Article by Allison Valliere
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 22 ($140)
Introduction: The Adrenaline GTS 22 is Brooks long reliable stability trainer (in its 22nd iteration), featuring stability enhancing Guide Rails, maximum cushion, comfort, padding and support. With 36 mm of cushion in the heel and 24 mm in the forefoot, the 12 mm drop is substantial, but is comfortable. The Adrenaline is best suited for those looking for added support for daily runs, walking or just long days on your feet.
Speaking of long days on your feet, what drew me to the Adrenaline GTS 22 is that I am a nurse and spend 8-10 hours on my feet each work day. The Danskos I have been wearing for years were taking their toll on my feet and especially my heels (I think I had a pesky case of Plantar Fasciitis). Comments online suggested that for many nurses, the Adrenaline GTS 22 was proving to be a good alternative, so I thought a multi-purpose review would be a good idea to assess not only their running strengths, but also their utility as a nursing shoe.
Pros: Cushion, comfort, stability, support for long days on your feet, low weight for a stability shoe.
Cons: None!
Stats:
Weight - Official: 9 oz/255g US Women’s Size 8
Sample: 9.6 oz/271g US Women’s Size 9
Stack height: 36mm heel/24mm forefoot (12mm drop)
Available now: $140
First Impressions/Fit/Upper:
I am a long time loyal Brooks customer, but this is my first experience with the Brooks Adrenaline and I am immediately impressed. Out of the box, I am struck with how light, soft and supple the Adrenaline feels, with its recycled engineered 3D Fit Print Mesh, ample padding and perfect fit for my low volume somewhat narrow feet.
The upper is soft, supple, flexible and breathable, while providing an appropriate level of structure and security for running on the road. Lacing is easy and comfortable with proper fit and security on the first try.
The heel is well padded and secure.
The midfoot has a nice compressive wrap without feeling constricting and the toe box is roomy enough for all day comfort and allows for some swelling by the end of the day.
The gusseted tongue is thick and comfortable, providing nice protection from the laces. The heel counter is well structured to enhance support and stability.
For long days on my feet, this upper has proven to be perfect, cool and comfortable.
Midsole:
The midsole is made of Brooks Loft DNA which offers a more traditional feel and is not as light, responsive and bouncy as the Loft DNA v2 as found in the Ghost 15. This is fine though in my opinion for the Adrenaline, as I think it provides a bit more support for those who are choosing this shoe as a stability shoe and compliments the supportive GuideRails that run along either side of the shoe to provide top notch lateral support and stability. The GuideRails and support elements help to keep your stride in line and thus supporting your feet, knees and hips. This is especially helpful when tired and your form gets sloppy. For long days on my feet at work, the midsole is supportively firm and comfortable.
Outsole:
The blown rubber outsole is mostly full coverage, with just a bit of DNA foam at the lateral midfoot and under the heel.
It integrates well with the shoe and feels soft and flexible, with nice flex grooves to promote a smooth transition. Durability thus far is proving to be good.
Ride: The ride here is smooth, supportive, stable and predictable, with the Guiderails providing a nice structured and stable feel without feeling heavy, stiff or clunky. While not particularly responsive or speedy, they do not feel slow or sluggish either.
Conclusions/Recommendations:
The Adrenaline GTS 22 is a great everyday stability trainer, perfect for those who are looking for a stable ride without that stiff, heavy and clunky feel. Most importantly for me, I think they have helped cured my heel/PF issue and provide me daily comfort at work to the point where I never think about my feet during the day, which is all that I could have hoped for.
Score: 9.73/10
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Ride: 9.5 - performs exactly as intended on the run and on my feet all day
Fit: 10 - Perfect for my narrow, low volume foot, with just enough room for all day comfort
Value: 10 - Anything that relieves my heel pain is a value, quality is excellent and they should last a long time
Looks: 9.5 - The Adrenaline GTS 22 is stylish and comes in a wide range of colors
Comparisons:
Brooks Ghost 15: (RTR Review)
The Ghost is lighter and more responsive with the Loft DNA v2, has similar fit, but is not quite as supportive for long days on your feet.
Saucony Echelon 9 (RTR Review)
The Echelon is heavier and not nearly as supportive or comfortable as the Adrenaline, as the Echelon has a really flat feel to it at the arch (need to add insoles I think to really appreciate this shoe). I tried the Echelon at work, but it did not work for me as the Adrenaline does. The Adrenaline also runs much better, lighter, more responsive and more supportive.
Saucony Tempus (RTR Review)
The Tempus is also a stability shoe, but is a light stability shoe with not as much guidance. The Tempus is lighter, more responsive and much more fun to run in, though the Adrenaline is more supportive, stable and better for longer days on your feet.
Tester Profile
Allison Valliere is a 5th generation Coloradan who is passionate about the outdoors and has been hiking, backpacking, skiing, snowshoeing and running in the mountains since she was young. She has completed all but 5 of the Colorado 14ers (a dozen or so in winter), has many hundreds of year round ascents of 14ers, 13ers and other peaks in Colorado and the West. Allison has also traveled the world and trekked to over 18,000 feet in the Himalayas, to high altitudes in Ecuador and has worked for the National Park Service mapping plants in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California . Her almost daily routine involves runs/power hikes in the foothills above Boulder, or 4-5 mile flatter runs at 8-10 minute mile pace if schedule necessitates. But what really keeps her on her toes is working as a nurse and taking care of her 12 year old twin daughters who are also growing to share her love for the outdoors.
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Adrenaline GTS 22 available now
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2 comments:
Great review, thank you from Warsaw
I also think the stack height is just too high and I agree with the assessment that the shoes aren't the best choice for technical trails, but would be ideal for smooth gravel
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