We tested the Levitate 5 and would like to share our experience with the Brooks Levitate 5 Review. The Levitate is the best springy neutral running shoe in the Brooks family. It has been designed to provide best energy return in every stride. It is also highly cushioned and comfortable, yet firm a bit trough forefoot. Basically, the design intent of the Levitate 5 is to create running shoes for marathons or ultra-marathons races with the best energy return. Simply saying the Levitate 5 propels you forward. Moreover, we have good news, Brooks updated their Levitate line and offers Levitate GTS 5 (Go-to-Support) and Stealthfit options as well. Basically, the GTS version is more supportive and stable, and Levitate Stealthfit 5 has a great custom fit.
Here is a chart we have put together to help you understand Brooks Levitate 5’s design intention better:
| Review of # | Brooks Levitate 5 |
|---|---|
| Our Score | 85/100 |
| Our Selection for | Best Brooks for Energy Return |
| Support | Neutral |
| Feel | Energize 3/3 & Balanced Cushioning (2/3) |
| Flexibility | Flexible (4/5) |
| Drop-mm (M/W) | 8 |
| Weight-gr (M/W) | 292/260 |
| Width Options | Normal |
| Deals & Discounts | Rates Men’s / Women’s |
Long story short, The Levitate 5 is the top-notch springy trainer. Simply saying, it has the best energy-return amongst the running shoes we tested so far.
Here is the links that you can check them on Amazon and see Latest Prices and Color options:
If you had Brooks Levitate before, it is good to note that the Brooks Levitate 5 is completely the same shoe compared to its older versions, the Levitate 4. The plus side, there are a GTS and Stealtfit options in the Levitate 5.
Brooks Levitate 4 vs 5: Updates and Key Differences:
We have put together following list to present the key differences and updates of Brooks Levitate 3 vs 4:
As we mentioned before, the Levitate 4 and Levitate 5 is almost the same. The main difference between Brooks Levitate 5 and 4 is there are two more options available in Levitate 5, indeed, three options! You may pick either standard model Levitate 5 or more supportive option Levitate GTS 5 or a great custom fit option Levitate Stealthfit 5. Apart from these, here are the common points and difference between Brooks Levitate 5 vs 4 comparison.
The midsole of Brooks Levitate 4 was super-springy, the Brooks upgrade the DNA Amp midsole in the 4th edition and keep it the same for Levitate 5. It is still stable and has a great energy return in every stride. The outsole structure has been transferred to the Levitate 5 as well. It is one-piece and combined with the midsole. Both the Levitate 5 and Levitate 4 offer firm forefoot but help to pick up the pace and they are more stable.
Due to DNA Amp Polyurethane, the Levitate 5 and 4 are 20% lighter than the Levitate 3.
The arrow-pointed outsole design of Brooks Levitate 5 performs better traction and flexibility.
The Levitate 5 has single-piece outsole which consist of thinner and thicker areas. Especially, thinner areas are placed closer to the midsole than to the tread to increase the flexibility. The one-piece Outsole of the Levitate 5 offers great heel-to-toe transition. It also improves the stability of the shoe a bit.
Here is the main difference between the Levitate 4 and 5. The new release offers GTS and Stealthfit options. Here is the details of Brooks Levitate GTS 5 and Levitate Stealthfit 5.
Brooks Levitate StealthFit 5 Review
Based on the new release on 2021, Brooks offers Levitate StealthFit as well to chose your fit. Therefore, the closer-to-foot-fit option adapts to your foot better.
source for picture BrooksRunning.com
You can check the following link to see the latest rates for Levitate Stealthfit 5 on online markets.
Brooks Levitate GTS 5 and Stealthfit GTS 5 Review
Based on the new release on 2021, Brooks Levitate has GTS options. The GTS stands for Go-To-Support, and delivers a better support and stability. Basically, the GuideRails technology of Brooks Running Shoes has been implemented on the Brooks Levitate family (located in midsole). So, you can either pick Brooks Levitate GTS 5 for better stability and support or Brooks Levitate Stealthfit GTS 5 for better custom fit, stability and support.
source for picture BrooksRunning.com
Here is the links for Brooks Levitate GTS 5 and Brooks Levitate Stealthfit GTS 5 to check the latest rates on the online sources.
As a result of Brooks Levitate 4 vs 5; the new edition is more versatile than the previous considering the fit, energy-return and it is lighter.
Here in this link you can check the clearance & discounts for Brooks Levitate 4.
Detailed Review for Brooks Levitate 5:
Frankly, we liked the Brooks Levitate 5 a lot. It is the best in its category, the energy return and springiness. We would like to review the Brooks Levitate 5 in this section considering, the fit, energy return, cushion, speed.
Let’s start with the Pros & Cons of Brooks Levitate 5:
Levitate 5 Review: Pros & Cons
Here is the list that what we liked the most and don’t like about the Brooks Levitate 5.
