Details
Brand
Brooks
Breathability
6/10
Latest Version
Adrenaline ASR 13
Terrain
Trail
Type
Stability
Key Features
• BioMoGo padded insole DNA• A separated pad on heel crash• Plus rubber outsole(HPR)• GORE-TEX® waterproof upper• Progressive diagonal stability rollbar• Flex Grooves Omega.• Aggressively lugged and durable• Cushioned and comfortable
Upper
An airy, yet water-resistant GORE-TEX® component borders the interior of the Adrenaline ASR 12 GTX. The mesh upper and prominent overlays cater for freshening and support. This fabric is very plush and comfortable against the foot. Both the ankle collar and spongy tongue are cushioned to boosts the shoe’s overall comfort. An improvement over the previous model is a slightly lower ankle collar which was a source of irritation for some runners. An accepted lacing system favors a cushy fit that is a requirement for tackling trails. This shoe is meant to be tight around the foot.
Midsole
Brooks’ patented BioMoGo DNA midsole rubber is the main component of the Adrenaline ASR 12 GTX’s midsole. This soft foam provides unique cushioning throughout the entire midsole, not just in the heel and forefoot. The foam has the ability to acclimatize to the runner’s weight, running style, and even the running surface. This feature provides customized cushioning with every step and also a very comfortable ride.;A Progressive Diagonal Rollbar in the midsole helps with overpronation issues. Tri-density foam acts as an internal post and adjusts the foot to a natural motion from heel to toe which prevents the ankle from rolling inwards during the gait cycle.
Outsole
The outsole of the Adrenaline ASR 12 GTX is comprised of Brooks’ proprietary High-Performance Rubber (HPR) Plus. This rubber is abrasion resistant, even in areas that take the full brunt of impact during running. Rows of tightly packed lugs on the bottom of the shoe provide grip on rough and rocky trails. Brooks’ trademark Omni Flex Grooves in the forefoot give the outsole flexibility and also help the lugs increase their hold on loose rocks and slippery surfaces. The Omega Flex Grooves also work with an oversized segmented crash pad that runs from the heel to the midfoot. The crash pad provides more flexibility in the heel area which results in a smooth heel to toe transition. Runners commented that this outsole is much improved from the previous version.
Breathability
GORE-TEX® that is not well known for its breathability while other runners keep off GTX shoes, although this isn’t the reason with the Adrenaline ASR 12 GTX. Runners had zero issues about having hot or wet foot, even in 90-degree weather long runs. The upper component is breathable as advertised and accepts a great flow of air inside the shoe. This is a perfect shoe for muddy, slushy and snowy runs as its upper area repels water and wet perils very fast. The enhanced padding all-round its heel and foot area also assists in keeping the snow and slush from going in the shoe. Extreme weather runners praised the shoe for being breathable, yet warm.
Comfort
Just like the road model, the Brooks Adrenaline ASR 12 GTX is an incredibly comfortable shoe. Many runners confirmed the shoe needed none break-in. The HPR Plus outsole rubber, padded midsole, and well-cushioned tongue work together to provide a very comfy fit. The segmented pad absorbing impact shoes and helps with sleek transitions from the heel to toe. The breathability of its upper part maintains the foot coolness and dryness and keeps away blisters and chafing. An average lacing plan allows for a tight, yet agreeable fit which is needed in trail running. A sewn gusset along the tongue helps keep sand from entering the shoe while a small raised section on the heel keeps sand and small rocks from striking the back of the runner’s legs. Many runners were amazed by the comfort of this shoe.
Style
The GORE-TEX® net inhibits the color selection of the Brooks Adrenaline ASR 12 GTX. The men’s kind comes in black with blue options. Ladies can look forward to black with red accents. Black is a good trail shoe color and hides dirt well. Some wearers said the shoe runs small and had to size up. Overall, the Brooks Adrenaline ASR 12 GTX is an attractive and rugged looking shoe and could easily pass for a daily walker or casual shoe.
Durability
The Adrenaline ASR 12 GTX is solely made for extremely rugged terrain and the HPR Plus outsole abrasion-resistant meaning this shoe can stand up to a lot of misuses. Extended use on hard surfaces will wear down the outsole lugs prematurely, but that will not affect the durability of the shoe too much. Many runners compared this shoe to the Brooks Cascadia which is a favorite trail runner, although not as flexible or cushioned.;The Cascadia is also slightly heavier than the Adrenaline. One runner referred to the tread of the Adrenaline ASR 12 GTX as a “rock star” and estimated he could easily get 300 to 500 miles out of the shoe. For winter running, these shoes hold up very well and have no problem plowing through snow and slush. Vynil-like material over the front part of this shoe works as a toe shield and assists in protecting the toe area. A similar material is put to use on the shoes back part and assists with the general development and durability.
