Table of Contents
About Brooks
When you’re a runner, having the best shoes is a key priority in zero knee or back pain. No one has time for that, especially if you’re going to be running on pavement or along the beach. Of course, with the millions of choices of running shoe brands out there, who comes out on top? Brooks.
Dedicated to quality footwear, this company has gained a ton of recognition over the years, being featured in publications such as Sports Illustrated and Runner’s World, even winning awards for Best Women’s Running Shoe and Best Winter Running Shoe. And they have 668K followers on Instagram, so you know they’re popular.
With all these accolades, it’s hard to believe they’re all great shoes. This Brooks running shoes review will go through some company policies, customer feedback, and other important FAQs to help you decide whether this is one brand you’ll want to invest in.
Overview of Brooks
Founded in 1914 by John Brooks Goldenburg, the brand once specialized in ballet slippers and bathing shoes. Over time, they graduated to making baseball cleats (where Mickey Mantle even wore their shoes!) and roller skates, before diving deep into running shoes in the early 70s.
Once Brooks shifted their focus to running, the popularity for their men’s and women’s footwear designs skyrocketed, as well as their accompanying accessories, such as shorts, sports bras, and socks. With headquarters currently located in Washington State, Brooks is still pumping out fairly-priced running supplies.
Maintaining a sustainability promise, Brooks makes their apparel with environmentally friendly practices, and champions a diverse running community. While there’s plenty of good things to showcase about the brand in this Brooks running shoes review, we’ll start off with a compiled list of highlights:
Highlights
- Wide selection of running shoes + accessories
- Environmentally friendly practices
- Lots of locations
- Close-knit running community
- Free shipping on orders over $100
- 90-day returns
With all that said, it’s hard not to note that Brooks is a brand that leads in their market. Standing up to competition isn’t too hard when your brand features such fantastic highlights for their consumers.
But are their shoes up to snuff? This Brooks running shoes review will take a closer look at some of their best-selling items up next.
Brooks Women’s Review
Since the 80s, Brooks has been creating amazing running shoes for women, and we’re grateful they did! Not only have they won awards for their shoes, they have a wide variety of styles. Let’s take a look at some best-selling Brooks womens’ favs.
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 21 Review
If you run everyday, you know the importance of having a cushion-y landing when you hit the pavement. The Brooks Adrenaline GTS 21 is designed for comfort and support for the ladies out there that like to run on the road.
The simple cushioning and hugging fit give this shoe some extra bounce, with lots of support and a soft, smooth, springy feel. This shoe is a no-frills, everyday runner — and they just so happen to come in 28 colors. Available in US sizes 5-13 (with narrow, medium, wide, and extra wide), this style retails for $130.
Brooks Levitate 5 Review
Let’s be honest, running can take a nasty toll on your knees. What you need is a shoe that’ll help you feel like you’re running on air, and Brooks has delivered that promise with this best seller. The Brooks Levitate 5 are a classic, simple, and high-quality road running shoe.
This woman’s style is made for anything from treadmill to running on pavement, and is built to quite literally put a spring in your step. The Levitate is stretchy and bouncy, along with great support for your ankles and feet.
Available in a medium width in US sizes 5-12, the shoes also come in 10 colors, retailing for $150.
Brooks Ghost 13 Review
Light on your feet. Can handle late night runs. What more can anyone ask for in a running shoe? Most of all, this shoe can adapt easily to any sort of footing you have while you’re working out.
The Brooks Ghost 13 have quickly become one of the brand’s most popular styles. Geared towards ladies who are looking to go for longer runs or wear a shoe as an everyday trainer, this model is made to handle you in any situation. With its cushioned support, secure and snug fit, it has all the extra encouragement you need to get through your runs.
Available in 25 colors, these Brooks runners come in medium, wide, or narrow, and have a US size range between 5-13, retailing for $130.
