Article by John Tribbia
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25 ($145)
Pros:
Stablzing, reliable, and predictable ride: John
Accommodating fit: John
Cushioning: John
Cons:
Muted energy return: John
Introduction
John: There's something poetic for me about testing the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25. Twenty-five years ago, when I first laced up running shoes as a complete novice, my first pair of training shoes was the Brooks Adrenaline. Back then, I had no concept of heel-to-toe drop, stack height, or midsole foams - I just knew these shoes felt secure, stable, and helped me discover a love for running. Now, 25 years later and countless miles down various trails and roads, I find myself reuniting with this iconic stability workhorse, curious to see how it has evolved and whether it can recapture that initial magic that hooked me on running.
The Adrenaline has been Brooks’ flagship stability shoe since 1999, and version 25 represents not just incremental improvements but also the accumulated wisdom of decades of runner feedback.
Brooks highlights this latest iteration as offering Go-To Support (GTS) thanks to holistic GuideRails as well as soft and dynamic DNA LOFT v3 cushioning for distraction-free comfort.
It gets notable enhancements including 3mm of added DNA LOFT v3 cushion in the forefoot and 1mm of added cushion in the heel for added comfort and now has a 10mm drop, down from 12mm. But does more cushion automatically translate to a better shoe?
Stats
Spec Weight: men's 10.6 oz / 300g women’s 9.5 oz / 269g US8
Stack Height: 37 mm heel / 27 mm forefoot
First Impressions, Fit and Upper
John: Out of the box, the Adrenaline GTS 25 is exactly what you’d expect from Brooks: understated, functional, and built with purpose rather than flash (though I love the colorway!). The shoe highlights new features, including 3mm of added DNA LOFT v3 cushion in the forefoot and 1mm of added cushion in the heel for added comfort and a 10mm offset. The upper construction immediately feels more substantial than its trail-focused siblings like the Catamount, which makes sense given the different intended use cases.
The engineered mesh upper strikes a nice balance between structure and breathability. The toe box provides adequate room without feeling sloppy, and the midfoot lockdown is secure without being restrictive. I particularly appreciate the flat-knit collar construction, which eliminates pressure points.
The GTS 25’s upper is extremely comfortable - the tongue is well-padded, though I do wish it were gusseted to prevent migration during longer runs. The heel collar provides excellent structure and security, with enough padding to prevent any hot spots or irritation.
Fit-wise, I'm testing these in my usual size 9, and they feel true to size with just enough room in the forefoot for natural toe spread during the toe-off phase. The upper accommodates my slightly narrow foot well, though Brooks is great about having multiple widths available for those who need accommodation.
Midsole & Platform
John: This version of the GTS uses Brooks’ DNA LOFT v3 foam, adding 3mm of added DNA LOFT v3 cushion in the forefoot, 1mm of added cushion in the heel for added comfort and a 10mm offset. The total stack height measures 37:27 with a 10mm drop.
On the road, the midsole feels more substantial than its trail-oriented cousins but maintains a sense of ground connection that I appreciate. The nitrogen-infused foam provides adequate impact protection without feeling overly soft or unstable. There's a firmness to the ride that some might find limiting, but I actually found it quite appropriate for the intended use case.
The energy return feels completely neutralized every time I try to do anything faster than a light jog, but I'm okay with this as I’m using this for a supportive recovery shoe.
During my testing on Boulder's varied terrain - from the smooth bike paths to roads to the slightly rougher surfaces of the Marshall Mesa trail system - the midsole struck me as predictable and confidence-inspiring. It’s not going to win any awards for energy return or bouncy responsiveness, but it provides exactly what most runners need for their daily training miles: consistent, durable cushioning that won't fatigue your legs prematurely.
The 10mm drop feels natural and promotes a smooth heel-to-toe transition. Unlike some high-drop shoes that can feel back-heavy or encourage overstriding, the Adrenaline GTS 25 maintains good balance throughout the gait cycle.
