Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25 Review | Lower Drop, More Cushion, Same Stability

Here’s our review of the updated Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25 – it’s been one of the top selling running stability shoes for years and we’re going to explore why.

As a runner who needs stability from their shoes, I’ve always felt a bit limited in my options when trying to find something different to log some miles in.

Thankfully for myself and fellow runners needing more support, times have been changing and therefore, our shoes are less stiff and chunky. Enter the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25.

While I’m an over-decade long super fan of the Brooks Glycerin GTS, I always steered clear of the stiff feel of the Adrenaline. The Adrenaline GTS 25 made me think of a stiffer and heavier classic stability shoe.

So with that in mind, I took this new pair out for some miles to find out if I was right or might just be proven wrong by their updates!

This shoe is great for runners who need more support without sacrificing comfort or cushion. For runners who have enjoyed past versions of the Adrenaline, we think this is truly an upgrade.

These can be found on a few of our round ups, especially if you’re looking for the best running shoes for knee pain or the best running shoes for ball of foot pain.

Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25 Overview

I was a bit skeptical when I first opened the box, with my first impression being that this was just another boring stability shoe with a slightly elevated look. Though we have to give Brooks credit with the colorways, they are trying to create something that feels less old school, but they are just a traditional shoe.

However, I laced up and went full-send to the track for the first run in these shoes for some 400 meter repeats. Is that what they’re designed for?? Mmm not exactly, but if you need a stability shoe, it needs to work in a lot of instances.

While I wouldn’t recommend every runner grab these shoes for a track workout, for runners who truly need the stability to stay injury-free, they got the job done.

I even ran my fastest 400 meters ever in that workout!

That being said, I wouldn’t say they are a speed workout shoe. They’re definitely designed as a daily trainer, but clearly allow you to still pick up the pace which is a really nice thing when we’re limited in good stability running shoe options. We did find the Saucony Tempus 2 to be a faster stability shoe option.

I also took these shoes out for some easy runs and have started logging Saturday long runs in them. Part of this is the upgraded cushioning from the Adrenaline GTS 24. They’re still using DNA LOFT v3 foam, but have added 3 mm in the forefoot and 1 mm in the heel, elevating this shoe to feel smoother and softer.

That’s right, more cushion is still the name of the game right now and in our stability shoes, it’s a bonus because the structure often make them much firmer.

You got it, the stack height went up and that means more soft cushion underfoot to help with overall comfort. I do prefer a more plush ride for my long runs, so I’d keep this shoe as a short to medium run distance option!

Which is to say again, that the Brooks Glycerin GTS is going to be the option when you need big miles and more softeness, but the Adrenaline is a winner for daily miles AND when you want to pick up the pace.

This is something we often overlook, but that slight firmness is what helps with picking up the pace, so we don’t actually want all of our shoes to be super soft.

The other thing you’ll find is they made a change we applaud going from 12mm to 10mm heel to toe drop. This is still considered high heel to toe drop running shoe, but moving in the right direction for many. This is something to play with as for those with plenty of ankle mobility it can create some knee pain, BUT flip side also can work well for stability shoes.

This shoe is definitely a ‘for runs only’ type of footwear, but I was stoked when I saw hot pink and neon green to add a little fun and flair. They are definitely trying to find that updated look, even if for me it’s still a little meh.

Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25 Fit

The fit for me was the same size I have always worn in Brooks and same size I am finding from testing other brands of stability running shoes, so no need to size up or down.

With the changes from the Adrenaline GTS 24, Brooks made the platform more narrow to reduce the overall volume of foam but overall the shoe still felt a little big and clunky at first try. As someone with feet on the narrow side, I was able to very easily lockdown and noticed no movement through the midfoot while running.

If you’re someone who worries about too small of a toe box, this won’t be an issue with these shoes.

Even with the roomy toe box, the heel padding is similar to the upgrade seen on the Brooks Glycerin GTS 22 that provides added comfort and a less rigid fit. The tongue of these shoes is similar, comfortable yet secure with a more gel-like feel.

As always, we’d like to push for gusseted tongues because they just stay in place so nicely, but no issues here. And of course the breathable upper that you’d expect in any daily trainer now.

In addition to the comfort in the heel and tongue of the shoe, the fit through the midfoot is secure yet comfortable. I often struggle with foot numbness in certain shoes and am happy to report those passed that test with no toes falling asleep!

You’ll notice they also added the heel tab pull to the 25, which is a nice feature for folks who use it to pull on their shoes. I didn’t have any issues with it rubbing the back of my ankle, so approved.

Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25 Feel

While the upgrade in foam made these shoes feel more comfortable and cushioned than past versions, they definitely still maintain the firm feel of a stability shoe.

This is due to their GuideRails, which are the necessary part of helping to prevent your foot from rolling inward with every step. Also a reason, that if you don’t need stability you’ll likely enjoy the Brooks Ghost or simply the Adrenaline 25 NON-GTS model.You’ll also notice some flaring around the heel, which is another piece of the stability puzzle. We actually see this now on a lot of max cushioned running shoes because it helps with the overall stability of the shoe.

By having firm foam around both sides of the heel, it reduces an extra rolling of the heel in either direction, allowing the knee to move in a safe range of motion.

The biggest thing I look for as a runner when it comes to the feel of shoes is that I am not experiencing any unusual aches and pains during or after a run. And the studies back this up, so remember that the right shoe for you is truly the one that feels the best.

I can confidently say that  Adrenaline GTS 25 did quite literally, keep me running happy.

Brooks Adrenaline vs Glycerine

I am happy with the support these shoes give, but I still prefer the Brooks Glycerin GTS as my go-to shoe. Wondering which might be the better option for you?

We’ve done a full breakdown of the Brooks Adrenaline vs Brooks Glycerine, but here’s a quick look:

• Softer and more plush feel: Glycerin GTS
• More versatile shoe: Adrenaline GTS
• Faster shoe: Adrenaline GTS
• Long run shoe: Glycerin GTS
• Firmer and more connected to the ground feel: Adrenaline GTS

What to read next?

• Why you need a running shoe rotation (hint injury reduction)
• What is considered a long run?
• Best Fitness Books