Our verdict
Pros
- Excellent for heel strikers
- Provides protective cushioning
- Offers comfort on easy running days
- Ensures smooth Just
- Features a secure heel counter
- Comes with a soft, stretchy upper
- Good breathability
- Brooks Addiction 14 Extra Wide
Cons
- Brooks Addiction 14 Беговая Обувь
- Pricier than many alternatives
- On the heavier side
Audience verdict
- Top 22% in Brooks Ravenna 7
- luz traseira brooks england femto preto castanho Brooks running shoes
- Men's Brooks Glycerin GTS 20
Comparison
The most similar running shoes compared
+ + Brooks adrinaline кроссовки 42 размер | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Audience score | 89 Great! | 86 Good! | 85 Good! | 90 Superb! | |
Price | $160 | $140 | $160 | $140 | |
Pace | Daily running | Daily running | Daily running | Daily running | |
Arch support | Stability | Stability | Stability | Stability | |
Weight lab Weight brand | 10.9 oz / 309g 10.5 Brooks England Alforges Scape Small 10-13L | 10.7 oz / 302g 10.8 oz / 305g | 10.6 oz / 301g 10.7 Brooks england Recovery and care Sport creams | 9.7 oz / 275g 9.4 oz / 266g | |
Drop lab Drop brand | 11.0 mm 10.0 mm | 12.6 mm 12.0 mm | 10.7 mm 10.0 mm | 10.0 mm 8.0 mm | |
Strike pattern | Heel | Heel | Heel | HeelMid/forefoot | |
Midsole softness | Balanced | Balanced | Balanced | Balanced | |
zapatillas de running Brooks constitución ligera placa de carbono grises | Small | Small | Normal | Small | |
Toebox durability | Bad | Good | Decent | Decent | |
Ténis Brooks Cascadia 16 GORE-TEX preto cinzento rosa mulher | Bad | Good | Good | Good | |
Outsole durability | Good | Good | Good | Good | |
Breathability | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | |
zapatillas de running Brooks constitución fuerte pie normal 10k rosas entre 60 y 100 | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium | |
Toebox width at the big toe | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium | |
Stiffness | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | |
Difference in stiffness in cold | Big | Small | Small | Small | |
Torsional rigidity | Stiff | Stiff | Stiff | Stiff | |
Heel counter stiffness | Stiff | Stiff | Stiff | Stiff | |
Heel lab Heel brand | 36.5 mm 38.0 mm | 37.7 mm 37.5 mm | 37.2 mm 38.0 mm | 36.6 mm 34.5 mm | |
Forefoot lab Forefoot brand | 25.5 mm 28.0 mm | 25.1 mm 25.5 mm | 26.5 mm 28.0 mm | 26.6 mm 26.5 mm | |
Widths available | NormalWide | NormalWide | NormalWide | NarrowNormalWideX-Wide | |
Orthotic friendly | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Season | Summer | Summer | Winter | Winter | |
Removable insole | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Ranking | #79 Top 20% | #136 Bottom 46% | #144 Bottom 43% | #26 Top 11% | |
Popularity | #122 Top 30% | #176 Bottom 31% | #64 Top 25% | #57 Top 23% |
zapatillas de running Brooks constitución fuerte pie normal 10k rosas entre 60 y 100 | Who should buy
In our view, the Brooks Brooks England Ryggsekk I Bomull Pickzip 20L stands out as an excellent stability shoe, tailored to meet the needs of:
- Runners looking for a versatile shoe with massive support in both the heel and midfoot areas.
- Brooks enthusiasts aiming to add a daily stability trainer to their collection.
- Heel strikers who want a well-cushioned stability running shoe and don't mind the $160 price tag.
Who should NOT buy
If you're on the hunt for a lightweight yet stable running shoe, the Brooks England Ryggsekk I Bomull Pickzip 20L might not be your best bet based on our lab tests. Consider a lighter and more affordable option like the Saucony Tempus.
In our view, this shoe might also not be the best choice for midfoot or forefoot strikers due to its significant heel-to-toe drop. For runners who strike with this part of their foot, a flatter shoe with stability features, such as the Hoka Gaviota 4, Brooks Flyer S Womens.
Breathability
Even though the engineered mesh upper that Brooks incorporates doesn't offer the ultimate ventilation, we gave it a respectable 4/5 in our breathability test.
The results show that even in warmer climates, the shoe maintains its cool. Yet an added advantage of not being overly breathable is that it can keep your feet warm during winter when paired with thick socks.
Upon testing with light, it's clear that Brooks prioritized ventilation in the toe box. This strategy is one of the most effective for maintaining good airflow and ensuring adequate ventilation.
This focus on ventilation becomes even more apparent under a microscope, right? We strive to examine the ventilation holes as Feetly as possible, and we seem to have succeeded in that.
Brooks England Ryggsekk I Bomull Pickzip 20L | 4 |
Average | 3.8 |
Durability
Toebox durability
Our initial impressions of a shoe often come from the feel of it in our hands, before we even start the tests.
