As I stated in my review of the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 22 earlier this year, my first encounter with the Brooks lineup was the Adrenaline GTS 15 version. That shoe changed my mind about running. As an outsider who preferred mountain biking at the time, I didn’t much care for running until I tried that Brooks shoe. The Adrenaline GTS 22 reminded me why I got interested in running in the first place. Since then, I’ve tried the newly released Divide 3, which is touted by Brooks as a trail running and hiking shoe. I’ve also run the Glycerin GTS 20, the road-running, soft-cushioned support model from Brooks.
Brooks Divide 3
Brooks’ new trail running and hiking shoe, the Divide 3 ($100 MSRP), is described as a road-to-trail shoe. It is aimed at new trail runners. It features comfortable protection, sticky traction and drainage slits on the side of the shoe. It’s a shoe for light-trail use weighing in at 10.1 ounces with an 8mm midsole drop.
The Divide 3 has a hybrid fit with a new air mesh upper that provides structure and breathability. The TPU mudguard protects the foot — creating a familiar fit that’s ready for new terrain. Brooks’ TrailTrack rubber outsole provides wet-dry traction to keep you upright.
I tried a pair of the Divide 3 in the Alloy/Titan/Nightlife color scheme. I found it provided the comfortable experience I had come to expect from a pair of Brooks shoes. A real plus for runners like me who want to get started in trail running is the price point. The Divide 3 will get you into the woods without breaking the bank.
The Divide 3 won’t be adequate for technical trails such as north Alabama’s Mountain Mist Trail in Monte Sano State Park or Wade Mountain Nature Preserve. However, the Divide 3 is a more-than-competent ride to take you from sidewalk to light- to medium-trail use.
Brooks Glycerin GTS 20
When I laced up to test the Glycerin GTS 20 ($160 MSRP), I paired them with Brooks Glycerin Ultimate Cushion Socks as well as Drymax Running Lite-Mesh No Show Tab socks to put them through the paces. The main difference for me right out of the gate was the cushion feel. Running has traditionally been unpleasant for me because of my extremely flat feet and overpronation. The Glycerin GTS 20’s GuideRails provide excellent guidance for my overpronation. Knee and lower leg pain during and after running was nonexistent.
Coincidentally, TVO co-founder Alan Clemons tried a pair of the Glycerin GTS 20 in the same Blue Depths/Palace Blue/Orange color combo as mine. His were a size 12.5 wide as opposed to my size 10s. Alan noted they were “soft and comfortable … more soft than the Ghost model.”
Brooks describes the Glycerin GTS 20 as “softness wrapped in comfort.” I agree. Brooks gave the Glycerin their DNA Loft v3, a nitrogen-infused midsole, to give it a lighter, more bouncy structure. The Glycerin, which weighs in at 10.5 ounces with a 10mm midsole drop, is a fantastic shoe for me. I love it and wear it for everyday training and walks around the neighborhood. For longer jogs or runs, however, my flat feet, as well as my shins and knees, prefer the stability and guide stride of the Adrenaline GTS22.
The Glycerin GTS 20 have 32.4 percent recycled materials in the upper, which means 4.66 plastic bottles are diverted from landfills. This recycled upper is consistent with Brooks’ commitments to responsible sourcing and sustainable consumption. They do this by maintaining an ethical and sustainable supply chain, utilizing recycled or renewable materialization, the elimination of manufacturing waste, and a transition to a circular product.
