Type a shoe name, like Pegasus, Clifton or Kayano.

Brooks Defyance

Every version of the Defyance we track, compared on ratings, specs and current price.

Defyance
73Decent
vs. Median Line
-3

The line's rating is the median Better Shoes Rating of its five most recent rated versions. The median product line rates 76, and the Defyance rates above 31% of the lines we track.

Rating by version, oldest first

Each dot is one version of the Defyance, placed by its rating and release year.

Rating

Release year

See our analysis of whether a new version is usually as good as the one it replaces.

Brooks Defyance versions with ratings, specs and prices
Version Released Weight Stack Rating Change Reviews Price
Brooks Defyance 9 2017 10.4 oz 12mm drop 73 +1 1 $120 MSRP
Brooks Defyance 6 2014 — — 72 +2 1 —
Brooks Defyance 8 2014 10.9 oz (men's) 27/15mm stack · 12mm drop 70 -9 2 $120 MSRP
Brooks Defyance 7 2014 11.0 oz (men's) 29/20mm stack · 9mm drop 78 -2 7 —
Brooks Defyance 5 2014 — — 81 — 4 —

5 shoes

Prices updated daily. Last checked Oct 22.

  1. Brooks

    Defyance 9

    73 Decent Decent 1 review Confidence 53

    v9 (2017) · Daily trainer · Neutral · 10.4 oz · 12mm drop

    Its one reviewer rates comfort and cushioning 4 out of 5.

    Defyance 9
    Durability 77

    MSRP $120

    Overall
    73
    Durability
    77
    Value
    76
    Comfort
    70
    Cushioning
    70
    Appearance
    63
    Confidence
    53

    Buy it now

    Not available at tracked retailers right now.

    Pros

    Its one reviewer rates comfort and cushioning 4 out of 5.

    It lists at $120, below the $150 median for daily trainers for sale.

    Cons

    One reviewer who got 450 miles from earlier Defyance models found this one starting to fall apart around 350.

    The Defyance 5 scores 91 on four reviews and the 7 88 on seven, both above this version.

    Averaging 10.4 oz across the men's and women's builds, it is heavier than the 8.9 oz median for daily trainers for sale.

    Full review →

  2. Brooks

    Defyance 6

    72 Decent Decent 1 review Confidence 51

    v6 (2014) · Daily trainer · Neutral

    One reviewer calls it a good neutral, well-cushioned shoe for daily training, with a roomy toe box.

    Defyance 6
    Durability 81
    Overall
    72
    Durability
    81
    Value
    76
    Comfort
    73
    Cushioning
    72
    Appearance
    62
    Confidence
    51

    Buy it now

    Not available at tracked retailers right now.

    Pros

    One reviewer calls it a good neutral, well-cushioned shoe for daily training, with a roomy toe box.

    That reviewer calls the sole durable.

    Cons

    The one reviewer so far rates its looks 3 out of 5, their lowest mark.

    Full review →

  3. Brooks

    Defyance 5

    81 Good Good 4 reviews Confidence 72

    v5 (2014) · Daily trainer · Neutral

    All four reviewers rate durability 4 or 5 out of 5.

    Defyance 5
    Durability 87
    Overall
    81
    Durability
    87
    Value
    86
    Comfort
    75
    Cushioning
    72
    Appearance
    65
    Confidence
    72

    Buy it now

    Not available at tracked retailers right now.

    Pros

    All four reviewers rate durability 4 or 5 out of 5.

    Two reviewers who moved over from the Brooks Adrenaline have stayed with it.

    It is the highest-rated version of the Defyance line we cover.

    Full review →

  4. Brooks

    Defyance 7

    78 Decent Decent 7 reviews Confidence 74

    v7 (2014) · Daily trainer · Neutral · 11.0 oz (men's) · 29mm stack · 9mm drop

    One reviewer gets up to 500 miles with their legs still feeling fine, and another says they last forever.

    Defyance 7
    Durability 84
    Overall
    78
    Value
    87
    Durability
    84
    Comfort
    73
    Cushioning
    72
    Appearance
    61
    Confidence
    74

    Buy it now

    Not available at tracked retailers right now.

    Pros

    One reviewer gets up to 500 miles with their legs still feeling fine, and another says they last forever.

    Two reviewers describe a moderately cushioned ride that stays responsive.

    One reviewer uses it for daily miles, tempo runs and threshold work.

    Cons

    Appearance is its lowest-rated dimension, at 3.9 out of 5.

    At 11.0 oz it is well above the 8.9 oz median for daily trainers for sale.

    Three of seven reviewers report an injury while running in it.

    Full review →

  5. Brooks

    Defyance 8

    70 Decent Decent 2 reviews Confidence 63

    v8 (2014) · Daily trainer · Neutral · 10.9 oz (men's) · 27mm stack · 12mm drop

    One reviewer with neutral feet and high arches calls the support and cushioning dependable.

    Defyance 8
    Durability 82

    MSRP $120

    Overall
    70
    Durability
    82
    Value
    78
    Comfort
    72
    Cushioning
    72
    Appearance
    65
    Confidence
    63

    Buy it now

    Not available at tracked retailers right now.

    Pros

    One reviewer with neutral feet and high arches calls the support and cushioning dependable.

    It lists at $120, below the $150 median for daily trainers for sale.

    Cons

    The Defyance 5 scores 91 on four reviews and the 7 88 on seven, both above this version.

    At 10.9 oz it is heavier than the 8.9 oz median for daily trainers for sale.

    Full review →