Brooks vs Under Armour: Choosing the Best Running Shoe

Brooks vs Under Armour: When it comes to hitting the pavement, having the right running shoe can make all the difference in your performance, comfort, and overall running experience.

With so many great brands on the market, it can be overwhelming to choose the perfect pair.

Two popular contenders, Brooks and Under Armour, are often pitted against each other in the running shoe showdown.

Brooks vs Under Armour: A Quick Overview

Brooks:

• Specializes in high-performance running shoes with a focus on comfort, support, and cushioning
• Known for their supportive and stable ride, making them a great choice for runners with high arches or plantar fasciitis
• Offers a wide range of models, from neutral to supportive, to cater to different running styles and preferences
• Features advanced technology such as DNA LOFT cushioning and BioMoGo DNA midsoles for customized support and comfort
• Generally priced between 60-160
• Popular models include Ghost, Launch, and Adrenaline GTS

Under Armour:

• Offers a wide range of athletic footwear, including running shoes, with a focus on performance, style, and innovation
• Known for their Micro G unitsole technology, which provides a low-to-the-ground feel and responsive cushioning
• Features a more minimalist approach to running shoes, with a focus on natural running form and a more efficient stride
• Offers a variety of models, from neutral to supportive, with a focus on speed, comfort, and durability
• Generally priced between 60-140
• Popular models include Slingshot, Micro G Pursuit, and Speedform

Key differences:

• Brooks is known for their supportive and stable ride, while Under Armour focuses on a more minimalist approach
• Brooks tends to be more expensive than Under Armour, especially at the high end
• Under Armour is known for their stylish and fashionable designs, while Brooks focuses more on performance and functionality

Cushioning and Comfort: Which Brand Offers Better Comfort?

Cushioning

• Brooks:
  • Features advanced cushioning technologies such as DNA LOFT and BioMoGo DNA
  • Provides customized cushioning based on individual running styles and preferences
  • Offers a softer and more responsive ride, especially in the midsole
  • Cushioning is more pronounced in the heel and forefoot for a smoother transition
• Under Armour:
  • Features Micro G unitsole technology for a low-to-the-ground feel and responsive cushioning
  • Provides a more minimalist approach to cushioning, with a focus on natural running form
  • Offers a more subtle and subtle cushioning, with a focus on ground feel and responsiveness
  • Cushioning is more evenly distributed throughout the midsole for a more consistent ride

Comfort

• Brooks:
  • Features a more substantial and comfortable upper material, often with a more substantial toe box
  • Offers a more supportive and stable ride, with a focus on comfort and support
  • Provides a more comfortable fit, especially for runners with high arches or plantar fasciitis
  • Features a more substantial heel counter for added support and stability
• Under Armour:
  • Features a more lightweight and breathable upper material, often with a more minimalist design
  • Offers a more flexible and adaptable fit, with a focus on natural running form
  • Provides a more comfortable fit, especially for runners with narrower feet
  • Features a more minimalist heel counter for a more natural stride

Key differences

• Brooks focuses on customized cushioning and support, while Under Armour focuses on a more minimalist approach
• Brooks tends to have a more substantial and comfortable upper material, while Under Armour has a more lightweight and breathable design
• Brooks is generally more suitable for runners who need more support and stability, while Under Armour is better suited for runners who prefer a more natural running form

Support and Stability: Which Shoe Reigns Supreme?

Support

• Brooks:
  • Offers a wide range of support levels, from neutral to highly supportive
  • Features advanced support technologies such as Segmented Crash Pads and Omega Flex Grooves
  • Provides support for runners with high arches, plantar fasciitis, and other foot issues
  • Offers a more substantial and supportive heel counter for added stability
• Under Armour:
  • Offers a more minimalist approach to support, with a focus on natural running form
  • Features a more flexible and adaptable midsole for a more natural stride
  • Provides support for runners with neutral to mild overpronation
  • Offers a more subtle and flexible heel counter for a more natural feel

Stability

• Brooks:
  • Offers a more stable ride, with a focus on support and guidance
  • Features a more substantial and supportive midsole for added stability
  • Provides a more stable heel-to-toe transition for a smoother ride
  • Offers a more substantial and supportive upper material for added stability
• Under Armour:
  • Offers a more flexible and adaptable ride, with a focus on natural running form
  • Features a more minimalist midsole for a more natural stride
  • Provides a more subtle and flexible heel-to-toe transition for a more natural feel
  • Offers a more lightweight and breathable upper material for a more natural fit

Key differences

• Brooks focuses on providing support and stability for runners who need it, while Under Armour focuses on a more minimalist approach
• Brooks tends to have a more substantial and supportive design, while Under Armour has a more flexible and adaptable design
• Brooks is generally more suitable for runners who need more support and stability, while Under Armour is better suited for runners who prefer a more natural running form

Traction and Grip: Which Shoe Stack Up for Hiking?

