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Evaluating Brooks vs ASICS actually comes all the way down to proprietary applied sciences, match, and really feel. They’re simply among the many most recognizable manufacturers and for good cause: each make distinctive trainers for varied operating kinds and physique sorts.
Each manufacturers are identified for his or her high quality and provide quite a lot of fashions to go well with totally different wants like overpronation, cushioning, and varied kinds of operating.
And don’t fear, simply because I share a final title with one model doesn’t imply my opinion is biased. 😉
Brooks’ high fashions are the Ghost and Glycerin, which are designed for impartial runners. Asics high fashions are the Gel–Kayano and the Nimbus, which are designed for impartial to gentle overpronators. So what does all of that imply?
Let’s take a look at some key variations between the shoe manufacturers, then we’ll examine options and go face to face with particular person sneakers that can assist you discover the perfect match.
The Important Variations Brooks vs ASICS
Brooks and ASICS provide related options and fashions for every kind of runners, from the informal runner to excessive marathoner to the flat-footed or high-arched. I break down the variations in additional element under, however right here’s a fast overview:
Brooks Operating Sneakers
- Wider Toe Field
- Solely designs trainers
- Science-driven to accommodate fairly than right gait
ASICS Operating Sneakers
- Extra slim match, particularly within the heel and midsole
- Well-known for its GEL expertise, which offers shock absorption
- Designs quite a lot of sneakers for a lot of totally different sports activities
I’ve worn each manufacturers and can add some private ideas, together with hyperlinks to detailed critiques.
When you’re searching for different comparisons, checkout ASICS vs Mizuno or Brooks Vs New Stability.
Brooks vs ASICS Characteristic Comparability
Each manufacturers have been round for a really very long time and are leaders in operating shoe design. They each provide varied applied sciences to assist with consolation, help, stability, and cushion. The place they differ most are within the match.
The next breaks down every shoe primarily based on the parts patrons want to think about when buying a operating shoe.
It’s gonna get slightly TECHY…so you possibly can simply skip on all the way down to the particular mannequin comparability in order for you, however personally if I’m shelling out $150 for sneakers, I kinda need to know why.
Sturdiness
The lifespan of sneakers from each firms is pretty comparable.
- Brooks sneakers have a life expectancy starting from 300 to 500 miles, or three to 6 months, relying in your month-to-month mileage.
- ASICS recommends swapping out for brand spanking new sneakers each 450 to 500 miles.
Figuring out when to switch trainers, in fact, all depends upon your gait, weight, and whether or not you run totally on path or street.
Breathability
Brooks makes use of two totally different applied sciences to maximise breathability. The primary is their Engineered Mesh, a woven materials that gives stretch and construction. The second is the Match Knit that gives a sock-like match that additionally permits for snug motion.
ASICS Ortholite Lasting materials offers a luxurious underfoot cushion whereas managing moisture construct up from sweat, permitting for max breathability.
Match
Brooks sneakers have a wider toe field, which makes them an important selection for runners with extensive ft or bunions. The model recommends that patrons go up a half dimension from their on a regular basis shoe.
Brooks takes the cake in the case of on-line match, the Brooks shoe match finder provides you with an thought of what to search for in a operating shoe whenever you do go to your native retailer.
ASICS sneakers have a extra cosy match, notably within the heel and midfoot. An exterior heel clutch delivers focused match and help, whereas the Gel expertise permits for foot motion in varied instructions because the foot transitions, lowering heel strike.
Whereas ASICS additionally encompasses a shoe match information, it takes slightly sleuthing to search out (you’re welcome).
That is an older, but nonetheless very USEFUL graphic from the Huffington Submit.
I neglect we might not all know the lingo when speaking about totally different parts of the shoe and why they matter.
Cushioning
Brooks makes use of two varieties of cushioning of their designs:
- DNA LOFT – Mushy cushioning, that adapts to a runner’s profile, stride, and pace
- BioMoGo DNA – additionally adapts to runner’s profile, stride, and pace, offering a extra balanced expertise with a little bit of spring.
ASICS makes use of Flytefoam expertise that gives bounceback and responsiveness with every step. It offers a bit much less vitality return than Brooks sneakers, however the two applied sciences are pretty related.
The corporate has been utilizing their well-known Gel expertise for greater than 30 years. It really works nicely to soak up the shock with every step.
Stability
Brooks refers to particular person operating gaits because the “Run Signature.” Slightly than “repair” the best way somebody runs, Brooks expertise helps to stabilize your stride primarily based on the way you naturally run.
They put runners into two totally different classes: Impartial and Help.
Brooks GuideRails expertise permits hips, knees, and joints to maneuver naturally, providing help when wanted. Impartial runners might solely require them to kick in when their stride is off.
ASICS sneakers present stability by way of a twin density midsole system known as Duomax, which boosts help and stability. That, together with the exterior heel clutch enable the foot to proceed its pure motion whereas operating.
