The Beast has been one of Brooks’ most popular running shoes for years, but with several new technology advances, the new Brooks Beast Running Shoes have even more to offer runners. This shoe is exceptional for runners with either low arches or flat arches as well as those with excessive pronation.

Now the Beast features a full-length MOGO midsole that has a cushy soft feel from the first time you put on the shoe, without any sacrifice to stability. Both in-house and third-party testing showed that the new MOGO material offers a 40% increase in cushioning, 22% more energy return and 33% less fatigue than the older midsole that Brooks used.

The midsole also has dynamic viscous fluid units in both the heel and forefoot areas to further enhance midsole cushoining. These units attenuate shock with industry-leading dampening which leads to further comfort for the wearer.

Their patented midsole/outsole compound works to both further progressively dampen the forces of energy that happen during the contact phase of running, but they also enhance resilience under the metatarsals which results in a significantly more powerful propulsion. Also included in the midsole is Brooks’ progressive diagonal rollbar which is biomechanically engineered to assist with pronation control and help to create a smoother transition from the midstance phase into the all-important propulsion phase.

Finally the midsole includes shanklike thermoplastic tuning devices that can be added either singly or in pairs to adjust the stiffness for either additional stiffness or less stiffness depending on the gait. This ability to adjust a shoe to a specific runner is part of what makes Brooks legendary among shoes.

The high-durability, rubber compound used on the outsole provides a high degree of abrasion resistance for much longer wear. The compound also made with dispersed silica which results in incredible traction in both wet and dry conditions (ASTM F 489-96 slip resistance) for excellent skid-resistance. The silica also makes for a much more environmentally friendly composition (silica is basically sand).

Both the midsole and the outsole components are configured in such a way to place the foot in an ergonomic, balanced, efficient position as it moves all the way from the heel strike through toe-off. This offers maximum motion control and flexibility which minimizes the risk of injury and reduces fatigue which in turn maximizes endurance and performance.

The upper includes a sockliner for comfort, moisture-managing elements in both the linings and the mesh upper, and synthetic overlay materials for both support and durability. The moisture-managing material provides some degree of weather protection as well without sacrificing breathability, durability, or comfort.

Overall, for those runners who need an adaptable shoe to meet their specific needs, the Beast has become a favorite. By users, it’s rated as a stable, breathable shoe that is excellent at shock absorption, is comfortable and has good traction. The main negative is that it’s a heavier shoe, but given the level of support and cushioning, that’s really not too surprising. Most people who rated the Brooks Beast running shoes run on pavement, in a gym, or on a track, and rate themselves as casual adventurers rather than hardcore runners or competitive athletes.