Traction

• Brooks:
  • Features a more aggressive tread pattern for improved traction on various surfaces
  • Offers a more substantial and durable outsole material for added traction
  • Provides a more consistent and reliable grip on wet and dry surfaces
  • Features a more pronounced heel-to-toe transition for improved traction and grip
• Under Armour:
  • Features a more minimalist tread pattern for a more natural running experience
  • Offers a more flexible and adaptable outsole material for improved grip on various surfaces
  • Provides a more subtle and responsive grip on wet and dry surfaces
  • Features a more subtle heel-to-toe transition for a more natural feel

Grip

• Brooks:
  • Offers a more aggressive and substantial grip on various surfaces
  • Features a more pronounced lug pattern for improved grip on wet and dry surfaces
  • Provides a more consistent and reliable grip on uneven terrain
  • Offers a more substantial and durable outsole material for added grip
• Under Armour:
  • Features a more subtle and flexible grip on various surfaces
  • Offers a more minimalist lug pattern for a more natural running experience
  • Provides a more responsive and adaptable grip on uneven terrain
  • Features a more lightweight and breathable outsole material for improved grip

Key differences

• Brooks focuses on providing a more aggressive and substantial grip, while Under Armour focuses on a more subtle and flexible grip
• Brooks tends to have a more substantial and durable outsole material, while Under Armour has a more lightweight and breathable design
• Brooks is generally more suitable for runners who need more traction and grip, while Under Armour is better suited for runners who prefer a more natural running experience

Weight and Responsiveness: The Verdict Both The Shoes

Weight

• Brooks:
  • Generally heavier than Under Armour shoes, with an average weight of 10-12 oz (280-340g)
  • Features a more substantial and supportive design, which can add weight
  • Offers a more cushioned and comfortable ride, which can also add weight
• Under Armour:
  • Generally lighter than Brooks shoes, with an average weight of 8-10 oz (220-280g)
  • Features a more minimalist and lightweight design, which reduces weight
  • Offers a more flexible and adaptable ride, which also reduces weight

Responsiveness

• Brooks:
  • Features a more responsive and springy midsole, which provides a more energetic ride
  • Offers a more substantial and supportive design, which can reduce responsiveness
  • Provides a more cushioned and comfortable ride, which can also reduce responsiveness
• Under Armour:
  • Features a more flexible and adaptable midsole, which provides a more responsive ride
  • Offers a more minimalist and lightweight design, which increases responsiveness
  • Provides a more natural and efficient stride, which also increases responsiveness

Key differences

• Brooks tends to be heavier and more supportive, while Under Armour is lighter and more minimalist
• Brooks focuses on providing a more cushioned and comfortable ride, while Under Armour focuses on a more natural and efficient stride
• Brooks is generally more suitable for runners who need more support and cushioning, while Under Armour is better suited for runners who prefer a more natural and responsive ride

Breathability and Ventilation: Keeping Your Feet Cool and Dry

Breathability

• Brooks:
  • Features a more substantial and supportive upper material, which can reduce breathability
  • Offers a more cushioned and comfortable ride, which can also reduce breathability
  • Provides a more substantial and supportive heel counter, which can reduce breathability
• Under Armour:
  • Features a more lightweight and breathable upper material, which increases breathability
  • Offers a more minimalist and flexible design, which also increases breathability
  • Provides a more open and airy upper construction, which increases breathability

Ventilation

• Brooks:
  • Features a more substantial and supportive design, which can reduce ventilation
  • Offers a more cushioned and comfortable ride, which can also reduce ventilation
  • Provides a more substantial and supportive heel counter, which can reduce ventilation
• Under Armour:
  • Features a more lightweight and breathable design, which increases ventilation
  • Offers a more minimalist and flexible upper material, which also increases ventilation
  • Provides a more open and airy upper construction, which increases ventilation

Key differences

• Brooks tends to have a more substantial and supportive design, which can reduce breathability and ventilation
• Under Armour focuses on a more lightweight and breathable design, which increases breathability and ventilation
• Brooks is generally more suitable for runners who need more support and cushioning, while Under Armour is better suited for runners who prefer a more natural and breathable ride

Durability and Longevity: Which Shoe Will Last Longer?