Brooks Men’s Review
The Brooks running shoes men’s favorites include some popular and expertly crafted road running shoes, as well as a walking shoe that can’t be beat. All the best sellers in this category are simple, comfortable, and affordable. Let’s lace up and take a look!
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 21 Review
The Brooks Adrenaline GTS 21 are as popular and comfortable as their female version. This classic shoe is built to fit like a glove and provide a soft smooth landing, giving road running a new edge on agility and distance. These men’s shoes are finished with breathability technology and incredible cushioning.
The Adrenaline GTS 21 comes in narrow, medium, wide, and extra wide, and US sizes 7-15. These best sellers retail for only $130, and are available in 18 different colors.
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 22 Review
The Brooks Adrenaline GTS 22 are a bit more innovative than their GTS 21 counterpart, but still maintain a certain simplicity and charm that keeps them at the top of Brooks’ best sellers list. This model has been a fav for over 20 years, with years of innovative technology built in, so you can cruise the roads by foot in immaculate comfort.
The men’s design is available in narrow, standard, wide, and extra wide, and in US sizes 7-15. They retail for $140, and come in 7 neutral colors.
Brooks Addiction Walker 2 Review
Don’t think Brooks is exclusively for runners. Though they’re known for people who love to hit the pavement, they also have great (read: super comfy) shoes for walkers.
The Brooks Addiction Walker 2 is a best seller for a reason, featuring a simple, non-slip, super cushioned shoe built for everyday wear, especially for all sorts of walks through life. With optimum support and the versatility to be worn for walking or running, there’s nothing to hold you back.
The Brooks Addiction Walker 2 comes in narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide, and in US sizes 7-15. They retail for $130 and come in white or black.
Who Is Brooks For?
Brooks mostly gears their efforts towards runners! That being said, some of their most popular products are for walking (with an option to run). The bottom line of this brand is to create footwear for their customers, giving them freedom to do anything in comfort and with incredible support.
The best thing about the brand is it can be for anyone, from a youth signing up for sports to those who are looking to lounge around in comfortable footwear. With an accessible price point and a catalog of designs that suit just about any style, Brooks’ running shoes are for those who like to keep active, and who like to move in general.
Brooks Reviews: What Do Customers Think?
Brooks is a popular, affordable, and accessible brand — perhaps that’s one of the reasons customers like them so much. But it’s also important to know what people really think, what specific experiences have been like, especially with those well-known bestsellers.
That’s why this Brooks running shoes review has compiled a selection of customer feedback that might help you decide if they’re right for you and your running goals. To begin, here’s a glance at some numbers:
- Women’s Adrenaline GTS 21: 4.6/5 stars average, from 1913 customer reviews
- Women’s Levitate 5: 4.3/5 stars average, from 28 customer reviews
- Women’s Ghost 13: 4.8/5 stars average, from 3308 customer reviews
- Men’s Adrenaline GTS 21: 4.7/5 stars average, from 832 customer reviews
- Men’s Addiction Walker 2: 4.3/5 stars average, from 465 customer reviews
From the SportChek website, this happy customer gave a 5-star Brooks running shoes review out of 13 others on the Ghost shoe:
“I was looking for a winter style shoe that will keep me dry and allow for trail running with good traction. When I put them on over a nice pair of merino wool socks my foot slid right into a very snug and comfortable shoe. I broke them in with a 5 mile walk/run. I think it was pretty decent conditions to give them their first run.”
Impressed with the overall comfort and fit of the shoe, this customer went on to talk about how they stood up in less than desirable conditions:
“The conditions were wet but no problem at all! Walking actually seemed a little slippery compared to running. Halfway through I did a new lace up and again these feel really good on my feet. I hope to continue to provide updates over the next few weeks. At this point I have nothing but a good review and these seem like another high-quality shoe from Brooks.”
