A shoe name can get you to the right shelf. The next decision is about the way you want your miles to feel. Start with your usual run, the amount of cushioning you enjoy and whether you want structured support, then compare the exact model.
Shop all Brooks · Explore Adrenaline history
A starting map of the range
| Model | Cushioning and construction | Drop | Starting comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ghost 18 | DNA LOFT v3 | 10 mm | Everyday road runs and walking |
| Adrenaline GTS 25 | DNA LOFT v3 with GuideRails | 10 mm | Daily road running with structured support |
| Glycerin 23 | DNA TUNED | 8 mm | Plush everyday and long-run cushioning |
| Glycerin GTS 23 | DNA TUNED with GuideRails | 8 mm | Plush road cushioning with structured support |
| Ghost Max 4 | DNA LOFT v3 and rocker geometry | 6 mm | Daily runs, walking and assisted transitions |
| Glycerin Max 2 | DNA TUNED and rocker geometry | 6 mm | Plush long, recovery and everyday runs |
The table uses these named generations. A family collection may also include older models or different constructions. Open the exact product before carrying its specifications into your comparison.
Ghost or Ghost Max?
The Ghost 18 is Brooks' balanced daily-road option. Ghost Max 4 adds a different platform and rocker emphasis, with a lower listed drop. Compare how the transition feels when walking and jogging. The word Max deserves its own try-on rather than an assumption that it is the same shoe with extra padding.
What does GTS add?
Adrenaline GTS 25 and Glycerin GTS 23 both use GuideRails. Their cushioning systems and listed drops differ. Put the two on the same shortlist when you want to compare structured support, then decide how much cushioning and which transition you prefer.
Glycerin, Glycerin GTS or Glycerin Max?
Glycerin 23 uses DNA TUNED for plush road cushioning. Glycerin GTS 23 combines that cushioning family with GuideRails. Glycerin Max 2 is a separate rocker-focused model with a 6 mm drop. Compare the actual shoe names carefully when opening a product, choosing a width or reading a review.
Turn the comparison into a fitting
Bring the socks and any in-shoe accessories you expect to use. Check the heel, space at the toes and pressure across the instep. Walk, jog and turn in each pair. A model can look right in a table and feel different once you move.
For a first daily trainer, start with two contrasting options rather than trying to rank the whole wall. For a replacement, bring the old pair and identify the exact model and generation. Write down what you liked and what you want to change. Those observations make a useful fitting conversation.
Read the numbers at the right scale
Drop is the difference between heel and forefoot height, not a measure of softness. Listed weight is a reference for a model, not a promise for every size. Men's and women's specifications can differ. Check the product's own table and use the numbers alongside the fit comparison.
Keep exploring
Ghost family · Ghost Max and Dyad collection · Adrenaline family · Glycerin family · How Brooks became a running specialist
Manufacturer sources
This guide compares manufacturer descriptions with Confluence's named product listings. It is a selection guide, not a claim of firsthand testing.
- Ghost 18: Brooks model specifications
- Glycerin 23: Brooks model specifications
- Glycerin GTS 23: Brooks model specifications
- Glycerin Max 2: Brooks model specifications
- Ghost Max 4: Brooks model specifications
- Adrenaline GTS 25: Brooks model specifications
Sources checked October 17, 2026.
