Do Brooks run small, big, or true to size? With a lot of runners now ordering their favorite running shoes online, it would be really convenient to know how a shoe fits before you hit the buy button.
However, saying that all Brooks run big small, or run big would be a little misleading because every shoe fits differently even within the same shoe brand.
We’re going to be looking at the Brooks Ghost, Adrenaline, Glycerin, Hyperion Elite 2, Hyperion Tempo, Launch, Ravenna, Catamount, and Caldera 5.
Let’s dive right into it…
Related: Brooks Size Charts
Do Brooks Run Small, big, or True To Size?
Generally speaking, Brooks shoes run true to size. In fact, Brooks build toe boxes that offer ample breathing and splaying room for your toes. Let’s talk about each model separately…
Brooks Ghost
Do Brooks Ghost run true to size or small?
The Brooks Ghost runs true to size. But like most Brooks shoes, the upper is roomy so runners with super skinny feet might find a little bit of movement happening through the toe box.
However, the Brooks Ghost is a standard fit through the midfoot and there’s no heel slipping through the heel pocket.
Related:
Where the Ghost shines
The Ghosts are popular daily trainers that sell like crazy for Brooks. You can use this shoe for middle distance and long runs. It’s a smidge heavy for tempo days, threshold days, or intervals on the track.
- Comfortable dual-layer mesh upper.
- Plush collar and plush tongue, but the tongue is not gusseted.
- DNA Loft foam midsole with great underfoot flex grooves making the toe-off really smooth.
- Really durable and soft blown rubber outsole allows for a softer landing underfoot.
Cons
- A bit heavy and not very breathable. (But good for winter time)
Related:
Weight
Women’s size 8 (8.5 oz / 240 g)
Men’s size 9 (9.7 oz / 274 g)
Drop
Women: 12mm
Men: 12mm
Stack height
Women: 32mm in the heel / 20mm in the forefoot.
Men: 32mm in the heel / 20mm in the forefoot.
Related:
Brooks Adrenaline GTS
Do Brooks Adrenaline GTS run small or big?
The Adrenaline GTS runs true to size and the fit is really good.
Related:
Where the Adrenaline shines
You can wear the Adrenaline for shorter runs, 5ks, Parkruns, and 10ks. It’s a bit heavy for race day or speedy runs.
The Adrenaline is one of the most popular stability running shoes, but its stability features are more subtle compared to some other stability shoes.
It’s going to be great for runners that need something to control their overpronation. It’s also great for someone who normally runs in a neutral shoe but is looking for something with a little bit more support.
In the past, stability shoes usually had some extra firmness or hardness in the midsole in order to protect you from rolling in too much.
With the Adrenaline, instead of having that traditional medial post, the GuideRails acts like sidewalls to keep your ankles from turning inward or outward too much.
Also, if your foot doesn’t really roll at all when it’s landing, the GuideRails are not going to get interfere with the way that you run.
- Solid internal heel counter adds to the stability and creates great lockdown in the heel.
- DNA Loft midsole runs all the way through from heel to toe, which helps with the whole transition.
- New 3D engineered mesh upper offering some decent breathability through the toe box.
- Nice lacing system and a padded tongue all adding to the great lockdown.
- Outsole has got some really good rubber, which makes the shoe really durable.
Cons
- A bit heavy.
Weight
Women’s size 8 (8.8 oz / 249 g)
Men’s size 9 (10 oz / 283 g)
Drop
Women: 12mm
Men: 12mm
Related:
Stack height
Women: 30mm in the heel / 18mm in the forefoot.
Men: 30mm in the heel / 18mm in the forefoot.
Related:
Brooks Glycerin
Do Brooks Glycerin run small or big?
The Brooks Glycerin runs true to size with no issues at all. However, the toe box is a little roomy and so people with skinny feet might find it a little wide for their liking. In this case, you should try the shoe on to see how it fits. But the midfoot lockdown is solid for most runners.
Related:
Where the Glycerin shines
These 10mm drop running shoes are a great neutral daily trainer. This shoe shines at easy days, middle-distance days, and long-run days. This is definitely not a tempo day or a threshold day, but the Glycerin is going to knock out some really good miles for you.
- Classic comfortable ride and upper.
- Multi-layer mesh that’s very plush and breathable through the toe box.
- Wide-feet friendly.
- Fully gusseted tongue.
