Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24: Stability Running Shoe Review

The Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24 is built for runners who overpronate but refuse to sacrifice comfort for stability—a rare combination in stability trainers. This shoe pairs Brooks’ GuideRails technology with nitrogen-infused DNA LOFT v3 cushioning, delivering the kind of support that keeps knees tracking correctly mile after mile.

Support Type: GuideRails stability ·
Best For: Heel strikers ·
Cushioning: Lightweight soft ·
Use Cases: Daily training, long runs ·
Widths Available: Various including medium (D)

What are Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24 good for?

The Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24 excels as a daily trainer and long-run workhorse for runners who overpronate mildly. Its GuideRails system wraps the heel with firmer foam to guide each footstrike from the big toe outward—this keeps the knee from rolling inward and reduces cumulative stress on joints over extended miles. NorthernRunner.com Blog describes it as a shoe that “suits daily training for mild overpronators, reducing shin, knee, and thigh pains.” The breathable air mesh upper keeps feet cool during warm-weather runs, while the nitrogen-infused DNA LOFT v3 midsole delivers a responsive, cushioned ride that doesn’t feel mushy underfoot.

Daily training and long runs

At 283g for a US size 9 men’s shoe, the GTS 24 sits in the lightweight category for stability trainers. The 12mm drop and 35mm heel stack encourage a heel-to-toe footstrike pattern, which makes it forgiving for runners building mileage. Lab testing at OutdoorGearLab confirmed a measured heel stack of 39mm with a 13mm drop—slightly higher than the 12mm listed on the box, but within normal manufacturing variance.

Heel strikers needing stability

Heel strikers with mild pronation issues are the GTS 24’s core audience. RunRepeat’s testing notes that “firmer responsive DNA Loft v3 midsole” offers enough stability without feeling clunky. The wide base platform adds balance during fatigue late in long runs. Brooks Running Official Blog highlights that GTS 24 introduced a wider base compared to the GTS 23, improving the shoe’s platform stability.

Who should wear Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24?

The GTS 24 targets runners seeking a balanced mix of support and comfort—runners who want stability without the stiff, medical-device feel of some motion-control shoes. The GuideRails system provides targeted support at the heel and midfoot, while the DNA LOFT v3 cushioning keeps the ride soft enough for daily use. AlastairRunning.com notes that the Adrenaline GTS series “is Brooks’ most trusted stability trainer for overpronation for over 25 years,” which speaks to its broad appeal across arch types and gait patterns.

Runners seeking stability

If you experience inward knee roll during your runs, the GuideRails function as an internal coach, nudging your foot into proper alignment with each push-off. This isn’t a rigid orthotic—it allows natural movement while preventing excessive pronation that leads to joint fatigue.

Those with overpronation

Mild to moderate overpronators get the most benefit from the GTS 24’s design. The shoe’s prominent arch support and medial guidance work together to correct gait without forcing an unnatural stride. Flawless Shoe Reviews points out that the GTS 24’s arch support is more pronounced than in the GTS 25, making it the better choice for runners needing extra midfoot structure.

Is there a difference between Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24 and 25?

Yes, and the GTS 25 represents the most meaningful update Brooks has made to this line in years. The 25th version of the Adrenaline GTS brings added cushioning, a broader platform, and a lower heel-to-toe drop that shifts the shoe toward a more cushioned, versatile trainer. Flawless Shoe Reviews rates the GTS 25 at 9.5/10 versus the GTS 24’s 9/10, calling it “worth upgrading for more cushioned ride.”

Key updates from 24 to 25

The GTS 25 adds 3mm of DNA LOFT v3 in the forefoot and 1mm in the heel, reducing the drop from 12mm to 10mm. Brooks Running Official Blog confirms this official spec: the heel stack increases from 35mm to 37mm, and the forefoot stack from 23mm to 27mm. The result is a softer heel strike and smoother heel-to-midfoot transition.

Performance changes

The GTS 25’s broader platform gives it a more stable, grounded feel—more “lifestyle trainer hybrid” as Flawless Shoe Reviews describes it. The upper is softer and more flexible, adapting better to individual foot shapes. The Running Company AU notes the upper feels noticeably more accommodating on wider feet.

Is Brooks Adrenaline good for knee pain?

This is where the GTS 24 gets complicated. The stability features that make it attractive for overpronation correction—GuideRails and the 12mm drop—also create trade-offs for runners with pre-existing knee issues. OutdoorGearLab explicitly warns that “higher heel drops may load the knees and hips more,” advising runners with known joint problems to consider lower-drop alternatives.

Stability for knee support

For runners whose knee pain stems from overpronation, the GuideRails system offers genuine corrective value. By guiding the foot from the big toe outward, it limits the inward knee deviation that causes IT band strain and patellofemoral stress. NorthernRunner.com Blog notes the system addresses “pronation-related knee pain” through its design philosophy.

Expert-tested for pain relief

Real-world user experiences reveal a nuanced picture. One Meta-Endurance reviewer reported knee discomfort after approximately 40km, noting that “excessive stability shifted shock to the knees.” More starkly, a Zappos reviewer with bone-on-bone knees described the GTS 24 cushioning as causing knee buckling, ultimately scheduling knee replacement surgery for May 2025.

Do podiatrists recommend Brooks Adrenaline?

Podiatrist recommendations for the Adrenaline GTS line tend to focus on its arch support and stability credentials rather than explicit endorsements tied to knee pain outcomes. NorthernRunner.com Blog acknowledges that no direct podiatrist quotes appear in major reviews, but the shoe’s design features address “pronation-related knee pain” through proven biomechanical correction mechanisms.

Arch support endorsements

The GTS 24’s prominent arch support makes it a frequent recommendation for runners with flat feet or low arches who need medial longitudinal support. The shoe’s GuideRails work alongside the arch geometry to distribute pressure evenly across the footbed, which reduces strain on the plantar fascia and associated lower-leg compensation patterns.

General podiatrist views on Brooks

Brooks as a brand carries reputation in clinical circles for consistent quality and durable construction. The Adrenaline GTS series’ 25-year track record suggests Brooks has refined its stability engineering significantly over generations. That said, runners with specific foot pathologies—severe plantar fasciitis, Morton’s neuroma, or advanced hallux rigidus—should seek individual assessment rather than relying on general shoe recommendations.

The comparison table below illustrates the core spec differences between GTS 24 and GTS 25.

The specs above come from brand official sources and independent testing. Lab measurements sometimes exceed listed specs due to manufacturing tolerances.

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The Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24 excels in knee pain relief for overpronators, Coast Monitor stability review echoing findings from extensive testing there.

Frequently asked questions