Is it me or is it the shoes?

Tips for Buying New Running Shoes

I went through the process of buying myself and my husband new running shoes. He just ran a half marathon and was experiencing some foot discomfort. For myself, I thought it was about time to rotate in a new pair. 

As a Brooks Sports Medicine Ambassador, I put together some options based on his complaints and my needs to find the right pair. So far, we both love our new pairs. He no longer has foot pain, and I’m enjoying the added speed to my runs. 

Here are some general guidelines and considerations that I feel often get over looked, especially when the average person decides to wear running shoes for walking all day. As a disclaimer, I spent a little more time focusing on women’s shoes so the models might vary to men's slightly.

Choosing the Right Shoe- What type of foot do you have? How does that effect the way you generate power? How does the ground reaction force work it’s way up your kinetic chain? What type of workouts are you doing? After you answer these questions for yourself you can begin to narrow down your options. This is one way to break it down:

• Neutral Runners: Consider models like the Ghost 16 or Glycerin 22 for balanced cushioning and support. SELF+3Brooks Running+3Fleet Feet+3

• Overpronators: The Adrenaline GTS 24 or Ariel GTS 24 offer structured support to guide foot motion. 

• Max Cushioning: Glycerin 22 provides plush comfort for long distances. SELF

• Speed Workouts: Launch 10 or Hyperion Elite 4 PB are designed for responsiveness and agility. Brooks Running+1The Guardian+1

• Recovery Runs: Ghost Max 2 offers enhanced cushioning for a softer ride. Brooks Running+1Runner's World+1

  
  

Strike Pattern -What type of runner are you? How do you make contact with the ground? The answers to these questions are often influenced by skill, age, or injury. However, they aren’t difficult to answer. All you need is a friend with a camera. Once you know, you can narrow down your options further: 

• Heel Strikers benefit from a higher drop (10–12 mm) and extra rearfoot cushioning (Ghost, Adrenaline, Ariel).

• Midfoot Strikers do well with slightly lower drops (6–10 mm) and smoother transitions (Ghost Max, Glycerin).

• Forefoot Strikers thrive in lightweight, low-drop shoes designed for speed and propulsion (Hyperion Elite, Launch).

  
  

Heel Drop- With that said, changing the heel drop in your shoe can influence your comfort, foot strike, and/or performance. Notes on heel drop:

• Higher Drop (10–12 mm):

  Great for runners who heel strike or want extra Achilles relief (e.g., Ghost, Adrenaline, Ariel).

• Lower Drop (6–8 mm):

  Promotes a more natural midfoot strike, suitable for runners focusing on performance or injury prevention (e.g., Ghost Max, Hyperion Elite).

  
  

Sizing - This might seem obvious, but it can often be overlooked. To put it simply, if your foot is smooshed in the shoe or you can’t wiggle your toes, how can you expect to be comfortable, balanced, or generate power?! Don’t settle, send it back. Notes on width and toe box: 

• General Sizing: Brooks recommends ordering running shoes ½ to 1 size larger than your casual or dress shoes to accommodate foot expansion during runs. #1 Athletic Shoe Review Site+3Brooks Running+3iSportBrooks+3

• Width Options: Available widths for women's models include: Brooks Running

  • Narrow (2A)

  • Medium (B) – Standard width

  • Wide (D)

  • Extra Wide (2E) The Guardian+4#1 Athletic Shoe Review Site+4The Guardian+4

• Toe Box Fit:

  • Race/Speed Shoes: Approximately 96.0 mm at the widest part

  • Daily Trainers: Approximately 98.5 mm

  • Stability/Recovery Shoes: Approximately 100.9 mm The Guardian+13#1 Athletic Shoe Review Site+13Brooks Running+13

For a personalized fit, consider visiting a local running store for a professional fitting. Brooks also offers a Shoe Finder tool to help you select the perfect model based on your running style and preferences.

I put together a handy chart to help you start you journey. Let me know if it’s helpful. 

Model	Support Type	Cushioning Level	Toe Box Fit	Heel Cup Design	Ideal For	Width Options	Heel Drop (mm)	Ideal Strike Pattern	Notes
Ghost 16	Neutral	Moderate-High	Medium	Secure, padded	Daily training, long runs	Narrow–Extra Wide	12 mm	Heel / Midfoot	Lightweight, nitrogen-infused DNA Loft v3 foam for a responsive ride.
Adrenaline GTS 24	Stability	Moderate	Medium	Structured, snug	Overpronators, everyday runs	Narrow–Extra Wide	12 mm	Heel / Midfoot	Features GuideRails® for holistic support.
Glycerin 22 / GTS 22	Neutral / Stability	High	Slightly Roomy	Plush, padded	Max-cushion comfort, long distances	Regular–Extra Wide	10 mm	Heel / Midfoot	Ultra-plush feel; GTS version includes GuideRails for stability support.
Glycerin StealthFit 21	Neutral	High	Snug, adaptive	Sock-like fit	Sleek, close-fit preference	Medium	10 mm	Midfoot	Stretch-knit upper offers a locked-in feel for agile foot movement.
Launch 10 / GTS 10	Neutral / Stability	Moderate	Medium	Lightweight, flexible	Tempo runs, speed workouts	Medium–Wide	10 mm	Midfoot / Forefoot	Snappy, responsive ride; GTS version offers light stability.
Ghost Max 2	Neutral	High	Medium	Stable, cushioned	Recovery runs, high-impact protection	Medium–Wide	6 mm	Midfoot	Lower heel drop encourages a natural, soft landing.
Ariel GTS 24	Max Stability	High	Wide	Deep, structured	Severe overpronation, max support	Medium–Extra Wide	12 mm	Heel	Best for those needing max motion control and structured support.
Hyperion Elite 4 PB	Neutral	Low-Moderate	Narrow	Lightweight, race-ready	Racing, speed-focused runners	Medium	8 mm	Midfoot / Forefoot	Ultralight racer with PEBA foam for elite performance and turnover.
Hyperion 2	Neutral	Moderate	Medium-Narrow	Lightweight, minimal	Lightweight trainer, uptempo days	Medium	8 mm	Midfoot / Forefoot	Lightweight daily trainer, more durable than Elite but still built for speed and turnover.

Until next time, ✌️

-Elaina

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