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I am a former Division 1 collegiate athlete and national champion in football. I never knew that there was a shoe company that catered so much to pronators such as myself. When I found Brooks shoes it was like breaking a record or getting the perfect gift for my birthday. I currently have the Beast® and I am officially a fan for life. The Beast® shoe actually motivates me to run like having a nice sports car motivates me to drive. It's that simple. I look forward to jogging even more these days because I know that I now wear the best running shoe in the world. I might sound like a Brooks salesman, but I am just telling the truth about the shoe, it's that good. Thank you Brooks for helping me prevent injuries and helping me stay in shape. Comfort, excellence, durability, support, and strength; who could ask for more!

- Da' vid, who loves his Beast® running shoes in Boca Raton, FL

Hi Brooks,

First, I never give feedback on products I like. Furthermore, I'm rarely ecstatic about purchases as seemingly normal as a running shirt. Howevs, I needed a running shirt so I went into the flagship REI store and found the Brooks Equilibrium shirt. It was ridiculously soft. It looked sweet. And the fit was perfect. So I bought it. After running in it, I'm sold. I love how soft and flexible it is and it fits me so much better than other running shirts. In fact, I want to run in these shirts forever. Despite what my checkbook's telling me, I'm currently picking up a few more of these in different colors and also getting some in the long-sleeved variety as well because I'm afraid they'll get discontinued.

So thanks, Brooks. Thanks for making a product so great that I want to write about it. I can't imagine running in my cotton t-shirts again.

- Jake C., who has found Equilibrium

The Addiction™ 8 is the best damn running shoe I have ever had. Period. And I have clocked many miles in many other brands. Nothing more to say, except keep up the great work!

- Cory, who's addicted to the Addiction™ 8 in Atlanta

Dear Brooks,

I've been running for a year and a half now and have recently began training for my first marathon. Before beginning my training, I started shoe shopping. I'd purchased a few of the best shoes from each of the major running shoe companies. I've run in all of them, but there is definitely one pair that stands out from the rest. In doing the long training runs in marathon training, my Brooks Trance™ 7's are the only pair of running shoes I wear. They minimize the discomfort I so often experience of my chondromalacia, enhancing my enjoyment for running. Thank you, Brooks for producing such a quality product.

- Kara L., who lives and Runs Happy® in Washington, PA

Hi! I'm entering my 4th year running Cross Country for Charles City High School in Charles City, Iowa. For the past 3 years, I've worn the Adrenaline™ GTS shoe because nothing else feels as good. I've worn Nike, Adidas, Saucony and New Balance, but keep coming back to the Adrenaline™ GTS. There was another Brooks shoe that really did well for me, but my shoe store doesn't carry it any more (old model???). So right now I'm wearing the Adrenaline™ GTS 8 #42224961, the ones with red and silver. Anyway, the Adrenaline™ is the only shoe I can wear FOREVER! I run about 5 miles a day, plus more on practice days, so cushioning and comfort are a big factor in my shoes. I always wear them when I do area 5K races and they are definitely going to Cross Country Camp at Wartburg College with me tomorrow! I love, love LOVE my Adrenalines but wish they came in my school colors! I've recommended these shoes to a lot of girls on my team and those who have bought them like them just like I do!

Please don't stop making this shoe! It's a great shoe and I don't think I would have kept on running Cross Country if I hadn't lucked into my first pair. The Adrenaline™ makes running so much easier because I can think about something else besides my feet! Thank you!

- Lauren P., who runs for the Charles City H.S. Girls' XC Team, in Charles, City, IA

I think you should use some normal people as models/advertisements for your shoes. More people need to know how good they are! There must be plenty people like me out there —a new convert to running (only just over a year), I fell in love with it almost immediately. Nothing comes close for delivering a sense of freedom and intense well-being, while being challenging and offering a sense of personal triumph with each run. Unfortunately, I ended up with a pelvic stress fracture after my first half marathon, and, after a long lay off, was back running a month when I ended up with an early metatarsal stress fracture! “Luckily” this occurred just before a trip to Washington D.C. where I ended up seeing the wonderful Dr. Pribut, a podiatrist and runner. He sent me to Phil Fenty at Fleet Feet and it was there that I picked up my lovely Glycerin® 6 shoes.

