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The Brooks Adrenaline GTS has long been a GearLab favorite for runners needing a supportive shoe. This traditional, 12mm drop road running shoe has built-in GuideRails for strong lateral support while on the move. Though not the lightest or most responsive road shoe on the market, its conventional shape and comfort reign supreme. For runners searching for a trusty, comfortable, and peppy-enough road shoe, the Adrenaline GTS 23 comes with some of our highest praise. The unimposing lateral structures make it a great choice for overpronators and runners or walkers who want a shoe that will feel comfortable and supported all day long.
REASONS TO BUY
Comfortable
Great stability
Lots of width options
Equipped for distance
REASONS TO AVOID
Might be too structured for some
Heavier
We tested the previous version of this shoe, the Adrenaline GTS 22, and we liked it just as much (if not more) as the most recent iteration. The Adrenaline GTS line has been a standing favorite for its stability, which is present in both the GTS 22 and GTS 23, and the 22 can still be found at some retailers, often for a deeply discounted price. If good stability and a good deal are what you're after, check out the individual review to see if last season's model of this runner may be a good fit for you.
The structure and comfort of this shoe make it a highly recommended option for long distance runners who want a reliable road running steed
This running shoe offers the performance technology and comfort needed to be your go-to shoe, no matter your running goals
For epic versatility in a single shoe, we recommend this lightweight superstar
With strong responsive bounce and enough comfort for long runs, this shoe will suit marathon hopefuls and speed demons alike
While not a race-focused shoe, this affordable and bouncy option will keep your legs turning over quickly and easily
Rating Categories
Brooks Adrenaline G...
Asics Novablast 4 -...
Hoka Mach 6 - Women's
Puma Deviate Nitro...
Saucony Kinvara 14...
Cushioning and Landing Comfort(25%)
7.5
9.0
8.0
7.0
7.5
Responsiveness(25%)
6.0
7.5
7.0
8.5
7.5
Stability(20%)
9.0
8.0
7.0
7.0
5.5
Upper Comfort(15%)
8.0
8.0
7.5
7.0
6.5
Weight(15%)
6.3
7.4
8.5
7.7
9.5
Specs
Brooks Adrenaline G...
Asics Novablast 4 -...
Hoka Mach 6 - Women's
Puma Deviate Nitro...
Saucony Kinvara 14...
Sizes Available
5 - 13 US, narrow, medium, wide & extra wide
5 - 12 US, regular
5 - 11 US, regular & wide
5.5 - 11 US, regular
5 - 12 US, regular & wide
Style
Supportive
Neutral
Daily
Neutral/race
Neutral
Measured Heel Stack Height
34 mm
40 mm
34 mm
34 mm
30 mm
Measured Heel-to-Toe Drop
12 mm
9 mm
2 mm
8 mm
5 mm
Plate Type
None
None
None
Carbon
None
Rocker Angle
26.5 deg
22.0 deg
24.5 deg
12.5 deg
26.0 deg
Rocker Apex Location
71.43%
69.48%
65.38%
68.82%
68.15%
Measured Weight
8.21 oz
7.36 oz
6.27 oz
7.02 oz
5.55 oz
Upper
Engineered air mesh
Engineered knit mesh
Creel jaqquard
Mesh
Mesh
Midsole
DNA Loft v2
FF Blast Plus Eco
Supercritical EVA
Nitro/Nitro-Elite
PWRRUN, PWRRUN+
Outsole
Rubber
AHAR outsole
Rubber
PumaGrip ATR Rubber
XT-900 rubber
Heel Tab Type
None
Finger loop
Extended heel pull
None
Finger loop
Show full specification details ▼Hide full specification details ▲
Our Analysis and Test Results
If comfort and a traditional fit are your running shoe wishes, this supportive road shoe might be perfect for you. Weighing it at 8.21 ounces per women's size 6.5, the Adrenaline 23 is not necessarily light, but it is definitely comfortable enough for marathon training and long days on your feet.
Performance Comparison
The underfoot comfort, traditional shape, and support of the Adrenaline make it an especially high-scoring option.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Cushioning and Landing Comfort
The insole of the Adrenaline 23 is exactly what you want the interior of a workhorse of a shoe to feel like. Its cushion is forgiving and inviting but firm enough to provide long-lasting support. The rear foot stands 34mm tall, and the forefoot stack is 22mm, providing a familiar and comfortable launchpad.