- Plush collar and tongue.
- Plush DNA Loft midsole (EVA foam, rubber, and air)
- Feels softer and more responsive than the 18.
- Grippy and durable.
Cons
- Heavy and not very breathable.
- Don’t wear the Glycerin with slick running socks.
Weight
Women’s size 8 (8.5 oz / 240 g)
Men’s size 9 (9.9 oz / 280 g)
Drop
Women: 10mm
Men: 10mm
Stack height
Women: 31mm in the heel / 21mm in the forefoot.
Men: 31mm in the heel / 21mm in the forefoot.
When Brooks released the GTS version of the Glycerin, we compared both the regular Glycerin vs the Glycerin GTS.
Related:
Brooks Hyperion Elite
First off, the Hyperion Elite 2 is one of these great 8mm drop running shoes.
Do Brooks Hyperion Elite 2 run small or big?
The Hyperion Elite runs a little long and wide. It is a unisex sizing so it may fit a little loose for women, especially in the heel. It is only available in a D width, which is a Women’s Wide width and a Men’s Medium width.
The thin upper and heel collar are a little bit loose and it’s hard to get the perfect lockdown, especially for racing. But you can solve the issue by going a half size down if you like a snug fit or with a few minor adjustments like tightening the laces.
Related:
Where the Hyperion Elite shines
The Hyperion Elite 2 is a neutral road marathon racing shoe. I think you could put it in the half marathon category but definitely leaning in the direction more so of a marathon racing shoe.
It’s also great for threshold days and long runs.
- Comfortable stretch-woven upper which is the exact same upper as the Hyperion Elite 1.
- Very breathable through the toe box.
- DNA Flash midsole with a carbon fiber plate sandwiched in between there.
- Midsole is nitrogen-infused, which creates little tiny bubbles inside the midsole, which helps with energy return and the overall springy feel.
- Carbon fiber plate is not too rigid.
Cons
- The fit is tricky so do try the shoe on first.
Weight
Women’s size 11 (7.5 oz / 212 g)
Men’s size 9 (7.5 oz / 212 g)
Drop
Women: 8mm
Men: 8mm
Stack height
Women: 35mm in the heel / 27mm in the forefoot.
Men: 35mm in the heel / 27mm in the forefoot.
Related: Do Saucony Run Big or Small?
Brooks Hyperion Tempo
Do Brooks Hyperion Tempo run small or big?
The Brooks Hyperion Tempo runs true to size and the fit is pretty good.
However, the stretchy laces kind of makes it a bit hard to get a good lockdown from the shoe. When you do cinch the laces down, they cinch down really towards the top of the foot while it stays loose going to the toe box.
Where the Hyperion Tempo shines
These neutral running shoes are built for speed because of the DNA Flash that is infused with nitrogen.
At the beginning, the Hyperion Tempo feels like there’s not a lot of cushion. But once you start picking up the pace getting to moderate pace, 10k paces, half marathon pace, or marathon pace, that’s when you start to get the real cushioning properties of this midsole material.
Because it’s overall a firm material as well, once you do have it compressed and you lift your foot off, it really snaps back at the same time giving you a lot of energy return.
I’m in love with this DNA Flash in the Hyperion Tempo, in the Catamount, and I really like it in the Hyperion Elite 2
- Upper is really stretchy and breathable, which is really nice for the summertime.
- Moderate amount of padding in the heel but still comfortable to keep your heel locked in.
- Tongue is thin and stays out of the way.
- Outsole is durable and has very strategically placed 3 millimeters of rubber.
Cons
- Stretchy laces don’t help much with lockdown.
Weight
Women’s size 8 (8.3 oz / 204 g)
en’s size 9 (6.3 oz / 178 g)
Drop
Women: 8mm
Men: 8mm
Stack height
Women: 28mm in the heel / 20mm in the forefoot.
Men: 28mm in the heel / 20mm in the forefoot.
Brooks Launch
Do Brooks Launch GTS run small or big?
The Brooks Launch GTS fits true to size with no fit issues.
Where the Launch shines
The Launch is a stability daily trainer. It’s not an easy-day shoe because it lacks a little more stack height to baby your legs. It’s not a long-run shoe because you’re going to beat up your legs a little too much.
This is a great shoe for somebody that needs a little stability on the medial side but wants to pick up the pace a little bit.