Durability

• Brooks:
  • Features a more substantial and supportive design, which can increase durability
  • Offers a more cushioned and comfortable ride, which can also increase durability
  • Provides a more substantial and supportive heel counter, which can increase durability
• Under Armour:
  • Features a more lightweight and flexible design, which can reduce durability
  • Offers a more minimalist and adaptable upper material, which can also reduce durability
  • Provides a more open and airy upper construction, which can reduce durability

Longevity

• Brooks:
  • Generally has a longer lifespan due to its more substantial and supportive design
  • Can last for 300-500 miles or more, depending on usage and maintenance
  • Offers a more durable and long-lasting ride, which can reduce the need for frequent replacements
• Under Armour:
  • Generally has a shorter lifespan due to its more lightweight and flexible design
  • Can last for 200-300 miles or more, depending on usage and maintenance
  • Offers a more adaptable and responsive ride, which can reduce the need for frequent replacements

Key differences

• Brooks tends to have a more durable and long-lasting design, while Under Armour has a more lightweight and flexible design
• Brooks is generally more suitable for runners who need a more supportive and durable ride, while Under Armour is better suited for runners who prefer a more natural and adaptable ride
• Brooks may require less frequent replacements, while Under Armour may need to be replaced more often due to its lighter and more flexible design

Style and Aesthetics: Which Shoe Looks and Feels Better?

Style

• Brooks:
  • Offers a more traditional and conservative design approach
  • Features a more substantial and supportive upper material
  • Provides a more substantial and supportive heel counter
  • Has a more prominent and visible Brooks logo
• Under Armour:
  • Offers a more modern and trendy design approach
  • Features a more lightweight and breathable upper material
  • Provides a more minimalist and adaptable upper construction
  • Has a more subtle and understated Under Armour logo

Aesthetics

• Brooks:
  • Has a more classic and timeless design aesthetic
  • Offers a more substantial and supportive design that is often associated with a more traditional running shoe
  • Provides a more conservative and understated color palette
  • Has a more prominent and visible Brooks logo that adds to the overall aesthetic
• Under Armour:
  • Has a more modern and trendy design aesthetic
  • Offers a more lightweight and flexible design that is often associated with a more modern and fashion-forward running shoe
  • Provides a more bold and vibrant color palette
  • Has a more subtle and understated Under Armour logo that adds to the overall aesthetic

Key differences

• Brooks tends to have a more traditional and conservative design approach, while Under Armour has a more modern and trendy design approach
• Brooks is generally more suitable for runners who prefer a more substantial and supportive design, while Under Armour is better suited for runners who prefer a more lightweight and flexible design
• Brooks has a more prominent and visible logo, while Under Armour has a more subtle and understated logo

The Final Step: Which Shoe Reigns Supreme in Our Head-to-Head Comparison?

Brooks

• Strengths:
  • Offers a more supportive and stable ride
  • Provides a more cushioned and comfortable ride
  • Has a more durable and long-lasting design
  • Suitable for runners who need more support and stability
• Weaknesses:
  • May be too supportive for runners who prefer a more natural stride
  • Can be heavier and less breathable than Under Armour shoes
  • May not be as flexible and adaptable as Under Armour shoes

Under Armour

• Strengths:
  • Offers a more lightweight and flexible design
  • Provides a more natural and efficient stride
  • Has a more modern and trendy design aesthetic
  • Suitable for runners who prefer a more natural and adaptable ride
• Weaknesses:
  • May not be as supportive and stable as Brooks shoes
  • Can be less durable and less long-lasting than Brooks shoes
  • May not be as comfortable and cushioned as Brooks shoes

The Verdict

• Brooks is the better choice for runners who need more support and stability, and who prioritize comfort and durability.
• Under Armour is the better choice for runners who prefer a more natural and adaptable ride, and who prioritize lightweight and flexibility.

FAQs

Q: Which brand is better for beginners?

A: Brooks is often recommended for beginners because of its supportive and stable ride, which can help new runners build confidence and endurance.

Q: Which brand is better for long-distance running?

A: Brooks is often preferred by long-distance runners because of its more substantial and supportive design, which can provide additional comfort and support during longer runs.

Q: Which brand is better for trail running?

A: Under Armour is often preferred by trail runners because of its more flexible and adaptable design, which can provide better traction and stability on uneven terrain.

Q: Which brand is better for runners with high arches?

A: Brooks is often recommended for runners with high arches because of its more supportive and stable ride, which can provide additional support and comfort for runners with high arches.

Q: Which brand is better for runners with flat feet?

A: Under Armour is often preferred by runners with flat feet because of its more flexible and adaptable design, which can provide better support and stability for runners with flat feet.

Q: Which brand is better for runners who need more cushioning?

A: Brooks is often recommended for runners who need more cushioning because of its more substantial and supportive design, which can provide additional comfort and support during runs.

Q: Which brand is better for runners who prefer a more natural stride?

A: Under Armour is often preferred by runners who prefer a more natural stride because of its more flexible and adaptable design, which can provide a more natural and efficient stride.