Brooks Men's Levitate Gts 5 Running Shoe

Product Information

The toe box is comfortable and is a regular size. The toes are comfortable and, at the same time, well supported. The fit of the StealthFit version is narrower, however, and therefore better suited to smaller feet.

The circular knit version has a roomy comfort oriented fit and plush upper while the Stealthfit is more performance oriented but fortunately not as aggressively and painfully so as the Leviate 4 with its less stretchy, rougher and especially very dense, stiff, low extended center toe bumper. All of those issues are fixed in the 5. Joost: There’s a lot of outsole rubber here, in all sorts of patterns. The main one is a fishbone like pattern with just a couple of cutouts in the heel, providing some decoupling for heel strikers and on the lateral side of the forefoot, adding some lateral lengthwise flexibility for forefoot strikers. There is very little flexibility across the midsole. As Bryan stated: no issues with durability and traction and the copious usage of outsole rubber definitely adds to the weight of an already heavy shoe.Finally, some people regret the athleisure take of Brooks on the Levitate instead of turning it into a full-fledged performance running shoe. Conclusion On the standard Levitate GTS 5, we’ve got the OG cut collar with an engineered mesh upper providing a solid amount of structure when laced in. To those who loved the ride of the Bedlam line in the past but always strayed away because of the fit around the collar, now is the time to say hello to an old friend.

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.* Stealthfit is a newer concept that has an adaptable, closer fit with stretch and compression. The fit knit upper has a more seamless structure and breathability, and this allows the foot to kind of move with the fabric. I decided against this option for myself because of the “closer fit” aspect. No one wants foot movement within the shoe, but I didn’t want it to be too snug either. It does sound like a good option should you want to try it out. 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. 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.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. One of the biggest compliments I can give to the Levitate line is the looks. I’ve always admired how sleek they look, especially with this shine on the midsole. It somewhat resembles the same rainbow effect on the New Balance RC Elite 2. If I’m riding up to the local pub run in these, while I may not enjoy the ride, I know damn well that my shoe game will fire.

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. 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. AUSTIN: According to Brooks, the Levitate 5 features a new last to “better accommodate the foot.” When a running shoe updates once a year, the changes tend to be minimal: think midsole tweaks, heel and tongue adjustments, and, of course, color. Frankly, the entire shoe is subject to scrutiny by designers and engineers, which is why a new last is such a big deal. The fit drastically changes for everyone. Of course, we’re discussing step-in comfort for Brooks footwear. The Levitate is no exception; the feet feel immediately comfortable, albeit a touch snug. Sam: A sharp contrast in shoes weighing about the same. The Meraki has a very supportive engineered mesh upper, a more conventional riding midsole that is firmer but tempered by a top layer of rubberized foam that gives it measured response and a more effective if still overbuilt outsole that in combination with a small mid foot linear fiberglass plate gives it a touch of guidance support (less noticed than GTS) and some propulsion as well. 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!

DNA AMP is dense, which unfortunately makes it heavy. It is soft to pressing but somehow this does not translate to its ride, which may be affected by the outsole which we will touch on more later on.