The most New York thing about me is that if I can walk or run somewhere instead of driving, I will — and almost every time, I am doing it in Brooks sneakers. I have completed two marathons and a half-marathon wearing almost exclusively this brand, and I can say with full confidence that no other shoe has been as consistently supportive across that many miles. I also have a host of distinctly unglamorous foot issues — bunions, overpronation, plantar fasciitis — and Brooks is one of the only brands that has actually been built with those problems in mind rather than around them.

Brooks carries a podiatrist-approved reputation that is not just marketing language. The brand's engineering decisions — midsole composition, upper construction, arch support placement — are made with a level of foot-specific consideration that most fashion-forward sneaker brands skip entirely. That seriousness about foot health happens to coexist with a current cultural moment where Brooks also reads as genuinely stylish, which is a combination that did not used to be available in this category.

On the more glamorous end of that combination: Cynthia Erivo, Nicole Kidman, and Jennifer Garner are all documented Brooks wearers, incorporating the shoes into airport outfits and vacation looks rather than confining them to actual training runs. Whether the distance covered on a given day is two miles or 26.2, the case for wearing Brooks holds — and right now, several of the most useful models are discounted on Amazon, which makes this the right moment to stock up.

Why a Marathoner Trusts Brooks Over Everything Else

Running 30-plus miles a week across training cycles for two marathons is the kind of mileage that exposes a shoe's weaknesses fast. A shoe that looks supportive in a store but is not will produce blisters, shin pain, or arch fatigue within a few long runs. Brooks has not done that across two full marathon training cycles and a half-marathon build-up — which is the kind of endorsement that only comes from sustained, repeated use rather than a single comfortable first impression.

The foot conditions list — bunions, overpronation, plantar fasciitis — is not a minor footnote. These are conditions that eliminate large categories of footwear entirely, including many shoes marketed specifically as running shoes. Brooks has consistently been one of the few brands whose shoes do not actively aggravate these conditions, which is a higher bar than 'comfortable' and a more useful one for anyone managing similar issues.

The shift in Brooks' cultural positioning matters here too. A brand that was, for years, associated almost exclusively with serious runners and orthopedic necessity has become genuinely fashionable — worn by Kidman, Garner, and Erivo in contexts that have nothing to do with training. That dual identity is rare. Most shoes are either functional or fashionable. Brooks has found a way to be both without compromising either.

The five models worth knowing each serve a slightly different purpose: the Ghost 16 for warm-weather versatility, the Glycerin Stealthfit 22 for styling flexibility, the Glycerin 22 for maximum cushioning and a fashion-forward silhouette, the original Glycerin 22 in Kidman's specific colorway, and the Hyperion Max 3 for serious performance running at a premium price point.

All of this comes with one piece of practical advice: while several of these models are discounted right now, the right move is to try more than one. Foot shape, arch type, and specific conditions vary enough between people that the model that works perfectly for one runner may not be the right fit for another — even within the same brand.

Two completed marathons and a half-marathon, almost entirely in Brooks sneakers, form the basis of this review — alongside the brand's documented use by Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Garner, and Cynthia Erivo.

How to Pick the Right Brooks for Your Foot

“No matter which Brooks sneakers you choose, I'm not worried about you ending up with the wrong pair. While they're discounted on Amazon, consider adding a couple sets to your cart to see which shoes speak to your sole.”

The right Brooks model depends primarily on what you are actually going to use it for. The Ghost 16 is the right call for anyone who wants one shoe to handle both structured runs and general daily walking, particularly in warmer weather where the lighter mesh upper makes a real difference. The Glycerin Stealthfit 22 is the right call for anyone who wants a running shoe that also functions as a daily-wear sneaker with skirts, dresses, or non-athletic outfits.

The Glycerin 22 is the right call for anyone prioritizing maximum cushioning — whether for running, for weight training, or for jobs and activities that require standing for extended periods. The Hyperion Max 3, at the premium end of the lineup, is built for runners specifically focused on speed and competitive performance rather than daily comfort. None of these are wrong choices. They are different tools for different specific needs, which is exactly how a shoe lineup should be structured.

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WRITTEN BYDerek Calloway

Derek Calloway writes about the way people actually live — their homes, their habits, their relationship with style and self. His columns explore travel, design, food, and the quieter rituals that define a life lived with real intention.