Details
Brand
Brooks
Heel To Toe Drop
12 mm
Breathability
7/10
Latest Version
Brooks Adrenaline ASR 13
Terrain
Trail
Type
Stability
Key Features
• Element Mesh wicks moisture and allows the foot to breathe• Element Lining and Hydrophobic Foam Package keep the inside of the shoe dry• Profile Sock Liner supports the foot for better balance• Progressive Diagonal Rollbar slows over-pronation• DRB Accel supports the midfoot and smooths transitions• BioMoGo DNA midsole cushions landings and customizes the fit• Omega Flex and Flextra add flexible cushioning and support• Stable Pod Configuration creates better balance and smoother transitions• HPR+ outsole is resistant to high abrasion and protects from damage• HPR Green skid-resistant dispersed silica compound
Upper
The upper uses various technologies to wick moisture, improve balance, and create a comfortable and supportive fit. The Element Mesh allows the foot to breathe and wicks moisture form because of its durable water-repellent coating (DWR). The smooth Element Lining uses a Hydrophobic Foam Package to keep the inside of the shoe dry. It also has a Profile Sock Liner made of BioMoGo that helps give balance and support. The synthetic overlays, laces, and inside padding give a snug and supportive fit. The heel counter gives some stability to the back of the foot and the toe cap protects the front of the shoe.
Midsole
The midsole uses various technologies for cushioning and slowing over-pronation. The BioMoGo DNA provides cushioning that absorbs shock and fits the custom shape of the wearer’s foot. Omega Flex and Flextra add flexibility, cushioning, and support to allow the foot to move naturally. The Progressive Diagonal Rollbar, made of tri-density BioMoGo foam, slows over-pronation. The DRB Accel supports the midfoot, improves transitions, and makes the ride smoother.
Outsole
The outsole is composed of HRP+ rubber and HPR Green compound. HPR+ is placed in high-abrasion areas to increase durability and protect the shoe from getting damaged. HPR Green is a dispersed silica compound used mostly in the forefoot in order to improve traction and resist skidding. The aggressive lugs use a Stable Pod Configuration pattern for better balance and transitions, with a few grooves throughout the shoe to add a small amount of flexibility.
Breathability
The Brooks Adrenaline ASR 12 has a breathable and water-repellent upper that work to keep the foot cool, dry, and irritation-free. The Element Mesh has a durable water-repellent coating that ventilates the foot and wicks moisture that lands on the outside, such as rain, humidity, or water splashing from a puddle. On the inside is Element Lining, which is smooth to prevent blisters and irritation and uses a Hydrophobic Foam Package to keep the foot dry. The breathability allows the wearer to comfortably go on trails.
Comfort
Most testers found the Adrenaline ASR 12 very comfortable, but a few did not like the firm cushioning and stability features intended to slow over-pronation. The sole unit is just flexible enough for comfortable movement without compromising cushioning or stability. The midsole uses BioMoGo DNA foam that adapts to the wearer’s foot shape, Omega Flex and Flextra for flexible and supportive cushioning, and a tri-density BioMoGo foam that makes Progressive Diagonal Rollbar firm yet soft. The upper has breathable and water-repellent mesh, with a soft interior lining that also keeps the foot comfortably dry and cool. The inside of the shoe is padded, especially around the tongue and collar, which helps provide a snug fit. Some reviewers reported that the shoe sizes run narrow, with no wide sizes available, and a few experienced the shoe shrinking slightly over time as the shoe was worn for daily runs out in the elements.
Style
The Brooks Adrenaline ASR 12 has a similar classic trail shoe look that its predecessors have. It looks sturdy enough to go on trails, although a few people found the look to be bulky. The men’s shoe comes in Avocado/Black/Green Garden and the women’s shoe comes in a purple and dark purple with a blue logo and accents. The shoes have reflective accents so the wearer stays visible in low-light conditions. The look does not appeal to runners who don’t like colorful shoes, but it’s not so too bright, either. Later editions of this shoe are available, so not all styles are available in every size anymore.
Durability
The Adrenaline ASR 12 has great durability for the most part. A few testers experienced pieces of the outsole coming off after a few runs, but most people did not experience this problem and were able to use the shoe on their daily run for several months without the shoe deteriorating. The outsole uses HPR+ rubber for better durability in high-impact areas and HPR Green to add durability to the lugs to prevent skidding. The midsole’s BioMoGo DNA cushioning is very durable, the Progressive Diagonal Rollbar uses three densities of the foam for better durability, and the DRB Accel is also durable. The Element Mesh has a durable water-repellent coating so it can stay durable even in wet conditions, although some testers experienced their shoe shrinking down up to a size after being out in hot or rainy weather. The inside lining and overlays are also designed to not wear out or tear during long runs or after many daily runs.
