The Rundown: 100 Miles in Brooks’ Adrenaline GTS 19
They call it the “go-to” shoe for a reason. The Brooks Adrenaline GTS 19 provides a practical blend of sturdiness and cushion for the everyday runner.
The Rundown
They call it the “go-to” shoe for a reason. The Brooks Adrenaline GTS 19 provides a practical blend of sturdiness and cushion for the everyday runner.
- Surface
- Road
- Pronation
- Over
- Stack Height
- High
Brooks has been refining its go-to shoe for 20 years, and the latest iteration has some noteworthy upgrades. Not only did the brand give the Adrenaline GTS 19 a sleek and striking makeover, it added two new technology features: the DNA Loft crash pad and the guide rail support system. Runners looking for a cushioned, stable ride will certainly get what they’re looking for with the Adrenaline GTS 19.
The Specs
- Weight
- 9.6 oz. (W), 11 oz. (M)
- Offset
- 12mm
- Midsole
- BioMoGo DNA cushioning, DNA Loft crash pads, and guide rails
- Outsole
- Blown rubber
- Upper
- 3D Fit Print mesh
- Price
- $130
100 Miles In: The Review
When I first saw the GTS 19s, I thought, “That’s a lot of shoe.” With a 12mm drop, the shoe has a sizable heel, because that’s where most of the technology is. The BioMoGo DNA midsole runs throughout, and sandwiched between that and the outsole you’ll find the DNA Loft crash pad. Guide rails anchor the top of the midsole and the bottom of the upper, with the goal of reducing any excess foot motion. Given all that, I was pleasantly surprised when I picked it up, because the GTS 19s are pretty light for their size.
I immediately noticed the supportive structure when I tried on the GTS 19s. The insole and the upper form a supportive cradle for your foot, but not in a restrictive way. From the first run to the 100th mile, I found the GTS 19s to be sturdy and comfortable, which is exactly what you’d expect from something called a go-to shoe.
The 3D fit print mesh gives the upper a modern look and is also quite lightweight, a necessary balance to the voluminous midsole. It’s also very flexible while retaining its structure. After the first 10 miles or so, I noticed the upper stretched a bit, but that falls in line with a typical “breaking in” period. One more thing about the upper: It looks good. The GTS 19 comes in a variety of stylish colorways, though the men’s line exclusively contains cool color schemes.
There’s The Rub
As comfortable as this shoe is, the GTS 19 has a fair amount of drawbacks. First of all, it runs a little small, smaller than other Brooks shoes I’ve worn. Second, the chunky heel takes some getting used to. And while that material serves its purpose of supporting a runner’s foot, it adds weight.
The GTS 18 weighed 9 ounces in the women’s model and 10 ounces for men’s, that’s a difference of 0.6 ounces and a full ounce in the new model, respectively. If you’re looking for the lightest possible stability shoe, this isn’t it.
Brooks also advertises the GTS 19 as a shoe that provides cushion without sacrificing responsiveness, but I didn’t experience much responsiveness at all. I consistently felt like the shoe wasn’t returning the energy I put into it, but the cushion was definitely there, effectively absorbing the shock from my stride. Perhaps this goes without saying, but I wouldn’t go to the GTS 19 for speed sessions, and this model is best to lace up on long run days.
A couple of other observations worth noting: I noticed significant wear on the outsole well before I hit 100 miles, and I’ve never previously experienced such quick deterioration on a Brooks shoe. I’m not sure why that would have happened. And as far as knee pain goes (which the shoes are designed to diminish), I didn’t experience any changes. I often feel a little irritation in my right knee, and I had no less (and no more) pain in the GTS 19s than I usually do.
And finally, the price: $130 is a little steep, given all the areas for improvement. Your personal experience trying on the GTS 19s will be crucial in deciding if the comfort and stability it provides justifies the cost.
TL;DR
Though they’re not notably responsive and not the lightest in the stability market, the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 19 is a comfortable, reliable shoe to have in your rotation. Runners who prefer sturdy cushion will find the GTS 19 to be a delightful alternative to some of the softer cushion shoes out there—one that gives a consistent ride, run after run.