What You Want To Know
- Weighs 9.9 oz. (280 g.) for a US M9 / 9.1 oz. (258 g.) for a US W7.5
- Is it the 99th model of the Levitate? Possibly
- We by no means say no to extra foam — a full 2 mm this time
- This one is somewhat higher than the usual situation
- Out there now for $150
LINDSAY: Based on the Cambridge English Dictionary, *sips tea with pinky up*, stealth is outlined as a motion that’s quiet and cautious so as to not be seen or heard. For instance, “The silence and stealth of a hungry cat.” Very like the hungry stray cat you’ve been feeding, Brooks is again. This time with the Levitate 6 that includes the Stealthfit higher.
Stealthfit was launched in Levitate 5, and I’m glad they saved it round for this replace. In comparison with its unique mannequin, the Stealthfit is a tighter-fitting model of the Levitate with out the discomfort of a too-tight shoe. Are you following? Effectively, I wouldn’t use the phrase “tight” to explain this shoe. It’s extra “form-fitting” with out being stiff. However I digress.
Distinctive to the Levitate line is Brooks’ DNA Amp v2 foam. It’s thought of their most energetic and responsive midsole, however it nonetheless sits on the firmer facet. Even with an additional 2mm on this model, the Levitate 6 unique and StealthFit are undoubtedly among the many lower-stack day by day trainers, which is a pleasant change for some contemplating many of the newer day by day trainers have max top.
Whereas the Levitate 6 comes within the unique, StealthFit, and Go To Stability (GTS) variations, we’re solely right here to speak Stealthfit. Let’s get to it.
CHAD: Let me briefly introduce myself as I’m the brand new man at Imagine within the Run, and that is my first shoe evaluate. I’m right here to supply a barely completely different perspective on trainers and kit from what you’re used to seeing on this web site and lots of others. Mainly, I’ll present perception on how sneakers and kit work for folks with what I politely check with as a “non-traditional” runner’s construct (aka greater and taller). I’m somewhat little bit of column A and column B. Therefore, the nickname Robbe gave me: Clydesdale Chad. I want I might say it was from some enjoyable backstory, like getting drunk on Budweiser and hooking myself as much as a sleigh like a draft horse in a blizzard. However alas, it’s merely resulting from my Brobdingnagian construct.
As a latecomer to working, not beginning till 2014 after I was in my late 20s, my background just isn’t so long as most of my compatriots right here at BITR. Earlier than that point, I’d actively keep away from working in any respect prices. That every one modified after I determined I wished to get my life so as, together with my bodily well being. Operating appeared the way in which to go, so I jumped in with each toes. My first step was doing a bunch of on-line analysis for 5k coaching plans and what trainers would swimsuit me finest.
After a go to to a neighborhood working retailer, I bought my first pair of precise trainers. And what model did I purchase? Primarily based on their repute for sturdiness, high quality, and making sneakers that fulfill the vast majority of runners, I ended up in a pair of Brooks. Since 2014, my toes have seen as a lot Adrenaline as knowledgeable curler coaster tester, to not point out a number of pairs of Ravenna, just a few pairs of Launch, and even a pair of Bedlam (a precursor to the Levitate 5 GTS Stealthfit).
I used to be excited after I found that the primary shoe I’d evaluate for BITR was the Brooks Levitate 6 Stealthfit. Anytime I lace up a pair of Brooks, it brings me again to my roots and the way I fell in love with working within the first place. After I heard the time period levitate prior to now, my instant response could be to bust out my wand from Ollivander’s, swish and flick, and say, “wingardium leviosa.” Not the case right here, although, as we’re right here to rap about trainers, not my (imaginary) time at Hogwarts.
We’ll dig deeper into it later, however one of many fundamental modifications is the DNA AMP v2 midsole, which Brooks claims is 10% lighter than its predecessor. Regardless of 2mm extra foam underfoot, the shoe is available in solely 0.1 ouncesheavier than the Levitate 5 Stealthfit, at 9.9 ouncesfor a US M9. Lastly, the outsole sample stays just like the earlier mannequin and offers fairly stable grip when the rubber meets the highway.