For the Glycerin 20 GTS, it was evident early on that the upper might not be sturdy at all. Of course, we always hold out hope that we might be surprised.
Regrettably, our concerns were confirmed once we the Dremel met the upper. The engineered mesh from Brooks couldn't withstand the pressure—it disintegrated instantly.
With such disappointing results, we had no option but to assign the Glycerin 20 GTS a score of 1/5.
Brooks England Ryggsekk I Bomull Pickzip 20L | 1 |
Average | 2.4 |
Ténis Brooks Cascadia 16 GORE-TEX preto cinzento rosa mulher
The trend continues with the heel counter. When we subjected it to the same force using the Dremel, the results were equally disappointing.
Consequently, we awarded it a score of 1/5 as well.
Brooks England Ryggsekk I Bomull Pickzip 20L | 1 |
Average | 3.2 |
Outsole hardness
Daily training shoes typically register hardness values above 75 HC, so we were genuinely surprised when we obtained a measurement of only 69.4 HC.
Check Out This Brooks Launch 5?
Brooks England Ryggsekk I Bomull Pickzip 20L | 69.4 HC |
Average | 80.5 HC |
Outsole durability
Luckily, that doesn't seem to be the case. We put the Brooks rubber to the test again with the Dremel, and it held up quite well.
We were only able to create a 0.49 mm indentation in the outsole, which, by any measure, is an impressive result.
Brooks England Ryggsekk I Bomull Pickzip 20L | 0.5 mm |
Average | 0.9 mm |
Outsole thickness
At a solid 3.3 mm, it appears there's sufficient rubber, which should hold up for as long as the foam maintains its cushioning.
There's some exposed foam in non-important parts, yet nothing to worry about.
Brooks England Ryggsekk I Bomull Pickzip 20L | 3.3 mm |
Average | 3.2 mm |
Weight
A significant disappointment with this shoe is its excessive weight. The scale reveals a 10.9 oz (309g) reality for a US size 9—just too much by contemporary standards.
We are eagerly looking to the next release, hoping that Brooks will take the necessary steps to bring this shoe's weight under the 10 oz benchmark.
Brooks England Ryggsekk I Bomull Pickzip 20L | 10.90 oz (309g) |
Average | 9.38 oz (266g) |
Cushioning
Heel stack
Brooks took a conservative approach here, providing a generous amount of foam in the heel. They are aware that most overpronators are heel strikers who need extra cushioning in this area.
With 36.5 mm of nitrogen-infused DNA LOFT v3, there's no possibility of feeling the ground through this shoe.
Brooks England Ryggsekk I Bomull Pickzip 20L | 36.5 mm |
Average | 33.7 mm |
zapatillas de running Brooks constitución fuerte pie normal 10k rosas entre 60 y 100 | Forefoot stack
This explains why the forefoot cushioning is fairly typical, measuring at 25.5 mm. Not many forefoot strikers are likely to single out this shoe as their top choice.
Brooks England Ryggsekk I Bomull Pickzip 20L | 25.5 mm |
Average | 25.0 mm |
Drop
This results in an 11-mm heel-to-toe drop, which is 1 mm away from the official numbers provided by Brooks (10 mm).
This slight discrepancy is perfectly acceptable.
Brooks England Ryggsekk I Bomull Pickzip 20L | 11.0 mm |
Average | 8.7 mm |
Insole thickness
Brooks understands that the Glycerin line needs to epitomize comfort, and that means including a plush, thick insole.
Ours measurement came at 5 mm, which seems solid to us.
Brooks England Ryggsekk I Bomull Pickzip 20L | 5.0 mm |
Average | 4.5 mm |
Midsole softness
DNA LOFT v3 is a nitrogen-infused midsole, making it lighter and more responsive than the standard DNA LOFT.
But don't anticipate a super-plush experience like in a Nike Invincible 3. With a softness measurement of 23.4 HA, this foam delivers a balanced, comfortable feel that's well-suited for stability-focused shoes like this one.
Brooks England Ryggsekk I Bomull Pickzip 20L | 23.4 HA |
Average | 21.4 HA |
zapatillas de running Brooks constitución ligera placa de carbono grises
Following a 20 minutes exposure to freezing temperatures, the foam continues to strike a very balanced note—it's neither too soft nor too firm. Our subsequent round of measurements yielded a 28.9 HA value.
This represents a 23.5% increase, a result that aligns nicely with the average. It's precisely what we anticipate from a foam based on EVA. Things could indeed have been worse...
Brooks England Ryggsekk I Bomull Pickzip 20L | 23.5% |
Average | 25.5% |
Stability
Lateral stability test
Living up to its reputation, the Brooks Brooks England Ryggsekk I Bomull Pickzip 20L indeed proves itself as a stability shoe, and we're absolutely delighted to confirm that it truly delivers in this aspect!
