Brooks Vs New Balance Running Shoes Differences
Two of the most in-demand running shoe brands are Brooks and New Balance.
Both New Balance and Brooks supply a broad assortment of long-distance running shoes for joggers of every capability and exercise routine, yet there are distinctions between the two brands.
This piece of writing looks at how Brooks’s and New Balance’s joggers measure up to one another.
The Main Differences between New Balance Vs Brooks
New Balance and Brooks both provide a variety of running shoes that suit a range of runners, from novice to experienced, with various foot shapes (flat foot and high arches), running styles (highway, off-road, competitive marathon), and shoe designs (minimalistic, neutral, heavily cushioned, intensified, support, and directional control).
Generally, New Balance is famous for having a broad selection of wide running shoes, which include extra-wide options in various styles. This makes the brand a great fit for runners who need wider widths.
As well, if you possess a bunion, New Balance running shoes will typically be able to suit the shape of your feet.
A lot of New Balance running shoes boast a beefier midsole that can give extra steadiness. To achieve this goal, the company has many stability and running shoes with motion control specifically designed for those who overpronate and require more support.
The principal variation between Brooks and New Balance as companies lie in the range of shoes they produce; while New Balance produces running shoes plus other shoes intended for other sports and casual wear, Brooks’ portfolio is entirely concentrated on running shoes.
It is not necessarily the case that one is superior to the other, however, the attention Brooks places on crafting running shoes is reflected in how much research and design is placed into every running shoe in their collection.
Brooks takes feedback from a sizable number of people who test their running shoes, and they make changes to the designs based on what they learn. Furthermore, the company states that the shoes are created so they can fit the stride of the runner instead of attempting to adjust it.
Brooks running shoes offer a larger toe area than a lot of similar products from brands like Asics and Nike. Let’s get into the finer details of the differences between Brooks vs New Balance running shoes:
Durability
The longevity of a pair of running shoes is determined by the interactions of a range of variables related to your personal physiology and the way you exercise.
Factors that influence your running include how much you weigh and your size, how frequently you jog, the surface you jog on, the way your feet hit the ground and your foot strike pattern, the temperature and climate during your runs, and alternating shoes which gives them more time to restore between use.
Furthermore, not only are our bodies, the mechanics of movement, and our training methods relevant to the durability of shoes but so is the type of materials it is made of and the way it has been assembled.
The strength of Brooks and New Balance running shoes is very comparable when you look at the same style of running footwear from each company.
Both Brooks and New Balance suggest that their running shoes be changed after 300 to 500 miles (or 500-800 km) of use, which varies depending on the kind of exercise you do and other elements that come into play.
Cushioning
The chief distinction between New Balance and Brooks running shoes is how much padding they both offer. Both companies provide a spectrum of thickness in padding, anything from barefoot to a heavily padded shoes.
In other words, New Balance provides a wide range of maximalist running shoes that give runners the luxury of a super soft underfoot feel due to a thicker midsole.
Brooks running shoes utilize a variety of foams for the middle area of the shoe, depending on the function of the shoe (such as a fast racing shoe or a cushioned training shoe).
DNA LOFT, comprised of a combination of EVA foam, rubber, and air, is the gentlest cushioning available, so it can be found in running sneakers that prioritize comfort and cushioning.
DNA AMP provides an ideal level of cushioning by maximizing energy return, as it is particularly bouncy and much firmer than DNA LOFT. Hence, it is primarily employed in performance running sneakers such as lightweight trainers and velocity shoes that target advancing momentum.
BioMoGo DNA is the ideal choice, being neither too soft nor too firm like DNA LOFT or DNA AMP. This combination of cushioning is said to modify to fit your running motion, providing the correct support and comfort.
Lastly, DNA Flash does not provide much padding, so it is ideal for shoes that are used for running races.
New Balance offers a selection of running shoes that vary in terms of the degree of cushioning. Typically, padding substances include lightweight foams like Fresh Foam or FuelCell to offer a gentle feel without an extra burden.
Stability
If you need a shoe that provides support and stability or helps you with overpronation, New Balance shoes are typically a better choice than those from Brooks.
New Balance provides several running shoes that are designed to offer stability and control movement. They make use of advanced supportive components and features to reduce pronation when the heel hits the ground and to stop the foot from overpronating.
Instead of trying to correct your running gait, Brooks running shoes are designed to fit it. Therefore, the amount of overpronation prevention and correction you’ll get from one of the stability running shoe models of Brooks will be less than the one in a New Balance stability or motion control shoe.
In conclusion, if you don’t require too much support and stability against overpronation, Brooks running shoes can give you the exact amount of stability that you need to have the best running experience.
In the Brooks Range, typically there is both a neutral and support/stability alternative of the same model. The GTS models are known to be particularly reliable because the acronym “GTS” in their name stands for “Go-To-Support”.
The GTS editions of Brooks running shoes are designed with GuideRails Technology to balance and assist the way your body would naturally stride, to maximize your pronation.
Shoes made by New Balance that is designed for stability and motion control typically feature a stiffer texture and a wider base for increased support. There is also a flared heel to help with pronation control and the shoes have a curved S shape to provide lateral stability through the heel-to-toe transition.
Breathability
New Balance employs a Hypoknit upper that provides the absorbing and breathing qualities that you need in your running shoe for a prolonged period.
For the majority of running shoes, breathability is not a factor unless they have been made with Gore-Tex material, which is created to be either waterproof or water-resistant.
