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We’ve been testing Brooks running shoes for over a decade, and the brand always delivers when it comes to comfortable cushioned shoes for daily training. Brooks make many of the best running shoes for beginners in particular, with the Ghost and Glycerin lines being dependable options, but until recently Brooks’ speed shoes had lacked a little spark.
That has now changed with the release of the Brooks Hyperion Elite 4 PB being quickly followed by the launch of the Brooks Hyperion Elite 5, both of which can stand up to the fastest carbon plate running shoes on the market.
All in all, Brooks makes some of the best running shoes whatever kind of trainer you’re seeking, and you’ll find more details on the range below. If you want even more info on a shoe then head to The Run Testers YouTube channel for our multi-tester reviews and comparisons with shoes from other brands.
Who Are The Run Testers?
The Run Testers are a team of experienced journalists based in the UK who have been testing and reviewing running products for decades. There’s more info on the team here, and you won’t find it hard to spot our names, bylines and faces on articles all over the internet covering fitness and tech products.
it’s our job to review products, so you can be sure our coverage is always completely impartial, and our recommendations are based on real-world testing as incredibly keen runners. We’re confident our advice can help steer you in the right direction if you’re in need of new shoes, or indeed one of the best running watches or a new set of running headphones.
The Best Brooks Running Shoes 2026
Below you’ll find our top picks from the Brooks range available right now, but if you want a sneak peek of what’s to come from the brand in 2026, check out our video from The Running Event in Texas, where we previewed some exciting new launches including the Hyperion Elite 6 and Glyerin Flex.
Brooks Glycerin 22
Price: £165/$165 | Weight: 308g/10.8oz (UK 9) | Drop: 10mm
The Glycerin was once the cushiest shoe on the market, but times have changed and it’s now actually a relatively low-stack daily trainer compared with maxed-out monsters like the Glycerin Max.
It’s still very comfortable, of course, and the more traditional design means it’s a bit lighter and snappier than many cushioned shoes. The latest version of the Glycerin 22 has extra pep in its step thanks to the dual-density DNA Tuned midsole, which is designed to create soft landings and responsive toe-offs.
We’ve been fans of the Glycerin for many years and it’s always a strong pick for new runners in need of a protective all-rounder, as well as more experienced ones looking for a comfortable daily trainer. That remains the case with the Glycerin 22, though we didn’t find it an overwhelming upgrade on the Glycerin 21, so looking for the older shoe in sales might be a better value option.
If you’re a runner who needs a bit more support on the run, there is also the Glycerin 22 GTS in Brooks’ range, which has GuideRails on the sides of the shoe to provide more stability.
Brooks Ghost 17
Price: £135/$150 | Weight: 305g/10.8oz (UK 9) | Drop: 10mm
The Ghost line is designed to be a more affordable alternative to the Glycerin, and is generally slightly less cushioned and often has a less impressive midsole foam than the Glycerin.
That’s the case with the Ghost 17, which doesn’t have the DNA Tuned midsole found in the Glycerin 22 and Max, but the nitrogen-infused DNA Loft v3 foam it does use is still nice and poppy, as well as being pretty comfortable and highly durable.
It’s a very dependable option that will work for a wide range of runners, but the Ghost 17 isn’t the most exciting shoe and isn’t that effective for faster runs. The Ghost 16 is also pretty similar in our opinion, despite having a slightly higher drop, so the older shoe will offer better value.
Brooks Glycerin Max 2
Price: £180/$200 | Weight: 332g/11.7oz (UK 9) | Drop: 6mm
The Brooks Glycerin Max 2 has the same DNA Tuned midsole foam as the Glycerin 22, but a higher stack height and a lower-drop with a rocker design. It’s more in keeping with highly-cushioned shoes from most other brands, who have moved away from the high-drop design of the Ghost 16 and Glycerin 22, and it’s our favourite cushioned Brooks shoe overall, except maybe for the original Glycerin Max, which is similar but a tad lighter (and now often in sales).
We prefer the Max version of the Glycerin in general because the ride is smoother and more comfortable than with the Glycerin 22, and though the Glycerin Max is 2 quite heavy, it’s not completely out of its depth at faster paces. It’s one of the best marathon running shoes in particular, offering a high level of comfort and an enjoyable ride for training.
It’s more expensive than the Glycerin 22 though, and if you’re put off by that high price the Ghost Max 3 might be worth checking out as a more affordable option that also has a lower-drop and rockered design.
Read our full Brooks Glycerin Max 2 review
Brooks Hyperion Elite 5
Price: £240/$275 | Weight: 203g/7.2oz (UK 9) | Drop: 8mm
Brooks were one of the first brands to launch a carbon plate racing shoes after Nike changed the game with the Vaporfly 4%, but early models of the Hyperion Elite didn’t live up to the springy standards set by other super-shoes.
However, the Hyperion Elite 4 PB put them on the right track thanks to a new PEBA midsole foam called DNA Gold, and the Hyperion Elite 5 improves further thanks to a slightly lighter and bouncier design.
We’ve raced a range of distances in the Hyperion Elite 5 as well as doing plenty of hard training runs and its performance is comparable to the best racers out there.
That said, there are a couple of racing shoes we do rate a little more highly than the Hyperion Elite 5, most notable the incredibly light Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 3. We’d also say the Hyperion Elite 5 is a little overpriced with some great racers coming in cheaper, including the Hyperion Elite 4 PB, which does deliver at a similar level for less.
Read our full Brooks Hyperion Elite 5 review
Brooks Ghost Max 3
Price: £145/$150 | Weight: 319g/11.2oz (UK 9) | Drop: 6mm
The Ghost Max 3 is a higher-stack, lower-drop and more rockered shoe than the Ghost 17. Just as the Ghost 17 is a more affordable alternative to the Glycerin 22 with similar properties, the Ghost Max 3 is a cheaper option than the Glycerin Max 2, while having a similar rockered design.
It doesn’t have the DNA Tuned midsole foam used in the Glycerin Max 2 though, and has a slightly less lively ride all round as a result. However, we still enjoyed cruising through easy and long runs in the Ghost Max 3, and it delivers a naturally stable ride that protects the legs well.
This is another shoe where we wouldn’t hesitate to look at the previous model though, with the original Ghost Max 2 impressing us in all the same ways the Ghost Max 3 does, and now going for less in sales.
Broks Hyperion Max 3
Price: £170/$200 | Weight: 301g/10.6oz (UK 9) | Drop: 8mm
The Hyperion Max 3 is Brooks’ max-stack ‘super-trainer’, which is a term used to describe training shoes that use similar tech as plated racing shoes. The Hyperion Max 3 has a high midsole stack that uses a mix of foams, including a top layer of the springy PEBA foam used on the Hyperion Elite 5.
It’s a decent shoe that shines on longer training runs in particular, but lacks the speed of plated super-trainers from other brands. The Hyperion Max 3 is geared more for comfort than out and out speed, which is a shame as Brooks doesn’t lack comfortable shoes in its line-up, but does lack a bit of speed.