Brooks Asteria

Editor rating: 7.8 / 10

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By Abbie Copeland

All Brooks Shoes

Brooks Asteria Review Facts

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The Brooks Asteria was released in the summer of 2016 and was meant to be a replacement for the discontinued ST Racer, a very popular stability racing shoe. Like the ST Racer, the Asteria is a great, lightweight, performance stability shoe designed for races of all distances including marathons. The Asteria is one of the lightest shoes Brooks makes weighing in at just over 8 ounces in a men’s size 9. Runners looking for a fast racing shoe will appreciate the Brooks BioMoGo midsole and the soft DNA foam cushioning which make for a responsive and lightweight shoe. Fans of the retired ST Racer or runners who require shoes with just a touch of stability for up tempo runs, will enjoy the feel and performance of the Asteria.

Editor's Pros & Cons

Pros

Good cushioning and support
Roomy toe box
Lightweight and fast
Segmented crash pad for fast toe-offs
Breathable and comfortable mesh upper

Cons

A bit narrow
Only one color option

Outsole

The outsole of the Brooks Asteria is comprised of blown rubber which makes the shoe durable, flexible, and responsive. On the bottom of the outsole, square traction pods add to the shoe’s grip on just about any hard surface. The outsole is very flexible especially in the forefoot area where deep “Omega Flex Grooves” are located. Runners noted that the flexibility of the outsole did not limit the natural movement of their foot in any way. They described the feel of the shoe as very fast which made them want to run all the faster.

Midsole

The Asteria's midsole uses Brooks’ exceptionally lightweight BioMoGo DNA foam which provides reliable cushioning that can adapt to the runner's individual gait cycle. This adaptable foam works in conjunction with the Omega Flex Grooves in the outsole to provide a flexible, comfortable, and natural feeling ride. Rearfoot guide rails located around the shoe hold the foot back as it moves forward for a smoother heel-to-toe transition. A segmented crash pad strategically located in the midsole flexes with the foot and adds cushioning and stability for a very fast foot turnover. 5K runners raved about this feature.

Upper

Runners note that this section of the Brooks Asteria is “great”. It is made up of a seamless, breathable, mesh material that wicks moisture away and keeps feet dry for an entire workout. The upper material forms to and moves with the shape of your foot. A sockliner made from BioMoGo foam adds cushioning and contoured support. 3D printed overlays provide an adaptive fit and keep the foot securely locked in place. The overlays were light enough to add very minimal weight to the shoe. The secure fit of the shoe can also be attributed to the standard lacing system and padded tongue. There were no complaints of chafing or blisters from the upper even when the shoes were used right out of the box.

Weight

The use of a blown rubber outsole, BioMoGo DNA foam midsole, and 3D printed mesh upper puts the Asteria in the very lightweight category at just 8.3 ounces (men’s size 9). The Asteria is one the lightest Brooks shoes ever made. Despite its incredible light weight, the shoe is still very durable and stable which is what makes it such a terrific racer. Many runners compared the Asteria to the very light Saucony Kinvara 7, but said the Asteria was slightly firmer and had a more stable feel. In races where every ounce makes a difference, the Asteria might just get you to the finish line a few seconds faster.

Breathability

Like other Brooks shoes, the Asteria excels at wicking moisture away from your foot. Runners had no problems with the shoe overheating even on long runs. The upper, made of mesh, dries fast when it gets wet and small laser-cut vents allow good airflow. The upper fabric also did a decent job of blocking light wind in cold temperatures. Runners can use the shoe for short or long runs and experience a comfortable ride.

Comfort

Most runners describe the Asteria as a shoe that is comfortable to wear right out of the box. The toe box is a little more narrow than the ST Racer, but the upper does a good job of holding the foot. Only a few runners said the shoe felt too narrow. The shoe has a sock-like fit because of the combination of materials used to construct the outsole, midsole, and upper. Comfort and protection is provided to the Achilles tendon through a heel roll. The breathability of this shoe helps keep the foot cool, dry and prevents blisters and chafing.

Style

Although a sleek and attractive racing shoe, the Asteria comes in only one color. The men’s version is available in nightlife (neon yellow) with black accents. Women can look forward to knockout pink with clemantis (a sort of blueish purple). One of the biggest complaints about the shoe was a lack of color choices. Runners who prefer more subdued colors may be turned off by the bright neon options. Ladies who hate bright pink will not find the shoe to their liking. Shoe stores will tell you to ignore the color and concentrate on the fit, but some colors cannot be overlooked.

