Article by John Tribbia and Allison Valliere
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25 ($145)
Pros:
Stablzing, reliable, and predictable ride: John, Allison
Accommodating fit: John, Allison
Cushioning: John
- Durability: Allison
- Great all day comfort for long days on your feet: Allison
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 over the 24 (RTR Review) including 3mm of added DNA LOFT v3 cushion in the forefoot as well as 1mm more cushion at the heel for added comfort. It now also has a 10mm drop, down from 12mm.
But does more cushion automatically translate to a better shoe?
Stats
Sample Weights:
men's 10.45 oz / 296g US9
women's 9.4oz / 266g US9
Stack Height: 37 mm heel / 27 mm forefoot
Platform Widths:
100mm heel / 85mm midfoot / 120mm forefoot men's US9
100mm heel / 78mm midfoot / 115 forefoot women's US9
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.
Allison:
John describes the mechanics of the upper well. With some minor revisions to the upper from the prior, the engineered mesh is very breathable, durable, secure and modern looking.
Like the previous models, the fit is true to size and consistent with any other Brooks size 9 that I am used to, including the previous models.
It has just enough room in the toe box for splay and all day comfort, a secure heel and midfoot.
New for the 25, there is a stretch knit collar around the outer perimeter of the heel collar.
I find to look nice, but it does not snug up around my ankle as well as it would appear when looking at it from the side (not a debris gaiter).
Also new for version 25 is a heel pull tab.
I did not have any trouble stepping into the previous models, but I really like the addition of the pull tab, as it makes it much easier (especially since I sometimes leave them loosely tied and step into them, so doing this is much easier with the tab).
The engineered mesh is really light, secure and top quality, with excellent breathability for warm days running, or full days on my feet running around the hospital unit as a nurse.
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.
Allison: The added 3mm of Loft DNA v3 in the forefoot and 1mm in the heel is welcome and noticeable, an addition to an already generously plush feeling midsole, which is soft, compliant and exceptionally comfortable. This deep plush feel is paramount for long days on my feet as a nurse (honestly, my primary use of this shoe, in addition to day to day wear and long walks).
When running, they feel reasonably light and responsive for a stability daily trainer, but are by no means an uptempo shoe. Like the previous versions, the 25 features the same supportive GuideRails that run along either side of the shoe to provide top notch lateral support and stability with the medial rail somewhat firmer than the lateral for more pronation support there.
Outsole
John: For a shoe designed for daily road and easy trail mileage, the outsole really impressed me. I tested it on all sorts of surfaces - from smooth paved roads to those slightly looser gravel paths and firmer dirt trails - and it felt super grippy and reliable underfoot. The traction in dry conditions was exceptional. I could push off with confidence and brake without any worries. I didn't go intentionally looking for deep mud or super slick rocks, but even on wet roads, I noticed it performed quite well. Plus, after a good number of miles, the outsole still shows minimal signs of wear, which truly reinforces its design as a durable shoe.
Allison:
The outsole has been noticeably re-designed, but generally retains a similar layout/ratio of exposed foam to rubber as the previous, but now with a more circular form.
The RoadTack rubber outsole is made with recycled materials and its layout integrates well with the shoe, offering good traction and a soft landing with helpful rebound.
They run quiet without a slappy sound like some shoes and help with the soft feel of the shoe. As John states, traction is good for all intended purposes and even on light to moderate trails with some loose gravel. Durability is so far very good.
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.
John's 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
Allison: The ride of the Adrenaline 25 is smooth, supportive, stable and predictable, with the Guide Rails 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.
The DNA Loft v3 midsole, now with 3mm more stack in the forefoot and 1mm in the heel is a notable improvement over the previous version, enhancing the cushion, comfort and overall enjoyable nature of the shoe, but without compromising stability and support.
I would recommend the Adrenaline 25 to anyone looking for a long distance stability trainer or even for those who might not even need stability, but just want a nice, well cushioned, easy going, predictable and comfortable trainer. Of course if you are on your feet all day as I am as a nurse, then these are a great option as well and the added cushioning is most noticed for this specific use case.
Allison’s Score: 9.8/10
Ride: 9.8 - smooth running and supportive/comfortable for long days on my feet (especially with the added cushioning)
Fit: 10 - very comfortable, true to size, secure with just enough wiggle room
Value: 10 - high quality and durable, they last a long time.
Style: 9.5 - modern and stylish
😊😊😊😊😊
3 Comparisons
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24 (RTR Review)
Allison: Both are excellent shoes and perform quite comparably, but I do like the styling of the 25 better and especially the added cushioning.
Saucony Guide 16 (RTR Review)
Both are very comfortable, supportive and close in stats, but I find the Adrenaline to be a little more roomy in the forefoot and a touch more supportive, as well as more cushioned. It is a flip of the coin really.
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 Profiles
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.
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 15 year old twin daughters who are also growing to share her love for the outdoors.
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