Brooks Men's Levitate Gts 5 Running Shoe

Product Information

Bryan: Coverage is extensive, especially on the medial part of the shoe which has full outsole coverage. What we have here is a uniform usage of some form of carbon injected rubber that detracts from the midsole’s potential responsiveness. The lateral part of the fore- and midfoot, and the heel feature cut outs to promote some flexibility, but the result is that it remains rigid and very stable, especially given the structure/outsole pattern and volume of rubber used. No issues with durability and traction. The heavy utilisation of outsole rubber adds to the weight and density of the DNA Amp midsole, making it an overall bottom heavy shoe.

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. In the picture above, with both shoes the same size, one can clearly see the difference in upper and fit approach. Note that my right foot is narrower than my left.

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Finally, some people regret the athleisure take of Brooks on the Levitate instead of turning it into a full-fledged performance running shoe. Conclusion Walking and jogging around, the underfoot feel doesn't seem very different from the Levitate 4; it is a stable traditional feel without a whole lot of dynamism shining through from the midsole. Let's see how the new upper compares! The midfoot of the non GTS version feels flat and slow to transition in part due to the decoupling but also for me maybe the breadth of the upper and its less than totally secure hold down low.

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. The heel and achilles collars are less rigid and have more substantial internal padding which not only were less padded but had a rigid rear clip. 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.That extra layer of material inside traps more heat than it’s worth. The shoe still breathes well, but it could breathe better if Brooks would have designed this with a semi-gusseted tongue instead. The Brooks Levitate 5 is a traditional running shoe that’s improved but is more about style than performance. It comes in two support versions, neutral and overpronation ( GTS). Here we focus on the first. Carly says: The fit is quite narrow and the shoe doesn't feel as cushioned as I would like, but I was not expecting the Levitate GTS 5 to offer such a smooth and responsive ride while offering a good amount of support. 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.*

Each upper type will be available in underfoot platforms of “regular/neutral” and GTS (Go-To-Support) light stability. The GTS versions delivered a more compelling dedicated run experience for me and especially if you need some light support or even if you don’t as I don’t. The GTS Guide Rails go quite a long way to move things along more decisively than without them, acting as a dynamic mid foot platform and this even with the commonly shared continuous and not particularly well decoupled or flexible outsole, the model’s continued weak link in my view. GTS is created through a Guide Rails of the same foam as the midsole that rises on the lateral side with a co-molded slightly firmer foam rail on the medial side. JEREMY : Brooks came out in 2021 and decided to follow other brand’s leads with the long naming conventions as evidenced by the Brooks Levitate Stealthfit GTS 5. While this is nowhere near as tough to decipher as New Balance’s number system, it’s a mouthful that I haven’t found a way to shorten. While the Levitate is classically a neutral shoe, the GTS is the stability version brought in to replace the Bedlam. With the nomenclature out of the way, let’s get on to the review. The Good The stretch upper ensures a more flexible accommodating fit. Think of it as comfort while maintaining a structure that provides support. This is due to it being a new engineered technology that has been termed a “circular knit material.” I honestly don’t know the intimate details of that, but it provides breathability while ensuring that enhanced fit.

Brooks Levitate Stealthfit 5/GTS Conclusion

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. I do agree with Jeremy, this shoe likes to slide on the pavement. The chevron traction works best in dry conditions for sure. Runners who are a bit heavy or beginners, who tend to hit the pavement, will appreciate the stability of the shoe, the excellent cushioning of vibrations, especially in the heel, as well as the bounce delivered by the DNA AMP foam. On the other hand, it will be more difficult for lighter and faster runners to appreciate these shoes. Derek: I wear US9.5 in both shoes. I actually prefer Levitate 4! Levitate 4 has the more breathable and more supportive upper and complements the firm ride a little better than the StealthFit upper on the Levitate 5. About the weight, my women’s size 9 weighs around 9 oz, but runs much lighter than something like the Ghost 14, which I happened to review at the same time.