Brooks Beast GTS 24 review

We think the Brooks Beast GTS 24 is an outstanding choice for:

• Overpronating runners who need a durable, support-focused daily trainer for easy miles.
• Heel strikers seeking a reliable workhorse with a long-lasting outsole.
• Those looking for a stable shoe that doubles as a comfortable walking sneaker and don’t plan on running faster paces in it.

The Beast GTS 24 is a polarizing shoe, packing some impressive features but also a few notable drawbacks. With a steep 12.7-mm heel-to-toe drop and a narrow forefoot area, we believe it’s not the ideal choice for forefoot or midfoot strikers. For those runners, options like the Hoka Arahi 7 or Altra Experience Form could be a more natural fit.

We’re also convinced that the shoe’s hefty weight and firm midsole may deter runners seeking a softer experience. Fortunately, alternatives like the ASICS Gel Kayano 31, with a more cushioned feel, or the lightweight Saucony Guide 17 could meet those needs better.

The primary reason this shoe weighs more than the Beast GTS 23 is the added foam underfoot. Specifically, Brooks increased the heel stack from 36.4 mm to 38.5 mm—a slight boost that justifies the weight gain.

In our opinion, though, it might not be worth it. We found that the previous Beast already provided enough cushioning. However, this increase is a minor adjustment overall.

At the front of the shoe, additional cushioning provides joint protection for forefoot strikers. Our measurements showed a forefoot thickness of 25.8 mm, offering a noticeable increase from the previous model.

With a substantial 12.7-mm drop, we believe this shoe could be fantastic for heel strikers who enjoy this high-drop geometry. However, in our experience, forefoot and midfoot strikers might find it awkward for their stride style, making it feel mismatched with their landing pattern.

While our test is called “midsole softness,” this shoe is anything but soft. This came as a bit of a surprise, given that even stability shoes are trending toward a softer feel—but not the Beast GTS series.

With a firm 30.1 HA rating in our Shore A durometer test and a thick outsole layer beneath the foam, the ride feels undeniably sturdy. For a stability shoe, this solid build creates natural support, though it may deter runners who prefer a softer feel underfoot.

As for the foam, Brooks uses the DNA Loft v3 compound, slightly tweaked. This material sits mid-range in Brooks’ lineup—not the lightest or most responsive, but certainly geared for durability and a resilient ride.

DNA Loft v3 is a supercritical EVA foam, meaning ethylene-vinyl acetate is at its core—a material that, in our experience, often hardens noticeably in cold weather.

After testing the Beast GTS 24, we found a 35.0 HA reading on our durometer following 20 minutes in the freezer, marking a 16.2% uptick—a solid performance indeed!

The Beast GTS 24’s insole stands out as one of the thickest we've encountered in our lab, measuring 6.5 mm.

As anticipated from a traditional stability shoe designed for work or casual strolls, the rocker is almost non existent—it kicks in quite late and rises only slightly, just over 3 cm.

The room inside the upper is average and should suit most runners well, especially since Brooks offers this shoe in two wide sizes (2E and 4E) in select markets.

Our initial measurement at the widest part of the upper came in at 99.5 mm, which confirms what we felt during our first tests—a comfortable, well-designed fit that adapts to most foot shapes.

The volume is good enough, as is typical with most Brooks shoes. This brand rarely creates a sense of pressure in the toe area, and we found that the Beast GTS 24 maintains that easy, spacious fit—exactly what we hoped for.

Moving back to the width, in the toe area, we measured 78.7 mm, which matches our experience. It feels neither wide nor narrow—just an average, balanced fit that offers solid comfort without excess room.

Every Brooks GTS edition consistently delivers outstanding stability, and the Beast GTS 24 is no different. In our experience, it excels at keeping your foot centered and preventing lateral motion, especially along the medial side.

The Beast GTS 24 firmly belongs in our “stable as a table” category of running shoes.

The main highlight is the GuideRails technology, but there’s more to its stability features—a rock-solid heel counter, reinforced upper sections, and a unique foam insert below the arch that subtly re-centers the foot for a balanced, controlled ride.

Designing a stable running shoe with low torsional rigidity wouldn’t make sense—it would be counterproductive. Fortunately for anyone choosing the Beast GTS 24, its rigid (4/5) structure effectively prevents lateral forces that don’t bother neutral runners but pose a challenge for those needing extra stability.

The heel counter of the Beast GTS 24 remains unchanged from last year, providing an iron-stiff structure that supports heel strikers exceptionally well—we rated it 5 out of 5, and it’s almost funny how barely it moved when we applied pressure!

With this in mind, Brooks sought to balance the high rigidity with plenty of padding in the Achilles area, which helps offset potential discomfort.

We said before that this shoe is clearly geared toward heel strikers, and its dimensions confirm it. We measured the forefoot at 116.8 mm—somewhat narrow for a stability shoe!

The rearfoot is a different story. At 101.9 mm, it’s impressively wide, reinforcing its heel-striker-friendly design. 

We now understand the reasoning—given the shoe’s high weight, Brooks had to choose where to narrow the midsole, and reducing the heel landing platform wouldn’t make sense when heel strikers are the target users, right?

