The Brooks Ariel 18 is one of the best shoes for overpronation. It can also be seen as the women’s counterpart to the Brooks Beast 18, which is specifically designed for men. It’s a bit heavy, weighing at about 335 grams, and is made of a quality mesh material that offers a good level of breathability and comfort.
Meanwhile, it has a Super DNA midsole for superior cushioning and a heel-to-toe ratio of 12mm.
Arch Support
The Women’s Brooks Ariel 18 is considered a motion control shoe, designed to provide relief and support for women with moderate to severe overpronation. It comes with a plush insole which can be easily removed if you prefer to use your own replacement insert, which many runners do.
This running shoe has been constructed with a special Super DNA midsole. It provides 25% more cushion and arch support compared to their standard DNA midsole – which consists of a EVA, rubber and air. It provides maximum comfort.
But for the additional stability, the shoe comes with a high-density medial post which helps the transition from midstance to propulsion in a natural motion. This is one of the features that makes the Brooks Ariel 18 one of the best shoes for flat feet and helps to correct pronation issues.
All these features are accentuated by their MC Pod Configuration which stabilizes the midsole, thereby balancing the shoe and allowing it to provide an efficient heel-to-toe transition. It’s further enhanced by the Caterpillar Crash Pad, which offers customized cushioning.
Heel and Ankle Support
The shoe also comes with a secure heel counter so you can be assured that your foot is comfortably wrapped in the shoe. This helps with the overall stability no matter what activity you are engaging in. And with a relatively high midsole drop, your heel should be protected a bit from impact while the force is transferred a bit more to the forefoot.
It’s also well-cushioned in the heel area and comes with a reinforced pad to effectively prevent heel pain, especially if you’re a heel striker. That, alongside with the external heel counter, helps stabilize your gait and makes sure that you can achieve natural movement.
In terms of ankle support, the Ariel 18 features ample padding that hugs your midfoot and securely wraps your ankle. This could help prevent ankle and knee pain, not to mention can also reduce friction and the occurrence of blisters and rashes from daily wear. With the thick padding provided, you can enjoy softer landings, which could also be particularly useful for dealing with plantar fasciitis as a runner.
The outsole consists of full length, segmented crash pad that can help with heel-to-toe transitions during activities. The two portions are the HPR Green at the forefoot and the HRP Plus at the midfoot and rearfoot. The Green offers excellent traction on any surface, which can help prevent issues like slipping. The Plus is made of a high resistant rubber, which helps with the outsole’s overall durability.
Overall Shoe Feel
At 335 grams, the Ariel 18 can be considered somewhat heavy for a running shoe. However, for a motion control shoe that would be about normal, and it doesn’t seem to be an issue for most. And more importantly, the benefits of having additional stability is what makes this one of the best shoes for plantar fasciitis.
It does have a roomy toe box and a soft mesh upper, which properly allows your toes to maneuver around. For what it is, this shoe is an appropriate design for those larger-framed runners and walkers. They come with both a wide and extra-wide sizing option, which should help you achieve an even more comfortable fit.
As far as the upper is concerned, it’s an all-new engineered mesh designed for brethtability and moisture-wicking. You can expect your feet to remain cool and dry even after long runs or wearing them all day long.
As far as a break-in period, it’s not a particularly tough or clunky shoe so you shouldn’t need much time for your feet to get accustomed to this running shoe. It is a motion control shoe, but with the benefit of having breathability up top and the plush insert for comfortability. When compared to the Brooks Addiction Walker, this shoe feels much lighter.
Use
The Ariel 18 is designed to provide support and relief for women, especially those who are overpronators and need more stability. Due to its versatile design, you can use this runner in a variety of activities including running, walking, working, or simply as a casual pair of shoes.
As a motion control shoe and one of the best shoes for stability, the Brooks Ariel 18 has also been used for those who tend to suffer from knee or joint pains.
Updated List – Best Running Shoes For Plantar Fasciitis 
Online User Reviews Overall Experience
- Excellent support for over-pronators
One of the most common reviews made from users who have worn the Ariel 18 is that it really works great for their flat feet and plantar fasciitis. Many reviews have found that after a short period of time using the Ariel 18, they have seen some relief from multiple foot-related issues.
- Sizing may run small
There have been a few complaints regarding the shoe’s sizing. Some of them recommend that you go up half a size so you won’t have issues with a proper fit. Also keep in mind that there are wide sizing options available.
- A bit expensive
Apart from the sizing concerns, another small issue that some buyers mention is that this stability shoe is on the higher side of the pricing scale. Though many running shoes are in the upper-tier pricing, this is still an issue for budget running shoe buyers. But for those that need the stability, there aren’t many better running shoes on the market with as many benefits as the Ariel 18 offers.
Pros:
- Offered in wide and extra-wide sizing options
- One of the best running shoes for plantar fasciitis
- Doesn’t need a break in period in most cases
- Specially designed for women with overpronation issues
- Comfortable and cushioned insert
- Good sized toe box with mesh upper for maximum room
Cons:
- Sizing may run a half size too small
- Price is on the high end of the running shoe market
- It’s a bit heavy compared to other running shoes
- May not be the best option for those with narrow feet