Affordability
The costs between the 2 manufacturers are pretty comparable. Brooks costs vary between $100 to $160, whereas ASICS begin at a barely larger value at $110 to $160.
The preferred fashions for each manufacturers are priced towards the upper vary.
You’ll discover that each model affords a spread and that is certainly resulting from a distinction in expertise and the place they promote the shoe. They know that the large field retailer can promote the shoe with much less in it, whereas the native operating retailer must be finest for devoted runners.
ASICS Vs Brooks Operating Shoe Fashions
Now that you already know extra about every model, let’s take a look at their high fashions in every of the primary classes. There’s no winner declared right here as a result of all are nice sneakers, it’s nearly which one is finest to your foot.
Did you discover I even mentioned the manufacturers in reverse order this time…severely no favorites, I’ve run in each manufacturers many alternative occasions over time.
Stability Operating Shoe
👉ASICS GEL Kayano 29
The GEL Kayano is now in its twenty ninth iteration and often known as top-of-the-line stability sneakers available on the market. Nice for overpronators in search of stability, the GEL Kayano is a perfect shoe for marathons.
The heel and footmattress are designed to present most consolation and stability, which is nice for longer distances. The uppers are light-weight, breathin a position, and sturdy, making them a nice selection for operating in any climate. The outsole offers good grip and traction on a selection of surfaces.
Total, these are a nice operating shoe and I extremely suggest them to anybody trying for a snug and supportive operating shoe. There’s a cause this shoe is one in all their high sellers.
- 10 mm drop
- 9.5 oz ladies’s, 10.5 oz males’s
- $160
- Obtainable on Zappos, almost each operating retailer
- Learn my in- depth assessment of the Kayano!
👉Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23
The model’s hottest street operating shoe (GTS stands for go-to-shoe) simply turned 23 and is available in a swath of colours. This supportive shoe is finest for a medium to excessive arch, and is a part of the cushion line.
This was one of many very FIRST shoe manufacturers that I purchased at a operating retailer! I assumed it was so extremely cool my title was on the shoe…ha!!! However sure they have been tremendous duper brilliant white (as you’ll see under). I additionally purchased stability as a result of I used to be advised I wanted it…however I’ve crushed this matter, many runners don’t.
This shoe does really feel firmer, which is regular for a stability shoe with the guiderails which are attempting to forestall your foot from falling inward.
It’s additionally a shoe I like to recommend for runners coping with Plantar Fasciitis as a result of it’s bought a excessive arch and offers quite a lot of help.


- 12 mm drop
- 8.9 oz ladies’s, 10.2 oz males’s
- $140
- Obtainable on BrooksRunning.com and almost each operating retailer
The Brooks Adrenaline GTS goes to develop in recognition as Brooks removed it’s two different stability fashions the Ravena and Transcend. So it’s a great factor that it has a few years of very blissful runners behind it. It’s positively a firmer day by day coach, to assist present that crucial help for overpronation.
Impartial Operating Shoe
👉ASICS GEL Nimbus 26
This shoe will enchantment to most runners searching for a impartial match. The inclusion of ASICS applied sciences just like the Flytefoam and the GEL affords cushioned help with a responsive match. Whether or not you’re an off-the-cuff runner or a tough core marathoner, this shoe is a superb selection for a day by day coach.
I just like the decrease drop on this shoe for almost all of runners and discover it’s proper within the center for cushion. Not an excessive amount of to lose your step, however sufficient to nonetheless really feel good.
When you’re searching for related efficiency with a lighter environmental footprint, check out the GEL Nimbus Lite.
I struggled slightly with how excessive the tongue and heel tags come up on this mannequin, they simply rubbed on my foot. However loads of you’ve got mentioned that wasn’t a difficulty…so simply one thing to think about!
- 8 mm drop
- 9.2 oz ladies’s, 10.5 oz males’s
- $160
- Obtainable Amazon, Zappos, almost each operating retailer
- Learn my full assessment of the Nimbus!
👉Brooks Ghost 15
The Ghost affords clean transitions and smooth cushioning for street operating and is finest for these in search of impartial help. Runners’ World has awarded this shoe a number of Editor’s Selection Awards.
I personally was so intrigued by these awards that I snagged myself a pair final 12 months and they’re nearing the tip of their life, however have served me very, very nicely. Which is why I then upgraded to the most recent mannequin to see what could be totally different.
The heel-to-toe drop is quite a bit larger than I have a tendency to love, nevertheless it’s a really commonplace conventional operating shoe really feel. So for those who’re searching for that on a regular basis run shoe, which may present a reasonable quantity of cushion to go the space, it’s a win.
Cushioned Operating Shoe
👉
Asics Novablast 4
The Novablast has been a successful max cushion shoe from Asics because it first launched they usually have continued to extend the quantity of cushion within the shoe, whereas working to drop the load.
That is in truth essentially the most light-weight day by day coach on the checklist!