Protection
This shoe has various ways of protecting the wearer’s feet and joints. The sole unit is thick enough to protect against some types of objects, but some testers experienced stone bruises on rocky trails. The outsole has HPR Green to protect against skidding. The midsole uses BioMoGo DNA that forms to the shape of the wearer’s foot to cushion landings, absorb shock, and prevent sliding. The Progressive Diagonal Rollbar protects against over-pronation. The upper protects against heat with its Element Mesh and water with its durable water-repellent coating and the Element Lining’s Hydrophobic Foam Package. The Element Lining also protects against irritation because of its soft feel, the heel counter protects against sliding, and the toe cap protects the forefoot from objects on trails.
Responsiveness
The Brooks Adrenaline ASR 12 has great responsiveness. The outsole’s lugs use a Stable Pod Configuration that helps improve balance and transitions. The midsole has a BioMoGo DNA foam that gives a custom fit and adds a slight bounce to the wearer’s step, especially with the extra padding in the heel due to the 12mm drop. The Omega Flex and Flextra add flexibility to allow natural movement. The DRB Accel creates a smooth ride and transitions. The upper is responsive in that it moves along with the foot and the Profile Sock Liner improves the wearer’s balance and support.
Support
The Adrenaline ASR 12 is a very supportive shoe. The outsole provides a supportive platform. The midsole has BioMoGo DNA cushioning that supports the foot by surrounding it. The Omega Flex and Flextra technologies also add support while allowing the foot to move naturally. The Progressive Diagonal Rollbar gives the arch a stability level of support to slow over-pronation. The upper supports the foot with its BioMoGo Profile Sock Liner, overlays, padding, and heel counter.
Terrain
The Brooks Adrenaline ASR 12 is listed as a trail shoe. It has aggressive lugs intended to grip technical terrain, and it can also go on light trails as well as roads or paths. The upper has been optimized for trails. Some reviewers noticed that the shoe does not protect well against stone bruising on rocky trails, so runners who are prone to getting stone bruises should avoid those types of terrain. The shoe is also water-repellent, so it can go on wet surfaces without any problem, however, the lugs are not sharp enough to go on slippery terrain without experiencing sliding.
Price
The Adrenaline ASR 12 is slightly expensive for a running shoe, costing about 30% more than average. Considering the level of stability and cushioning, as well as the fact that it can go on or off-road, it’s actually a good deal for over-pronators who need or could benefit from those features. A newer edition of this shoe is available and it has been discontinued, so this shoe is no longer available in many retailers, and the stores that are selling it are listing it at or slightly less than MSRP value because of the low supply: most sizes and colors aren’t available anymore.
Drop
The heel is 32mm high and the forefoot is 20mm off the ground, giving the shoe a 12mm drop. This is a standard drop for a running shoe, especially a cushioned trail shoe. A 12mm drop shoe has extra padding in the heel to help heel strikers. It also improves transitions by slightly bouncing the foot forward as it lands.
Stability
The Adrenaline ASR 12 is a stability shoe intended to allow over-pronators to go on technical terrain. The outsole uses HPR Green to prevent skidding and a Stable Pod Configuration pattern to stabilize landings and improve balance, and the firm cushioning also helps stabilize landings. The midsole has a Progressive Diagonal Rollbar to slow over-pronation and stabilize the arch. The upper has the Profile Sock Liner to help with balance and the heel counter to stabilize the rear of the foot.
Flexibility
The Brooks Adrenaline ASR 12 has a lot of cushioning and is a stability shoe, so it’s only as flexible as it needs to be: just enough to allow the foot to move comfortably. The outsole has grooves that allow the shoe to bend with the foot. The midsole uses Omega Flex and Flextra technology that allows the foot to move naturally, and the BioMoGo sinks into the shape of the foot. The upper is flexible enough to add a supportive layer that’s the same shape as the foot but stable enough to go on technical terrain without worrying about the ankles rolling.
Traction
This shoe was designed to get great traction both on and off road. The outsole has aggressive lugs for gripping trails as well as using the HPR Green compound that makes the shoe skid-resistant. It gets excellent traction on hard roads, soft dirt, gravel, uphill, downhill, and even on wet surfaces. The only type of surfaces it does not grip well are slippery surfaces because the lugs aren’t sharp like spikes.
Bottom Line
The Brooks Adrenaline ASR 12 is a good shoe for over-pronators who need extra stability and cushioning on their daily off-road runs. It has great traction on many types of surfaces and is skid-resistant. It is breathable and water-repellent. The shoe has a comfortable fit with a good amount of cushioning. It stabilizes and supports the foot as it goes over hills or technical terrain. It also helps improve balance and gives smooth transitions. The Adrenaline ASR 12 is neither too heavy nor too light and the price is reasonable for all the features and technologies it includes. It could be improved upon by offering wide sizes, having softer cushioning in the heel, and better durability. Over-pronators will like this shoe, but neutral runners will want less stability, injury-prone runners will want softer cushioning in the heel, and runners looking to compete will want a lighter shoe.
