Brooks Running shoes have been trusted among novice and seasoned runners worldwide for over half a century. One of the main reasons why the brand has earned a high reputation among the running community is our commitment to designing high-tech shoes that accommodate different foot types and running goals. Whether you need arch-support shoes or shoes for wide feet, Brooks Running has you covered. Similarly, from marathon running to trail adventures, we have appropriate running shoes to smash every goal you set for yourself.
With multiple options available, finding the perfect pair can be mind-boggling. That’s why we prepared an ultimate 4-step Brooks shoe guide to help you buy running shoes that fulfill your unique requirements and maximize your workout routine.
Shoe Guide Step 1: Understand Your Foot Size and Shape
Wearing the correct size is vital for a comfortable running experience and preventing injuries. You can find your shoe size at home using a blank paper, pen, and ruler. Trace your foot on paper, measure a straight line from the tip of your longest toe to the end of your heel, and add 1-1.5 cm to the measurement—that’s your final shoe size.
You must also consider whether your feet are narrow, standard, wide, or extra-wide. Brooks Running offers shoes that accommodate various foot shapes.
Brooks shoes for wide feet: Dyad 11, Glycerin 21, Adrenaline GTS 22, Ghost 16, BEAST GTS 23
Brooks shoes for narrow feet: Adrenaline GTS 23, Ghost 16
Shoe Guide Step 2: Determine Your Arch Type
Determining your arch type is equally important as understanding the foot size and shape. That’s because excessive inward rolling of feet due to flat arches and outward rolling of feet due to high arches can result in aches and pains despite wearing the correct shoe size. To understand your arch type, place wet feet on cardboard and examine the imprint left behind. You can have either of the three arch types, which will influence the shoe technology you must look for in your running shoes.
Medium arches (the inner part of the middle feet looks slightly curved)
Shoe features needed: Firm midsole cushion shoes along with moderate stability features
Brooks shoes for medium arches: Ghost 16, Launch 10, Levitate 6, Anthem 5
Flat arches (barely any curvature in the center, appearing as a complete foot)
Shoe features needed: Arch-support shoes to prevent your feet from rolling inwards when running. Brooks Running has introduced GuideRails® technology, which involves two foam pieces on either side of the heel on the inside of the shoes, providing ample support to your feet and preventing excessive movement.
Brooks support shoes for flat arches: Adrenaline GTS 23, Glycerin GTS 21, Beast GTS 23, Hyperion GTS
High arches (middle foot is hardly visible)
Shoe features needed: Supportive and high-cushioned running shoes to prevent feet from rolling outwards, absorb impact, and provide comfort throughout the run. Brooks Running has various midsole technologies, but DNA LOFT shoes offer plush, ultra-soft cushioning.
Brooks cushion shoes for high arches: Glycerin 21, Adrenaline GTS 23, Ghost 15
Shoe Guide Step 3: Identify Your Running Style
While running style involves various features, you need to mainly figure out your foot strike when buying shoes. Whether you land on your heels, midfoot, or forefoot when running will help you determine what ‘midsole drop’ will be best for you. Midsole or heel-to-toe drop is the difference in height or thickness of the heel and the forefoot of a running shoe in millimeters.
Forefoot and midfoot strikers: If you land on your forefoot or midfoot first when running, you will benefit from shoes with a lower midsole drop (0-8 mm) that promotes natural running gait and enhances foot strength.
Brooks shoes with low midsole drop: Anthem 5, Levitate 6
Heel strikers: If you land heel-first when running, shoes with a higher midsole drop (9-14 mm) that provides more cushioning and aids in shock absorption are your best bet.
Brooks cushioned running shoes with high midsole drop: Adrenaline GTS, Ghost
Shoe Guide Step 4: Know Your Running Goals
Besides technical features, your running goals matter when choosing a pair of shoes. Brooks Running has designed shoes for different types of runners.
Persona 1: You are an urban city dweller with traffic-laden concrete roads and crowded tiled pavements for your daily short, long, and recovery runs.
Shoe features needed: Balanced cushioning and moderate support
Brooks daily running shoes for men and women
Persona 2: You compete in long-distance marathons aka 10K, 21K, 42K, 60K, and so on.
Shoe features needed: Ample cushioning, proper arch support, lightweight construction, breathability, energy return, durability
Best cushioned running shoes for marathons men and women
Persona 3: You participate in racing events or incorporate speed work into your running plan.
Shoe features needed: Lightweight design, propulsive technology, responsive springy cushioning, firm midsole, enhanced outsole traction, zero drop
Persona 4: Over the weekends, you head to different locations, such as the mountains or beaches, to challenge yourself with trail running.
Shoe features needed: All-terrain stability, flexible soft cushioning, durability, aggressive traction, protective features, water resistance, minimal drop
Conclusion
Now you know that before buying Brooks Running shoes, you need to essentially consider four factors: foot size and shape, arch type, running style, and running goals. Once you have this information, you will be able to decide whether you need the best cushioned running shoes, stability shoes, wide shoes, or anything else! Ultimately, the perfect pair would fit correctly, provide ample comfort, and ensure injury-free, enjoyable runs at all times. Order your running shoes online today!