Fit
New Balance is amongst the not many running shoes that provide a broad selection of widths and come in a wide range of sizes. This is why they are so well-liked by employees.
Note, they also offer 2A which is extra narrow. The company also provides a shoe locator to assist in choosing the correct shoe for you. Additionally, their shoe numbering system actually means something!! The last two numerals give information about the type of shoe.
40 (Optimal Control):
Shoes in this group supply the best possible handle, steadiness, padding, and assistance for the biomechanical requirements of your feet, like if you are prone to pronation or you have low arches (examples of this specialized type of shoe include 940 and 1540).
50 (Fitness Running):
The 50 series gives athletes the advantage of having both a visual impact and innovative design, as well as the responsiveness and strength they require for road or indoor exercise.
60 (Stability):
Designs that deliver top-tier balance to limit pronation while also delivering unparalleled softness and comfort (e.g., 860).
70 (Light Stability):
The ideal blend of strength and velocity is presented in a streamlined and lightweight design tailored for runners who practice at higher speeds (e.g., 770).
80 (Neutral):
Runners who cover a lot of miles and need shoes that are lightweight and possess excellent cushioning, such as 1080, will benefit from them.
90 (Speed):
Those who run quickly wish to have every potential benefit, including a better ride and fit. The preferred options for both professional and amateur sprinters and long-distance runners (e.g. 890 meters) are varied.
Brooks footwear has an enlarged area near the front of the shoe, suitable for those with wide feet or bunions looking for running shoes. The brand suggests that customers purchase a shoe that is one-half size larger than what they typically wear.
Brooks is excellent when it comes to finding the right size shoe online; their Shoe Fit Finder will help you to determine what sort of running shoe you should buy when you go to an outlet.
This is an ageing, yet still incredibly VALUABLE image from the Huffington Post.
Affordability
The prices between the two brands are fairly comparable. New Balance products cost between 80 and 130 dollars, while Brooks are usually a bit more expensive, between 100 and 160 dollars.
The best-selling items from either company are quite expensive. Trail shoes that are made of carbon fibre tend to surpass the usual standards.
You will observe that each company provides a selection of models, which is caused by the variation in the engineering applied as well as the outlets in which the shoe is on sale. They understand that the large chain store can provide the shoe for a cheaper cost, whereas the small running retail outlet can provide better service for serious runners.
Brooks Vs New Balance Running Shoe Models
Now that you’re informed about the distinctions between the brands, let’s examine their prime models in each of the major classes. No one is deemed to be victorious, as all of the shoes are excellent. It all boils down to which pair is most suitable for your feet.
Stability Running Shoe
Brooks Adrenaline GTS
The GTS, which is an abbreviation for go-to-shoe, is the most notorious road running shoe of the brand and it is celebrating its 22nd anniversary with a rich variety of colours. This shoe accommodates those with medium- to high-level arches and provides great cushioning.
- 12mm drop – on the higher side, good for those with Achilles issues
- 9.0 oz women’s, 10.2 oz men’s
- From around £115 up to £355
Fresh Foam 860 V 12
The Fresh Foam X provides lightweight stability, along with necessary motion support and responsiveness. When a shoe has too much cushioning, it can be difficult to maintain the support in the arch necessary to stop your foot from rolling inwards.
The footwear also takes advantage of their Ultra Heel for an extra secure and firmly-in-place fit.
- 10mm drop
- 8.6 oz women’s, 11.4 oz men’s
- £140
Neutral Running Shoe
Brooks Ghost 14
The Ghost offers an easy transition and cushioned support while running on the road and is well-suited for those looking for neutral arch support. The magazine Runners’ World has presented multiple awards for this shoe given by the editors.
- 12mm drop – again higher than I recommend for most runners, we see more overstriding and IT Band issues.
- 9.1 oz women’s, 10.1 oz men’s
- From £80 upwards
Fresh Foam 880
Some runners are gravitating toward carbon-plated shoes, but we don’t want them to be our go-to shoes daily. We desire something strong and reliable similar to this impartial footwear that additionally has an outstanding wide-toe region, enabling you to fully utilize those feet.
This running shoe will have the right amount of comfort for a lengthy jog while still not being too soft; all while offering some stability due to its broader base.
- 10mm drop
- 8.4 oz women’s, 10.3 oz men’s
- £140
File this under your great everyday trainer.
Cushioned Running Shoe
Brooks Glycerin
The plushest version of the Brooks range contains lots of DNA Loft foam and an Ortholite inner sock. Despite having extra padding, the shoe is still quite lightweight at 9 ounces and has a 10mm drop from the heel to the forefoot, which makes running both comfortable and fast.
- 10mm drop
- 9.1 oz women’s, 10.1 oz men’s
- £120
Fresh Foam 1080
I understand why everyone’s giving such positive feedback regarding the Nike Epic React, seeing as I am fond of the same kind of shoe, albeit one that is a bit less padded than the one that I have been wearing consistently for years.
The newest iteration of the shoe, edition 12, is marginally lighter in weight and is constructed with a knit upper, resulting in a snugger fit.
- 8mm drop
- 8.3 oz women’s, 10.3 oz men’s
- £160
Trail Running Shoe
Brooks Cascadia
I enjoyed the fact that these shoes added a bit more support, as well as a protective plate in the sole below the toes, which makes them ideal for rugged terrain.
These shoes may not be super soft, but they still have padding for comfortable running for a long amount of time, and your feet won’t get wet if you come across any puddles.
- 8mm drop
- 9.5 oz women’s, 10.5 oz men’s
- From around £100
