Brooks makes some of the best walking, running and trail running shoes you can get.
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you → make → shoes
Nearly every trainer and podiatrist we’ve interviewed over the years recommends at least one of its sneakers, and years of personal testing back it up: Brooks makes great shoes.
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Brooks → interview → shoes
We’ve tested dozens of Brooks shoes over the past four years, wearing them for walks around town, cross-country flights, 5Ks, 10Ks, half-marathons, sprints, cooldowns and everything in between.
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We → test → town
Our honest review of Brooks
Listed below are our team’s favorite Brooks shoes for different activities, concerns and foot types.
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shoes → list → activities
I included both men’s and women’s styles, plus details like sizing, width and weight.
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I → include → sizing
Our NBC Selected editors agree: Your first Brooks shoe should be the Brooks Ghost.
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shoe → agree → ?
I’ve been wearing and testing this style since the Ghost 14, and while I now gravitate toward other Brooks shoes, the Ghost are the definition of “old-reliable.”
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Ghost → wear → shoes
When I test shoes, I often use the Ghost as the baseline every other shoe has to measure up against.
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shoe → test → baseline
The Ghost is the brand’s most balanced shoe, striking a middle-ground between cushioning, support and weight.
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Ghost → strike → cushioning
They have a wide toe box that never cramps or bunches my toes, no matter what the weather or how thick a sock I’m wearing.
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I → have → sock
While running or walking, they have a soft, comfortable cushion that absorbs most impacts without feeling like your shoes are giant, unwieldy clouds.
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shoes → run → impacts
Their versatility is their best asset: The Brooks Ghosts are one of only a handful of shoes that can be my “pack only one pair of shoes” for travel because they can handle long days at the airport and long runs alike.
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they → pack → airport
They are fantastic for walking, running, jobs where you’re on your feet for long periods of time, and anything in between.
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you → walk → between
They are also very inclusive, with a wide range of sizes, width options and colors to choose from.
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They → choose → sizes
That’s why I recommend them to beginners: you can almost always find a good fit with Brooks Ghost.
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you → ’ → Ghost
Awarded best walking shoe in our 2026 Wellness Awards, the Brooks Ghost Max are my and senior editor Nikki Brown’s go-to walking shoes.
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Max → award → Awards
They have supported me through daily commutes, errands around town, 20,000-step days and international journeyers across Europe and beyond.
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They → support → Europe
They have a neutral, supportive shape that’s wide and balanced.
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that → have → shape
While amazing for walking, they don’t take the top spot from the regular Ghost’s for a few reasons: the main one being how heavy they are.
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they → walk → reasons
The added weight is mostly from thicker cushioning, which is great for walking, but noticeably heavy for running compared to the Ghost 18.
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which → add → Ghost
NBC Selected reporter Zoe Malin and I consider the Brooks Glycerin as the brand’s best running shoe.
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Malin → select → shoe
It’s lighter than the Ghost Max but plusher than the regular Ghost, meaning it’s great for long, steady runs (Malin’s favorite).
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it → ’ → runs
We’ve used them on four- to 12-mile runs and never experienced joint aches or hot spots.
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We → use → aches
Its plush cushioning means it’s a bit heavy, so it’s not a good fit for tempo and speed work.
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it → mean → work
Nearly every expert we’ve spoken to about men’s running shoes, women’s running shoes and foot arches recommends the Brooks Adrenaline GTS for arch support.
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we → speak → support
The GTS stands for GuideRails system, which is the brand’s stabilizing technology that helps keep your foot in place while running.
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that → stand → place
It really works: Every time I’ve tested the Adrenaline GTS over the past two years, I can feel the shoe keeping my heel firmly in place, preventing rolling and shifting.
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shoe → work → rolling
These trail running shoes have become one of my go-to shoes for anything off-road — think trail-running, hiking and general outdoor exploration.
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shoes → become → running
It has a lot in common with the Brooks Ghost and Glycerin, namely ample cushioning, great stability and a wide base.
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It → have → Ghost
The outsole has four millimeter lugs, which grip soft, loose terrain and give me some peace of mind walking, running or hiking on trail.
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which → have → trail
It’s also available in a waterproof GTX version.
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It → ’ → version
(Editor’s note: the Cascadia 19 is no longer available, but you can try out the Cascadia 20.)
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you → try → Cascadia
What can improve
Rotating apparel selection
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improve → improve → selection
We love some of Brooks’ apparel, and have worn a few pieces for years, including the Brooks Notch Thermal Hoodie 2.0 and Brooks Racerback 2.0 Sports Bra.
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We → love → Hoodie
But Brooks has discontinued all of our favorite apparel recommendations at this time.
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Brooks → discontinue → time
The brand’s apparel line changes frequently, so it’s harder to get a feel for its clothes and find wardrobe staples to repeatedly buy.
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it → change → staples
When I think fast, I don’t think Brooks.
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I → think → Brooks
The brand does offer speedier shoes, namely the Brooks Hyperion and Brooks Launch, but we couldn’t find a great fit for either model and cushioning always felt a bit scarce and harsh compared to alternative options from brands like Saucony and Hoka.
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cushioning → offer → Saucony
We joke in the office about Brooks being the “dad” brand of running shoes.
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Brooks → joke → shoes
It’s not just because a lot of our dads wear them (though they do), it’s because other brands like Hoka and On have a reputation of being, well, more stylish.
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brands → ’ → reputation
…and 16 more, not listed.
The Aporia