Outsole
Ride, Conclusions and Recommendations
John: The ride is different from what I’ve come to expect from today’s cushioned trainers. Instead of bouncy, energy-returning characteristics that dominate shoes today, the Adrenaline GTS 25 offers something that makes me remember why I loved the shoe when I started running: a stable, predictable platform that simply gets out of your way and lets you run.
The GuideRails stability system is the key. If you don't need it, it disappears. But if tired legs or poor form start making things rough going, the GuideRails keep you moving straight ahead by curtailing unnecessary motion. This perfectly captures my experience with the shoe and why it was such a good entry level shoe for me long ago. During fresh legs morning runs along Boulder Creek, I barely noticed the stability features. But during tired runs after long runs the prior day, I could feel the subtle guidance keeping my form in check.
The overall ride quality is smooth and controlled. There’s a sense of being planted and secure that I remember from running shoes of a previous era - before everyone became obsessed with maximalist cushioning and carbon plates. It’s not exciting in the way that modern super shoes are exciting, but there's something to be said for a shoe that simply does its job without fanfare.
During tempo segments and the occasional fartlek on my regular routes, the shoe responds decently without feeling sluggish. It’s not going to make you feel fast, but it won’t hold you back either. The Adrenaline GTS 25 can pick up the pace a little bit. You don’t want to do intervals or a full workout, but you can use it for a fartlek-type workout and feel pretty fast whenever you start turning over your legs.
If you’re looking for a shoe that will handle daily training miles without fail, provide stability support, and last for hundreds of miles, the Adrenaline GTS 25 delivers on those promises. The $145 price point feels appropriate for what you’re getting - a well-built, durable trainer that will handle serious mileage. Anyone who needs stability and a reliable daily trainer will get their money’s worth with this shoe.
Who should consider the Adrenaline GTS 25? Runners who prioritize stability and durability over energy return and bounce. Those who put in consistent daily miles and need a shoe that won't break down or surprise them.
Looking back on my 25-year journey from that first pair of Adrenalines to this latest version, I’m struck by how much the running shoe industry has changed, yet how the core mission of the Adrenaline remains constant. It’s still a shoe for runners who value substance over style, reliability over novelty.
Overall Score 8.7 / 10
Ride: 8.5 - Stable and predictable, though lacking modern energy return
Fit: 9.0 - Accommodating and true to size with excellent lockdown
Value: 8.5 - Solid construction and durability justify the price point
Style: 9.5 - Conservative and clean design, love the colorway
Smiles: 😊😊😊😊and ½
Comparisons
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24 (RTR Review)
John: I did not review the 24 but Allison, joining the review soon did, and will compare in detail
Mizuno Waver Rider 29 (RTR Review)
John: While both are solid daily trainers, the Wave Rider 29 and Adrenaline GTS 25 cater to different runners. The Wave Rider 29 offers better energy return and a more elastic, dynamic, and responsive feel due to its Energy NXT foam and neutral cushioning. It is also lighter. In contrast, the Adrenaline GTS 25 provides stability-focused GuideRails technology for runners requiring motion control and a firmer feel. The Wave Rider 29 is ideal for those seeking a softer, more energetic daily trainer, while the Adrenaline GTS 25 is better suited for runners needing stability support.
Index to all RTR reviews: HERE
Tester Profile
John Tribbia (5' 6", 130lbs) is a former sponsored mountain/trail runner who has run with La Sportiva, Brooks/Fleet Feet, Pearl Izumi, and Salomon. Even though he competes less frequently these days, you can still find John enjoying the daily grind of running on any surface, though his favorite terrain is 30-40% grade climbs. He has won races such as America's Uphill, Imogene Pass Run, and the US Skyrunner Vertical Kilometer Series; and he's held several FKTs on several iconic mountains in Boulder, Colorado and Salt Lake City, Utah. If you follow him on Strava, you'll notice he runs at varying paces between 5 minutes/mile to 12 minutes/mile before the break of dawn almost every day.
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