Brooks’s Brawny Levitate 3 Delivers That Springy Rebound We Crave: mm M, 9mm W.
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Price: $150
Type: Road
Drop: 11mm (M), 9mm (W)
Weight: 11.6 oz. (M), 9.4 oz. (W)
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The Levitate 3 had us bounding down the road and track from the get-go with its springy, firm midsole. Its arrow-point tread makes heel-to-toe transitions smooth—albeit the flat lugs aren’t as grippy on slick surfaces and cinder paths. The shoe delivers high energy return, according to our RW Shoe Lab measurements and test runs.
Pros
- High energy return
- More flexible
- Tested: Brooks’s Lightweight and Fast Hyperion Max
Cons
- Firm cushioning
- Heavy
Launched approximately three years ago, the first Levitate introduced DNA Amp, Brooks’s version of a polyurethane/TPU-based foam (think: Adidas’s Boost or Puma’s Hybrid foam) Brooks claims DNA Amp returns 70 percent of the energy to the runner, compared to the industry average of 50 to 6o percent. Our lab results show 60 percent (the previous model was approximately 70 percent), but that’s still about 80 percent more energy return compared to the average running shoe.
Firm But Flexible
You could say this review is Part 3 of a trilogy. I recently covered the Bedlam and Ricochet, which belong in the same family of Brooks shoes: the energize line. Of the trio, the Levitate is the oldest and weighs the most.
The shortcoming that I keep reiterating in my reviews of the energize line shoes—including this one—is that, for as much rebound as you get from a DNA Amp midsole, you also suffer from its rigidity, heft, and firmness.
I felt weighed down walking around in the Levitate. But that bounce you get when running makes it feel lighter; some of our testers even described it as “lightweight.” though the shoe is heavier than the second iteration. It’s also moderately flexible, in contrast to the stiffer previous version. We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.
“Cushioning on the shoe is very adequate compared to most others I run in,” said a tester. “The sole is firm but has a slight bounce, which makes it comfortable. All this said though, if you are used to wearing cushioned shoes (aka Hoka), this shoe is not for you.” Basically, if you’re a runner who prefers minimalist shoes but wants to pull a 180, he said, the Levitate is that “beefier” option you didn’t know you were looking for.
Just don’t get too cozy. The Levitate 4 is coming out in late summer, and its new and improved DNA Amp midsole weighs 20 percent less. I’m already stanning for the new trainer, having tested it on a couple of runs. The three Levitates are the precursors to a shoe that truly fits its name. And that, I assure you, is something to look forward to.
Comfortable Upper—For Most
Besides the shoe’s responsiveness, the upper was a favorite feature among our testers. They liked how the shoe hugged their feet and the internal bootie felt as comfy as a slipper. “The shoes are an excellent fit and have a high quality feel,” said a tester. “There are no issues with seams.”
Like its energize line siblings, the Levitate 3 received the heel tab treatment as well. Squeezing your foot into that collar has never been easier.
However, I’m still perplexed that my claustrophobic impression of the upper put me in the minority. Maybe it’s the sock-shoe hybrid nature of it all (is it one or the other?), or the slight chafing of my ankle near the Achilles if I’m wearing no-show socks.
Still, the 3 definitely has a better fit than the second iteration. Instead of feeling trapped in a loosely fitted upper where my foot was sliding inside, I felt more secure.
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“I actually have two things that I really enjoyed about the shoe, and they both significantly improved my training. The extra support around the ankle and lacing closure was excellent. The spring helped me run longer without feeling extra fatigue in my calves and lower legs, which have been causing me some issues for months.”
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“The Brooks Levitate is a great mid-distance training shoe. It is super lightweight and flexible. If you like a comfortable lightweight running shoe that hugs your foot, this is the shoe for you. I have a high arch, so I need a lot of cushioning and like a soft feel. This shoe has the soft feel but not a lot of cushioning. I can only last up to about 6 miles with this shoe.”
Amanda Furrer, Editor, Running Reviews, studied journalism at NYU and writing at Emerson College. She has reviewed gear and covered other topics in the running space for almost 10 years. Since 2013, she has consecutively run the Boston Marathon. She also has a master’s degree in gastronomy from Boston University and was formerly a professional baker for two years before hanging up her apron.