Protection
The Adrenaline ASR 12 GTX grants better protection against the components and trail risks. The impermeable upper maintains the dryness of the foot that aids in barring debris and blisters. Its muscled lugs offer excellent traction, also on black ice and difficult landscapes. Albeit its upper mesh is considerably light, the vinyl forefoot covering beef up adequate protection on the front section of this shoe.;Runners verifying this shoe on rocky roads and routes reported that the durable outsole and cushioned midsole provided excellent protection against sharp rocks which can sometimes result in stone bruising. A few runners complained of their feet sliding forward on steep downhill runs which resulted in their toes being jammed into the front part of this shoe. This may just be a sizing issue as the shoe is reported to run small.
Responsiveness
For a remarkably padded trail shoe inclusive of a heel drop, the Adrenaline ASR 12 GTX is described as receptive and agile. Runners were able to easily navigate steep and twisting trails with no trips or falls. The set up of this shoe’s outsole and the Omega Flex Grooves over the forefoot tolerates the bending of the shoe to accommodate each stride of the runner. Runners commented on the quick turn-over despite the rugged sole.
Support
The Adrenaline ASR 12 GTX is a fairly supportive shoe. A Progressive Diagonal Rollbar in the midsole helps prevent overpronation. Tri-density foam acts as an internal post and adjusts the foot to a natural motion from heel to toe which prevents the ankle from rolling inwards during the gait cycle. Its BioMoGo DNA element of the mid-foot ensures the safety of the foot and grants ample support along each runner’s stride. The lasting mesh upper still bolsters the foot by allowing a secure and cushy fit without actually being exceedingly tight. Some runners felt the shoe was a bit narrow, but it is designed to be a tight shoe. A loose fit does not work well with trail running.
Terrain
The Adrenaline ASR 12 GTX was designed for technical terrains, mucky, slush snow as well as whatever the environment may unleash. This shoe has exceptional traction on irregular surfaces, loose rocks, wet wooden bridges, crushed rocks, and roots. The aggressive lugs across the outsole still perform well on icy conditions. This shoe can take on any open roads, although it’s fairly heavy for trail running shoes and the lugs will wear down faster. The GORE-TEX® element makes this shoe a seasonal shoe. Many wearers have purchased the Adrenaline ASR 12 GTX as an everyday walking shoe and praise it for its satisfaction and endurance.
Price
With a retail cost of $150, the Adrenaline ASR 12 GTX is quite a pricey shoe. This shoe was proposed for serious trail running and for those that needed a dependable and sturdy shoe that can take them down and up the trail again. The basis that this shoe will probably go 500 miles assists to justify the cost. Walkers claim the price is reasonable as they usually have to pay this much for custom inserts which aren’t needed when wearing this shoe.
Drop
The Adrenaline ASR 12 GTX has a hindfoot-to-forefoot drop of 12mm which some runners said slowed the shoe down. Runners accustomed to lower level trail running shoes felt a difference, but trail shoes normally have a 10mm drop or more which promotes smoother heel strikings. The same athletes appraised the shoe for its fast turning-over that has a welcoming surprise.
Stability
The Adrenaline ASR 12 GTX is considered a stability shoe meaning it helps counterbalance overpronation. A Progressive Diagonal Rollbar in the midsole helps the runner maintain control on uneven surfaces. The entire design of this shoe works to evenly hold the foot and maintain its stability. The apportioned crash pad in the heel adds additional stability as it moves with the foot and helps maintain the runner’s momentum.;Neutral runners may find this shoe to be “just too much shoe” for their liking, but when it comes to slippery, sloppy, slushy runs, the extra stability might be appreciated.
Flexibility
The thickly padded midsole of the Adrenaline ASR 12 GTX provides the shoe with a considerably rigid look that is not the instance. The shoe has uniform resilience from the toe to the heel which contributed to the excellent performance. The adaptive cushioning technology in the midsole enables the shoe to feel firm during fast runs and soft at slower speeds. Runners said the shoe was as flexible as any road shoe. This is chiefly due to the Omega Flex Grooves across the outsole that okays the shoe to pursue the bearing of the foot. Runners said that they felt a powerful push-off with each step. The apportioned heel crash cushion also helps with robust take-offs and easy landings.
Traction
As mentioned earlier, the Adrenaline ASR 12 GTX performs strongly on any frozen, wet or dry surfaces. Most trail runners retain this shoe for colder seasons like winter and extremely wet runs. In spite of the lugs across the outsole not being overly deep, they still dig their way into a soft and slippery turf. The overall elasticity of this shoe aided with the grips and helped the runner with safer push-offs and anchored footing. Most runners were very pleased with the performance of this shoe on mildly technical trails.
Bottom Line
This latest type of the Brooks Adrenaline ASR GTX features an upper of the GORE-TEX® which is both waterproof and highly breathable. Updates from the previous version include a segmented crash pad which provides a smoother ride. The outsole has also been improved for enhanced traction on a more challenging terrain. A unique cushioning system caters to runners of all sizes and abilities and keeps feet feeling fresh. A midsole rollbar offers better control on uneven surfaces. The added stability also helps counterbalance overpronation. Runners who enjoy braving the great outdoors during inclement weather will be happy on all the weather-proofing and versatility that the footwear has to give.
