We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission.
Our favorite Brooks shoes, hand-picked by our core review team
Daily training, tempo, and trail
Any questions? Drop it in the comments. Otherwise, enjoy those miles.
Brooks Cascadia Elite, coming March 2026
This article is sponsored content; however, all of these Brooks shoes are our personal favorites and align with our individual reviews of the shoes.
When it comes to running, there’s one brand that’s synonymous with the space: Brooks. They’re the only major shoe brand that’s 100% all-in on the sport, whether it’s road or trails, daily training or race day. Because of that, they sell more running shoes than anyone else on earth, making them number 1 in market share for the past three years running (no pun intended). Next time you’re out in public, take a look in any direction and you’ll be sure to spot a pair on someone’s feet.
There’s a reason they hold the top spot– their shoes are comfortable, reliable, versatile, and priced fairly compared with their competitors. Beyond that, the past couple years has seen Brooks make major strides in advancing their shoe technology, creating custom foams, and releasing all-new models that have wowed us along the way. They’ve even brought back some of their heritage designs and partnered up with boutique fashion brands for limited-release drops that really hit the mark.
For this piece though, we wanted to highlight some of our favorite models based on our personal preferences. So we polled our core team of reviewers– Thomas, Meg, and Robbe on the road side, and Taylor on the trail side– to see what their favorite Brooks runnings shoes are at the moment.
Smooth rockin’ road miles
10.5 oz. (297 g) for a US M9 / 9.5 oz. (269 g) for a US W7.5
45 mm in heel, 39 mm in forefoot (6 mm drop)
MEG: Technically, this shoe belongs to 2024, but it’s too good to leave off the list. I’m talking about the Brooks Glycerin Max, hands down my favorite release from the brand. It delivers everything you’d hope for in a max-cushioned trainer: an irresistibly soft step-in feel that’s every bit as luxurious as it looks. The plushly padded collar and tongue cradle your foot in comfort, while the DNA Tuned midsole strikes that perfect balance between squishy and springy. Fit-wise, it runs true to size with generous room through the forefoot and midfoot, wide-footed runners should feel right at home.
The comfort is immediately noticeable, but the shoe truly shines once you start running. The combination of the GlideRoll rocker and the midsole foam creates a smooth, rolling stride that feels effortless and fun. It’s the kind of ride that makes you want to keep running. Despite tipping the scales a bit (my W7.5 weighed 9.4 oz), it works well as a daily trainer, for easy recovery days and even long runs.
THOMAS: This one was a shocker for me. I never thought I’d be loving a Glycerin. But like Meg, I gotta enthusiastically embrace this big fella. The Glycerin Max could almost be the successor to one of my all-time favorites, the Brooks Aurora-BL. The cushioning and shape of the midsole work together like peanut butter and chocolate. The fact that this shoe fits both Meg’s wide flipper and my sleek foot is kinda bonkers. The shoe is the perfect shoe for days when you want to pamper your whole body. The intangible feeling we label as “fun” around here applies to the Glycerin Max.
Daily training, long miles
10.2 oz. (289 g) for a US M9,
9.1 oz. (258 g) for a US W7
38 mm in heel, 28 mm in forefoot (10 mm drop)
ROBBE: The Ghost and Glycerin have perennially been those two shoes that every runner started out in. If you walk into a running specialty shop with no idea what you’re doing, there’s a 95% chance that one of those shoes will end up on your feet by the time the store employees are done with you. It’s not a bad thing, it’s just a thing. The Glycerin is the more premium shoe of the two, and while it’s always been okay, it usually lags behind its competitors.
All that has changed with the new DNA Tuned midsole found in the Glycerin 22. By tuning the heel and forefoot areas to different softness levels, you get a soft landing in the heel with a slightly firmer, bouncier toe off in the forefoot. It’s comfortable, bouncy, and smooth. On the run, it provides a seamless sensation from landing to takeoff, making it one of the better daily training options out there. Throw in a generous layer of outsole rubber for durability and a double jacquard mesh upper for comfort, and you have an all-around premium package that will suit any runner.
It’s one of the better daily trainers this year, great for racking up hundreds of everyday miles.
Uptempo work with a bit more cushion
9.2 oz (261 g) for a US M9, 7.2 oz. (221 g) for a US W8
37 mm in heel, 31 mm in forefoot (6 mm drop)
MEG: It’s safe to say most of my favorite Brooks shoes have “Max” in the name. I’m a sucker for a high stack and minimal ground feel, and if you throw in a plate, now we’re really talking. The Hyperion Max 3 strikes a great balance between max cushioning (46mm in the heel) and super-trainer responsiveness, delivering a fun, bouncy ride.
While the Glycerin Max leans toward that plush, easy-day comfort, the Hyperion offers a firmer, more performance-oriented feel that makes it easier to pick up the pace. The upper’s lightweight engineered mesh keeps things breathable, while the knit collar and tongue add a nice touch of softness and comfort. It’s a shoe I reach for in daily training – especially on days when I want to turn things up just a bit.