Durability

Many wearers agree that the Asteria holds up surprisingly well after hundreds of miles. All shoes experience some tread wear, but the Asteria still looked like new after months of marathon training. The supportive structure of the upper and basic, no-frills laces held their tension well over time. The square pods on the outsole help with cushioning and traction, but also hold up fairly well to hard road use. The segmented crash pad in the midsole flexes with every step and adds cushioning and durability to the shoe. Heavier runners reported the square pods in the heel area wore down a little quickly, but the shoe was still comfortable and responsive.

Protection

The blown rubber outsole not only protects the runner from impact, but also from anything that may be stepped on underfoot. The upper securely keeps the foot in place with comfortable mesh. The Asteria is a road shoe and can be used on light trails, but its design is meant for fast road running. Some runners said the thin upper looked a little flimsy, but had no problems with seam separation or toe nails poking through.

Responsiveness

The Asteria gets high marks in responsiveness due to the engineering of its outsole and the flexibility provided through the Omega Flex Grooves. Runners felt they could run naturally and had quick toe offs with the Asteria. The shoe has combined materials for flexibility and cushioning enabling it to adapt well to any road terrain.

Support

The Asteria is listed as a stability shoe and is great for overpronators or runners who appreciate a little extra support at high speeds. The runner's foot is secure because of the BioMoGo DNA material. The mesh upper also hugs the foot like a sock, creating a secure, but unrestricted, feeling. This contributes to the exceptionally balanced feeling of the shoe. Forefoot strikers liked the feel of the segmented crash pad which allowed for fast foot turnovers.

Terrain

The Asteria is a road shoe which is where it excels. The design of the outsole is great for extended use on hard surfaces and the flex grooves allow for natural gait and foot movement. Combined materials in the midsole and outsole allow the shoe to move with the foot to provide a good grip on the road. The shoe can be used on light trail conditions, but it is designed to be a performance road racer. The upper material is not waterproof, but is highly breathable and dries quickly. The shoe can be used on rainy runs and will result in minimally wet feet. When any running shoe gets wet, it is advisable to remove the sockliner and stuff the shoe with newspaper to help it dry on the inside.

Price

The Asteria is priced at $110 which makes it a fairly affordable racer. Runners looking for a comfortable, supportive, and fast shoe should find this price acceptable. Shoes of equal weight and flexibility sell for quite a bit more. When shopping online, searching for promo codes can sometimes save you five to ten percent.

Traction

The square pods on the outsole are designed to grip the road and push the shoe forward. The flex grooves in the forefoot of the outsole help the shoe bend easily and provide a solid landing and push-off from the road. Some runners felt the Omega Flex Grooves allowed them to quickly transition from flat to uphill running. There were a few complaints about the shoe struggling with a secure grip on the wet roads.

Flexibility

Stability shoes are usually not known for their flexibility due to the amount of cushioning in the midsole needed to give the shoe a smooth ride. Brooks has managed to overcome this problem in the Asteria through the design of the outsole and midsole despite a stack height of 25 mm in the heel and 17 mm in the forefoot. Flex grooves on the outsole give flexibility from heel to toe, but not side to side. This lack of side motion helps support a natural stride and prevents any twisting of the foot and ankle. Forefoot runners praised the shoe for its flexibility.

Stability

The Asteria is a stability shoe and perfect for mild overpronators. The midsole design, outsole, and upper keep the foot from slipping and help prevent any side to side motion. A crash pad in the midsole flexes with the foot at segmented points. Rearfoot guide rails located around the shoe secure the heel as the foot moves forward for a smooth heel-to-toe transition.

Drop

The stack heights (25mm heel, 17mm forefoot) and 8mm heel-to-toe drop are great for fast paces and high foot turnover. Some runners used to a lower heel drop were concerned by the 8mm number, but barely noticed the difference after taking the shoes for a spin. Runners switching from a higher heel drop also had no problem with the lower height. Although some runners are very picky about heel drop, most runners can’t feel a few millimeter difference.

Key Features of the Brooks Asteria

• Lightweight design for racing speeds
• Excellent stability for mild pronators
• Adaptable cushioning for support when needed
• Excellent breathability and comfortable mesh upper
• Adequate toe box for most runners
• 8mm heel-to-toe drop for smooth landings and high turnover
• Rearfoot guide rail system for on-demand support.
• Segmented crash pad promotes smooth transitions.
•. Omega Flex Grooves allow natural forefoot movement

Bottom Line

A fast and supportive racing shoe, the 8.3 ounce Brooks Asteria is the perfect racier for mild overpronators and runners who need a little more stability at fast speeds. BioMoGo DNA cushioning combined with a rearfoot guide rail system provide for responsive cushioning for faster efforts with just enough support to reduce lateral movement injuries. Not quite as wide as the discontinued ST Racer, a strong, and seamless upper helps support wider feet. Runners looking for a fast and supportive shoe with a comfortable sock-like fit will want to give the Asteria a try.