Brooks Beast GTS 24 Review
By Bach Pham
Brooks Beast GTS 24Price: $159.95 at Running Warehouse
Weight: 12.4 oz, 351 g (men's size 9), 11.1 oz, 314 g (women's size 8)
Stack Height: 36mm heel/24mm forefoot
Drop: 12mm
Shoe Purpose: High Level Stability Trainer
Pros: Surprisingly fluid ride for the series, well-rounded and less-intrusive stability than past
Cons: Weighty, a bit snug of a fit, heel could fit cleaner, heel needs bevel
RUNNING SHOE SUMMARY
The Brooks Beast GTS 24 (the women's model is known as Ariel) is a high level stability shoe with a stiff ride from-to-back and firmer ride. The latest edition refreshes the upper with a new engineered mesh. It retains the nitrogen-injected DNA Loft v3 midsole that was introduced in the previous version. Despite on paper being minimal changes, the properties of the midsole feel much improved in the latest update, providing one of the best rides in the series... maybe ever?
SIMILAR SHOES: Mizuno Wave Horizon 6
PAST MODEL: Brooks Beast GTS 23
FIT
(To learn how a shoe should fit, check out our full podcast on fit by Matt Klein.)
Bach: The Brooks Beast GTS 24 has fit me fairly well in the standard size. It is a very structured upper that really holds the fit in, meaning it is slightly on the snug-feeling side. There is a slight taper to the shoe which further contributes to the snugness. Wider foot runners will want to definitely scale up to wide or extra-wide (you love to see options). I did enjoy how well the shoe lockdown in the mid-to-forefoot though. The heel is mildly-padded and very smooth, which made me almost feel like I could slip out when laced regularly. I did not have issues after lace-locking the shoe, but I feel like this could be improved in future iterations. The heel counter is as rigid as can be and very sturdy. The shoe breathed just fine in warm weather and should also be comfortable in cooler temps as well. The heel collar is a little sharp around the lacing area. I didn't have any cuts or issues during testing, but occasionally felt it around my ankle. With socks I was just fine. Just something to note!
Typical Size: Men's US Size 10
Shoes that have fit Bach well:
Nike Pegasus 40, Saucony Guide 17, Mizuno Wave Inspire 19, Saucony
Endorphin Speed 3, Nike Structure 25
Shoes that have fit snug: Hoka Arahi 7, Asics Kayano 30, Puma Electrify Nitro, Brooks Hyperion, Hoka Clifton 9 GTX
Shoes that have fit large: Hoka Gaviota 5, Reebok Floatride Energy X
Doctors of Running Checklist
Is This a Good Shoe for Walking: Yes
Is This a Good Shoe for Standing: Yes
Is the Forefoot Flexible: No
How Flexible is the Shoe: Not at all
Is This a Good Heel Bevel: No
Recommended for Haglunds: No
Recommended for Sockless: No
Durability Expectation: Above Average
PERFORMANCE
Bach: I want to be upfront that I love a firm, moderate stacked shoe, especially as a slow runner (10-11 min miles daily). As one of the team's stability shoe testers, I've tested more softer stability shoes this year (in the realm that stability shoes can get soft) than any year prior and I haven't been thrilled about the number of shoes I feel like I'm really sinking into as I'm running. Though I love a firmer ride, I also wasn't thrilled about testing the Brooks Beast GTS 24 either. Past models were almost unrunnable due to the staggering integration of the GuideRails which made it really hard to do anything outside of truly slow running comfortable. Though Brooks claims nothing has really changed here, the Beast GTS 24 feels totally different and more dialed in. The foam is firm, responsive, and rolls really well from midfoot-to-forefoot. This is not a shoe that is for rearfoot strikers necessarily as the heel is a bit harsh on the landing, but it feels way better going slow, normal, or slightly uptempo than many stability shoes this year for me. I say firm, but there's also enough underfoot that I'm not feeling the road - mostly the dense foam. The cushion feels consistent as well. My longest run was around an hour and a half and it held up excellently and is a contender for what will be my slow half marathon race in 2025.
Despite the hefty weight, it rolls so well that it feels far lighter on foot than its listed weight. I've taken this on long runs, recovery runs, and everyday miles quite happily. I particularly like that the shoe is okay with going different paces. There are several softer models I've tested this year where going a nice, relaxed place feels plodding and like a real fight, but the Beast GTS 24 feels very open to whatever I want to do. The shoe also feels very stable underfoot without being intrusive which helps me really forget about the shoe and enjoy the run.
The shoe does feature a classic Brooks 12mm drop, but it feels more like 10 here due to the nice, rolling ride. If you are a pure heel striking runner,though, it may feel that full 12.
The durability has been excellent. There's a billion layers of rubber on the shoe that likely will take a lot of miles to break. The traction has been fine as well on wet surfaces and a bit off-roading. This also has been a solid walking and a great standing shoe for me thanks to the firmer base.