It’s a lightweight shoe for stability purposes. Stabilities shoes always weigh a little bit more because of the extra components that the engineers have to put into the midsole, the outsole, and the upper in order to help with overpronation and stuff like that.
- Air mesh upper with very high breathability through the toe box.
- Semi-gusseted tongue and fairly stout heel counter (no heel slipping through the heel pocket).
- Flared-out heel adds a little bit of extra comfort on your Achilles tendon especially if you have Achilles Tendonitis.
- BioMogo DNA midsole adds more stability and gets the job done with no special pep under the step.
Cons
- The upper is not plush by any means.
Weight
Women’s size 8 (8.8 oz / 226 g)
Men’s size 9 (8.9 oz / 236 g)
Drop
Women: 10mm
Men: 10mm
Stack height
Women: 26mm in the heel / 16mm in the forefoot.
Men: 26mm in the heel / 16mm in the forefoot.
Brooks Ravenna
The Brooks Ravenna has been discontinued. Here’s its replacement.
Do Brooks Ravenna run small or big?
The Brooks Ravenna runs true to size with no issues.
Where the Ravenna shines
The Brooks Ravenna is a stability shoe. Just like the Adrenaline, the Ravenna uses the same GuideRial technology to provide overpronators and supinators with the stability they need.
Weight
Women’s size 8 (8 oz / 226 g)
Men’s size 9 (9.4 oz / 266 g)
Drop
Women: 10mm
Men: 10mm
Stack height
Women: 27mm in the heel / 17mm in the forefoot.
Men: 27mm in the heel / 17mm in the forefoot.
Brooks Catamount
Do Brooks Catamount run small or big?
The Brooks Glycerin Catamount runs true to size with no issues at all.
Where the Catamount shines
The Catamount is a neutral trail running shoe with a firm responsive ride. It’s great for middle-distance runs where you want to go a little more up-tempo.
It’s going to be great to train for a 50k race and a marathon trail race. It also shines in undulating hills rather than straight up a mountain just because that 3mm lug pattern is not incredibly aggressive at all.
If you want a shoe that feels responsive and has a rock plate, this is the right shoe for you. It’s also a great choice if you want to buy only one shoe for training and racing.
- Open mesh design with quite a bit of TPU overlays through the toe box.
- There’s some little slits right above the midsole to help water drain just in case you are doing some creek crossings.
- built-in gaiter features just in case you really need a gaiter for those harder trail runs.
- Really comfortable fully gusseted tongue.
- Pretty wide toe box.
- Stout toe cap for rocks and roots.
- DNA Flash midsole which is nitrogen-infused reminiscent of Skechers.
- Great Ballistic rock shield underfoot.
- Non-aggressive resilient 3mm lugs might make the Catamount a good commuter shoe (from pavement to dirt).
Cons
- No extra eyelet for the runner’s knot to better help with the lockdown.
Weight
Women’s size 8 (8.3 oz / 235 g)
Men’s size 9 (9.5 oz / 270 g)
Drop
Women: 6mm
Men: 6mm
Stack height
Women: 32mm in the heel / 26mm in the forefoot.
Men: 32mm in the heel / 26mm in the forefoot.
Brooks Caldera Trail
Do Brooks Caldera run small or big?
The Brooks Caldera runs true to size with no issues at all.
Where the Caldera shines
This is a neutral maximalist trail running shoe with some stoutness to the midsole. It’s an easy-day trail shoe especially if you want to buy one shoe for the entire season.
- Mono Loop engineered mesh with decent breathability.
- Great toe cap to protect your toes.
- Plush and buttery heel collar and counter create solid lockdown.
- Fully gusseted tongue.
- DNA foam is blended with BioMogo midsole material for adaptive cushioning.
- Wider landing platform, which is nice for stability regarding the big stack height.
- Midsole is soft but just adapts to the rocks of the trail really well.
- Tacky rubber outsole.
Weight
Women’s size 8 (9.5 oz / 266 g)
Men’s size 9 (10.8 oz / 306 g)
Drop
Women: 4mm
Men: 4mm
Stack height
Women: 39mm in the heel / 35mm in the forefoot.
Men: 39mm in the heel / 35mm in the forefoot.
Thanks for making it this far. I hope we’ve answered the question you were having. So, do Brooks run small, big, or true to size? I guess you have the answer now.
See you in the next one.
