Details
Brand
Brooks
Heel To Toe Drop
12mm
Breathability
7.8/10
Latest Version
No
Terrain
Road
Type
Stability
Key Features
• Moisture-Management Element Mesh in the upper keeps the foot cool and comfortable• Premium Sock liner with moisture wicking properties for better breathability and durability• Extended Progressive Diagonal Rollbar that provides maximum control and stability• DNA midsole that dynamically adapts to a runner’s stride for a personalized experience with cushioning and stability• Updated design for a glove-like fit thanks to its “no sew” technology• Segmented Crash Pad creates a smooth heel-to-toe transition with every step• Biodegradable material in the sole makes the Beast more environmentally friendly
Upper
The upper of the Brooks Beast 14 keeps feet cool and dry with its lightweight, breathable Element mesh. This unique mesh increases air circulation and promotes better moisture management. With its synthetic overlays, which provides structure, the upper proves to be extremely durable. Complimenting the upper’s mesh, the smooth sock liner also offers moisture resistance. In addition, runners have reported that Brooks’ all new internal support saddle delivers a more secure and solid fit. And to keep runners going mile after mile with confidence, the upper works in harmony with the DNA material found in the midsole to keep the feet well-cushioned and stable.
Midsole
The Beast 14’s midsole showcases multiple Brooks technological advancements from which will reap the benefits, particularly overpronators that need a stability shoe. Running the length of the midsole is Brooks’ biodegradable, environmentally friendly material, BioMoGo, which has impressed runners with its resilient cushioning. Besides the softer ride, the key additive in the BioMoGo responsible for breaking down exponentially quicker than standard EVA rubber makes it an excellent choice for the environmentally conscious runner. Increasing flexibility is the aim of the Omega Flex Grooves that are placed at the midsole, while the stable and secure fit of the Beast 14 is courtesy of another innovative feature, the Progressive Diagonal Rollbar (PDRB). The PDRB incorporates a wedge-shaped tri-density foam that provides a stable and secure fit to assist with correcting moderate to severe overpronation.;One of the most acclaimed components in Brooks’ arsenal is its DNA Cushioning support system that delivers a personalized ride for increased comfort and confidence. With its adaptive gel, the system provides real-time adjustments for each runner’s specific biomechanics, weight, pace, and gait. This customized fit is enhanced by Brooks’ Segmented Crash Pad that efficiently absorbs shock and encourages a smoother heel-to-toe transition for more stable running adventures.
Outsole
Runners demand the very best from their shoes, and Brooks delivers the best to its customers by addressing their specific needs. For impressive traction in both wet and dry conditions and enhanced durability, the outsole utilizes Brooks’ proprietary extra durable High Performance (HPR) Green rubber in the forefoot while the heel benefits from a High-Performance Rubber Plus compound. The addition of Flextra rubber offsets any loss of flexibility, and Brooks claims that it even provides a more personalized experience by adapting to each runner’s weight and movement for a personalized running experience.
Breathability
There are several factors at play that improves the breathability of the Brooks Beast 14. With its impressive moisture management system and the Element Mesh upper, even running in the warmest of temperatures won’t be an insurmountable challenge. Runners have found that the Beast 14 provides unprecedented air ventilation in a variety of conditions. The Element Mesh and Element Lining that comprise the upper wicks away moisture and provides great ventilation, keeping the foot cool and dry throughout a ride. In addition, its lightweight EVA cushioning prevents hot air pockets from forming to keep feet cool and dry.
Comfort
The Beast 14 retains Brooks’ stellar reputation by providing runners with a great amount of comfort and stability. Runners have reported being pleasantly surprised by the soft, supportive feel of the Beast 14, in part due to the adaptive nature of the midsole and the supremely cushioned heel and forefoot, which are much improved from the Beast ’s previous editions. The overlays in the toe area create a tight, glove-like fit, and the overlays that were removed from the rear sole gave the heel more movement but still yield a stable fit for most. However, sizing on this incarnation seems to run small and some runners have been turned off by the narrower toe and wider heel.
Style
With its clean lines and stylish but understated design, the Beast 14 comes in a pleasing combination of colors. Available color combinations include mars/anthracite/silver, silver/black/gold, and electric/pavement/silver. Runners have also appreciated the option of having the Brooks’ logo in gold. By all appearances, the Brooks Beast 14 is a serious running shoe with a classic appeal. Perhaps it’s a bit generic-looking, but the important elements—mainly its midsole, which holds the shoe’s stability features—are on the inside, not the surface.