STABILITY
(Learn more about stability in our full guide)
Bach: In the past, the GuideRails on the Beast, which go full length on the lateral side and most of the rearfoot on the medial side, were way too much guidance for me. I struggled to really do anything in the GTS 23, even for daily walking. This version's integration of the GuideRails is night and day compared to the past. The guidance feels much less prominent, but clearly keeping me in a window moving forward. The wide base is generous as well for landing. The most prominent stability is clearly on the medial side as you can feel a firmer foam underneath (GuideRails still contain a post-element per Brooks). There's actually a fairly light amount of sole flaring on the shoe. The majority of the stability comes from that firmer medial side, widened base and the GuideRails working to keep you centered. I think the integration is very well done here. Those, however, who did do extremely well with past editions may find this to be very mild comparatively, but I do think the improved integration making the shoe feel remarkably more runnable is a positive step forward for the series. Additionally, the shoes didn't bother my flat feet at all which is a plus.
Comparisons: Stability Premium Trainers
By Bach Pham
Brooks Beast GTS 24 vs. Adrenaline GTS 24
Brooks Beast GTS 24 vs. Saucony Hurricane 24
The Hurricane 24 was a really pleasing release this year. While softer, it has a bit more of energetic feel to it which made it feel far less plodding than other stability shoes. Runners who want a combination of stability and some plushiness will definitely enjoy the Hurricane while those who want more medial stability and a more grounded ride will like the Beast. The fit of both shoes are similarly snug. I really like both shoes and it could absolutely be a "How I feel" kind of day whether I would want the Hurricane or Beast. I think the Hurricane will be more popular for those who want that modern plushness.
Brooks Beast GTS 24 vs. Asics Kayano 31
The Kayano really flips the script in how medial stability works, opting for a softer, bouncy element to pop you back off the ground rather than firmer, traditional stability. The Kayano 31 feels more mild-mannered all-around as far as stability goes and is far softer than past editions prior to the Kayano 30. It almost actually runs like a traditional running shoe which is why it is no surprise that so many runners who tested the shoe, even non-stability users, found the shoe commendable. If you are seeking more mild stability and want some softness along with flexibility in the forefoot, the Kayano is definitely the option to check out. I personally found the Kayano a little bit more work to dig out of as a slower runner. I personally definitely favor the Beast for its ride in relation to my mechanics and more medial stability presence all-around. I do find the Kayano better for picking up speed in due to its much lighter feeling underfoot. The overall fit of the Kayano is slightly more generous and thinner than the Beast all-around. I did have to lace-lock both shoes to keep the heel locked, but I found the Kayano to be more breathable.
Brooks Beast GTS 24 vs. Mizuno Wave Horizon 6
Probably the closest comparison of the four here, the Wave Horizon 6 has a lot of similarities in its manner of guidance and the amount of medial vs. lateral stability to the Beast GTS. I think the overall fit of the Wave Horizon 6 is one of the nicest in the market. Some Mizuno shoes have incredible fit, and this is definitely one of them. I think you can honestly interchange the two of these any time. I find the Beast GTS 24's ride to be nicer for longer efforts though as the Wave Horizon feels a little heavier underfoot, but both accomplish daily miles similarly well and provide a really stable ride. I'm personally in the Beast camp right now out of the two options if asked, but if you find the Horizon which is a much older model now on sale, its definitely worth the price.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Bach: I think the biggest improvements the Brooks Beast can make moving forward is continuing to tighten up the heel security and cleaning up the heel collar in general while also working to improve the heel with an improved lateral bevel so it gets even smoother front-to-back. The weight can always be lighter, but I actually didn't mind it here as the ride as come a long way. With the lack of really high level stability in the market, I also support this model just being available longer as is to provide runners a really good option for medial stability that is becoming rarer and rarer by the day. Brands have a tendency to want to keep changing things, but sometimes we just need to breathe - which to be fair, Brooks is one of the most consistent at.
WHO IS THIS SHOE FOR?
Bach: The Brooks Beast GTS 24 is a high level stability trainer for those who like a firmer ride and tend to run more forward. The integration of the GuideRails is the best in the series so far and the DNA Loft v3 midsole feels much improved in this go-around. The shoe does come in around average price-wise, but is worth the upgrade over the last version in my book due to its improvements all-around. This is not a shoe for everyone, but for those who like the combination of elements it provides, there's really few shoes in the market right now that have all of it. Are GuideRails and medial posts outdated? Maybe, but still necessary to have in a quickly shrinking market.
GRADES
Bach
Fit: A- (A good lockdown with some width options for runners)
Performance: B-/B+ (For those that like a firmer ride and are more forward, a solid performer. Firmer is less popular today though which is why the B- vs. B+)
Stability: A (Very stable medial stability and just enough lateral stability to suit some runners)
Value: B+ (Average price, but huge durability)
Personal: A (One of my favorite stability trainers this year and a surprise as I have typically struggled in the past with this series)
Overall Design: A-
SHOP | SUPPORT DORBrooks Beast GTS 24Price: $159.95 at Running Warehouse
Shop Men | Shop Women
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FURTHER READING
A new 4mm drop trainer for Altra
The premium stability trainer is back for Saucony.
Find all Shoe Reviews at Doctors of Running here.
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