Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24 vs 23 Comparison Running Shoe Review

By Sportitude

Published on Nov 28, 2024

14 min read

The main difference between the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24 and the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23 is that the new model is updated with DNA Loft v3 for softer, springier and smoother cushioning from this top stability running shoe family.

With DNA Loft v3 already rolled out in the Brooks Ghost Max 2, Brooks Ghost 16 and Brooks Glycerin 21, there was no doubt to the quality of this cushioning as it made its way into the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24 as confirmed by the comfort on your feet.

It’s a sign of Brooks’ continuous improvement in their technologies and models, solidifying the reliability and well-earned trust of the brand.

Discover the differences and similarities in the upper, midsole and outsole with a comparative look at the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24 vs the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23 in Sportitude's running shoe review.

But first, we'll dive into the common questions runners are asking about the Brooks Adrenaline GTS, including insight on how to choose between the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24 and Brooks Ghost 16. Both are flagship daily trainers from Brooks built on comfort-driven technologies, but are targeted towards specific foot types for a personalised ride.

Brooks Adrenaline GTS FAQ

What are the Brooks Adrenaline GTS for?

True to the legacy of the first Brooks Adrenaline GTS, the 24th evolution offers a support-focused ride as the flagship stability shoe from Brooks. Easy-going runs, recovery days and long distances are where this shoe shines, as opposed to speedwork like tempo and fartlek training.

Its upgraded formula with the first-ever introduction of DNA Loft v3 technology in an Adrenaline GTS, and smooth stability from the trusted GuideRails support system, make it a daily trainer that overpronated foot types can enjoy effortlessly.

By effortlessly, we’re referring to the fact that the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24 feels natural on your foot. The days when stability was synonymous with clunky, obtrusive, rigid or heavy running shoes are history. Even before your first step in the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24, the intentions of the shoe remain clear with GTS in the name.

What does GTS stand for in shoes?

Brooks have coined the acronym GTS as an abbreviation of “Go-To Support”. You’ll find this term in the model name of Brooks’ stability running shoes, identifying them from their neutral running shoe counterparts. For example, the Brooks Glycerin GTS 21 and the Brooks Glycerin 21– two models built around the same comfortable feel, with the former also featuring GuideRails technology for overpronation guidance.

Overpronation refers to the excessive rolling of the foot on the medial side (inner edge or big toe side) on foot strike. Overpronation naturally occurs as part of the biomechanics of walkers and runners that have low arches or flat foot types. The excessive collapsing or flattening of the arch in these foot types means these runners must compensate for the lack of natural support through wearing stability running shoes or orthotics.

Overpronation can lead to increased stress to the supportive ligaments, tendons and muscles of your feet and the inward rolling of the knee, increasing your susceptibility to injury and potentially reducing your running efficiency.

Brooks GTS running shoes or Go-To Support running shoes help mitigate this common problem. With Brooks GuideRails technology, the goal is subtle guidance to encourage your foot onto its most efficient motion path, keeping your body aligned rather than controlling your gait with aggressive support.

By wrapping beneath the heel area and using strategic placement of midsole foam that’s firmer where extra support is needed, GuideRails ensure a smooth, distraction-free stride as Brooks’ holistic support system.

Is the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24 good for plantar fasciitis?

The Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23 was praised by runners as one of the best stability running shoes for people with plantar fasciitis and the newest generation lives up to its reputation. Plantar fasciitis refers to the inflammation of your plantar fascia, the naturally shock-absorbing and weight-bearing connective tissue that stretches from your heel bone (calcaneus), across your arch and through to the base of your toes.

Overtraining, running on hard surfaces without adequate cushioning and overpronation can increase strain to the arches of your feet, potentially resulting in injury to your plantar fascia. Runners with increased risk of plantar fasciitis benefit from running shoes that help take the stress off the heel.

The Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24 helps protect you from plantar fasciitis and alleviates stress to your plantar fascia with the following features:

12mm heel-to-toe drop: Offers a traditional, generously sloped platform to take the pressure off your heel and disperse it towards the forefoot.
GuideRails technology: Allows you to run naturally and efficiently, while reducing the severity of overpronation that can aggravate plantar fasciitis.
DNA Loft v3 midsole: Provides soft, shock-absorbing cushioning to protect your muscles and ligaments of your foot from hard, repetitive impacts – including the high-stress zone of the heel.

Is the Brooks Adrenaline GTS good for walking?

