Our verdict

The Men's Brooks Levitate Stealthfit GTS 5 shines as a budget-friendly yet high-performing daily trainer, especially for heel strikers. It barata a competent midsole, cozy mesh upper, and impressive durability. Adding to its appeal, we found during our test runs that it can easily transition from the road to the gym, thanks to its snug fit and moderate cushioning. While it may fall short in the energy return department, it's a small hiccup considering the overall value.

Кроссовки беговые brooks pure crit Pros

  • Zapatillas de running brooks ghost 14 w grey
  • brooks gts adrenline
  • Superior breathability
  • Ideal for heel strikers
  • Incredibly light
  • Remarkably durable
  • Туфлі-човники brooks brothers
  • Brooks Adrenaline GTS 13 Womens

Кроссовки беговые brooks pure crit Cons

  • zapatillas de running para hombre Brooks Beast 20
  • Limited energy return

Кроссовки беговые brooks pure crit | Audience verdict

88
Great!

Who should buy

We think that the Men's Brooks Levitate Stealthfit GTS 5 is an excellent choice for:

  • Brooks England Sillin B67
  • Brooks enthusiasts who desire a budget-friendly option for their daily runs
  • zapatillas de running Brooks asfalto pie plano talla 46.5

Men's Brooks Levitate Stealthfit GTS 5

Who should NOT buy

If you're seeking a daily trainer with high energy return, this shoe won't be your best bet in our opinion. While it's a solid option, it does lack that extra bounce. For that, you'd need to look into options above $100, such as the zapatillas de running Brooks distancias cortas talla 45 negras or the mens brooks caldera.

Also, runners with a forefoot striking technique should look elsewhere based on our lab tests. With a significant 12 mm heel-to-toe drop, this shoe is tailored for heel or midfoot strikers. Consider the Brooks Luanch 7 as an interesting alternative.

Men's Brooks Levitate Stealthfit GTS 5 parts

Cushioning

Heel stack

We measured the shoe's heel stack and found it to be a solid 34.2 mm. This provides plenty of cushioning for all heel strikers, even those who are on the heavier side.

Men's Brooks Levitate Stealthfit GTS 5 Heel stack
Test results
Trace 2 34.2 mm
Average 34.2 mm
Compared to 409 running shoes
Number of shoes
22.5 mm
Heel stack
46.3 mm

Forefoot stack

We then measured the thickness of the forefoot and found it to be just 21.9 mm. This is really thin, letting you feel the ground well.

If you're a forefoot striker, you might find the foam cushioning simply too low.

Men's Brooks Levitate Stealthfit GTS 5 Forefoot stack
Test results
Trace 2 21.9 mm
Average 25.6 mm
Compared to 409 running shoes
Number of shoes
13.7 mm
Forefoot stack
37.1 mm

Drop

We discovered a gigantic heel-to-toe drop of 12.1 mm in this shoe. This clearly shows that the shoe is updates for heel strikers or for those looking to ease pressure on their Achilles and calves.

If you're a forefoot striker or Fita de guiador Brooks England Cambium castanho natural, zapatillas de running Brooks neutro pie normal más de 100.

Men's Brooks Levitate Stealthfit GTS 5 Drop
Test results
Trace 2 12.3 mm
Average 8.6 mm
Compared to 409 running shoes
Number of shoes
-0.2 mm
Drop
16.1 mm

Кроссовки беговые brooks pure crit | Midsole softness

Note: a low durometer measurement equals a soft material, whereas a high measurement means it's firm.

The BioMoGo DNA midsole fits right in with what we expect from Brooks foams. It offers a snappy, responsive feel rather than a cloud-like cushion. However, it lacks energy return.

The durometer delivered a 22.1 HA reading. So, it's definitely not for those who are looking for pillow-soft running shoes, better check the New Balance FuelCell Rebel v3 instead.

Men's Brooks Levitate Stealthfit GTS 5 Midsole softness
Test results
Trace 2 22.1 HA
Average 20.9 HA
Кроссовки беговые brooks pure crit.
Compared to 336 running shoes
Number of shoes
5.9 HA
Midsole softness (soft to firm)
35.0 HA

brooks regent alloyhigh risk red black (%)

To see how the shoe holds up in cold weather, we put it in the freezer for 20 minutes. After letting it rest, we measured the softness again. We found that there was a small increase, going up to 27.4 HA.

