This is my first shot of Adrenaline from Brooks. The popular daily trainer with a touch of stability has been around since last millennium. The original Go To Shoe was released in 1999. Following feedback, the designers set out to create a shoe which offered responsiveness, flexibility and stability. Now, in the year of 2026, we have the Adrenaline GTS 25. Lot’s has changed over the past two and a half decades. Has the Adrenaline kept pace or is it showing its age?
Upper and Fit of the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25
What works for me
As soon as I had the Adrenaline GTS 25 on foot, the comfort was obvious. The upper wraps the foot well and has padding in all the right places to ensure that you have softness where it is needed and hold where wanted. The material is soft against the foot and has given no hotspots or areas of concern while on the run.
At the rear of the Adrenaline GTS 25 upper, there is a very useful elasticated pull tab to make getting the shoe on foot a breeze. Once inside, the plush padding around the heel and achilles combines with the super thick tongue to make lockdown easy to achieve. For my tastes, the upper has a high quality feel of padding without feeling over built.
The lace system is nothing revolutionary, but it doesn’t need to be. The standard closure does the job well and there is plenty of lace to tie a runner’s knot if needed. As mentioned before, the tongue is massive, while it helps lockdown, it also ensures that lace bite is not an issue. If you want to, crank those laces down!
Overall, this is a shoe which can be worn all day in comfort for all your running and walking needs.
What doesn’t work for me
With plushness and puddles come problems. When running in the rain, the upper can soak up a lot of water which makes the shoe heavier and also means that it can take a bit of drying out. If you are looking for a one shoe rotation, make sure you have a hair dryer to hand if you want the Adrenaline GTS 25 available soon.
Other than that, it offers everything you would need from a solid daily shoe upper. It has that traditional Brooks premium feel and build quality.
Midsole and Ride of the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25
What works for me
The DNA Loft v3 foam in the Adrenaline GTS 25 is not the newest foam from the Seattle brand. That said, it does a good job of offering stability and shock dampening. The underfoot feel is a world apart from the more marshmallow style midsoles which are prevalent on the market today. Although it is no waif with 37mm in the heel. This edition of the Adrenaline also sees the drop reduced by 2mm. Now at 10mm, it is still one of the higher drop shoes on the market but it is worth noting the change for those with a longing for ease on the achilles.
When out on the road, I think that the name Adrenaline may be a little bit of a misnomer. It isn’t a shoe which fills me with great excitement. It never feels like it is exploding off the road and pushing me onwards. However, it is a thoroughly dependable shoe. Each run has been filled with comfort and the extra firmness of the midsole does give the shoe some responsiveness if you want to push the pace. As far as speedier shoes with stability go, I think I prefer it to the Saucony Tempus 2. That said, it does lack some of the energy return of the Saucony foam.
Furthermore, the stability features of the GuideRails are not too overbearing for those who aren’t necessarily stability minded runners. I find that, like the Diadora Blueshield Mythos Volo 5, it offers a light touch. This makes it a good option for me when I am running on tired legs and not paying attention to my footstrike. It gives me the right nudge to keep on going.
What doesn’t work for me
As we mentioned above, although the DNA Loft v3 foam is softer than some previous Adrenaline models, it is still a firm ride. For me, this limits the time I want to run in the Adrenaline GTS 25 for. Were I going for a longer run, I think I would prefer the underfoot feel of the Glycerin 23. That said, there is a lot of personal preference in these choices. If stability is your main concern, then this is a great option. Also, if you are a heel striker, you will get a lot more cushion from the shoe which may make it a more favourable long run option.
Along with the firmer feel, the DNA Loft v3 foam doesn’t offer much in the way of energy return. While the foam does offer a responsive feel due to the firmness, it doesn’t offer much back to the legs. There isn’t a really springy feel underfoot. While I have enjoyed some faster sections in the Adrenaline GTS 25, it won’t be top of the list for longer, more challenging workouts especially when mixed with the 300g weight.
Outsole of the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25
Grip and Traction
Frosty pavements and wet morning runs have not not been too much of an issue for the Adrenaline GTS 25. However, it is definitely a little more skittish than the rubber in either the Glycerin Max 2 or the Glycerin 23. It also works to give a very dampened sound to the shoe. With my footstrike, it has given me almost a silent run which has given a bit of a scare to a couple of other pedestrians when I have cruised past them out of the darkness. Sorry!
Durability
With the denser foam of the DNA Loft v3, I would expect the Adrenaline GTS 25 to cover many miles before it gives up the ghost. Along with the foam, the general build quality and more premium material feel make me think that it’s going to be a long term companion for my feet.
Conclusion
Value for Money
At £145, the Adrenaline GTS 25 sits in the middle of the daily trainer price point. There are certainly cheaper options available but some of those lack the build quality and more premium feel of the Adrenaline. The quality, durability and versatility of the Adrenaline GTS 25 make it a decent value for money shoe. It will suit a range of runners but especially those heel strikers who want a little more guidance to their run.
Overall, this is a dependable shoe which lives up to the GTS moniker. For most of your miles, you can lace it up and get a good run from it. All of these are plus points in the value for money column.
Fitting it into a shoe rotation
For many runners, this could be a good one shoe rotation. It is comfortable enough for daily miles. When you want to pick up the pace, the Adrenaline GTS 25 is capable of that too with the firmer platform offering responsiveness. My biggest qualm is the lack of energy return which means that it won’t be my faster training shoe or real long run buddy.
Final Verdict
While I feel that Adrenaline may be a little bit of a misnomer in a world of superfoams, incredible energy return and innovation, it is certainly a capable shoe. For a lot of runners it is a good, mid-priced option which will last a long time. Heel strikers who demand a little more stability will probably get the most from the shoe. On the other hand, it is a fine option for those who prefer a slightly firmer platform in a world of marshmallows. The high drop also makes it a good option for those who have a more sensitive achilles.
Comparisons Against Similar Shoes
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25 vs. Diadora Blueshield Mythos Volo 5
Both shoes which offer a more gentle stability element. These are not going to grab your foot and force a particular strike. They will guide you onto the straight and narrow. However, if you are looking for something which is lighter and livelier, the Diadora shoe will fit the bill.
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25 vs. Brooks Glycerin 23
One is a chunky soft shoe which is gives its stability from the width of the platform despite the higher stack height. The other is a more specifically designed stability shoe. The Adrenaline is also a fair bit cheaper. Either shoe is a capable companion. That said, the Glycerin 23 probably has a more enjoyable underfoot feel for a longer run.
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25 vs. ASICS Gel Kayano 32
Quite similar shoes with a weight that is almost equal and a gentle touch of stability to keep the pronation calm. Both shoes have a very high build quality and offer an excellent level of step in comfort. For my tastes, the foam of the Kayano 32 is probably a little softer and more pleasant. However, the price tag of the Adrenaline is much more reasonable.
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25 vs. Saucony Tempus 2
The Tempus 2 is a more speed oriented stability shoe which gives it the edge on weight and energy return. However, the Adrenaline GTS 25 has the edge on comfort. Once again, this comes down to what you are looking for in a shoe. If it is all day comfort, the Adrenaline probably wins out. On the other hand, if it is a racier shoe you are looking for, the Saucony takes it.