As a sporting goods store, MEC attracts outdoor enthusiasts who know what they want, and are looking for quality. This customer gave a Brooks Adrenaline Running Shoes review of 4.5/5 star, which was one example of 1175 overall reviews:
“I was desperate for comfort at work, I walk 13-20 miles a day on concrete floors and have some over pronation so these seemed like a perfect fit. The 22 2e was actually slightly wider in the mid foot area and both comfortable in the toe box for me. Great heel support and I think the perfect cushion. Good lord, they are crazy comfortable.”
After trying both the Adrenaline 21 and 22, this customer couldn’t choose, saying: “Literally what I consider perfect. If you’re debating between the 21 and 22, I would suggest trying both! I’m glad I did, I found the perfect work shoe which is a complete life saver.”
Although Brooks running shoes reviews seem to be raking in the positive comments regarding their gear, here’s a beaming 5-star review from TrustPilot speaking to Brooks’ customer service:
“I had a problem with a hole appearing in the top of my 5-month old Adrenaline GTS 21 running shoes. Customer service responded within the hour, asked for some photos of the issue and the shoes and some details about usage. After receiving my replies they arranged for a replacement to be sent out which arrived in a couple of days.”
This customer completes their rave Brooks running shoes review with a compliment: “In an age where customer service is generally getting worse & worse Brooks really stands out as showing how it should be done. I won’t buy trainers from a shop anymore when you get such great service buying directly from the Brooks website.”
As always, there’s a handful of Brooks running shoes reviews that aren’t as peachy as all the rest. But as an overall brand, the company holds a fantastic and encouraging average of positive customer reviews, especially on their top sellers that are featured in this review.
Is Brooks Worth It?
Brooks has been around for a long time, and there’s a good reason why. This sports company has its beginnings as far back as 1914, when they manufactured their first pair of ballet shoes and bathing footwear. And when the brand decided to focus on footwear entirely, they did it with integrity.
That’s why investing in Brooks is worth it. Between their wide variety of footwear (and in most cases, an impressive variety of colors), the brand hasn’t given you any reason to avoid them. Their customers are happy and products are affordable — what’s not to like?
Brooks Promotions & Discounts
Brooks does not currently have any coupons or promo codes available on their website. But the good news is, you can sign up for their email newsletter for any updates.
Where to Buy Brooks
Luckily, Brooks running shoes are easy to find, and widely spread around on third-party platforms worldwide. Although the brand has a great selection on their websites, here’s a list of other places you can find their great product, either online or in-person:
- SportChek
- Sporting Life
- Altitude Sports
- Kintec
- Nordstrom
- The Shoe Company
- MEC
- Atmosphere
If you’re curious if there’s a Brooks location near you, use their store locator tool on their site.
FAQ
Who owns Brooks?
Brooks is owned by Berkshire Hathaway, and the CEO and owner is Warren Buffet.
Does Brooks ship internationally?
From their American website, Brooks only ships within the US (including the US territories). However, they have international websites specific to other countries, so depending on your location, they might ship to you!
What is Brooks’ Shipping Policy?
We get it. When you order your shoes, you want them to arrive as soon as possible. The following is a quick breakdown of what the company offers for speed of delivery plus the cost of service:
- Standard shipping: Free delivery, regardless of order total (up to 6 business days)
- Express shipping: Over $100 is free; under $100 is $5 (up to 2 business days)
- Overnight shipping: $20 (in 1 business day)
What is Brooks’ Return Policy?
The brand stands by their products, which is the reason why they give you 90 days to return it for free, if you’re unhappy with it. And if you haven’t worn your shoes, you have a year (365 days) to send it back to the company.
To start your free return, this Brooks running shoes review found you need to follow these instructions:
- Head to their Returns portal.
- Fill out the necessary info.
- Brooks will send you a return shipping label.
- Pack up your gear (preferably in the original packaging) and send it off.
How to Contact Brooks
If this Brooks running shoes review hasn’t answered all of your questions about the brand, you can reach out in the following ways:
- Contact form
- Call them at 1-855-427-6657
Their customer service team is available to help Monday through Friday, from 6 am to 5 pm PST.
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