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Brooks

Levitate

Levitate
Daily trainer · Neutral · Road
Good (76/100)

Shoe details

Weight
11.3 oz
Release
2017 Q3
MSRP
$150
Drop Height
8mm

Ratings & Reviews

Good (76/100)

Better than about 53% of shoes

Based on product-line history, external ratings, and runner reviews.
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This score rates better than 53% of shoes.

Our ratings use detailed reviews from knowledgeable runners, ratings for shoes in the same product line, and reliable product information from trusted retailers.

Rating breakdown

Better Shoes score out of 100. Shading shows the expected rating range.
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Rankings combine runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, direct comparisons to other shoes, related product-line performance, and trusted external ratings.

The darker band shows the central score range. The lighter band shows a wider range of reasonable outcomes. More reviews for this shoe usually narrow both bands.

Overall

Good (76/100)

Overall ranking

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.

Estimate

Good (76/100)

Rank

Ranks above 53% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Durability

Exceptional (96/100)

Durability ranking

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.

Estimate

Exceptional (96/100)

Rank

Ranks above 95% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Cushioning

Excellent (94/100)

Cushioning ranking

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.

Estimate

Excellent (94/100)

Rank

Ranks above 92% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Comfort

Good (73/100)

Comfort ranking

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.

Estimate

Good (73/100)

Rank

Ranks above 48% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Appearance

Good (75/100)

Appearance ranking

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.

Estimate

Good (75/100)

Rank

Ranks above 48% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Value

Below average (51/100)

Value ranking

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.

Estimate

Below average (51/100)

Rank

Ranks above 2% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

42%

10/24

Prefer this shoe over another.

Reviewers said this shoe was better than another shoe they ran in.

All Running Shoes

Better than 53% of 2,526 running shoes ranked.

Good (76/100)

Daily Trainers

Worse than 50% of 1,834 daily trainers ranked.

50%

Brooks

Worse than 70% of 220 Brooks shoes ranked.

30%

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Popular shoe among LetsRun.com readers.
  • Rated among the top 25% of shoes on cushioning.
  • Rated among the top 5% of shoes on durability.

Cons

  • Reviewers rate this shoe worse than the Levitate 2.
  • Rated among the bottom 10% of shoes overall.
  • Rated below average on comfort.

Compared to other shoes

See how this shoe compares to others like it.

Brooks Levitate
Brooks Levitate 6
HOKA Clifton 9
Levitate
Levitate 6
Clifton 9
Current shoe
Best durability
Lightest / Newest / Best overall
Shoe properties
Type
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Pronation
Neutral
Neutral
Neutral
Weight
11.3 oz M
—
8.5 oz M Lightest
Stack
—
—
40/35mm
Drop
8mm
—
5mm
Release
2017 Q3
2022 Q4
2023 Q1 Newest
MSRP
$150
$150
$165
Best price
—
—
$164.99
Ratings
Overall
Average (53%)
Very good (87%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best overall
Comfort
Average (48%)
Above average (65%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best comfort
Cushioning
Excellent (92%)
Very good (87%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best cushioning
Durability
Excellent (95%) Best durability
Excellent (94%)
Good (80%)
Appearance
Average (48%)
Bottom tier (19%)
Very good (81%) Best appearance
Value
Bottom tier (2%)
Bottom tier (8%)
Good (74%) Best value
Specific shoe

Search for the exact model to add to this comparison.

Where to buy

No offers available

Better alternatives

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Reader Ratings

20 reader ratings

Review a shoe

Showing 1–5 of 20 written reviews

Levitate 1's better than 2's

Anonymous runner · Aug 12, 2019

5/5

Overall

I ran in the Levitate 1s (rotated with Launch 5s) and had the best season of my life. Huge PRs and no nagging injuries. I decided to get the Levitate 2s next season. The week I got them the lip of the shoe around the ankles started to crease causing a lot of pain. The original Levitates are better.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5

My favorite shoe

goosemaster3000 · Jul 4, 2019

5/5

Overall

I found a pair of the Levitate's on the sale rack of a running store I work at. They quickly became one of my favorite shoes ever. As someone on the bigger end of runner spectrum I really appreciate a trainer that has cushioning that lasts and feels good throughout its life, I am over 350 miles and it is barely showing wear. Although it is on the heavier side I do not mind that all in a trainer, if anything it makes my spikes feel better. Even though it is heavy I would usually wear it for tempos because of the excellent energy return. I also think it is an excellent shoe to long run in, especially if you are stuck on gravel or a paved road. The cushioning and energy return in these shoes is unreal. I wear an 11.5 in Nike and my brooks were an 11, they were a little on the smaller side but I think I would pick the 11 over the 11.5. I wish Brooks didn't mess with the heal cup in the Levitate 2s because this shoe is a near perfect trainer.
Comfort
4/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
4/5
Value
4/5

Heavy but underrated

Dubyah · Feb 6, 2019

4/5

Overall

Got these as a maintenance milage and long run shoe. Fit narrow which I like. The TPU is springy but firm and takes its time to break in. They didn't really feel like my shoes until about 100k. They stay firm but have a nice mid foot or heel to toe transition making them usable for long miles. I suspect the smoothness and springiness make them feel lighter than they actually are; because they are heavyweights. The upper was a bit weird and I had more material on the right shoe making the fabric pucker with the laces closer together on that side. I doubt most pairs suffer this affliction. I got just over 700k out of them which a lot of milage for my shoes. The TPU on the right started to split under the forefoot and I was getting beat up on runs over 10mi so I retired them. Outsole is slippery!
Comfort
4/5
Cushioning
4/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
4/5
Value
5/5

Best Long Run Shoe

Wolfman365 · Jul 4, 2018

5/5

Overall

Keeps you feeling fresh for longer with the energy return. Pricey. But worth it after your first run.
Comfort
4/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5

Brooks Levitate Review

Anonymous runner · Jul 2, 2018

5/5

Overall

Out of the box it is a great run. The response is amazing. The tread is not so great.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
3/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5