Brooks makes some of the best walking, running and trail running shoes you can get. Nearly every trainer and podiatrist we’ve interviewed over the years recommends at least one of its sneakers, and years of personal testing back it up: Brooks makes great shoes. We’ve tested dozens of Brooks shoes over the past four years, wearing them for walks around town, cross-country flights, 5Ks, 10Ks, half-marathons, sprints, cooldowns and everything in between. Learn more about the differences between its most popular sneakers, and find our favorites, below.
Related
Want more from NBC Select? Sign up for our newsletter, The Selection, and shop smarter.
Our honest review of Brooks
Below, I gathered our favorite Brooks shoes for different activities, concerns and foot types. I included both men’s and women’s styles, plus details like sizing, width and weight.
Best Brooks shoe
Our NBC Select editors agree: Your first Brooks shoe should be the Brooks Ghost. I’ve been wearing and testing this style since the Ghost 14, and while I now gravitate toward other Brooks shoes, the Ghost are the definition of “old-reliable.” When I test shoes, I often use the Ghost as the baseline every other shoe has to measure up against.
The Ghost is the brand’s most balanced shoe, striking a middle-ground between cushioning, support and weight. They have a wide toe box that never cramps or bunches my toes, no matter what the weather or how thick a sock I’m wearing. While running or walking, they have a soft, comfortable cushion that absorbs most impacts without feeling like your shoes are giant, unwieldy clouds. Their versatility is their best asset: The Brooks Ghosts are one of only a handful of shoes that can be my “pack only one pair of shoes” for travel because they can handle long days at the airport and long runs alike.
They are fantastic for walking, running, jobs where you’re on your feet for long periods of time, and anything in between. They are also very inclusive, with a wide range of sizes, width options and colors to choose from. That’s why I recommend them to beginners: you can almost always find a good fit with Brooks Ghost.
Best Brooks walking shoe
Awarded best walking shoe in our 2026 Wellness Awards, the Brooks Ghost Max are my and senior editor Nikki Brown’s go-to walking shoes. They have supported me through daily commutes, errands around town, 20,000-step days and international journeyers across Europe and beyond. They have a neutral, supportive shape that’s wide and balanced.
While amazing for walking, they don’t take the top spot from the regular Ghost’s for a few reasons: the main one being how heavy they are. The added weight is mostly from thicker cushioning, which is great for walking, but noticeably heavy for running compared to the Ghost 18.
Best Brooks running shoe
NBC Select reporter Zoe Malin and I consider the Brooks Glycerin as the brand’s best running shoe. It’s lighter than the Ghost Max but plusher than the regular Ghost, meaning it’s great for long, steady runs (Malin’s favorite). We’ve used them on four- to 12-mile runs and never experienced joint aches or hot spots. Its plush cushioning means it’s a bit heavy, so it’s not a good fit for tempo and speed work.
Best Brooks shoe for arch support
Nearly every expert we’ve spoken to about men’s running shoes, women’s running shoes and foot arches recommends the Brooks Adrenaline GTS for arch support. The GTS stands for GuideRails system, which is the brand’s stabilizing technology that helps keep your foot in place while running. It really works: Every time I’ve tested the Adrenaline GTS over the past two years, I can feel the shoe keeping my heel firmly in place, preventing rolling and shifting.
Best Brooks trail running shoe
These trail running shoes have become one of my go-to shoes for anything off-road — think trail-running, hiking and general outdoor exploration. It has a lot in common with the Brooks Ghost and Glycerin, namely ample cushioning, great stability and a wide base. The outsole has four millimeter lugs, which grip soft, loose terrain and give me some peace of mind walking, running or hiking on trail. It’s also available in a waterproof GTX version.
What can improve
Rotating apparel selection
We love some of Brooks’ apparel, and have worn a few pieces for years, including the Brooks Notch Thermal Hoodie 2.0 and Brooks Racerback 2.0 Sports Bra. But Brooks has discontinued all of our favorite apparel recommendations at this time. The brand’s apparel line changes frequently, so it’s harder to get a feel for its clothes and find wardrobe staples to repeatedly buy.
Weight
When I think fast, I don’t think Brooks. The brand does offer speedier shoes, namely the Brooks Hyperion and Brooks Launch, but we couldn’t find a great fit for either model and cushioning always felt a bit scarce and harsh compared to alternative options from brands like Saucony and Hoka.
Style
We joke in the office about Brooks being the “dad” brand of running shoes. It’s not just because a lot of our dads wear them (though they do), it’s because other brands like Hoka and On have a reputation of being, well, more stylish.
This is a bit perception and a bit reality: Brooks running shoes are pretty consistent year to year, which makes them reliable for accomplishing your goals and keeping you comfortable, but not super exciting. It’s safe to say your shoes aren’t going to attract much attention.
How we tried Brooks sneakers
Almost the entire NBC Select team has tested Brooks shoes as part of our annual Wellness Awards. Malin and I are the biggest runners on the team, so we have put hundreds of miles in dozens of Brooks shoes over the years, pitting them against other brands as part of our regular men’s and women’s walking and running shoe testing. Malin runs long distances (over 10 miles) indoors and outdoors, while I prefer shorter distances outdoors (between four and seven miles).
What is Brooks?
Brooks (or Brooks Sport, or Brooks Running) is a sports and sneaker company founded in 1914 that’s been selling shoes from the start. The brand started focusing on running shoes in the 2000s, and launched the Brooks Ghost in 2008, which has become one of the bestselling running shoes on the market. The brand has a reputation for making dependable, reliable shoes that might not be the most cutting edge, but are great options for most people.
Who is Brooks for?
Brooks is for anyone and everyone looking to walk or run more comfortably, whether you’re an experienced marathoner, avid city walker or just getting started on your running journey. Its shoes are comfortable, accessible, durable and have stood the test of time for hundreds of miles of use.
The brand is less focused on performance shoes for athletes looking to do speedwork or PR at their next marathon. If that’s your focus, I recommend shopping alternatives like the Hoka Mach 7 ($145) or Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 ($175), but that’s a small niche compared to the rest of us just looking to do our weekend 5K or 10K.
Why trust NBC Select?
I’m a reporter at NBC Select who covers technology, fitness and outdoors, including stories on wireless earbuds, fitness trackers and camping for beginners. I’ve been testing walking and running shoes for years — I try new models constantly, comparing them against previous versions and similar competitors. For this article, I leveraged my and the NBC Select team’s experience testing Brooks shoes to highlight our favorites.
Catch up on NBC Select’s in-depth coverage of tech and tools, wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok to stay up to date.