Pros
- Highly supportive neutral running shoe due to its moderate firm heel counter and forefoot.
- The Levitate 5 is true-to-size. The Fit Knit Upper is so good, and it offers a near-custom fit. It hugs and conforms to shape of the foot.
- Great energy return in every stride.
- The Levitate 5 has a fast heel-to-toe transition
- Very comfortable
Cons
- It is good to note that the fit for narrow feet is not the best. We needed to tighten the laces hard enough to snug it down.
- It does not breathe very well.
- The Levitate 5’s tongue is not gusseted.
Speed & Energy Return of Brooks Levitate 4
The Brooks Levitate 5 is not the fastest running shoes out there. We would recommend checking the Brooks Launch Series, if you are looking for a speed trainer. However, the Brooks Levitate is basically designed for the best energy return and therefore very suitable for long distance running. In this regard, most of the folks compare the Brooks Levitate with the Brooks Ghost. Here is our article that compares Brooks Levitate vs Ghost in many aspects and it might be helpful.
The springy structure of the Brooks Levitate 5 is consistent and reliable and gives you a great energy return. Here is how it works; once you running, you are transferring energy into the shoe. In this case, it will either absorb or deflect the energy to another form. Generally speaking, the softer midsole soaks up the energy (like in Brooks Glycerin) while the stiffer midsole will return some of the energy. The Brooks Levitate 5 has a great balance between them, it is cushioned enough to enhance the comfort and offers great energy return experience. The springy structure of the Levitate 5 has been accomplished by the help of DNA AMP foam technology. The DNA AMP midsole of Levitate 5 provides the energy return in every stride and it helps to trim down the weight about 20 percent compared to the previous version. You can check the following video to learn more about Brooks DNA AMP midsole:
About the short quick distance runs, we got more spring in each step. Yet, the forefoot of Levitate 5 lacks flexibility and does not allow toe roll as we would like it to be, so it was slowing us down. Therefore, you should not expect Levitate 5 to feel light and fast, it is not designed for speed work. But you can consider Brooks Launch series for speed works.
Cushion & Support of Brooks Levitate
The Levitate 5 is highly cushioned and plush, it is plush but we want to make something clearer in this regard. The plushest Brooks Running Shoes is the Glycerin amongst the best running shoes we tested so far. Even, the Brooks Ghost does better than the Levitate 5 in this aspect. However, the cushion level of the Brooks Levitate is satisfactory and offers a great comfort level. We recommend checking out our Brooks Levitate vs Ghost article, if you want to compare their performance side-by-side.
To begin with, the Brooks Levitate 5 is not a stability shoe. Indeed, it is a neutral oriented running shoe. But the forefoot and heel counter are firm a bit and offers a stable ride. However, with the new release there is also a GTS version (Go-to-Support): Brooks Levitate GTS 5. If you need true stable ride, then you can consider either Brooks Adrenaline GTS or ASICs Gel Kayano running shoes. But those running shoes are in cuhioned running shoes category. We would recommend Levitate GTS 5, if you seek both stability / support and great energy return.
The Fit
The fit of Brooks Levitate 5 is true-to-size. Its heel cup fits great and it has ample arch support. The laces hold tight when laced up and did not loosen. However, for the narrow-feet testers, we need to tighten hard the laces for snug fit.
The upper and the interior lining works well to snug up around the foot. Especially, the upper of Levitate 5, the Fit Knit, has a sock like fit and conforms to the shape of foot.
Brooks offers Levitate Stealthfit 5 option as well. What you will gain with this pair is a custom fit. Basically, the closer-to-foot-fit option adapts to your foot better
Bottom-line for Brooks Levitate 4 Review:
Some folks are asking the question “What is the Brooks Levitate Good for?”, here is your answer and our verdict for Brooks Levitate 5 Review: The Brooks Levitate 5 is good for a mid-distance training runs, especially for marathons or ultra-marathons races. It is designed for neutral pronates and highly cushioned. The Levitate 5 is the top-notch springy trainer. Simply saying, it has the best energy-return amongst the running shoes we tested so far.
You may wonder and ask the question of “Are Brooks Levitate Good for Plantar Fasciitis?”. Our answer is no! We do not recommend the Brooks Levitate, if you have Plantar Fasciitis. The Levitate’s heel counter is firm a bit and does not relieve your pain. If you suffer from Plantar Fasciitis, we would recommend choosing Brooks Adrenaline GTS or Brooks Glycerin running shoes depending on your pronation type. We have prepared an in-depth review that compares Brooks Adrenaline vs Glycerin as well, if you wish to check.
Here is a useful video about Brooks Levitate 5, you can check it as well:
We also recommend checking our “Best Running Shoes for Men & Women” article to see the breakdown of design intention of the various running shoes.
Here are some links that you can check the Brooks Levitate 5 through online sources:
