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Brooks Adrenaline GTS 20 Review

The Brooks Adrenaline GTS 20 is one of our top choices for runners with flat feet and for runners with plantar fasciitis. If you have flat feet, running can be very strenuous. This is especially true if you run in the wrong shoes. Many people aren’t aware that if you have the problem of flat feet, you should choose a running shoe that is made specifically for people with fallen arches. Wearing the wrong kind of shoe when your arches are fallen could lead to serious injury down the road. The Brooks Adrenaline GTS 20 (that’s GTS, as in Go To Shoe) is a stability shoe meant to provide support for people with mildly collapsed arches.

Brooks unveiled its Adrenaline GTS line in the late 1990s. This is the 20th edition of this model in the series. It’s a great running shoe for people who suffer from stride-related issues resulting from flat feet, and who are looking for a safer shoe to run in.

Fast Facts About this Offering

  • The 20th edition in the Adrenaline GTS series, which debuted in the late 90s
  • Sizing fits wide feet
  • There are multiple styles and colors available
  • Comes in both Men's and Women's styles
  • BioMoGo DNA midsole for adaptable extra cushion
  • Designed to biodegrade faster than other running shoes
  • Flextra outsole offers superior traction on any surface

Performance and Use

The Adrenaline GTS 20 is a shoe made specifically to provide stability for people with mild overpronation who are running on roads or concrete surfaces. It’s also ideally suited to long-distance running. The patented Progressive Diagonal Rollbar tri-density midsole, a stiff piece of plastic in the shoe, helps to promote pronation control and correct missteps.

It also encourages a more natural stride and offers stability on heel to toe transitions. While the hardness of the midsole may lead you to assume you’re in for a stiff ride, it’s hardly noticeable when running in these shoes.

Brooks’ Full-Length Segmented Crash Pad also helps to aid in those gait transitions. The segmentation of the sole allows for adaptive landing, which means your step will be cushioned no matter which part of the foot you land on. The heel consists of a hard piece of plastic that is designed to lock in your foot without restricting movement.

The Flextra rubber outsole offers superior traction on any surface so you’ll never have to worry about falling out on your run. The significant feature of the outsole is its HPR technology. This is a synthetic rubber material that is resistant to abrasion and shields the midsole from the wear and tear of running. Everything about these shoes is meant to help correct issues in stride related to flat-footedness and encourage proper running technique.

Cushioning and Comfort

Superior cushion and comfort for people with flat feet and issues in stride are what the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 20 is all about. This shoe provides a smooth run and minimizes landing stress on your feet. Brooks knows that reducing foot sweat is important to runners. The seamless mesh upper, commonly found in many modern running shoes, is very breathable and promotes air circulation around the foot to encourage dryness and cool comfortability.

The middle of the top is secure and feels like it fits firmly on your foot without giving a constricted feeling. The whole shoe has a lightweight quality that aids in comfort and mobility and may even lead to some breaking of personal records.

The comfortable foam insole provides a good amount of cushion and is lined with soft synthetic fabric, eliminating soreness and painful blisters, and making this quite a comfortable shoe. The midsole provides ample cushioning with its BioMoGo DNA technology, a synthetic foam material that adapts to every step and provides cushioning for the foot to lessen the stress of impact.

Value and Cost

When it comes to pricing, Brooks doesn’t make the Adrenaline GTS series very cheap. You’re going to be paying a little bit more than average, but we would say these shoes are priced in the middle range of the running shoe spectrum. Don’t worry about them breaking the bank, though.

They’re not super expensive. They’re good, quality running shoes that are well worth paying a little extra for, but again, won’t cost you a fortune like some of the higher-end running shoes.

Brooks Adrenaline GTS 20: The Pros

  • Comfortable. Brooks designed this shoe specifically to provide maximum comfort to runners with flat feet and overpronation. The middle top fits snugly on your foot without constricting blood flow. The seamless fabric mesh encourages air circulation that keeps your feet cool, dry, and sweat free. The patented BioMoGo foam midsole softly cushions and firmly supports no matter what foot shape and stride you have.
  • Built for stability. The Adrenaline GTS 20 is not only comfortable, but it’s also made to provide stability to runners who have flat feet or have mild overpronation. The Full-Length Segmented Crash Pad adapts to each landing to ensure a smooth ride no matter which part of your foot you land on. The Progressive Diagonal Rollbar tri-density midsole also encourages pronation control and provides a smooth run.
  • Biodegradable. These shoes are meant to biodegrade at a faster pace than standard running shoes. Brooks unveiled this technology a few years ago and had favored them to environmentally-conscious runners. This means that when they’ve finally worn out, after keeping your feet supported during so many running sessions, when it’s time to throw them away finally, you can keep a clear conscience. They’ve been specially designed to have a less negative environmental impact.
  • Variety. Like previous varieties of the Adrenaline GTS series, Brooks makes the GTS 20 in both men’s and women’s styles. Each of these styles comes in a vast variety of colors and patterns, so no matter what style you’re into, Brooks has a running shoe to match it.

Brooks Adrenaline GTS 20: The Cons

  • Sizing tends to run a little smaller. Many runners who have tried the GTS 20 have noted that the size of these shoes tends to run smaller than standard sizes. They’ll probably fit better if purchased at a half size larger than what you’re generally used to. The toe box can feel a bit cramped at times, which can quickly be resolved by wearing a larger size. Once you’ve found the right fit for you, these shoes are sure to increase the stability, comfortability, and quality of every run.
  • Feels a bit stiff at first. These shoes are designed to be firm and supportive, but their firmness can make them a little extra stiff when you first take them out of the box. Because of this, they may require a bit more time and effort to break in before you start attempting to go long distances in them.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Running can be very hard on your body if you have flat feet. Wearing the wrong kind of running shoes makes this problem even worse. Many people with fallen arches or overpronation aren’t aware that certain types of shoes are designed to correct issues in stride and make running more natural for them. Using the wrong kind of shoes could potentially lead to serious injury to your feet, legs, or back.

The Brooks Adrenaline GTS 20 is a shoe designed specifically to provide superior comfortability and support for people with overpronation or suffer from flat feet. They’re designed to be biodegradable and environmentally-friendly. There are so many color and style options that there’s an Adrenaline GTS 20 for everyone. With Brooks’ patented technology, these shoes offer firm support, pronation control, and guarantee that your run will be a smooth one.

The Brooks Adrenaline GTS 20 is featured in our comprehensive guide to the best running shoes for flat feet and in our comprehensive guide to the best running shoes for plantar fasciitis.

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