With just a 23.8% change, you might think it's just an okay performance for a running shoe. But let's give credit where it's due—this is an amazing result for a wallet-friendly shoe.

zapatillas de running Brooks talla 48.5 grises mejor valoradas, which tends to get really hard in the cold. However, we discovered that the Trace 2, using a modified EVA, stays impressively consistent, barely changing at all.

Men's Brooks Levitate Stealthfit GTS 5 brooks regent alloyhigh risk red black
Test results
Trace 2 24%
Average 25%
Compared to 335 running shoes
Number of shoes
1%
brooks regent alloyhigh risk red black
63%

Insole thickness

We measured the insole at 4.3 mm, which is pretty standard. There's nothing special to report about it. It's made of comfy foam, and should give you no issues at all.

Men's Brooks Levitate Stealthfit GTS 5 Insole thickness
Test results
Trace 2 4.3 mm
Average 4.4 mm
Compared to 405 running shoes
Number of shoes
1.5 mm
Insole thickness
7.3 mm

Size and fit

Size

Men's Brooks Levitate Stealthfit GTS 5 is true to size (611 votes).

Owners of this shoe, how does this shoe fit?

1 size small ½ size small True to size ½ size large 1 size large
Compared to 388 running shoes
Number of shoes
½ size small
Slightly small
True to size
Slightly large
½ size large

Width / Fit

We analyzed the toebox in the lab and found it to be 96.3 mm, which is pretty average but leans a bit on the snug side. However, it's not a big deal.

Men's Brooks Levitate Stealthfit GTS 5 upper

If you have wide feet, you might think about getting a wider size. Good thing Brooks offers this shoe in both D and 2E widths in some markets.

Men's Brooks Levitate Stealthfit GTS 5 Toebox width at the widest part

This shoe follows methodology 1.8. It has been replaced with methodology 1.8 (the 'gel test') on more recently updated shoes. Results from the two methodologies cannot be directly compared, which is why you don't see recently tested shoes in the chart below.

Test results
Trace 2 96.3 mm
Average 98.5 mm
Compared to 370 running shoes
Number of shoes
91.6 mm
Width / Fit
104.9 mm

Toebox width

The big toe area is a bit narrower at 76.0 mm compared to a regular daily trainer. But there's no need to worry for most runners, mainly because the engineered mesh is really flexible.

Men's Brooks Levitate Stealthfit GTS 5 Toebox width at the big toe

This shoe follows methodology 1.8. It has been replaced with methodology 1.8 (the 'gel test') on more recently updated shoes. Results from the two methodologies cannot be directly compared, which is why you don't see recently tested shoes in the chart below.

Test results
Trace 2 76.0 mm
Average 78.4 mm
Compared to 244 running shoes
Number of shoes
67.6 mm
Toebox width
89.2 mm

Stability

Lateral stability test

The Men's Brooks Levitate Stealthfit GTS 5 is updates to be a neutral daily trainer. But we found that it also offers a good amount of stability. So, if you're a mild pronator, we think this shoe may work for you.

Torsional rigidity

When we bent and twisted the Trace 2 in our hands, and it didn't put up much of a fight. So, we gave it a 3 out of 5 on our scale for how stiff or bendy it is. This kind of flexibility is the safe bet for any brand that doesn't want to take risks.

Test results
Trace 2 3
Average 3.4
Compared to 388 running shoes
Number of shoes
1
Torsional rigidity
5

Фирменный льняной лен костюм brooks brothers италия

The lead designer at Brooks chose a pretty average heel counter for this one. It's not too soft and not too stiff. We'd rate it a straightforward 3 out of 5, just like the torsional rigidity.

Test results
Trace 2 3
Average 2.9
Compared to 372 running shoes
Number of shoes
1
Фирменный льняной лен костюм brooks brothers италия
5

The Brooks Victory Collection s Glycerin 14 for men

Keeping up with the theme of creating a no-risk shoe, we measured the midsole width in the forefoot area and found it to be 113.6 mm. Again, no big shocker here, but that's not a bad thing at all!