The midsole is Flytefoam Blast+ Eco, constructed from 20% bio-based supplies to maintain transferring towards a objective of sustainability. For our functions, what meaning is it lives as much as the title of MAX cushion! Once more, I like that this shoe is a extra responsive cushion and also you don’t sink in to it a lot.
Whereas this can be a impartial shoe, with no guiderails or something for stability, it completely has a few of that in-built to the design. The width of the platform from toe to heel reduces pronation and offers a extremely good experience.
👉Brooks Glycerin 21
It‘s a nice all–round operating shoe, offering nice cushioning for a selection of operating distances.
It’s bought their new, Nitro -infused DNA loft which simply makes it sound quick already. I really feel like this shoe has gained some weight over time as they attempt to improve the cushion. So it was gentle and cushioned making it good for pace work and even marathon race day, however now I’d most likely lean in to it as a day by day coach and look to some carbon fiber for race day.


The higher is made from a breathin a position mesh materials that retains your ft cool and snug. The midsole affords nice shock absorption, and the rubber sole offers dependable traction on a selection of surfaces.
- 10 mm heel drop
- 9.1 oz ladies’s, 10.3 oz males’s
- $140
Carbon Fiber Plate Sneakers
Are they cool new expertise, sure. Do they final so long as your different sneakers, nope.
So if you wish to check these out use them for pace work after which race day! Watch my detailed video on how Carbon Fiber Sneakers work.
👉ASICS Metaspeed Sky
ASICS is attempting to catch up on this space and launched a couple of sneakers which many people can’t give up inform aside. The Edge goes to be the shoe with much less cushion, much less weight and higher for these racing sub 3, and many others.
This can be a most cushioned carbon fiber plate for the marathon runner in you. It’s going to provide you each that feeling of consolation over the miles together with the pop that’s usually misplaced in a extremely cushioned shoe.
- Unisex within the SKY+
- 5 mm heel drop
- 5.8 oz ladies’s SKY, 7.2 oz SKY+
- $250
👉Brooks Hyperion Elite
Not like lots of the different carbon fiber sneakers, Brooks says theirs might last as long as 400 miles. That’s a fairly vital win for a carbon fiber shoe primarily based on the value we’re all paying!
These are extra of a maximal shoe with a better stack top, which permits them to construct in additional cushion and their fast roll expertise. Which is a elaborate manner of claiming the shoe ought to assist some with a fast transition from heel to toe on every step.
Sadly the most recent mannequin additionally gained a couple of oz for them to place in additional options. So…you’ll should determine if it nonetheless feels as quick.
- Unisex
- 8 mm heel drop
- 7.8 oz
- $250
Extra About Brooks Operating
Consider it or not, Brooks began out in 1914 making ballet slippers and bathing sneakers. Since then, they’ve made every little thing from baseball and soccer cleats to curler skates.
It wasn’t till Frank Shorter gained the marathon on the 1972 Munich Olympics that Brooks thought of limiting its focus. The primary operating shoe debuted in 1974 and their hottest operating shoe, the Adrenaline GTS first hit the market in 1999.
In 2001, Brooks determined to focus solely on operating.
They launched the Transcend in 2013, a shoe that used new biomechanics expertise to create a GuideRails expertise, permitting runners to run naturally with out attempting to right their gait.
The Seattle-based firm can also be well-known for its dedication to sustainability and giving again. Brooks donates time, gear, and cash to firms that align with their values round range, fairness, and inclusion and employees obtain paid annual volunteer time.
Extra About ASICS
Based in 1949, by Kihachiro Onitsuka in Japan, ASICS is an acronym for the Latin expression “Anima Sana in Corpore Sano” (“wholesome thoughts in a wholesome physique”).
The corporate launched a basketball shoe in 1950, adopted by trainers in 1953. Amongst these operating shoe merchandise included the Onitsuka Tiger, nonetheless a well-liked shoe at present, although primarily used as an off-the-cuff shoe versus a marathon shoe.
Right this moment, Asics designs all kinds of sneakers together with: operating, tennis, volleyball, wrestling, and golf.
Enjoyable truth: Nike was based to promote the Onitsuka Tiger sneakers within the US. After visiting Japan in 1963, Phil Knight was impressed by the top quality and cheap costs and requested the corporate to characterize the model within the US. Anybody else learn his ebook and discover all of this fascinating?!
The best way to Select the Greatest Operating Shoe?
ASICS and Brooks are the 2 hottest operating shoe manufacturers available on the market, however extra necessary than model is the match of the shoe.
Your gait and ft will doubtless change over time and you could want to alter sneakers.
That is additionally why I like to recommend rotating by way of a number of pairs of sneakers without delay.
And keep in mind, simply because these are two of essentially the most well-known manufacturers available on the market, there are nonetheless loads of different shoe manufacturers to pick out from if neither Brooks nor ASICS has the proper shoe for you.
Needless to say shoe design can change, even with the identical mannequin, so at all times assess how the shoe matches each time you substitute a pair.
For extra assist choosing the proper shoe for you, don’t fear, I’ve bought you:
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