THE SPECS
Support: Stability
Weight: 12.4 oz / 351 g (men)
Stack Height: 36 mm in the heel, 24 mm in the forefoot
Midsole Drop: 12 mm
Cushion Level: Mid-High
ON THE RUN
Blake: The Beast GTS 24 is a shoe that I have a complicated relationship with. I do love it for everyday, but while running it is over-supportive for me. I found this to be the case even after running just 2 miles in the shoe but that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t recommend this as a shoe to run in.
Nonetheless there is a clear market of who this shoe is for. Runners who overpronate quite a bit. For me, some “stability” shoes feel perfect with how they stabilize the foot. Others like the Beast just do too good of a job stabilizing my foot and over-support me. Thus, I can conclude, this shoe as something I wear walking around every day to support myself, and at the same time realize how great this shoe is for the people who truly need it for running/walking. As a pure dedicated working/walking shoe this has had my foot nothing but supported and controlled the entire time.
Working on the floor of the Running Lab I have seen first-hand the level of support the Beast has been able to provide customers. The Beast GTS 24 continues to do so without compromising on support even while bolstering up the level of comfortability in the shoe. There is the perfect amount of flexibility with stabilization control that makes walking consistent and supported. The best way I could describe being in the shoe is a feeling of being confident in whatever I was doing while wearing the shoe. Forgetting that it was on my feet when working, which is a delight I don’t get out of every shoe. I think everyone will be surprised by the improvements this shoe has had with the most recent two updates. Not to forget that the shoe excels at looking good. A workhorse that can take on any level of punishment you throw at it, that is something you don't get out of just any ol’ shoe.
THE FIT
Blake: The fit was extremely consistent with how all Brooks models fit and have been fitting for quite some time. Spacious with just the right amount of control so the shoe doesn't feel sloppy at all. The mesh is breathable and forgiving on the top, while the toe box is reinforced. Making the structure of the shoe long-lasting as this shoe is meant to take a beating. The shoe itself doesn’t have a super soft feel at first, I would note that this feeling of stiffness goes away quite fast as you start wearing it around.
Sizing compared to previous Beast models is extremely consistent. The toe box is still just a slight bit more narrow than the Glycerin and Adrenaline in comparison. As the shoe comes in a range of widths, this should not be a worry. The tongue fit is super comfortable! With no shifting tongue when walking around or running which is one of my biggest annoyances. Even while not being fully gusseted the tongue doesn't move which is a major win! Laces are also the perfect length for heel locking and double knotting without being too short. And to the benefit of the shoe, the lace isn’t sloppy when not utilizing every eyelet in the shoe. The beast is adaptable to what you need to do in it! The heel cup is super secure and quite padded and I found it fits seemingly perfectly. The only thing I would note about the heel cup is that it’s a little bit stiff which makes putting the shoe into an easy entry if you use your hands and tie the shoe. Trying to shove your foot into the shoe does not work at keeping the integrity of any shoe together, let alone the Beast GTS 24.
THE FEEL
Blake: Semi-straight last is the best way I could describe the shape of the most recent Beast. It’s more curved than previous models which I found to feel more adaptable to people's natural foot movements. Traditionally, the Beast is a straight-lasted shoe so this is a major change to be slightly more curved making the shoe slightly more flexible but still stiff. While still correcting heavy over-pronation, the Beast GTS 24 is a very stable shoe with a softer foam than ever before. DNA Loft v3 foam is quite light and firm, that I find quite comfortable.
Shoes like the Glycerin 20 and 21 showcase how comfortable that foam can be. When it comes to the Beast/Ariel it is a close comparison but stiffer and firmer than the respective counterparts, but not to a point that makes the shoe uncomfortable. The cushioning is slightly firm and your foot feels controlled and comfortable walking around. The new foam found within the Beast GTS 24 is a major improvement from the DNA Loft v1 the previous Beast 20 has. This makes the new addition of Beast 24 a shoe I would genuinely wear on an everyday basis. This is something I never even would have considered with previous models. In conclusion, I find the cushioning to be comfortable but it wouldn’t be the shoe I gravitate towards when I am looking for softness or lightness.
THE NITTY GRITTY
Blake: Not to say I would never run fast in the Beast, but I would never race in the Beast. This shoe's purpose is to give you consistent support to heavy overpronators, which makes the shoe dense and slightly weighty. Anyone who needs that support can find running in the shoe to feel fantastic, But I would even recommend something like the Glycerin GTS 21 to race in if you use the Beast as your mileage shoe. It's intention is not to bring you the fastest ride on the market, it supports you right where you need it. Support, not speed, is where the Beast GTS 24 excels.
If I were to compare it to the previous model of the Beast GTS 23, there is not much I could say as the shoes are practically identical except for the mesh on the upper. The only difference is that the upper is slightly more stretchy than the 23 which I found slightly more comfortable. When you compare this to the heritage of the shoe “The Brooks Beast” there are so many major improvements they have added over time that allow this to consistently be one of the most supportive shoes on the market. Using the guide rails allows the shoe to work better with people's motion compared to the typical medial posting, But even comparing the support of the Beast 20 to the 24 there are major changes. The 20 had the guide rails mixed with a firmer medial posting, getting rid of that posting and replacing the foam with the DNA Loftv3 is what makes this update so fantastic. Soft and controllable support is what I am looking for in this shoe, and the Beast provides that. When comparing this shoe to other stability shoes on the market, the Beast remains at the top as the most supportive model. The Beast does a much better job at correcting over pronation than most other brands’ high-stability support shoes. The Vongo v6, Hurricane 24, Gaviota 5, Forever Run, and Gel Kayano 31 all do not stack up to the level of control that is offered in the Beast. As all of these other brands are using new technology to support overpronation, they all do it differently which does a decent job of supporting the medical side of the foot. Even still while comparing the guide rail support to the H-Frame, the Stability plane just does not compare to the level of control offered to the medial side of the foot. All of those frames are adaptable but are not enough to control all degrees of overpronation, the Guiderail does the best job at giving maximum support for those who need it.
THE RUNDOWN
Blake: The Beast 24 is the most comfortable true stability shoe on the market (at the moment). Everything I have said in the review would also pertain to the Ariel GTS 24 well, as that is just the woman's equivalent to the same shoe. While other models do a great job at supporting over pronation, nothing will compare to the level of control the Beast has on the foot. The Beast is truly a unique shoe. I would recommend it for people who need that level of support, and are looking for an exceptional shoe for everyday comfort. I found the mix of GuideRails, DNA Loft v3 foam, and an overall stiffness creates a pleasant ride that relaxes the foot.
Plus it comes in some great colorways that look inconspicuous and stylish enough for everyday outfits. If you have worn the Beast previously, get ready for a fun, new addition to your usual footwear lineup. On the other hand, if this is a new shoe for you, get excited for a comfortable stability shoe that will give you consistent control when walking or running. The only thing I would change about the shoe is the weight. It's a little hefty. With every update, this problem seems to be improved. I will be honest with you, it is not the lightest shoe on the market. That being said, it is not so heavy that it feels like you are lugging a brick around (like in previous iterations). I did enjoy the Beast GTS 24 and hope you find some similar enjoyment to what I have had walking around in this shoe. Especially, if you are used to having all of your usual shoes provide inadequate pronation support.
MEET BLAKE
Blake is our fergalicious karaoke singing shoe geek always looking to provide a good laugh. He's the best solution shoe wear tester there ever was.
All time favorite shoe: Brooks Aurora-BL