For over a century,
Brooks
has established itself as an iconic brand in the world of running. Born in Philadelphia in 1914, the company has come a long way: from bathing shoes and baseball cleats to the most innovative running models on the market.
Driven by a constant passion for performance, biomechanics and the well-being of runners, Brooks has never ceased to push back the boundaries of sports technology. Its objective remains unchanged: to make every stride more natural, more efficient and more enjoyable, for all runners, from beginners to marathon runners.
The beginnings of the Brooks brand: 1914-1962
Brooks
was founded in a small factory in Philadelphia, specializing in the manufacture of
ballet slippers and bathing shoes. The brand soon turned its attention to sports with the creation of
baseball cleats (1921), followed by soccer cleats (1930) and roller skates (1929).
In the 1940s, the company expanded its range with models for many sports:
softball, basketball, boxing, wrestling and gymnastics.
In 1962, a symbolic turning point marked its history: Yankees legend Mickey Mantle
adopted Brooks cleats – a strong sign of recognition in the American sports world.
The rise of running (1972-2000)
The year 1972 marked the beginning of the modern running era for Brooks, inspired by the victory of
Frank Shorter at the Munich Olympic Marathon.
The brand then focused on a single mission: to design the world’s best running shoes.
One innovation followed another:
- Villanova (1974): first model designed in collaboration with athlete Marty Liquori.
- Vantage (1977): the first shoe to be rated #1 by runners, introducing EVA foam and the Varus Wedge.
- Hugger GT (1980): the first shoe with a breathable GORE-TEX upper.
- Diagonal Rollbar (1982): advanced pronation support technology.
- HydroFlow (1989): innovative hydraulic cushioning system.
In the 1990s, the Beast (1992) and Adrenaline GTS (1999) models became
benchmarks for stability and comfort, propelling Brooks to the top of the world running rankings.
Running first (2001-Present)
In the early 2000s, Brooks chose a clear path: to devote himself exclusively to running.
This refocusing marks a new era of sustainable, high-performance innovation:
- BioMoGo (2007): the world’s first biodegradable midsole.
- PureProject (2011): a more natural, biomechanical approach to running.
- GuideRails (2013): adaptive support that stabilizes joints without restricting stride.
- DNA AMP (2017) and DNA LOFT (2018): cushioning technologies combining comfort and energy return.
Running bras (2020)
A major innovation based on biomechanical research into women’s movement.
Today, Brooks continues to place the runner at the heart of its philosophy, by combining innovation,
durability and running pleasure. More than just a brand, Brooks has become a benchmark for the running industry.
modern running, a symbol of commitment, performance and passion.