I love these shoes with a passion. I have to stop myself taking them to bed with me. They feel different to my previous shoes (Pegasus and Vomeros) but are beautiful to run in. A perfect blend of support and cushioning. . .without being “squishy.” Most importantly, I’m running with no niggles at all. It's wonderful. I'm not scrawny, I won't be winning races, I might not even manage a marathon with my talent for getting injured. . .but I'm running and that makes me incredibly happy. I am immensely grateful to Brooks for giving me the Glycerin® 6. I just wish they were more easily accessible here in Ireland. For once, I think something should be promoted more heavily! I'll be your poster girl if you give me a trip to Seattle ;-)

- Gráinne, who runs in Cork, Ireland, but bought her beloved Glycerin® 6's in Washington, D.C.

After developing some rather irritating foot problems, I decided to switch from my beloved previous brand of Asics and try the Cascadia 3. It is hard to break away from a brand that you have been buying for years but I am so glad that I did. The Cascadia has been a pleasure to run in. Most of the miles that I put in are on trails where the shoe really shines but I wear them for my road runs as well and still enjoy them. I have been converted! Keep up the good work!

Peace,

- Bobby D., who is a Brooks convert thanks to the Cascadia 3

I'll try to keep this short, but these Trance^TM 7 running shoes deserve two or three pages of attention! I’ve always been brand loyal to another company; to the point where I was so stubborn to run in the brand that I kept trying to run in the wrong shoes for me, injured myself (ITBS and strained hamstring) and had been out of running for three months! After much research and hesitation (and doctor visits and physical therapy), I decided that as a slight overpronator and a tad heavier than my younger days (I'm 44 years young) I needed more stability. Thinking I was going to have to sacrifice comfort and cushioning for support, I chose the Trance^TM 7 because they "looked cool." I WAS SO WRONG to jump to conclusions!!! THESE SHOES ARE FREAKIN' AWESOME! My only regret is that I waited so long to try them and I’m kicking myself in the butt (well, almost--still working on that flexibility issue) for spending time injured, crying in my soup, sitting a home gaining more weight instead of being out on the road doing some serious running. But I’m on track now! It took a couple of days to get used to the control feel, but my knees and hips soon found the Trance^TM 7s to feel very cushiony but firm, soft but structured, smooth on the joints—my knees and hips (and I'm arthritic-prone) barely hurt after a run and I’ve never enjoyed running so much. I’m not sure how many times I can say it—these shoes are the best! BTW, I’m now brand loyal to BROOKS!

- becca, who thinks her Trance^TM 7's are FREAKIN' AWESOME!

I guess I don't even know how to begin my rave!

I didn't start running until I was 32 (in 2000) and ran my first 5K race that May. I didn't have the privilege of having my first pair of Brooks shoes back then. I moved to a new town in 2001 and in the fall of 2002 was fitted for the first time with Brooks shoes, and they made all the difference in the world. I believe they made the difference in helping me commit to running as my sport of choice and helping grow my dedication to running.

I am so happy that I walked into that specialty running store and got the right kind of guidance and advice to get the right shoes. The best sign in the world about running shoes hangs in that store—"you can't buy running shoes by their color."

Since 2002 I have run almost exclusively in Brooks shoes and have become an avid fan—I credit the fact that I trained for and completed three half marathons in 2004 to my Brooks shoes—this is quite a feat for someone who when given the choice in high school of passing our training and fitness requirement chose training for the 2-1/4 mile swim over training to run and complete a 15K.

I can't bear to part with my very first pair of Brooks shoes and keep them around for nostalgia's sake!

I have gotten my husband to wear Brooks shoes as well when he last needed to replace his old running shoes and now he wears Adrenaline^TM GTS. I wear Radius shoes. I have recently received my first pair of Cascadia shoes to try trail running to mix it up with road running.

So here's my ultimate confession - I am much more of a Brooks apparel junkie than anything else. Love the shoes—definitely wouldn't do without them and I wouldn't run in anything else. But I can't even begin to name all the Brooks clothes I have. You know you have problems when your running clothes collection is bigger than your casual or business clothes collections. From a Wanganui Jacket, to an L.S.D. shell, to Element and Aireplex jackets. . .to HVAC long sleeves and Revelation Trainers and Podium 1/2 zips (in quite the rainbow of colors). . .to VaporDry² pants and Capris, plus Motion Skorts. . .I guess you'd have to say I have a pretty impressive collection. I go day to day wishing I could be in running apparel instead of whatever business casual items I have to wear for work.

