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Gear and Technology

More than the foot: the science behind how GuideRails® technology supports your run

February 8, 2022 | By Brooks Staff
Illustration of a left foot in a Brooks shoe with highlights on the outer heel.
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Shoes with our GuideRails system help the knee and the foot work more effortlessly together.

What does GuideRails support technology do for runners?

Do you remember the first bike you got when you were a child? Chances are that bike had stabilisers on it. These little wheels attached to the back wheel help stabilise the bike, allowing for a smooth, straight ride.

Similar to how stabilisers keep a bike from falling over to one side or the other, GuideRails support reduces excess shin and heel rotation to keep your natural knee motion in a safe range so you can run with more comfort and less pain. This holistic support system allows your body to embrace its natural motion path while limiting excess motion.

Illustration of leg bones with heart graphics over knee and foot demonstrating healthy relationship between the two body parts.

So, what is the GuideRails support system?

While the idea of tiny shoes attached to each side of your pair of Brooks Adrenalines is pretty funny, it’s not visually accurate — the stabiliser analogy is happening inside the shoe.

The system is made of two firm pieces of foam on either side of the heel. On the inside of the heel, the foam reduces the rolling of the foot inward. On the outside of the heel, the foam is both firmer and higher, reducing the shifting of the heel in the outward direction.

Illustration of a cross section of a Brooks shoe with GuideRails technology demonstrating placement of foam on each side of the heel.

Central to the GuideRails support system is the relationship between the knee and ankle, or what we call “coupling”. The system focuses on alignment and ensures the right parts are in the right places during your run.

We created the GuideRails technology to work with your Run Signature, which is how your body moves while on the run. We recommend neutral shoes for runners whose running motion is in line with their baseline movement. For those whose running motion deviates from their own personal baseline, we recommend shoes with GuideRails support.

Which shoes have GuideRails technology?

We currently have six shoes featuring GuideRails technology: 

Close up photo of the legs of two runners wearing Brooks Adrenaline GTS shoes with GuideRails technology.

Our go-to shoe for more than 20 years, the Adrenaline GTS offers a blend of DNA LOFT and BioMoGo DNA and more support than ever. Adrenaline GTS

Levitate GTS 5

Infused with DNA AMP technology, the super springy midsole on the Levitate 5 GTS delivers high energy return. Levitate GTS 5

Close up photo of the legs of a runner wearing Brooks Adrenaline GTS shoes with GuideRails technology.

Looking for cloud like cushion? Find lasting comfort in the new Glycerin GTS 19. Its reconfigured midsole with DNA LOFT provides our softest-ever ride without sacrificing responsiveness or durability. Glycerin GTS 19

Close up photo of the legs of a runner in the Launch GTS 8.

A springy ride and quick transitions, the Launch GTS 8 has a lightweight feel that you'll love with GuideRails support. Launch GTS 8

Close up photo of the legs of two runners wearing Brooks Beast shoes with GuideRails technology.

The Beast men’s running shoe and Ariel women’s running shoe are lighter than ever and offer a soft, cushioned ride. Men’s Beast Women’s Ariel

Want to learn about our other technologies?

Our super smart biomechanics experts, product developers, and insights researchers collaborate to make the best running gear in the world. Explore the innovative technology that goes into our shoes and apparel, or learn more about our approach to research and product testing.

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