Men's Brooks Levitate Stealthfit GTS 5 Midsole width in the forefoot
Test results
Trace 2 113.6 mm
Average 114.2 mm
Compared to 410 running shoes
Number of shoes
102.2 mm
The Brooks Victory Collection s Glycerin 14 for men
126.9 mm

Midsole width - heel

The heel is wider than we anticipated, measuring in at 92.3 mm. It totally fits the bill because, as we've mentioned before, this shoe is specially updates for heel strikers.

So, a wider heel really adds that extra layer of stability in this key area.

Men's Brooks Levitate Stealthfit GTS 5 Midsole width in the heel
Test results
Trace 2 92.3 mm
Average 90.7 mm
Compared to 410 running shoes
Number of shoes
70.8 mm
Midsole width - heel
106.6 mm

en el caso de Brooks la apuesta por este material viene de lejos

Most runners looking for a budget-friendly shoe want it to be good for running but also versatile enough for gym workouts or casual walks. With pricier shoes, the focus is usually just on running.

At $100, the Trace 2 proved to be great for various activities in our lab. We found that part of its versatility comes from its flexibility. It took us just only 20.7N of force to bend the shoe 90 degrees, which is a really low measurement.

This shoe follows methodology 1.8. It has been replaced with methodology 1.8 (the 'gel test') on more recently updated shoes. Results from the two methodologies cannot be directly compared, which is why you don't see recently tested shoes in the chart below.

Test results
Trace 2 20.7N
Average 28.1N
Runners World digital editor Chris Michel is wearing a Brooks Running Distance Running Tank $30.
Compared to 383 running shoes
Number of shoes
2.2N
Flexibility <> Stiffness
72.1N

Stiffness in cold (%)

After spending another 20 minutes in the lab, we ran the same test again. This time, we measured a slightly higher force—just 23.3N. Interestingly, that's still way less than half the average force usually measured in this test.

We found that the difference is just 12.7%, which is actually closer to what you'd expect from high-end shoes rather than a budget-friendly pair. And it's less than three times the average result, which is seriously amazing.

Test results
Trace 2 13%
Average 32%
Compared to 383 running shoes
Number of shoes
0%
Stiffness in cold
101%

Weight

Brooks is really working hard to make their shoes light, and they're using that to help sell them.

We found that this shoe is no exception. Tipping the scales at just 8.8 oz or 249g, it's incredibly light!

Men's Brooks Levitate Stealthfit GTS 5 Weight
Test results
Trace 2 8.78 oz (249g)
Average 9.35 oz (265g)
Compared to 410 running shoes
Number of shoes
5.61 oz (159g)
Weight
12.59 oz (357g)

Breathability

Brooks is known for making breathable shoes, and the Trace 2 is no exception, even though it's a budget-friendly option. We were pleasantly surprised when this shoe earned a perfect 5/5 score for breathability.

In the video above, you can see how easily smoke escapes from multiple parts of the shoe. This is impressive because many shoes only offer good breathability in one part of the upper. But the Trace 2 excels all around.

Now, why is the breathability so good? We discovered that when we shined a powerful light on the upper, all the ventilation holes became visible in full glory.

These holes extend from the toe box to the midfoot, allowing for excellent airflow—a Buy often missing in affordable shoes.

Men's Brooks Levitate Stealthfit GTS 5 microscope

Trainers PEPE JEANS Brooks Etd PMS30749 Navy 595.

Men's Brooks Levitate Stealthfit GTS 5 close microscope

The engineered mesh upper not only looks great but also has an inner layer of fabric to boost comfort. This is probably why Brooks added more ventilation holes in comparison to shoes like the Hyperion Max training shoe brooks axiom.

Test results
Trace 2 5
Average 3.8
Compared to 339 running shoes
Number of shoes
1
Breathability
5

Durability

Toebox durability

With a generous number of ventilation holes, we expected the upper to perform poorly in our dremel test.