The Good
LINDSAY: In case you’ve learn my different critiques, you may do not forget that I’m not a fan of one-piece uppers. Till now. Different one-piece uppers (cough, Mizuno Wave Neo Wind, cough) had been stiff and exhausting to slide on, however the Brooks Levitate 6 Stealthfit glided swiftly and thoroughly onto my foot with out a sound. See what I did there? (If not, see my intro).
It has the texture of a thick sock hugging my foot’s contours with out the added heat. The knit higher can also be fairly stretchy, making it a superb choice for these with wider toes or bunions. The heel is inflexible however has a pleasant little pillow to guard the heel bone with out making the foot really feel suffocated.
That is the primary Brooks shoe I’ve tried with the DNA Amp v2 midsole, and I’m a fan. In comparison with Brooks Ghost 15 with the DNA Loft V2 midsole, the Levitate has far more spring and pop. The Backstreet Boys of midsole foams, if you’ll. I’d even go so far as to say it’s received extra cushion and vitality return than its foamy brethren.
There’s a stable quantity of rubber protection on the outsole and a slight widening underneath the forefoot and heel. This helped maintain me steady in what is basically a impartial shoe. I took these for a spin after a wet day when the pavement was nonetheless moist, and I can’t say I felt a monstrous grip on the highway, however I didn’t really feel like I used to be ice skating both, so fairly impartial in that regard.
CHAD: The largest professional for the Brooks Levitate 6 Stealthfit is its versatility. I took this shoe on a speedwork run with fast-paced intervals, a restoration run on a treadmill, a Christmas Day future, and a few straightforward outside miles. General, the shoe held its personal throughout the entire different runs. It has a Frankenstein-like mixture of respectable cushioning, appropriate responsiveness, stable underfoot help, and good outsole grip, all in a fairly light-weight shoe.
That being mentioned, I wouldn’t say that the shoe excelled in any of those classes however landed nearer to “ok” in all of them. The cushioning underfoot glad my want for aid throughout restoration miles or slower efforts throughout a speedwork run like warm-ups and cool-downs. Additional, the spring-like response was ample to assist dial up the tempo throughout speedwork, and the load was mild sufficient to assist me flip over the shoe. The broader platform of the shoe offers ample underfoot help on all sorts of runs.
In order for you one shoe that may deal with all of your exercises and all of your miles, the Levitate 6 Stealthfit would in all probability swimsuit you properly. The identical is true should you take pleasure in a way of floor really feel in your day by day coach. Additionally, a tick mark within the professional column is that it’s a very snug shoe from the get-go. The ultra-breathable and versatile mesh higher does hug your entire foot, and I received a improbable lockdown in my heel — ultimately (you’ll see what I imply later).
Store Brooks Levitate 6 Stealthfit – Males
Store Brooks Levitate 6 Stealthfit – Girls
The Dangerous
LINDSAY: What’s up with these girls’s colorways? It appears like they simply dunked your entire shoe right into a stable colour dye and referred to as it a day. Additionally, I’m going out on a limb right here to query why the one colorways for girls are variations of pink, purple, and black with (you guessed it) pink. The one colorway I’d contemplate sporting is the white one. I’m fairly glad I received that pair as a result of I do like this shoe in any other case.
I do know the Levitate 6 and the Stealthfit variations have the identical outsole, however they felt completely different. I feel that’s due to the distinction within the uppers — mesh vs knit. The extra structured Levitate 6 gave the texture of a shoe on the stiffer facet. It’s additionally a bit heavier and fewer breathable, whereas the conforming higher of the Stealthfit simply offers the entire shoe a extra cushioned really feel.
I didn’t suppose this was a flexible shoe like Chad mentioned. Strictly mid to lengthy straightforward runs, and that’s all she wrote (actually). He does make a very good level concerning the laces, although. There’s not a lot in the way in which of finagling this one, and there aren’t any further lacing eyelets. It both matches or doesn’t, and if it doesn’t, there’s not a lot you are able to do to lock it down. That’s in all probability why I didn’t want it for velocity exercises.
