The Levitate is not the first model of Brooks you think about when someone asked you about the brand, instead, you hear things like Ghost or Adrenaline, and that’s because prior iterations were just okay. However, the Brooks Levitate 6 changes all that in while it feels like a really simple innocuous shoe, it might be one of the better in their lineup right now. It is meant as a daily trainer, but the midsole leans more toward up-tempo, so these definitely knock down the miles better than others in their lineup and remind us more of a higher quality Launch, but is that a good thing?
Quick Details, Specs, and Availability
- Weight – 10.5oz or 298g for a US Men’s 9, 9.5oz or 269g for a US Women’s 7
- Cushion – 32.5mm of cushion and a 8mm heel/toe drop
- Pricing – $150 USD
- Colors – 5 colors
Performance Review
Not going to lie, and say that we loved the prior iterations of the levitate. We especially didn’t like their Stealthfit models with their sock like uppers and struggled with two main things. First, it felt a little too narrow for us most of the time, but second and more importantly, we weren’t sure where it fit in the Brooks lineup. It is billed as a daily trainer, but that puts it head to head against all of their flagship models. However, the Brooks Levitate 6 seems to change all that because what we have found is that while yes, it is a daily trainer, it is one that has a bit more liveliness to it, while also remaining stable and secure and comfortable. So would choose these over the Ghost any day of the week.
As for the fit and feel, Brooks has widened the mid foot a bit on the levitate sixth, giving it a inherent stability for landing and takeoff. As we mentioned, prior iterations felt a bit narrow upfront, but this additional wet just makes the shoe run better and fuel more supportive. It is an engineered knit paired with a number of well-placed overlays that help with that lateral stability. The collar and tongue are decently padded giving you a nice comfortable step-in, but more importantly, a very secure lockdown, which keeps you in place during runs of any pace.
The midsole has also gained a few additional millimeters of cushion, again improving the comfort level and the move to their DNA Amp V2 improves the overall ride. And these things run really well. We found moments where we could comfortably get into stride and maintain our regular pace, but also have those times where we could step it up a bit when we wanted to. If anything, these shoes don’t want to go slow. They are much more up-tempo than other things in the Brooks lineup, many of which are starting to feel a little mushy. The Levitate 6 has none of that and instead feels fast and fun.
Last note, Brooks did release a GTS stability version of the Levitate 6 as well as the Stealthfit models we mentioned above. The standard Levitate 6 does a good job of being stable on its own, but if you find you’re a heavy pronator or supinator, then something to consider. We would reserve their Stealthfit model for a style day more than a run as we prefer the more traditional up top.
Construction and Materials
Upper
The Brooks Levitate 6 incorporates a stretch upper with an updated engineered knit design, offering improved breathability and a flexible, accommodating fit. Additionally, the wider midfoot promotes smoother heel-to-toe transitions, enhancing the overall running experience for optimal comfort and efficiency.
Midsole
The Brooks Levitate 6 showcases its commitment to environmental sustainability by incorporating green rubber in its construction, offering a conscious and eco-friendly choice that maintains exceptional traction, durability, and performance, making it an ideal option for runners who prioritize both performance and environmental responsibility.
Outsole
The Brooks Levitate 6 features an outsole with an arrow-point pattern, allowing for swift and efficient movement from heel to toe, thereby enhancing the shoe’s responsive and springy feel during each stride.
Overall Conclusion
Bottom line, the Levitate 6 is an unsung hero in the Brooks lineup. It is not the first shoe you think about when you go in looking for a Brooks, but it should be something on your radar. It is a better built shoe, in our opinion, than many of their others. The upper is much more secure and stable, and the midsole design gives you a decent amount of inherent stability (with or without their GTS version), while also remaining upbeat and fast when you want it to be. Brooks did do another Stealthfit version of this, but we prefer the traditional padded collar and tongue system as we feel the fit is that much more secure.
Learn more on the Brooks website
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Check Out Other Reviewers Thoughts
As always, we gather together some of our favorite reviewers so you can get a well-rounded view of the shoe. Here are our favorites.