Durability
The combination of a solid upper and an HPR rubber outsole, which is among the sturdiest on the market, guarantee that the Beast 14 will survive countless miles and many running sessions. Runners were extremely impressed with how well it withstood punishment. The breathability of the shoe factors in here as well, as shoes need proper ventilation to last, and the Element Mesh in the upper does a solid job of providing said ventilation. Reliability is important, and a shoe that can go the distance is important to any serious runner. The Brooks Beast 14 has the potential to outlast many other stability running shoes in the same class, and are tough enough for everyday regular use. It seems that there’s nothing that these shoes can’t handle.
Responsiveness
One of the most impressive features, in terms of responsiveness, is the Beast 14’s Extended Progressive Diagonal Rollbar (EPDR) that sits in the midsole to discourage extra foot roll and provide added stability. This feature is especially attractive for runners that overpronate. With its Omega Flex Grip, its tailor-made ride, and the Flextra in the outsole, this shoe responds well on most terrains. While not a trail shoe, the Beast 14 can perform admirably on less technical ground. The Beast 14 can transition between flat running ground and uphill battles found on more technical courses with minimal effort.
Support
Since it is a stability shoe, the Beast 14 features excellent arch support. Runners have enjoyed the latest incarnation of this running shoe that has long been known for its ultra-supportive ride and sturdy construction. Runners with severe overpronation and flat arches have flocked to this shoe for a reason, and some runners have claimed they are excellent shoes or those suffering from chronic knee pain. The insole is extremely well-padded and provides superior under-arch support, which many flat foot runners will appreciate. Runners felt more comfortable and better-protected thanks to the BioMoGo adaptable cushioning and the rollbar built into the midsole, allowing for more confident and stable descents with more proper form, which reduces potential injury. These features, in addition to the sole’s rubber compound, helps increase traction and confidence in wet and slick conditions.
Terrain
This shoe is intended as a hearty daily trainer that is tough enough for slightly more technical terrain and wet pavement. Runners that utilized the Beast 14 on road, gravel, and track, noticed improved performance both in time and lowered fatigue levels. This attribute sets the Beast 14 apart from its competitors in the same class. Runners also enjoyed the more balanced support due to a thermoplastic polyurethane unit in the midsole of the forefoot. With all these features working in concert, the Beast 14 lives up to its beastly namesake.
Price
Brooks Beast 14 is not only a heavier shoe, it also carries a slightly heftier price tag. Intended as a daily trainer, one would get a good return on their investment, especially when one factors in that the Beast 14 is a stability shoe. Runners found the value of this shoe in the maximum stability it provides and the tremendously soft and well-cushioned feel under their feet. With high-end technology, such as its patented DNA midsole that dynamically adapts to your every step, and the extended Progressive Diagonal Rollbar that keeps the runner’s stride on track, an investment in the Beast 14 is certainly worth the investment.
Drop
Featuring a 12mm drop, the Beast 14 has a slightly higher drop than many other trainers, but this drop is also necessary due to the amount of tech loaded into the midsole. However, it should not cause any discomfort to runners used to a standard drop.
Flexibility
There are two elements that provide the Beast 14 with good flexibility: the Flextra rubber of the outsole, which is highly adaptable to a runner’s movements and weight, and the flex grooves that are built into the midsole and work in conjunction with the outsole to provide a more flexible shoe. This flexibility is needed in a stability shoe, considering the midsole is loaded with tech to keep runners from overpronating, and the Beast 14 has struck a balance between firmness and flexibility.
Traction
The traction of the Beast 14 is made from HPR Green rubber, which provides excellent traction on both wet and dry surfaces. Strategically placed in the heel is HPR Plus rubber, which adds to the overall durability of the outsole, and Flextra rubber, which adapts to the runner’s movement and provides overall enhanced flexibility, the Beast 14 is a dynamic running shoe with traction that will keep runners stable and secure in a variety of conditions.
Bottom Line
Many runners agreed that the Brooks Beast 14 lives up to its name: it is a monster of a shoe. From its remarkable stability to its unparalleled support and cushioning, there are countless features of this shoe that delivers a rewarding running experience. The environmentally conscious will be pleased with Brooks’s inclusion of biodegradable materials and components that decompose relatively quickly after discarding the shoe. Overpronators, those with flatter feet, and with a larger build will appreciate the ruggedness and solid feel of the Beast 14, as many stability shoes tend to focus only on correcting overpronation and neglect to address the actual purpose of the shoe, which is to provide a solid run. Runners of all skill levels have highly recommended this shoe for a number of reasons, from its technological advancements to the ultra-responsive materials from which it’s made, and would agree that in this case, Brooks truly did unleash the fury of the beast!
