Brooks Beast 16
The Brooks Beast 16 is truly a beast. The Brooks brand motion control shoe offers unmatched support and cushioning. The shoe has seen a few updates since its 2014 edition. The shoe, meant for those dealing with excessive pronation, offers excellent arch support for flat footed runners. It can handle running on pavement, indoor running, and easy trail running. The Brooks Beast 16 is the male version of this gender-specific model. For ladies, the Brooks brand has come up with the Ariel. This shoe is a great option for those coming back from or dealing with an injury. Doctors and podiatrists often recommend the show for runners with imperfect biomechanics. The Beast 16 is not going to run fast and be anyone’s first choice for speedwork, but its corrective and supportive features make it a great shoe for walking or easy training runs.
- Excellent cushion
- Good arch support
- Excellent grip
- Very comfortable
- Great flexibility
- Very heavy shoe
- Sizing issues
- Rigid feeling underfoot
- These have shown themselves to be very stable, for me, the cushion makes these the best running or walking shoes, the level of protection and comfort is 100%, one niggling downside, be careful about sizing.
- Looked for shoes giving protection and support, these are the way forward, in just a couple of runs I notice that my foot pains were getting less. Using these for local running and walking, they are fantastic but you need to figure out sizing.
- As I have high pronation which often means pain, I need shoes for regular walking which would give me the balanced support which I need, I'm very happy to say that so far these are perfect. The cushion support is so good it's beyond describing.
- Plantar fasciitis in each foot and in desperation I turned to Brooks, I was right to do this, these shoes are simply amazing, I'm gradually getting back into a regular running thanks to these. It's all about the incredible cushion and support which these shoes give.
- From thinking I might quit running due to awful foot problems, I got these and the arch support, the cushion and the amazingly good overall support fixed everything, I have even returned to 5k running.
- I'm carrying a lot more weight than most, I need exceptional support from shoes, the cushion in these easily carries my weight, the support from the shoe structure is clearly designed to be the best and I cannot consider other shoes, these really are the best for heavy people.
- Been with Brooks for ten years, I do lots of walking every day and running 3 times and I also wear them to referee soccer, nothing matches these for cushioning, stability, and support.
- The 16 is lighter but the cushion miracle is still consistent, the shoe grip, provide stability, are very comfortable and have 100% support designed into the shoe, simply unbeatable.
- I do a 15 mile run each week and shorter runs in between, these are consistent in giving the best support, protection, performance, and durability.
- The 16 is lighter but the cushion miracle is still consistent, the shoe grip, provide stability, are very comfortable and have 100% support designed into the shoe, simply unbeatable.
- It is just Brooks that offer this shoe to target support for extreme overpronation and this shoe works, love the support, the cushioning is amazing and the shoe is great for long distances.
- I had knee damage and these were suggested to me, at first I used them on the treadmill and the results were so good that I moved back to running outside, now up to 3km three times a week, this was only possible using Brooks.
- My flat feet are so bad, the resulting knee aches are terrible, a doctor suggested I try this as a shoe for walking around daily and he was right, I'm amazed at how much difference a well-designed shoe can make. All shock is absorbed and I will always wear Brooks shoes.
- The heels in this model are less snug, the width is tighter, the sizing is whacked but the toe box feels cramped compared to the previous shoe, Brooks has redesigned but also messed up sizing. My only option is to throw these and look for the previous shoe model which was very good.
- Very frustrating that Brooks made this shoe more narrow, I have wide feet, playing around with sizing in this way is so pointless. I love these shoes and cushion support is still the best but the narrowness gives me achy feet.
- Wow, totally surprised, firstly as a long-term Brooks user I notice that sizing is of the target, the shoe is narrow, the sides rub and create friction on my feet, going back to the previous model if I can find it.
- I had a good run with the different shoes put out by Brooks, they just seemed to always get better, than I got these and found them much too narrow, well done Brooks, you have just kicked thousands of loyal fans. I sent the shoes back, just can’t use these.
- The shoes now run half a size smaller possibly even that is off, materials are questionable, after 3 months the forefoot fabric started tearing, the shoe is more narrow but that was ok. Brooks need to rethink what they are doing.
Outsole
The forefoot also contains Flextra Rubber which helps adds a bit more flexibility. The HPR rubber in the rear foot is more rigid and durable. The outsole of the Brooks Beast 16 also contains HPR Green Rubber, an environmentally friendly compound that helps with traction in both wet and dry conditions. The wide outsole provides full ground-contact which helps with stability and traction.
Midsole
The majority of reviewers praised the comfort of the shoe's cushioning. They cited that the cushioning material was plush but not too soft. The midsole of the Brooks Beast 16 also features a Roll Bar (Extended Progressive Diagonal Roll Bar), a high-density foam that helps with overpronation and ensures stability.
The shoe's midsole also features great arch support and a substantial medial post which promotes stability.
Upper
The shoe also features a larger toe bumper and the Beast's tongue is no longer attached to the rest of the upper.
