Brooks Men's Levitate Gts 5 Running Shoe

Product Information

New for the Levitate GTS 5, is the circular knit engineered mesh upper for a better fit and a 3D Fit Print in the midfoot which gives a supportive and secure fit. It certain feels really secure, I’m feeling very happy in these shoes. AUSTIN: Honestly, I figured the Levitate 5 would feel eerily similar to the Levitate 4. Yep. About the same. Aside from the upper changes, I still disliked the ride. Brooks categorizes the Levitate as an “Energy” trainer, “responsive and springy to add extra lift to your stride.” I wouldn’t call the ride harsh, but the firmness made the first mile, at minimum, feel clunky in every run. I needed about 2-3 miles before I seemed to settle into a preferred, smooth stride. DNA AMP is much less forgiving than DNA LOFT, which now makes up the entirety of the Ghost 14 midsole (and the company’s first carbon-neutral running shoe, I might add). Shop Levitate 5 – Men Shop Levitate 5 GTS – Men Shop Levitate 5 – Women Shop Levitate 5 GTS – Women Brooks Levitate 5 Conclusion GTS stands for Go-To-Support. Brooks uses Guiderail “Holistic” support that allow the body’s hips, knees, and joints to move more naturally. You can simply get the standard Levitate, or go with the Levitate GTS. I decided to go with that Go-To-Support to see what that would look and feel like. I am a neutral style runner, and the thinking (for me at least), is that I didn’t need the support to help with pronation that some other models offer up. This is really more of an added support for my neutral form. And to be honest, I have noticed a slight change with my feet the last 5 years as they are starting to flatten out with age (and use, I suppose).

GTS is more about stabilizing the knee earlier in the landing and guiding the gait than under foot pronation control via a firmer post or plates. The idea is that the support should be more on demand than prescriptive. As with the recent Launch and Glycerin, which also get the GTS option, models such as the Ravenna and the Transcend which were essentially support versions of the preceding go away. In the case of the Levitate GTS 5, it replaces the Bedlam.

Bryan: Very different shoes that perhaps would serve similar functions i.e. slower and lower volume training. Both are bottom heavy shoes but the Ultraboost PB definitely offers a more pleasant experience, with the Celermesh-like upper proving far superior in functionality and breathability to the StealthFit knit. Whilst I would almost say that the firmer DNA AMP is capable of faster paces, the upper in the StealthFit knit would prevent the Levitate from being the faster running shoe of the two. I would imagine that the general runner would prefer the soft yet responsive, although outdated Boost over DNA AMP. At 10.7 ounces (304g) is a heavyweight for a daily trainer this low to the ground and with this little cushioning. Yet the picture is somewhat different with the GTS version with its higher lateral sidewall of DNA AMP and co molded medial insert.. Bryan: StealthFit knit upper is very soft and unstructured which limits the versatility of the shoe; detracts what would otherwise be a pleasant ride offered by the DNA AMP midsole

Many including me seek “fast” shoes for everything or nearly, yet 80% of our miles should be easier rather than harder I say. My last run in the non GTS regular upper was super easy, slower than expected and just what I needed that day. The controlled, consistent ride was soft enough, the vibration dampening fantastic, the upper as comfy as could be, the weight and quite ponderous transitions evident so.. I forgot about trying to move them along and enjoyed the sights along the way.Sally : Stable, predictable, controlled… Joost summarizes the ride well. And yes, it responds to pushing the pace, not like a plated shoe or a max cushioned shoe would, but as a traditional old school shoe might. The impact dampening under the heel is clearly felt on the downhills and much welcomed. I found myself running on my toes often in this shoe, especially on the uphills. Somehow the ride is stiff and not fluid for me, perhaps because I do not weigh enough to activate the DNA AMP midsole? But this is a very comfortable shoe, and it is always a pleasure to have your feet feeling happy at the conclusion of a run. Underfoot lies the most polarizing part of the shoe, the DNA Amp midsole. Air and polyurethane make up this foam that has a subtle bounce to it. I, for one, like running in this shoe at easy paces. The ground feel is a great change of pace from the super foams and plates out there and allows our feet to actually do their job. Everyone needs that in their rotation. Sam : As Joost says “stable, predictable, and controlled” and Bryan says a “thin forefoot and dull-sh” ride. I agree. The Levitate comes to life when pushing the pace, not something the weight of the normal upper non GTS version is that much fun to do in, but which becomes a far better experience in the lighter GTS with Stealth Fit. The Levitate 5 features a flexible yet structured upper, with a detached tongue and extra eyelets that let you lace your shoes for a more personalized fit. Fleet Feet reviewers noted how the extra eyelets made it easier to adjust the fit of the shoe. The new engineered circular knit material provides extra breathability and an adaptable fit. Some reviewers noticed that the tapered toe box on the StealthFit model was a bit too snug, so if you have a wide foot you may prefer the original Levitate 5.

I’m not judging you if you like running in Under Armour. It’s SUPER cool to run in basketball shorts and superhero tech shirts.* Speaking of, the upper is eerily similar to the OG Nike Epic React . It feels the same on foot and is also very breathable. The main differences, though, are for the better, as a padded heel collar and stripped-down lacing system are welcome on this shoe. I’d be more receptive to this shoe and how it feels if it was 6-7 ounces, but at nearly 11 ounces it needs to come with more benefits. More durable than your legs JEREMY : While the Stealthfit upper is sleek, the toe box is pretty cramped. My foot typically fits in normal width shoes, so it goes to show how narrow this one is.Sam is the Editor and Founder of Road Trail Run. He is 64 with a 2018 3:40 Boston qualifier. Sam has been running for over 48 years and has a 2:28 marathon PR. These days he runs halves in the just sub 1:40 range training 30-40 miles per week mostly at moderate paces on the roads and trails of New Hampshire and Utah. He is 5’9” tall and weighs about 164 lbs if he is not enjoying too many fine New England IPA. It is deceptively warm! It doesn't feel like it would be warm when you first start running in the shoe, but after a couple of miles, the heat will start to build up. I didn't get hotspots consistently in any particular spot during testing, though it was most noticeable under the ball of my right foot. There was just a general warm feeling under the whole foot.