Yes, the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24 and its predecessors offer comfort for cruising at relaxed paces over long distances. Whether you’re a recreational runner with a goal to log more mileage or a walking enthusiast at parkrun, their combination of trustworthy arch support and cushioning make them your go-to ride.

Their versatility evolves with your fitness journey, from walking to jogging to slow running in your daily training, or to comfortably get from A to B in luxurious support. Its high protection in the rearfoot also caters smoothly to the heel-to-toe motion of walking.

The removable insole makes the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24 an accommodating fit for orthotics, so when it comes to walking or easy-going paces, there are few limits to what the Brooks Adrenaline GTS can do for you. The Brooks Adrenaline franchise has also been a popular choice for professions like nursing that keep you on your feet for hours and that benefit from increased softness and shock absorption.

The Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24 has an increased weight compared to other Brooks running shoes, but that’s only to be expected with the level of cushioning and support they provide and their suitability for slower paces.

Is the Brooks Ghost or Brooks Adrenaline GTS better?

Good question, but that really depends on you and your feet! The Brooks Ghost is Brooks’ signature neutral running shoe. This means its engineering caters to runners with mid-height arches that naturally provide optimal levels of shock absorption and support, without the need of additional stability technologies.

The main difference between the Brooks Ghost and the Brooks Adrenaline GTS is that the Brooks Ghost is free of the GuideRails holistic support system that is present in their GTS (Go-To Support) models. In the Brooks Adrenaline GTS, the GuideRails prevent excess movement for overpronators, helping keep your stride healthy and efficient, supporting proper running form even as you fatigue. It’s not only about your feet, but the bigger picture of your running gait, helping keep your knees comfortably aligned.

As a neutral alternative to the Brooks Adrenaline GTS, the Brooks Ghost differs in the intended foot type but shares a similar purpose and feel. Both are daily trainers that provide a balance of softness and responsiveness.

Both the Brooks Ghost 16 (28mm stack height) and Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24 (25mm stack height) offer a protected feel from the nitrogen-infused supercritical DNA Loft v3 cushioning. With the GuideRails holistic support technology, the Adrenaline GTS 24 has a firmer feel than the neutral Ghost 16 for an overpronator-friendly ride.

In terms of weight, the Brooks Ghost 16 is lighter (Men’s: 270g / Women’s: 241g) compared to the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24 (Men’s 283g / Women’s: 255g). This weight difference in part can be attributed to the GuideRails technology included in the Brooks Adrenaline GTS. However, if you have flat to low arches, those additional grams disappear beneath your feet when you flow into a stride without the worry of overpronation distracting from your feel-good runs.

Quick Shoe Fitting Advice

The Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24 could be the best running shoe for you if:

You have flat to low arches and require overpronation guidance in the form of Brooks GuideRails
You are a neutral runner (mid arches) that prefers enhanced stability to guide your running gait onto its most efficient motion path as your body fatigues during long runs
You prefer a slightly firmer feel from the DNA Loft v3 cushioning and stack height

The Brooks Ghost 16 could be the best running shoe for you if:

You have a neutral foot type that doesn’t require stability technology to stay efficient, consistent and injury free in your stride
You prefer a slightly lighter, softer yet balanced feel from the DNA Loft v3 cushioning and stack height

Running shoe tip:

Uncertain whether you’re a neutral runner, overpronator or supinator? Flipping your current running shoes upside-down can provide valuable insight.

Overpronator: If your running shoes are worn down primarily on the inside edge (big toe side) of the outsole or heel, with the rubber smoothed out, you’re most likely an overpronator. You may benefit from wearing the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24 or the plusher Brooks Glycerin GTS 21, both which feature GuideRails and shock-absorbing DNA Loft v3.

Neutral runner: If the wear is dispersed relatively evenly across the outsole, you’re most likely a neutral runner and may find your ideal fit in the balanced Brooks Ghost or softly cushioned Brooks Glycerin. For neutral foot types that crave a max stacked platform for springy yet soft shock absorption, check out the new Brooks Glycerin Max.

Supinator: Supinators (underpronators) are a special case as the rarer foot type. If you’re a supinator, you’ll notice the outsole is worn down on the outer edge (smallest toe side) of your running shoes. As shoe brands don’t produce supinator-specific running shoes, a neutral running shoe with plenty of cushioning to compensate for high arches, like the Brooks Glycerin franchise, will be the best fit for you.

Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24 vs GTS 23: Which Is The Best Running Shoe For You?

Runners are excited that the DNA Loft v3 and the adaptable support of GuideRails have been finally brought together in the Brooks Adrenaline GTS, with the softer Brooks Glycerin GTS stability running shoes also boasting this combination of cushioning and support.

The wait for the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24 was worth it. Below, we dive into the details of the engineering and features that set the Brooks Glycerin GTS 24 apart from its predecessor, the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23 to help you make an informed running shoe purchase.

Fit

The fit of the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24 is true to size, being identical to the previous generation in terms of length. This makes it easy for loyal Brooks Adrenaline GTS runners to transition to the newest model of the franchise.

However, there is conflicting feedback from runners in terms of whether the toe box is slightly more voluminous or less voluminous when moving from the Adrenaline GTS 23 to the GTS 24. In either case, the toe box appears to be wider which is a beneficial feature if you’re a runner seeking to clock up high mileage and need the extra space to accommodate the natural swelling of your feet or the splaying of your toes on push-off. It’s also accommodating for everyday walkers and runners seeking extra wiggle room and air circulation purely from a comfort perspective.

Available in four widths in both the men’s model and women’s model (narrow, standard, wide and extra wide), it’s obvious that Brooks have no doubts that the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24 will continue to be a trusted choice in the stability space for overpronated foot types of all shapes and sizes. This ability to personalise your fit is among the key features that makes Brooks running shoes stand out from the pack.

Upper

Hugging your feet in an engineered Air Mesh upper, the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24 provides summer-ready breathability and an airy forefoot while providing a secure structure, working in harmony with your movement. The overall upper feel is plusher, with Brooks’ eye for detail even extending to the laces that offer a more padded feel than the Adrenaline GTS 23.

A sturdy heel counter with plush padding and a height comparable to the previous generation, wraps to your heel for a stay-put fit. Runners that are sensitive to stiffer heel counters may not find it ideal, however this rigidity complements the support characteristics by eliminating side-to-side movement and twisting.

The tongue is comfortably padded to protect against lace tension. Two additional lace loops help lock in the fit just-right with the lacing and eyelet system of your running shoes, ensuring the soft tongue stays secure and doesn’t shift out of place.

The sleek yet padded feel Brooks have mastered in their uppers has helped turn the traditional reputation of stability shoes around – from clunky and cumbersome to effortless and enjoyable.

According to Brooks, the upper is made with 62.7% recycled materials, with the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24 giving a new life to plastic waste equivalent to about 8 plastic bottles - staying honest to their sustainability initiatives.

Midsole

DNA Loft v3 vs DNA Loft v2

DNA Loft v2, a rubber-EVA formula, is being phased out of Brooks running shoes in preference for the DNA Loft v3 midsole. Cradling your feet in luxury, the DNA Loft v3 cushioning in the latest Brooks Adrenaline GTS provides a runner-approved update.

DNA Loft v3 cushioning improves resiliency and responsiveness compared to the DNA Loft v2 foam of the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23 and original DNA Loft of the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 22.

The Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24 (above) provides a springier feel with the nitrogen-infused DNA Loft v3. The large cell structure of DNA Loft v3 heightens the shock-absorbing and bounce characteristics of this technology.

Nitrogen-infused isn’t just an eye-catching marketing term. With nitrogen a crucial ingredient in the midsole, the rubber-EVA formula of DNA Loft v3 is lighter than earlier generations. It offers a more relaxed feel with softer compression compared to the firmer DNA Loft v2. It demonstrates Brooks' ever-evolving innovation when it comes to your comfort as a runner.

Offering the large cell structure for the full length of the midsole, DNA Loft v3 provides a seamless, consistent comfort from heel-to-toe in the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24.

It also differs from Brooks' newest DNA midsole, nitrogen-infused DNA Tuned which debuted in the Brooks Glycerin Max on the 1st of October 2024. This supercritical foam offers strategically larger cells in the heel for targeted softness and shock absorption, and smaller cells in the forefoot for responsiveness.

GuideRails holistic support system

‘Smooth stability’ is a key selling point of the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24 (above), with Brooks’ trusted GuideRails technology running strong in the franchise since the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 19.

Unlike traditional medial posts, the philosophy of GuideRails is to guide rather than control or correct. They function like the bumpers/rails used in bumper bowling – only helping direct the flow of movement when your feet steer off course of their most efficient motion path.