Even after miles and miles of testing, the insole showed no signs of use outside of some dirt. The DNA Loft v2 midsole provides an excellent crash pad for your feet, giving much-needed protection from the impact of repeated footfalls. Since the interior never started feeling packed out, our testers felt confident tacking mileage onto already-brutal training regimens. For runners needing a bit of support in a shoe that will take you through all-day training and a marathon race day, the underfoot comfort of the Adrenaline 23 is a great choice. The outsole rides like you'd expect a classical running shoe, though it feels a bit lighter and bouncier than super old-school runners might expect.
The thicker stack in the rear foot makes this shoe a heel striker's dream.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Responsiveness
While not necessarily a shoe made for speed, the Adrenaline is far from clunky. Its body shape is secure and peppy and provides some energy return, but along the continuum of responsiveness, other shoes are more impressive.
This is not to say there is anything wrong with the Adrenaline 23, because there isn't. This shoe is built for support and comfort over long-distance efforts, and it hits that mark beautifully. Some shoes are made with speed in mind, and while it is possible to push paces in the Adrenaline, it might not be the 5k shoe of an Olympian's dream. If you want comfort, support, and stability combined with enough energy return to keep you feeling fresh, the responsiveness of the updated Adrenaline will serve you well. The DNA Loft midsole encourages leg turnover without the rolling sensation that speed-focused kicks inspire.
The Adrenaline might not be the most responsive shoe on the market, but for a long distance comfort kick, it holds its own.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Stability
This metric is where the Adrenaline shines. Many shoes do not offer built-in lateral supports to mildly correct overpronation, but the Adrenaline does.
The heel cup and mid-to-rear foot of the Adrenaline are well-cushioned and not especially firm, so the lateral supports aren't perceptible while running. This architecture stays strong, helping to encourage gait adjustments for runners in need.
The stability of the Guide Rails and snug heel collar offer great security for fatiguing feet.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
The best part about the Brooks-made GuideRails is that runners who simply find the Adrenaline comfortable and aren't looking for a support-specific shoe will also feel right at home. This shoe holds feet securely, providing exceptional stability, and is versatile for many different types of users.
The GuideRails offer support without feeling like extra structure, which is part of why this shoe is so comfortable day after day.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Upper Comfort
The breathable, engineered mesh upper of the Adrenaline 23 is similar to many other Brooks models that our testers have come to know and love over the years. The weave of the upper allows for airflow without compromising the strength of the shoe.
The shape of the upper, tongue, and toe box is traditional, and the multiple width options available (narrow, medium, wide, and extra wide) ensure a fit for runners of many shapes and sizes. The tongue is plush and well-made, providing additional comfort and protection from the lace bed. The width and softness of the heel cup lock in to create a snug and comfortable fit with very little room for rubbing blisters. If a comfortable, supportive, reliable shoe is what you're after, we think you'll find the upper comfort of the Adrenaline to be just right.
The Adrenaline comes in multiple width options, expanding the opportunities for this shoe to be suitable for a wide array of runners.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Weight
While not a clunky shoe by any stretch, the Adrenaline weighs in on the heavier side of our current lineup. With each women's size 6.5 weighing 8.21 ounces, this shoe is built for long-term comfort and support, not necessarily speed.
While pushing paces in the Adrenaline is possible, its weight makes it better suited to long, slow, and fatiguing efforts. The weight distribution is wonderfully comfortable, and while in motion, the GuideRails (and the small amount of weight they add) aren't really noticeable. If comfort, durability, and support are the keys to your success, the extra weight you'll carry in these supportive kicks is well worth it.
With so much structure, it isn't really a surprise that the Adrenaline weighs a bit more than some. This may have lowered its overall score, but it still ranks high amongst its competitors.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Should You Buy the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23?
The Adrenaline 23 is one of the rare running shoes on the market that can hold up to the demands of most running-related situations. Because of this versatility, our running testers enthusiastically recommend it. If you want supportive comfort and a traditional fit, the Adrenaline hits the mark in all the right ways. Marathon hopefuls, this is likely the perfect match for you, especially if your ankles fatigue during long training runs. If you are motivated by short bursts of speed, you might opt for a more responsive and lighter shoe. But runners, or anyone on their feet for long stretches of time, will love the comfort, stability, and support of the updated Adrenaline 23.
The ride of the Adrenaline isn't the most exciting in terms of tech, but it is a reliable shoe that will stay with you through runs of all distances.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
What Other Running Shoes Should You Consider?
Brooks has a way of constructing beautifully functional, traditionally shaped running shoes. If you like running shoes in their classic form but prefer a shoe without GuideRails, the Brooks Ghost 15 might be worth checking out. With all of the comfort of the Adrenaline but in a more neutral-style package, the Ghost is a serious contender for the best marathon training shoe. If you want ample cushion but are interested in shoes with differing body shapes, the Hoka Clifton 9 is a stacked, comfortable shoe to consider.