One of the gentlemen at that specialty running store that fitted me with my first pair of Brooks shoes will tell you that he has never seen anyone as brand loyal as I am to you.

So I will end my rave by saying that anytime I walk into my specialty running retailer that they know exactly what I'm heading for. . .the Brooks section!

- Deanna from Collierville, TN, who is waiting for her next opportunity to indulge her Brooks habit

Your products are excellent! I have been consistently happy with your shoes and apparel since I started wearing Brooks products three years ago.

I just picked up a new pair of Cascadia 3's and have to say they're great. The Editor's Choice awards from Runner's World and Trail Runner Magazine are well deserved. The Cascadia 2 was my favorite trail shoe until now. The MoGo midsole and improved outsole design are great updates, and they fit perfect.

As for apparel, the side-holster pockets in my Sherpa Shorts are the best. I can easily carry four to six gels without even noticing they're there. No bouncing and they're easy to reach.

Additionally, your efforts to provide environmentally friendly products and support of the Hanson-Brooks ODP strongly encourage me to support Brooks.

Thanks,

- Carson in Grand Junction, CO, who loves his Cascadia 3's

I’ve run in the Brooks Racer ST 3 since last year (prior to that the Racer ST 2). So far to date, I’ve PR’ed in the ½ Ironman distance (4:30) and the Ironman distance (9:59) in this shoe. I’ve run in the ST 2 the season prior and then forgot my shoes when I went out of town. I had to swing by a running shoe store. I told them I wanted another pair of the ST 2’s when they talked me into the Racer ST 3. The huge improvement is the lightweight material on the top that cuts a fair amount of weight compared to the older shoes. However, the great thing is that the last is the same. It has the cushioning of a regular training shoe but is light enough for serious racing. I wear the shoe in regular training with no ill effects, which is significant since I weigh 170 pounds. I am a neutral runner and the shoe does have a medial post. I have had no problems with it, but I’ve known some neutral runners that are bothered by it. I have three pair of the ST shoes that I rotate through. One of these sets I reserve for special occasions when I have serious racing to do, these are the ones that I use for posting PR’s.

- Spence from AL, who loves his Racer ST 3's (and his Racer ST 2's)

I run. It's what I do. Yet, for years it hurt to do so. Shin splints, lower back pain, ITBS, and a mild SI joint dysfunction were the price I paid for my love of running. Until now. I purchased my first pair of Radius 6 nearly a year ago and have been hooked ever since.

The shoe not only fits my foot better than any shoe I've worn but the injuries I've always thought of as a part of my obsession are all but forgotten memories. Distant objects I've left out on the streets. Three pairs of Radius and 1500 miles later my legs feel almost young again. I've been running more often and longer each and every month since using the Radius 6. My love of running, and my dedication, could not be questioned and now you can add pleasure to the list of reasons I run. Thanks to my Radius 6.

My next purchase, and one I am looking forward too, is the Radius 7 with MoGo. I look forward to many miles and many years of running pleasure in Brooks shoes.

Thanks again for the pain-free miles.

- Brian in Appleton, WI, who can't wait to buy the Radius 7

I had to write and compliment your design team on creating a superior product with the new Brooks Run Skort. I have tried almost every running skirt out there: Some I like, some I give away. I had become pretty devoted to a brand of skirt, then I tried the Brooks Run Skort in fabulous Mango. Wow! Nice fit, functional (two pockets for storing stuff), great lightweight fabric, and very flattering. So far I have run two trail ultras in my Brooks Run Skort and the Boston Marathon. In fact, after the marathon, I simple washed my skort in the sink and it was ready for sightseeing the next day!

- Marilou, from Olympia, WA, who loves her Brooks Run Skort

THANK YOU BROOKS!

Hi - I'm an avid wearer of the Epiphany Stretch Short. They are my absolute favorite pair of shorts to run in. I bought one pair and just loved how comfortable they are, how durable they are, and the mini pocket inside which is PERFECT for my car key or a Gu while I run! Since I liked this pair of shorts so much, I started to buy more. For the past year, every time I was at a running store and have found these shorts there I have bought a new pair! They are great shorts and I love Brooks products! Again, thank you for making my weekly miles more comfortable!

- Leann, a "sincerely satisfied customer!", who lives and runs in Houston, TX

I love the idea that you support the local running stores by working with them to provide the products.