Brooks Men's Beast '20 Running Shoe

Product Information

The Ghost has been a favorite in the Brooks lineup for years, and the latest design is one of our favorite shoes of 2023. This versatile cushioned trainer is a go-to for everyone, from beginner runners to experienced marathoners looking for a reliable workhorse shoe. In RW testing, the Ghost 15’s DNA Loft v2 cushion served up a firm feel underfoot, or “an excellent ride with firm yet spongy cushioning,” as one tester described it.

Brooks has been around for over 100 years, but its story as a running company began in 1974, when the brand released its first running shoe, the Villanova. The shoe was a revelation: It was the first to use ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foam padding, which was lighter and softer than other midsole materials used at the time. The Villanova set a new standard for running shoes–EVA is still widely used in running midsoles today. Personal: C (A really hard shoe for me to dig a lot of miles into personally for the level of stability ) Matt: The Brooks Beast GTS 23 is a motion-control shoe. The base of the shoe is extremely wide, particularly in the heel and midfoot with a large amount of sole flaring in the heel. The ride in the heel and midfoot is incredibly stiff, adding a high level of resistance to lateral motion. The large GuideRails on the medial and lateral side are noticeable as soon as you start moving, providing aggressive central guidance. While standing they were not as apparent and the stiffness of the sole was more noticeable. As soon as you start to move and roll either direction, the aggressive control immediately becomes apparent. The majority of this stability is centered at the heel, is still apparent at the heel then tapers off a bit at the forefoot. The forefoot is still wider, but it more natural (relative term) than the rest of the shoe. Therefore, those with extremely high and high stability needs in the heel and midfoot, respectfully, will do best in this shoe.My last suggestion would be to consider adding a little more volume to the forefoot. I understand the prior version had some issues with creasing, but it is important that there is enough room in the forefoot, especially in such a stiff stability shoe. This should not be sloppy, but it would be helpful to not have the toe box taper so much for toe comfort. Smooth Transition - A full-length Segmented Crash Pad accommodates any foot landing and delivers smooth heel-to-toe transitions.

Personal:C- ( I appreciate what Brooks is trying to do, but I cannot handle running much in this shoe as it has far too aggressive stability for me. Walking is fine. This is not an appropriate shoe for me for running as my stability needs are not that high) DPT/Footwear Science: B- (The innovation feels limited, but the shoe existing is still important in itself ) The shoe really shined for me on recovery days and when I wanted to run long but not push myself. I found it hard to go fast in these because of how heavy and rigid the shoe is.

DNA is the brand’s most basic EVA foam. Its primary attribute is softness, which it brings to entry-level shoes across all three shoe categories. While DNA doesn’t have the pillowy feel or high energy return of Brooks’ more advanced foams, it’s a tried-and-true option that creates dependable cushioning. If you just need a basic trainer and don’t want to spend a lot of money, DNA will work well for you. Ultraspire Fitted Race Belt:The best way to carry your phone and goods on the run. No bounce and various sizes for waist. (Also recommend the Naked belt) Like other shoes with the GTS moniker, this version of the Adrenaline 23 features GuideRails on either side of the footbed. These extra layers of foam cradle your foot and promote proper joint alignment as you run, without interfering too much with your stride.

Together, the DNA Flash foam and SkyVault create an energetic ride, and enough responsiveness to get a good feel for the ground underfoot, which can be helpful for navigating obstacles on technical trails. The upper comes with a toe cap for protection against trail debris, and it also features drainage holes to shed water, so your feet won’t slosh around in the shoe after a creek crossing. In RW testing, the Catamount 2 won praise for its excellent grip, even in wet and wintry conditions. Amphipod Hydraform Handheld Water Bottle: Perfect for long runs when you need hydration in the summer The Beast is probably the most literal name for a shoe I’ve ever ran in. It is a large shoe that has a lot to offer. Skratch Recovery, Coffee Flavor:Mental and physical boost post run. Coffee flavor is excellent and goes great straight into a fresh brewed cupIn addition to its foams, Brooks has a key design feature called GuideRails for runners who need stability and support. GuideRails shoes have additional layers of firm, high-density foam on the medial and lateral sides of the midsole, which creates a bumper around your foot to keep it aligned in the shoe and counter overpronation. (When your foot rolls too far inward during your stride). If that sounds helpful, look for Brooks models with a “GTS” in the name, which stands for “Go-to Support.” Brooks makes GTS versions of many of its shoes, including the Glycerin and Launch. Delivery timescales are esimates in working days; Public Holidays, Saturday's and Sunday's are NOT classed as working days.