A classic feature in Brooks GTS (Go-To Support) models is their GuideRails technology—a fancy name for their guidance system that keeps your feet centered and grounded. While it can occasionally feel more intrusive than we’d prefer, it definitely performs well, so it’s no surprise Brooks proudly displays its name bold and prominent on every shoe.

Our 90-degree bend test, which required 26.6N, revealed a surprising contrast to the shoe's 4/5 torsional stiffness and 5/5 heel counter—the Beast GTS 24 is flexible lengthwise!

This moderate level of longitudinal flexibility offers an everyday-comfort feel without sacrificing stability. In other words: for those seeking a stable, comfortable shoe suitable for both work and running, this is a solid choice.

At 12.6 oz or 357g, the Beast lives up to its name in weight, ranking among the heaviest shoes we’ve tested in the lab, even heavier than its predecessor! And there’s no way around it—the heft is noticeable with every stride.

At first glance, we thought the Brooks Beast GTS 24 would offer excellent ventilation, given the toebox is packed with ventilation holes. However, our smoke-pumping machine quickly revealed that this supposed airflow was largely absent.

The lack of ventilation primarily stems from Brooks’ focus on comfort and stability. They crafted a plush, structure-retaining upper, as we verified with our LED flashlight, using a double-layer engineered mesh that restricts air circulation.

Through our microscope, we found the ventilation holes were clearly obstructed by the secondary layer—a discovery that instantly explained why the shoe barely expelled smoke. We ultimately rated it 2/5 for ventilation.

However, what the Beast GTS 24 lacks in breathability, it makes up for with a cloud-like comfort, especially suited for colder days.

The upper is generously padded in key areas, and the build quality meets high expectations for a premium-priced shoe. Just avoid it on hot summer days!

The engineered mesh on the Beast GTS 24, in our view, falls short on durability expectations. During our testing, we found it lacking the toughness needed for long-lasting wear.

We subjected it to our standardized Dremel test—applying consistent force (3.2N) and time (5s) across all shoes. Unfortunately, the Beast GTS 24 scored a disappointing 2/5, landing it at the lower end of the durability scale in Brooks lineup.

Things improved slightly on the heel, though not enough to break out any big celebrations. After completing our test in this area, we found what we consider to be an average 3/5 rating.

In our opinion, this score is adequate for this shoe, especially considering that comfort-oriented models tend to perform lower in this test as they have softer, more luxurious padding in the heel collar. The thicker cushioning often sacrifices durability under stress, but the Beast GTS 24 held its own reasonably well.

In our experience with Brooks models designed for stability, we often find they play it safe when it comes to the outsole, opting for a durable rubber that offers decent grip but is built to last nearly forever.

Our initial test of the Beast GTS 24’s rubber confirmed our expectations—a tough, resilient material (85.5 HC) ready to, theoretically, handle any surface with minimal wear. Now, let’s put that to the test!

For this test, we used the Dremel again, cranking it up to 10K. The Beast GTS 24’s outsole performed as anticipated, handling the intensity with ease.

After completing the test, we measured a mere 0.7 mm indentation in the rubber—that's a remarkably solid outcome! In our experience, most running shoes show a deeper dent, so this durability is impressive.

In our view, anyone looking for a near-indestructible outsole can stop searching now. With 4.8 mm of rubber thickness, this heavy-duty outsole is akin to having the fuel tank of a trailer in a standard sedan.

We anticipate real-world durability exceeding 1000 miles, even for the heaviest runners! On the other hand, this thick rubber poses a drawback—the ride feels overly firm, and we found zero ground feedback on every step.

The Beast GTS 24 may seem a bit pricey for what it offers, especially as other high-end shoes often provide a softer, more bouncy feel. The Beast, however, excels on stability and durability in a no-nonsense, sturdy package.

It might appear costly compared to other daily trainers, but based on its build quality and the expected longevity, we believe it’s reasonably priced for those who prioritize long-lasting reliability over trendy features.

The Beast GTS 23 included a small yet crucial reflective piece in the heel—making runners more visible at night to cars and bikes. However, this v24 has none. And that's a step back.

Sure, this shoe is as heavy as a brick, but it’s also exceptionally comfortable. A big part of that comfort lies in the plush 9.6-mm tongue, which features a thick foam layer sandwiched between two thinner layers for a truly luxurious feel.

We appreciated that Brooks uses two tongue loops instead of one. This, combined with the single-side gusset, keeps the tongue perfectly in place, ensuring a snug fit without any shifting during runs.

In our lab, discovering a one-sided, semi-gusseted tongue is rare—99% of running shoes feature the same design on both sides of the tongue. However, Brooks revamped the tongue from the v23, giving it a unique setup that we already found in the Hyperion 2.

The medial side is securely fixed, while the lateral part remains free.

Brooks remains one of those brands that consistently forgo adding finger-loop heel tabs on their road shoes—a trend they’ve continued with the Beast GTS 24.

We had no issues removing the insole. However, if you choose to replace it, you’ll lose the unique design crafted for this model, featuring varied textures and enhanced support—a noticeable upgrade from the basic EVA insoles common in running shoes.