Brooks Levitate 2

The Brooks Levitate launched in 2017 and was a roaring success, ranked as one of the top new shoe launches from Runner’s World. Flash forward a year and the Levitate 2 has arrived with some key updates and a whole new range of exciting colors to add even more pep to your next run. The Levitate 2 is a luxurious and reliable everyday training shoe that’s built for comfort and max energy return. Like the first version, the second one looks, feels and runs with flashy exuberance. And you’ve gotta admit: if a shoe looks good and feels good, there’s a really good chance you’re going to run well in it.

What's new with the Brooks Levitate 2? The upper of the second edition of the shoe has been slightly tweaked with a new knit pattern, a knit heel collar and an internal bootie construction—all features aimed at offering a comfortable, dynamic fit.
The biggest update has been around the heel where a new soft foam heel tab wrapped in faux-suede has been designed to reduce Achilles tendon irritation.  The first edition had a much thicker heel-collar and while comfortable, changing it out for the new version is actually a positive move. This shoe fits snug like a bug in a rug in the heel and the midfoot. The new upper and internal bootie configuration wraps the foot gently from the inside out and comfortably secures the foot to the midsole/outsole chassis.
The seamless interior and pliable knit material in the forefoot round out an exquisite-feeling fit, allowing the toes to splay and flex at the lift-off phase of the stride. Like the first edition of the Levitate, the ride of this shoe feels decidedly springy, bouncy and flexible, offering incredible energy return in every step. That lively feeling comes from the DNA AMP midsole, a compound that’s made from polyurethane and encased in a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) skin that resists outward expansion and directs all energy upward into the toe-off portion of a stride.
The segmented tacky rubber outsole provides great traction, allows for optimal flexibility and promotes quicker cadence and quicker transitions from heel strike to toe-off.
Bottom line? This shoe has a serious giddy-up-and-go vibe to it.

Who's it best for? Casual runners and new runners who run a few days a week and appreciate a comfortable fit and a soft, springy sensation in every stride will love this shoe. I prefer it best for medium to short runs, especially slower to moderate paces.