THOMAS: Birds of a feather, or something like that. Coming in a close second, I’ve got to side with Meg again. The Hyperion Max 3 is the speedier cousin to the Glycerin Max. The third version brings a pretty radical update to the Hyperion Max line: the upper gets a major (and much-needed) upgrade, while the midsole features some bold cutouts to shave weight and improve flexibility.
So why second place? I just prefer the more stable, grounded feel of the Glycerin Max.
Daily mileage
10.1 oz. (286 g) for a US M9 / 8.9 oz. (255 g) for a US W8
36.5 mm in heel, 26.5 mm in forefoot (10 mm drop)
ROBBE: Look, I’m not going to pretend the Ghost 17 is here to change the world. It’s the Toyota Corolla of running shoes. I’ve owned two of those cars in my lifetime and they were a couple of the most reliable machines to ever hit the road. So it is with the Ghost 17.
This version sees an increased amount of cushion in the DNA Loft v3 midsole as well as a decreased drop in the heel-to-toe offset. The result is a comfortable daily trainer that offers a slightly softer feel with plenty of cushion. The upper is comfortable and breathable, the outsole is thick enough to handle a ton of mileage and it all comes together at a reasonable price point. Sure, it’s not as beefy or soft as its chunkier sibling in the Ghost Max 3. But if you want something that sticks to running and walking and anything else you have going on, then you can’t go wrong with the Ghost 17.
Trail races up to 50k
7.7 oz (218 g) for a US M9 (Unisex sizing)
16 mm in heel, 10 mm in forefoot (6 mm drop)
TAYLOR: When sheer speed and control are needed, the Brooks Catamount Agil is an easy one to call on. It’s one of the lightest and most secure trail racing shoes we have ever been in. What sets it apart is its modern take on the classic design.
A sock-like upper locks you in while a supercritical DNA Loft v2 foam and Skyvault Trail Plate provides enough character to feel speedy and unique within the category. More confidence comes via the 4.5 mm lugs of Traitack Green rubber. Really, all angles were thought of and fully capitalized on with this nimble short-distance racer.
Daily runs on all kinds of trails
10.5 oz. (297 g) for a US M9 / 9.4 oz. (266 g) for a US W8
35 mm in heel, 29 mm in forefoot (6 mm drop)
TAYLOR: There’s no way we could leave the Brooks Caldera 8 off of this list as it has increasingly found favor over the last few iterations. It is one of the few high-stack trail shoes that has the ability to go far and over a variety of terrain. There’s a bouncy, cushioned, yet stable ride thanks to the thick slab of DNA Loft V3 midsole. Security is found in both the engineered mesh upper and versatile Trailtack Green outsole. This is the shoe that makes sense for long endeavors or a daily driver that has cushion or the pushin’.
$275, March 2026
Daily runs on all kinds of trails
10.5 oz. (297 g) for a US M9 / 9.4 oz. (266 g) for a US W8
35 mm in heel, 29 mm in forefoot (6 mm drop)
TAYLOR: Okay, okay, okay! I know this isn’t available for the masses yet (coming March 2026), but it is my all-time favorite Brooks shoe! The Cascadia Elite takes many of the highest grade ingredients like a Matryx upper, Vibram Megagrip Elite outsole, and a 100% PEBA DNA Gold midsole and brings them together in a unique way. The result is ultra-distance performance at its best. Fit, underfoot comfort, grip, efficiency, and durability is all top-shelf stuff! Like the Caldera 8, the Cascadia Elite is best for the longer efforts but it is comfortable enough to sport any day of the week. The best case scenario is to flaunt the Brooks Cascadia Elite on race day.
Have something to say? Leave a Comment
As the founder of Believe in the Run, Thomas’s goal is to help runners pick the shoes and gear that will make their running experience the best that it can be.
More from Thomas
Meaghan signed up for her first marathon three weeks before the race, because it was $10 more than the half she planned to run. She learned everything in running the hard way. Now a USATF & UESCA certified run coach, she loves encouraging friends to go for big goals as she continues to chase faster times. She enjoys a hot cup of coffee, a cold martini, and making bagels for friends and family.
More from Meaghan
Robbe is the senior editor of Believe in the Run. He loves going on weird routes through Baltimore, finding trash on the ground, and running with the Faster Bastards. At home in the city, but country at heart. Loves his two boys more than anything. Has the weakest ankles in the game.
More from Robbe
Taylor Bodin is a trail and ultra runner living in Estes Park, Colo., with his wife and daughters. As the head of the Dirt Division at Believe in the Run, trail running is pretty much the only hobby he can manage right now and loves it. Every so often, he will pop off a race or FKT attempt because competition is pure and the original motivator for him getting into running anyway.
More from Taylor
I’ve not tried Brooks yet but I’m itching to get a pair. I keep hearing great things about the Glycerin Max for easy miles and recovery runs. Been mostly in Saucony and ASICS up till now, but those midsole updates have me curious, especially for longer steady runs when the legs are done in. Would you say the Glycerin Max or the Hyperion Max feels better for mixed training weeks?
Not sure what you mean by the upper in the hyperion max line needing an update – the max 2 was probably one of my favourite road shoes of all time, mostly due to that upper!