The renowned GuideRails system that Brooks deploys across a range of stability shoes Brooks stability running shoes.
Torsional rigidity
Stability in any shoe necessitates at least a moderate level of torsional rigidity, and the GTS 20 confidently embodies this trait. Our assessment scores it a solid 4 out of 5, a rating that unquestionably surpasses the average result.
Brooks England Ryggsekk I Bomull Pickzip 20L | 4 |
Average | 3.2 |
Heel counter stiffness
The rigidity of the heel counter plays an essential role too. Despite the potential discomfort some might feel with a firm heel counter, it becomes almost indispensable in stability-focused shoes. It helps prevent the shoe from lateral collapse, especially crucial for heel strikers.
In the GTS 20, we've discovered a built-like-a-tank 5/5 heel counter. While we might have preferred a bit more flexibility, we comprehend and support Brooks' whole-hearted commitment to this design, being their ultimate goal to ensure top-tier stability for heel strikers.
Brooks England Ryggsekk I Bomull Pickzip 20L | 5 |
Average | 2.8 |
Midsole width in the forefoot
An additional stability-boosting tactic often employed by brands involves expanding the shoe's landing base. Quite intuitive, isn't it?
Brooks has opted for an ultra-wide design in this case. With a forefoot width of 119.5 mm, it ranks among the widest shoes we've ever analyzed in our lab!
Brooks England Ryggsekk I Bomull Pickzip 20L | 119.5 mm |
Average | 113.7 mm |
Midsole width in the heel
This concept extends to the heel as well. With every stride, the widened shoe naturally provides stability. Our measurement for the heel came in at 98.9 mm, surpassing the usual standards.
Brooks England Ryggsekk I Bomull Pickzip 20L | 98.9 mm |
Average | 90.5 mm |
Flexibility
Stiffness
High torsional rigidity is almost a given for any stability shoe, but this isn't necessarily the case when it comes to stiffness. Indeed, it wouldn't make sense for a shoe designed for daily runs to be super stiff.
In alignment with this, our measurement for the 90-degree bend test came in at only 24.9N, which falls below the average result. This explains why the shoe provides such a comfortable ride during easy aerobic runs.
Brooks England Ryggsekk I Bomull Pickzip 20L | 24.9N |
Average | 29.2N |
Difference in stiffness in cold
After placing the shoe in the freezer for 20 minutes and repeating the test, we found that it became stiffer. However, this change was consistent with the results we've seen from other shoes tested under the same conditions.
The increase we measured in the lab is a substantial 41.2%, a change that you can clearly feel underfoot. Yet this is a typical outcome that we anticipate from a shoe with an EVA-based foam.
Brooks England Ryggsekk I Bomull Pickzip 20L | 41.2% |
Average | 35.9% |
Size and fit
Internal extra
zapatillas de running Brooks entrenamiento neutro talla 45 mejor valoradas Brooks' size charts, which indicate a US size 9 should measure 270 mm.
Our measurement came in at 270.7 mm, Feet enough to confidently say the shoe is true to size.
Brooks England Ryggsekk I Bomull Pickzip 20L | 270.7 mm |
Average | 269.3 mm |
zapatillas de running Brooks constitución fuerte pie normal 10k rosas entre 60 y 100
When we shifted our attention to the toe box, we didn't find the shoe particularly spacious or restrictive—it just felt average to us.
This impression was confirmed by our measurements, which showed a maximum width of 97.9 mm, firmly in the average range.
Brooks England Ryggsekk I Bomull Pickzip 20L | 97.9 mm |
Average | 98.4 mm |
Toebox width at the big toe
Nonetheless, we found our toes enjoying a touch more wiggle-room than expected. This extra space was substantiated by a 78.9 mm measurement.
Brooks England Ryggsekk I Bomull Pickzip 20L | 78.9 mm |
Average | 78.2 mm |
Tongue: gusset type
The lack of a gusseted tongue in this shoe disappoints us, especially given its $160 price tag.
While this doesn't pose major problems, it could affect the perfect lockdown some of us might seek. For a more secure fit, we'd recommend considering the Hoka Arahi 6 as an alternative.
Brooks England Ryggsekk I Bomull Pickzip 20L | None |
Comfort
Tongue padding
Brooks designers likely decided a gusset wasn't necessary for the tongue because of its massive padding. With a thickness of 9.9 mm, it's like a pillow for your instep, enhancing a snug lockdown.
Brooks England Ryggsekk I Bomull Pickzip 20L | 9.9 mm |
Average | 5.6 mm |
Removable insole
The GTS 20 welcomes the use of custom orthotics or third-party insoles.
Brooks England Ryggsekk I Bomull Pickzip 20L | Yes |
Misc
Reflective elements
Finally, it's quite disappointing that a $160 shoe like this lacks reflective elements, a trend we're seeing in many brands.
Brooks England Ryggsekk I Bomull Pickzip 20L | No |