But, to our pleasant surprise, that wasn't the case at all! The 3D Fit Print engineered mesh stood up incredibly well against our testing tool. In fact, it outshone nearly every other running shoe on the market, earning a solid 3/5 score!

Men's Brooks Levitate Stealthfit GTS 5 Toebox durability
Test results
Trace 2 3
Average 2.6
Compared to 273 running shoes
Number of shoes
1
Toebox durability
5

Brooks Ghost 2 Mens

zapatillas de running Brooks amortiguación media ritmo bajo talla 42.

It surpassed all our expectations at a 3/5 score. There's no worry about wear and tear in this area; it's built to last.

Men's Brooks Levitate Stealthfit GTS 5 Brooks Ghost 2 Mens
Test results
Trace 2 3
Average 3.3
Compared to 268 running shoes
Number of shoes
1
Brooks Ghost 2 Mens
5

Outsole hardness

Next, we turned our attention to the outsole in our lab to further investigate the shoe's durability. We found that the type of rubber Brooks uses isn't overly hard at 79.8 HC.

Men's Brooks Levitate Stealthfit GTS 5 outsole

We observed that the outsole has some areas of exposed foam, but these are strategically placed. This suggests that they aim to strike a nice balance between providing solid grip, weight savings and enough durability.

Men's Brooks Levitate Stealthfit GTS 5 Outsole hardness
Test results
Trace 2 79.8 HC
Average 79.5 HC
Кроссовки беговые brooks pure crit.
Compared to 390 running shoes
Number of shoes
55.5 HC
Outsole hardness
93.0 HC

Outsole durability

After putting the outsole to the final test with our Dremel, we discovered a mere 0.4 mm indentation. This is a standout result that points to fantastic durability for the shoe.

Men's Brooks Levitate Stealthfit GTS 5 Outsole durability
Test results
Trace 2 0.4 mm
Average 1.1 mm
Compared to 251 running shoes
Number of shoes
0.0 mm
Outsole wear
2.0 mm

Outsole thickness

The outsole's thickness came in at 3.3 mm, which is pretty standard. This seems like a good compromise between weight and durability.

However, given how tough the rubber is in this shoe, we believe Brooks could have reduced the thickness even more to save even more weight!

Men's Brooks Levitate Stealthfit GTS 5 Outsole thickness
Test results
Trace 2 3.3 mm
Average 3.3 mm
Compared to 406 running shoes
Number of shoes
1.0 mm
Outsole thickness
6.0 mm

Misc

Reflective elements

Sadly, we found that the Trace 2 doesn't have any reflective pieces for better visibility at night.

Men's Brooks Levitate Stealthfit GTS 5 Reflective elements
Test results
Trace 2 No

Tongue padding

We measured the tongue and found that Brooks really nailed it with this design. The tongue is a just-right 5.3 mm thick, which is enough.

It's so easy for companies to pack in extra padding and talk it up, but too much foam inside the tongue only makes the shoe heavy and bulky!

Men's Brooks Levitate Stealthfit GTS 5 Tongue padding
Test results
Trace 2 5.3 mm
Average 5.8 mm
Compared to 407 running shoes
Number of shoes
0.4 mm
Tongue padding
14.2 mm

Tongue: gusset type

We discovered in this lab review that this shoe offers many Buys you'd usually find in more expensive models. However, the tongue isn't one of them.

It has a non-gusseted tongue, which is understandable. Still, it's nice to dream about having it all, isn't it?

Men's Brooks Levitate Stealthfit GTS 5 Tongue: gusset type
Test results
Trace 2 None

Heel tab

We observed that the Trace 2 doesn't have a heel tab, but this isn't because it's an entry-level shoe. Is just the way Brooks is designing their latest shoes.

Men's Brooks Levitate Stealthfit GTS 5 Heel tab
Test results
Trace 2 None

Removable insole

We found that the insole is removable, which is really convenient. This means you can easily swap it out for custom orthotics or even your favorite insole from another pair of shoes. So, you're not locked into just the default option.

Men's Brooks Levitate Stealthfit GTS 5 Removable insole
Test results
Trace 2 Yes