CHAD: Do not forget that ultra-breathable and versatile higher I simply put in “The Good” part above? It additionally has its cons for me, which is why it finally ends up right here as properly. I’m undecided if the Stealthfit model of the Levitate 6 is a shoe that I’d select to spend money on, residing in a local weather with unpredictable climate in the course of the winter months. I’m glad I had some merino wool socks available as a result of my toes would have been offended with me if I hadn’t. Additionally, any mesh designed to be breathable and let air out and in will do the identical with different parts, like water.
I’m very grateful I didn’t encounter a lot snow/slush/ice on my outside runs, only some small puddles right here and there. In case you run primarily in hotter situations or indoors in the course of the winter, that is in all probability a moot level for you.
Moreover, as an even bigger runner, I felt a little bit of instability after I was doing my speedwork in a neighborhood and cornering at intersections. I imagine that is primarily based solely on the flexibleness of the higher. If Brooks hadn’t widened the bottom for this model, I might need been ass over tea kettle.
The lacing system additionally introduced some points for me. My toes are often very delicate when laces are tied too tight, and the tongue doesn’t have the padding to cushion the blow. I needed to tie and re-tie a number of instances to get to a degree the place I felt snug with the tightness degree, in that it was unfastened sufficient that it wouldn’t harm my extensor tendons however could be tight sufficient to present me a very good lockdown. Even in any case that effort, I nonetheless had some extensor tendon ache in my proper foot after my future.
Lastly, and a few would argue most significantly, the look of the shoe was… okay. Whereas I did just like the shiny end across the fringe of the midsole, the black and grey colour scheme was a bit uninteresting. Not one of the colorways launched for this mannequin are notably inspiring. Nonetheless, that is coming from a man who ran the Paris Marathon in a pair of neon pink sneakers, a neon pink Beneath Armour shirt, and neon yellow Beneath Armour tights. So, take my fashion opinions for what they’re price.
Store Brooks Levitate 6 Stealthfit – Males
Store Brooks Levitate 6 Stealthfit – Girls
Conclusion
LINDSAY: General, I did benefit from the Brooks Levitate 6 Stealthfit. Emphasis on Stealthfit. Sadly, I can not say the identical for the Brooks Levitate 6 unique, however I’ll go away that one within the competent palms of Sam, Reno, and Kaleb.
The Brooks Levitate 6 StealthFit is a versatile, springy shoe with an higher that accommodates properly to the foot. At $150, it’s corresponding to most day by day trainers and never a nasty choice to boot.
CHAD: To summarize my ideas just like the reference I made earlier, the Levitate 6 Stealthfit simply received again the outcomes from its OWL exams. Regardless of excessive hopes for some Outstandings or Exceeds Expectations, it solely acquired an Acceptable grade on each topic. It did the work and handed every class and will transfer on to take its NEWT exams, however it didn’t do something to amaze the professors.
For the non-Harry Potter followers, I feel this can be a superb shoe. It’s snug underfoot with good base help and will be very versatile because it does numerous issues properly. It could actually go gradual, and it may go quick. You possibly can run shorter restoration runs and future efforts in it. For the appropriate particular person, this could possibly be a stable choice as a do-it-all day by day coach.
Given the choice, I don’t suppose the Stealthfit model of the Levitate 6 could be my selection. That is primarily based primarily on the instability of the higher I felt and the top-foot sensitivity I’ve to skinny uppers and the shoe’s lacing system. However general, the shoe carried out properly, and many of the negatives I skilled had been private preferences. All-in-all, Brooks continued its custom of by no means letting me down with regards to the standard or efficiency of a shoe.
You possibly can decide up the Brooks Levitate 6 Stealthfit for $150 at Operating Warehouse (that includes free 2-day transport and 90-day returns) by utilizing the store hyperlink beneath.
Store Brooks Levitate 6 Stealthfit – Males
Store Brooks Levitate 6 Stealthfit – Girls
Lindsay is a graduate of the College of Florida with a doctorate in Optometry who now resides in Baltimore and runs with the Imagine Run Membership.
