Brand at a Glance
Brooks Running is a Seattle-based performance brand owned by Berkshire Hathaway since 2006. It focuses exclusively on running shoes and apparel — unlike Nike, Adidas or New Balance, Brooks does not make lifestyle sneakers, basketball shoes or fashion collaborations. Through Q1 2026, UK retailer data shows Brooks sales up roughly 38% year-on-year, putting the brand in the UK top three for distance running shoes alongside Asics and Hoka. UK list prices currently sit between £130 (Ghost 16) and £170 (Glycerin Max).
A 110-Year History in 4 Chapters
1914–1971: Bathing slippers and roller skates. Brooks was founded in Philadelphia in 1914 and made its first running shoe — the Villanova — in 1972, when distance running was still a niche pursuit in the US.
1977: The Vantage. The Vantage running shoe introduced the angled Varus Wedge midsole and was rated the number-one trainer by Runner's World magazine that year, setting the template for biomechanically-driven design that still defines Brooks today.
2001: Run Happy and the modern brand. CEO Jim Weber narrowed the company exclusively to running, dropping basketball, tennis and other categories. The "Run Happy" tagline launched in 2007 and remains the brand voice.
2020–2026: International expansion. Brooks opened its London flagship at Selfridges in 2024, hired a UK-specific run coach team in 2025, and now sponsors Hackney Half and the Vitality Big Half through 2026. UK availability has roughly doubled in the same period.
The Lineup Explained
| Model | UK Price | Drop | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ghost 16 | £130 | 12 mm | Neutral daily training, beginners |
| Glycerin 22 | £165 | 10 mm | Maximum cushion long runs |
| Glycerin Max | £170 | 6 mm | Plush long-distance recovery runs |
| Adrenaline GTS 24 | £140 | 12 mm | Mild overpronation support |
| Hyperion Max 2 | £170 | 8 mm | Tempo and race-day |
| Cascadia 18 | £140 | 8 mm | Trail running |
Who Brooks Is For in 2026
Brooks shoes suit runners who prioritise comfort, durability and predictable feel over flashy carbon-plated speed shoes. The Ghost is consistently the most-recommended UK first marathon training shoe in 2026 running club surveys, beating the Asics Novablast and Nike Pegasus by a small margin on stack-height-adjusted comfort scores. The Adrenaline GTS uses GuideRails — a non-prescriptive support system — that suits mild overpronators without the rigid feel of older motion-control shoes.
Where to Buy in the UK
Brooks sells direct through brooksrunning.com/en-gb, plus specialist retailers including Runners Need, Sportshoes.com, and Up & Running. The Selfridges London flagship is the only UK physical Brooks-owned space and stocks the full women's and men's range. UK shipping is free over £75 direct and across most specialist channels. Returns are a flat 90-day window, including for shoes that have been run in.
If you are starting marathon training in 2026 and want one shoe that handles 80% of weekly mileage, the Brooks Ghost 16 at £130 is the lowest-risk UK choice — predictable cushion, proven outsole rubber, and replacement availability at every UK running specialist.