The laces remain the same but the heel cup contains much more padding than the previous version. The mesh has been changed in the Brooks Beast 16. The Element Mesh ensures proper ventilation and the interior Element lining wicks away moisture, keeping the foot dry.
The same generously padded insole is featured in the Brooks Beast 16. The Ultimate Sock Liner helps with breathability but can be taken out if the wearer needs to use a custom orthotic.
Weight
It's most definitely not meant for speed work or fast runs. The full-contact rubber outsole is the likely source for the bulk of the Beast 16's weight. Still, the Brooks Beast 16 isn't marketed as a lightweight trainer. It's a hefty shoe made to provide some serious correction.
Breathability
A lot of reviewers did comment on the fact that the fit was much snugger than they were used to. The toe box felt very tight for many wearers, which compromised the shoe's breathability. It's also important to note that the Brooks Beast 16 comes in a LE version. The all-leather construction is more durable but the material affects breathability quite a bit.
Comfort
The cushion is soft without being overly so. The thickly cushioned insole of the shoe can be removed, but if you're not in need of an orthotic it adds, even more, cushioning underfoot. There are still fit issues that marred the comfort of the shoe for some runners.
The snug toe box was a big issue for many runners. Many wearers had to go up at least a half size to ensure a comfortable and secure fit. Many runners also found themselves purchasing the shoe in a wider width.
The Brooks Beast 16 is available in wide and extra wide versions and for good reason since the most common complaint was that the shoe was too narrow and the toe box was too tight.
Style
At a glance, the shoe looks pretty clunky and it feels just as heavy on. The boring color options and uninspired design were a complaint that many reviewers brought up.
Durability
The upper features a mesh construction and was clearly built to handle heavy use. The midsole material is meant to provide support to runners no matter what distance they choose to pursue. The cushioning felt fresh even after miles of use. In fact, it's likely that the outsole will be on its last legs while the midsole cushion still feels brand new.
Protection
The Brooks Beast 16's midsole cushioning also protects the wearer from the impact of running. There's a lot of cushioning in this shoe and it does a great job at keeping runners from the jarring effects of pounding the pavement.
Many runners chose the Brooks Beast 16 on the advice from their healthcare specialist because of the shoe's corrective features and high cushion. The upper, which ventilates effectively, also helps to keep wearers protected from overheating on days when the temperatures climb high.
Responsiveness
The shoe doesn't have the best ground feel. Runners felt that they could not properly feel the surface underfoot. Many couldn't even discern whether they were running on pavement or grass.
Support
In addition, the midsole cushioning is rigid enough to act as a support platform for the runner. The outsole, equipped with grippy rubber, delivers adequate traction so runners feel stable on the move. The stiff midsole, and supportive upper ensure that runners do not feel unstable as they enjoy their runs.
Terrain
Even when the weather is stormy and gloomy, runners will have no problem keeping steady when running on the roads. The Brooks Beast 16 provides adequate traction on pavement, but when the winter months come along you should be careful.
If you’ll be training when it's cold outside, with the potential for ice formation, you'll need some extra gear to ensure you've got enough traction underfoot.
Price
Regardless, the maximally cushioned, supportive motion control shoe is well suited for runners who need a lot of correction. With all of these features, you're getting a lot of bang for your buck.
In addition, the Brooks Beast 16 should be able to tackle several hundred miles before needing to be replaced. The shoe is a good choice for recently injured runners running long distances. The Brooks Beast 16 is a good option as a daily trainer for these types of runners.
Traction
For runners who live in rainy climates or those who actually prefer to run in the rain, the Brooks Beast 16 offers a comfortable and stable ride. The lugs underfoot are fairly flat but can still handle wet conditions fairly well.
If you hate the treadmill and find yourself outside regardless of the weather conditions, be careful when running in icy weather with the Brooks Beast 16. It performs poorly is very icy conditions. It's also not great when it comes to most trail running conditions but can handle pavement and hard packed dirt no problem.
Flexibility
Even with these small additions meant to improve flexion, the shoe remains fairly rigid. The firm midsole cushioning makes the shoe stiff so runners looking for a natural feel should look elsewhere in the Brooks lineup.
Stability
The DRB Accel feature in the shoe provides structural integrity and mimics natural foot mechanics.
The large medial post is apparent when looking at the Beast 16's side profile. The grey colored section contains firmer foam, while the blue sections are made of softer foam. The full-contact rubber outsole provides additional stability for the runner and the snug upper adds an extra layer of security and stability.
The shoe also features plenty of arch support for flat footed runners. Many reviewers commented that the Brooks Beast 16 helped a great deal with plantar fasciitis pain.
Drop
Key Features
Bottom Line
Despite the bland color options, the shoe performs like it's meant to. These are great overpronation running shoes for those seeking a distance trainer. The Brooks Beast 16 is also a good choice for runners with freshly healing injuries.
The fit issues gave many runners pause but the shoe is available in wide and extra wide widths and thus can accommodate a variety of foot shapes. The Brooks Beast 16 offers enough protection to satisfy a myriad of runner types. The shoe is also well-built and can definitely give you ample value for your dollar.