Customer Reviews Brooks Beast '20

The fits ok, but the quality is terrible. I’ve bought a lot of the brooks beast and these are by far the worst ones made. The fabric and sole is cheap and can’t be cleaned. I’ll be looking for a replacement brand. I’ve probably bought somewhere around 75 of these over the years. A lot of money but they were worth it. I have 6 pair in the closet now. What happened to the quality? Why change it.

As someone who's been wearing Beast since about 2000, I couldn't be more disappointed when I received these. I ordered blindly assuming I'd be getting the same shoe I've been buying 1 - 2x/year. Brooks has removed the stability insert from the molded cushion and replaced it with "guiderails" or whatever they're calling it. They also went to a single density cushioning system. Both these changes are clearly intended to cheapen the manufacturing process through the reduction of complexity. I would expect if they were going to do this, they'd also change the price point. Why would anyone pay a $25 - $60 premium, if the shoe no longer has the premium stability features. I returned these and went with the Mizuno Wave Inspire 16 for $25 less and am really please with my first run.

An update to my first review: My first review was written after a hour of walking around in my brand new Brooks Beast 20s on house carpet only (in case I had to return them for a refund). Today, I've worn them for the entire day, on hardwood floors, tiled floors, and for a few short runs around the block on concrete sidewalks. And I have changed my mind about them. Yes, their soles are not quite as stiff (some might say rigid) as those on the Brooks 18 and previous model Beasts. But they are still more firm and supportive than almost any running (not walking) shoe I've ever worn. The sole bottoms are as wide as the 18s, providing a nice stable platform. The rear heel counters are far less stiff and confining than those on the 18, providing good support but sparing me any of the achilles heel and ankle twinges I occasionally experience with the 18s. The breathable pliable engineered mesh over the top middle and toe box areas provides even more room for the foot and toes than on the 18s, something I'll be able to appreciate late on a hot summer day when my feet sometimes begin to swell a bit. My wife says they look much better than the 18s, which she thought were too thick in the sole and clunky looking. Fact is that the 20's sole is the same thickness as that on the 18s. But Brooks has built and engineered them, together with their large inside guiderails, to look far less beefy and far more sleek and stylish, like a slightly thicker-soled GTS 20. To longtime devotees of the Brooks Beast who are larger and on the heavier side (with over-pronation) than my 6'2" 180 pound frame, the Beast 18s might still be the definitely preferable shoe. I can only say that, for myself, giving the Beast 20 a good workout and a second chance proved to me just how comfortable and enjoyable they are.

I have worn Brooks Beasts for many years, and they have always fit perfectly, until now. The new design is too narrow in the toe. I have returned the shoes. Why did Brooks have to ruin a good thing?

If you are a Beast fan and you order the black color or Ebony color you will discover that they fit narrow. The grey color fits me great. True to size and width(2E). The dark colors are totally different. Beware.

I’m actually quite fond of the Brooks Beast 18. I think it’s probably the best Beast yet, with its enlarged toe box, comfortable and very breathable engineered mesh, and well reinforced heel counter. The rather thick sole (an apparently growing trend with shoe makers like Hoka and others, who take it to more extremes) provides the perfect levels of stability and movement control, even for users who don’t suffer from severe over-pronation. I was curious to find out how the slightly lighter new Brooks 20 compared. Like the 18, its engineered mesh upper is comfortable and even a bit mor spacious. The heel counter is toned down but still adequate. So far so good. Buts it’s the new guide-rails, popular on so many other new Brooks shoes, that fail as a replacement for the more grounded and stable sole support system of earlier Beasts, including the 18. The 20 and it’s guide rails Just doesn’t provide anything close to the stability and sure-footedness as its 18 predecessor for my large 6’2” frame. i’m now quite happy that I purchased quite a few 18s in my size.

When I first used these shoes they were fantastic for the first 2 weeks. I was feeling good about my purchase. I like to go on 2 hour walks but after 2 weeks these expensive shoes fell apart. The material even ripped apart on both shoes after a week! (see picture). The real issue is after 2 weeks they have very little support the reason I buy Beasts! I can’t wear them anymore, RIP $179. My feet hurt if I try a walk in them now. Brooks ruined the Beast. Stay away from these shoes is my suggestion. I used to love the 2016, 2018 models that were constructed well and last.

I bought these shoes for the same reason most people buy them: because my orthopedic doctor told me I had to. Yes, they have more support than any other sneaker. If you have serious foot/arch issues and live long enough, these shoes are your fate. They are comfortable, your feet will not hurt in them. But dear God in Heaven, they are beyond ugly. I used to care about shoes. I once had something resembling some kind of fashion sense. Now I can be seen in public with Brooks Beasts on my feet. This means I have officially lived too long.

Holes formed in less than a month with normal wear.

I've been wearing Brooks Beast for a decade. I was always delighted with the fit and quality. This '20 Beast is a shocker. Shoddy materials and construction. I've worn them for less than a month and there are holes in the uppers. The support is sagging. The sole compound has zero grip on wet surfaces. I sure hope they go back to a quality shoe for the 2021 version--if not, I'll have to abandon this shoe. Serious disappointment. I cannot recommend this version of the Beast.

I have been wearing the Beast for years as it was always marketed/designed as Brook’s most supportive and sturdy shoe for stability, arch support, over pronation, etc. Until now, the Beast has lived up to the promise. The new version 20 is a disappointment. Brooks seems to have gone the way of many manufacturers who can’t decide whether to make a truly supportive/healthy shoe or switch to the house-shoe trend which is often form over function. The immediate differences in the 20 is the lack of arch support, stability/guidance, and the material is so thin and stretchy that the foot slides around. The stress on the foot is noticeable and I would not trust it to keep feet/knees protected beyond very mild strolling. In previous versions you knew your foot was cradled, aligned and supported properly; you could run, power walk or hike with confidence without pain or stress - which was always the reputation of the “BEAST”. I reached out to Brooks about the support system change, which they acknowledge, and they referred me to the Addiction 14. Tried the Addiction and stability was sorely lacking; knees and arches started aching within 10 minutes. Brook’s shoes, materials and craftsmanship alway stood above other manufacturers before now; I hope they will reconsider bringing back the same qualities that existed in Beast 18 and previous versions. Not sure where to go after my 18’s are finished.

I over pronate. Beast 16 and 18 were my go to shoes and solved this problem. Beast 20 is completely different. Little to no stability. Big disappointment. What were they thinking?

I am a 6' 2", 200 lbs runner/walker for 32 years and for the last 20 years Brooks Beast is my choice. I do 6 miles per morning for 5 days. The current materials are softer and insoles are good. The toe box is roomy. Cushioning and stability, I could not find better. I get about 275-300 miles and then the cushioning starts to disappear. The downside is the outside rubber soles just rubs out quickly. I have to put in a pair of arch supports for my high arch.

What happened to quality?!? These guys used to be great. Yet only 6 weeks in its coming apart Seriously? For $160?

Shoes are very snug, but wearable. I've ordered "Beasts" for over 10 years, and these are smaller than previous.

After seven months my big toe starts to come through the fabric. In another two months there will be a half inch hole. The shoes may last a year, but with a hole with my big tow poking through. I will be looking for an equivalent shoe without the hole. The blue shoe pictured is 7 months old. Hole is starting to show. The grey shoe was used 10 months.