel any strain in your knees while running,” associate editor Sierra Hoeger shared about the previous version of these shoes, the Launch 10. “Plus, I’m always wary of the running shoes that have platforms of cushion, because I feel like I’m going to sprain my ankle anytime I step. With these, they still have a layer of cushion without the added height, meaning I’m still low to the ground and that fear of injuring myself is gone.”
This classic sneaker was first released in the '80s, and Brooks brought it back with some modern updates — and Hoeger is a huge fan.
"New York makes it so easy to burn through sneakers at an alarmingly quick rate, which is exactly what happened this summer. Two of my sneakers decided it was time to quit, forcing me to search for a new lifestyle sneaker that I could wear virtually anywhere but on a run. After seeing [senior social media editor] Kate wear these, I knew I had to opt in for a pair. They have a vintage look that pairs well with jeans, dresses and maxi skirts and even a golf uniform. I've worn them to the office, on the golf course and while walking around my neighborhood, and they have yet to compromise on comfort. The only thing that is a 'con' is the white color and how easily it dirties sometimes. But they're easy to spot clean. I most recently wore them during a round of golf and my feet remained comfortable and they weren't worn down even after wearing them for an extended period of time."
Lee says that Brooks’ Glycerin sneakers are some of the most popular gym shoes out there — and they’re the ones that she herself runs in. “It is a nice balance of comfort, cushion and stability,” she says. “It’s not too heavy so it makes for a nice ride, whether you are walking or running. They also provide plenty of room in the toe box so my feet don’t feel cramped.”
Writer Jannely Espinal is also a fan. “This pair is still my favorite choice for running long miles. While this shoe has a higher drop (at 10mm) I love how plush it feels when I walk or run. The outsole is sturdy and offers great grip when passing through uneven terrain. I wore these for my Brooklyn Half Marathon and my feet were not swollen at the end of the race. This design is designed for road running and has a wide toebox.”
The Brooks Ghost is “one of the most popular neutral shoes on the market,” Parthasarathy says. Meaning, it’s a great choice for those who have a neutral arch and neither overpronate nor supinate (or do either mildly).
While it’s technically marketed as a running shoe, Lee says that it’s also a good walking shoe, as it’s light and flexible.
Senior social media editor and lifelong athlete Kate McCarthy has tried most major shoe brands, but since she discovered the Brooks Ghost line, she hasn't looked back. And she has worn various iterations of the shoes for multiple marathons, half-marathons and more races.
She shares that the neutral shoes have a decent amount of cushioning to keep her feet comfortable, without feeling like they're overly chunky.
"While these shoes have joined me for thousands of miles on runs and walks, they aren’t only for pacing. They have also made appearances in HIIT and boot camp-style workout classes. Whether I’m toeing the start line of a marathon or strolling through Central Park on a lazy Sunday morning, these are the shoes I always reach for."
As a fan of the Brooks Ghost Max 2, I was excited when the brand sent me the latest version of the shoes to try. As someone who struggles with recurring foot pain from old injuries, Brooks' sneakers typically don't have enough cushioning for me, but its Ghost Max line is one of the few exceptions (and even my physical therapist approves of them for me).
Over the last couple of weeks, I've logged over 30 miles in these shoes and have loved the way that they've felt overall. They have a hefty layer of cushioning that feels soft, but isn't so plush that you totally sink into the shoe. And even though they are a neutral shoe, they have a pretty wide base, so they feel more stable than other pairs. I've mostly worn them for easy training runs, as they're pretty heavy (they weigh about 10 oz.), so they can feel clunky when you're trying to speed up or run long distances.
The previous version of the shoes, the Ghost Max 2, was named the best overall travel sneaker during our Travel Gear Awards. "I finally get the hype of Brooks sneakers. I normally have a hard time with some walking shoes because after long periods of time, my arches start aching. I've worn these all over Manhattan, walking to Central Park, during workouts, etc," associate editor Shannon Garlin shared of the Ghost Max 2s. "They're so comfortable, provide great cushion and shock absorption, and even though they lace up, I found them easy to slip on and off."
Best Brooks sneakers, according to experts
Parthasarathy calls Brooks’ Adrenaline sneakers “a really good choice.” “Because if you’re an overpronator or have flatter feet, they provide a lot of stability when running, combined with cushioning.”
Lee also listed the shoes as a good choice for walkers, saying that they are a stable shoe and offer “the most cushioning and support” of the options in Brooks’ walking family.
If you’re looking for a good “everyday walking shoe,” Parthasarathy says this is it. “It has lots of cushioning.” Shoppers have said that they wear them for everything from walks to trips to the theme park and workdays spent on their feet.
Frequently asked questions
When it comes to cleaning your sneakers, the brand has one main recommendation — don’t stick them in the washing machine or dryer. Instead, Brooks says that you should clean them by hand.
To start, they recommend brushing off the bottom of the shoes to remove dirt and mud. Then, remove the shoelaces and use a damp cloth or a brush to clean the upper section. After rinsing them with warm water, the brand suggests removing the insoles and cleaning and drying them separately. When drying, Brooks says that stuffing your shoes with newspaper can help them maintain their shape and decrease drying time.
How we chose the best Brooks sneakers
We interviewed podiatrists and polled our own editorial staff to get their recommendations for the best Brooks sneakers. Many members of our editorial staff, myself included, are avid walkers and have run marathons or are currently training for a marathon.
As an editorial team, we independently create content and determine coverage based on research, reporting and what we think TODAY.com readers would like to read about. The goal of our content is to provide a service and inform readers who are on the hunt for the latest products to help make their life better. Items are sold by retailer, not TODAY. Pricing and availability are accurate as of publish time. Learn more about Shop TODAY.
Meet our experts
- Dr. Priya Parthasarathy, DPM, is a podiatrist in Silver Spring, Maryland. She is an American Podiatric Medical Association Spokesperson and serves on the board of directors of the American Board of Podiatric Medicine.
- Dr. Ashley Lee, DPM, is a podiatrist in Hinsdale, Illinois. While Lee treats all adult foot and ankle disorders, she has a special interest in pediatric reconstructive surgery as well as adult and pediatric sports medicine.
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