The GuideRails in the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24 stay honest to the reliably stable ride of the previous version, keeping you in line with your natural running gait from heel to midfoot. Excess movement and rotation is minimised to protect your feet, shins, knees and hips from pain and injury, helping improve your running form. They allow you to set your running rhythm on autopilot without any conscious changes to your stride.

From the first step-in you can feel the medial arch support from the GuideRails – with the stability being arguably more significant compared to the previous generation, to compensate for the softer cushioning. However, this feedback differs from runner to runner, with some saying the stability feels smoother and less noticeable.

On both accounts, true to the philosophy behind Brooks GuideRails, this technology melts away into the background when your foot is in motion. With a firmer and more prominent rail on the medial side compared to the lateral side, overpronators will be welcomed with adaptive support, while the lateral side unit helps keep your foot centred on the platform. The support system during your runs is subtle yet effective, not jarring or distracting.

This subtlety also makes it a potential favourite for neutral runners that prefer a supportive feel or extra stability to guide them back on track as they fatigue during longer runs. The Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23 provides more mild stability compared to the moderate to high stability of the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24.

For runners seeking maximum support, the Brooks Beast GTS for men, Brooks Ariel GTS for women or Brooks Addiction GTS are stability running shoes for you to consider.

Stack height & heel-to-toe drop

Even though the 12mm heel-to-toe drop is consistent from the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23 to the GTS 24, there has been a small adjustment to the stack height. With a 25mm stack height and a 13mm forefoot in the new model, both the height of the shoe at its thickest point in the midsole and the height of the forefoot are 1mm taller than the previous generation.

It’s a seemingly negligible change, but it adds to the overall softness of the shoe without modifying the heel-to-toe drop. Seeing as the heel-to-toe drop is a deciding factor on how stress is distributed throughout the foot, keeping this already generous heel-to-toe drop the same means runners can expect the same protection – just enhanced – as this engineering feature continues to offload the injury-prone heel and Achilles tendon, shifting stress towards the forefoot. When paired with the increased heel bevel of the outsole, the 12mm heel-to-toe drop feels closer to the ground, but without compromising on the protection.

Whether it’s due to the 1mm boost in forefoot height or the addition of DNA Loft v3, the cushioning of the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23 also feels more flexible in the forefoot compared to the previous generation. However, the overall cushioning continues to focus on protecting the midfoot and especially the high-impact zone of the heel.

Outsole

The greater sole flare and additional forefoot sidewalls in the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24 (above) creates a more supportive base and experience from the ground up. The outsole has been overhauled with the strategic placement of rubber increasing rigidity and structure at the forefoot. This adds to the overall stability and creates a little extra snap on toe-off.

The more prominent angle of the heel bevel in the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24 offers smoother transitions, ensuring the ride feels more effortless than the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23. The Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24 is celebrated as the smoothest running shoe in the Adrenaline GTS family yet.

Brooks have also put their RoadTack rubber with recycled materials into action. This compound is resilient and road-ready with durable traction while complementing the soft, bouncy feel to set a steady pace. The longevity is comparable to the Brooks Adrenaline GTS models that came before it, making it a reliable companion for the kilometres ahead.

Running Shoe Comparison: Specs & Features

Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24

Best For: Daily training, long runs, easy runs & recovery runs
Support: Stability
Foot Type: Flat/low arch, medium arch
Upper: Engineered Air Mesh
Midsole: Brooks DNA Loft v3
Heel Height: 25mm
Forefoot Height: 13mm
Offset / Drop: 12mm

Women

Weight: 255g / 9 oz
Widths: B - standard, D - wide (currently available at Sportitude)

Men

Weight: 283g / 10oz
Widths: D - standard, 2E - wide (currently available at Sportitude)

Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23

Best For: Daily training, long runs, easy runs & recovery runs
Support: Stability
Foot Type: Flat/low arch, medium arch
Upper: Engineered Air Mesh
Midsole: Brooks DNA Loft v2
Heel Height: 24mm
Forefoot Height: 12mm
Offset / Drop: 12mm

Women

Weight: 258g / 9.1oz
Widths: 2A - Narrow, B - Standard, D - Wide, 2E - Extra Wide (currently available at Sportitude)

Men

Weight: 286g / 10.08oz
Widths: B - Narrow, D - Standard, 2E - Wide, 4E - Extra Wide (currently available at Sportitude)

Need help finding the best running shoe for you? Contact our Sportitude running experts for friendly guidance.

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