Brooks Racer ST 5

Stability · Road · 8.6 oz · 12mm drop · 28/16mm stack

Discontinued — we no longer see this shoe in stock.

How it ranks

The Brooks Racer ST 5 rates in the 99th percentile overall among racing shoes. Its strongest dimension is value (96th percentile); its weakest is looks (64th).

Based on 13 runner reviews.

Brooks Racer ST 5

/ 3

Exceptional

Overall rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Exceptional (99/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 99% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

99/100
Overall

Overall rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Exceptional (99/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 99% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

99
Value

Value rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Exceptional (97/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 96% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

97
Comfort

Comfort rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Excellent (91/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 88% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

91
Durability

Durability rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Excellent (91/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 88% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

91
Cushioning

Cushioning rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Very good (87/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 78% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

87
Appearance

Appearance rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Very good (81/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 64% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

81

What runners say

“Could run faster with higher cadence for longer with no issues despite less cushioning”
willcb12 5/5 Full review
“They lose cushion pretty fast, then feel worn out”
4/5 Full review
“Very good for long tempos, fast runs, and marathon racing”
CT_Runner 5/5 Full review
“Can be looked at as either a very lightweight trainer or a very supportive racer”
CT_Runner 5/5 Full review
“They're light, fast, and give a little bit of stability”
4/5 Full review
“Great blend of stability and lightweight”
5/5 Full review
“Sensation of being able to run fast in it if needed”
5/5 Full review
“Heel drop (12mm) is important to my health”
5/5 Full review
“Shoe laces are horrible”
5/5 Full review

Prefer this shoe over another

22% 2/9

Pros & Cons

Cons

  • Several of reviewers reported getting injured in this shoe.

Reader Ratings

13 reader ratings
5/5
11
4/5
2
3/5
0
2/5
0
1/5
0

Runner reviews

Write a review

Showing 11–13 of 13 written reviews

Reader review

Anonymous runner · Aug 29, 2014

5/5

Overall

Had raced in them the Racer ST since the early 2000s - began training exclusively in them in perhaps 2011. Love them. No complaints.
Comfort
5/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5

Reader review

Anonymous runner · Aug 27, 2014

5/5

Overall

Have run everything from local 5Ks to the Boston Marathon in a version of this shoe. I'm a huge fan of the "multi-purpose-ness" , the predictability, and all-around function of the shoe.
Comfort
5/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
3/5
Value
5/5

Reader review

Anonymous runner · Aug 27, 2014

5/5

Overall

Great blend of stability and lightweight, as well as heel drop (12mm) is important to my health. Sensation of being able to run fast in it if needed. Shoes laces are horrible, but it's a small sacrifice for the right shape (for my foot) and support/weight/cushioning.
Comfort
4/5
Durability
3/5
Appearance
4/5
Value
4/5

Where to buy

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Compared to other shoes

See how this shoe compares to others like it.

Brooks Racer ST 5
HOKA Mach X 2
ASICS SUPERBLAST 2
Racer ST 5
Mach X 2
SUPERBLAST 2
Current shoe
Choose a model
Lightest / Best value
Newest
Lowest price / Best overall / Best comfort
Shoe properties
Type
Racing
Racing
Daily trainer
Pronation
Stability
Neutral
Neutral
Weight
8.6 oz M Lightest
9.4 oz M
—
Stack
28/16mm
—
—
Drop
12mm
—
7mm
Release
2014
2024 Q3 Newest
2024 Q2
MSRP
$90
—
$200
Best price
—
$189.99
$149.99 Lowest price
Ratings
Overall
Exceptional (99%)
Exceptional (98%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best overall
Comfort
Very good (88%)
Exceptional (98%)
Exceptional (99%) Best comfort
Cushioning
Good (78%)
Exceptional (97%)
Exceptional (99%) Best cushioning
Durability
Very good (88%)
Very good (84%)
Exceptional (99%) Best durability
Appearance
Above average (64%)
Very good (81%)
Exceptional (97%) Best appearance
Value
Excellent (96%) Best value
Good (71%)
Very good (87%)
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