← Back home
Brooks

Levitate 2

Levitate 2
Daily trainer · Neutral · Road
Exceptional (98/100)

Shoe details

Weight
11.2 oz
Release
2018 Q2
MSRP
$150
Stack Height
26mm heel - 18mm toe
Drop Height
8mm

Ratings & Reviews

Exceptional (98/100)

Better than about 98% of shoes

Based on product-line history, external ratings, and runner reviews.
?

This score rates better than 98% 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.
?

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

Exceptional (98/100)

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

Exceptional (98/100)

Rank

Ranks above 98% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Comfort

Exceptional (99/100)

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

Exceptional (99/100)

Rank

Ranks above 99% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Durability

Exceptional (98/100)

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 (98/100)

Rank

Ranks above 97% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Cushioning

Exceptional (97/100)

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

Exceptional (97/100)

Rank

Ranks above 96% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Appearance

Excellent (93/100)

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

Excellent (93/100)

Rank

Ranks above 92% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Value

Good (67/100)

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

Good (67/100)

Rank

Ranks above 28% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

60%

15/25

Prefer this shoe over another.

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

All Running Shoes

Better than 98% of 2,526 running shoes ranked.

Exceptional (98/100)

Daily Trainers

Better than 98% of 1,834 daily trainers ranked.

98%

Brooks

Better than 95% of 220 Brooks shoes ranked.

95%

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • A majority of reviewers like this shoe more than their last shoe.
  • Reviewers rate this shoe better than the Levitate.
  • Popular shoe among LetsRun.com readers.
  • Rated among the top 5% of shoes overall.
  • Rated among the top 5% of shoes on comfort.

Compared to other shoes

See how this shoe compares to others like it.

Brooks Levitate 2
Brooks Levitate 6
HOKA Clifton 9
Levitate 2
Levitate 6
Clifton 9
Current shoe
Best durability / Best appearance
Lightest / Newest / Best overall
Shoe properties
Type
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Pronation
Neutral
Neutral
Neutral
Weight
11.2 oz M
—
8.5 oz M Lightest
Stack
26/18mm
—
40/35mm
Drop
8mm
—
5mm
Release
2018 Q2
2022 Q4
2023 Q1 Newest
MSRP
$150
$150
$165
Best price
—
—
$164.99
Ratings
Overall
Exceptional (98%)
Very good (87%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best overall
Comfort
Exceptional (99%)
Above average (65%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best comfort
Cushioning
Excellent (96%)
Very good (87%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best cushioning
Durability
Excellent (97%) Best durability
Excellent (94%)
Good (80%)
Appearance
Excellent (92%) Best appearance
Bottom tier (19%)
Very good (81%)
Value
Below average (28%)
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

Higher-rated shoes similar to this one

HOKA Clifton 9

Clifton 9

Daily trainer

$164.99

99th percentile

+2 percentile points vs this shoe
HOKA Mach 6

Mach 6

Daily trainer

$114.97

98th percentile

More from Brooks

Brooks Ariel GTS 24

Ariel GTS 24

Daily trainer

$99.88

67th percentile
Brooks Ghost 17

Ghost 17

Daily trainer

$98.97

81st percentile
Brooks Revel 8

Revel 8

Daily trainer

$71.97

8th percentile

Reader Ratings

23 reader ratings

Review a shoe

Showing 1–5 of 23 written reviews

Reader review

Anonymous runner · Jan 28, 2020

5/5

Overall

This is my second pair of Levitate 2s. I used to wear the Pegasus (for about 10 years) but no longer buy anything Nike. The Levitate has far exceeded my expectations and is so much more comfortable than the Pegasus. The silver sole is very unattractive, however.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
3/5
Value
3/5

Brooks Levitate 2: Space age cushioning for the long run

duaneomat · Jan 26, 2020

5/5

Overall

The brooks levitate 2 Has a very comfortable upper. The midsole is very “space-age” with the silver color and has tremendous cushioning. The shoe is great for long runs but, is a bit clunky for faster paced running. The shoe is also deceivingly stable. The outsole wears very well. The shoe has a very smooth heel to toe transition. Overall, a very good long run shoe.
Comfort
4/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
4/5
Value
5/5

Fits like a glove

Anonymous runner · Jan 21, 2020

5/5

Overall

The knitted upper is super comfy and the cushion in the back part of the heel is too, while keep the fit snug but not constricted. I find them responsive and a nice ride but not too soft. And the colours (purple and bright pink) are cool!
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
4/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5

Brooks Levitate 2

Anonymous runner · Jan 11, 2020

5/5

Overall

I am currently on my 2nd pair of Brooks Levitate 2. Initially, I was a little concerned the shoe would feel heavy. I admit during my summer runs they felt a bit warm and I got caught in two downpours in which the shoes felt like cement blocks. BUT, as I noted above, I am on my second pair. I feel they are durable, the cushioning is fantastic and I am happy to say I do feel like my legs feel good even on my longer mileage runs. I am currently training for a marathon with these with my longest run so far at 14 miles. I have not run a marathon in them yet. I like the knit upper and haven't had any problems with the heel. One thing that I did notice with rain or some slick condition, traction could be a bit better. I wore my first pair to 450 miles and they still felt good. I have just over 300 on my current pair. I usually wear a size 8 in my running shoes and this is the size I have in the Levitate 2.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5

Doesn't Hold Up

Anonymous runner · Dec 29, 2019

4/5

Overall

The rubber outsole, especially in the back, wore out and started burning through the AMP foam quicker than any shoe I've ever owned. Maybe only got through 150 - 200 miles before I felt the integrity of the shoe was compromised.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
2/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
2/5