I was seated at the boardroom table inside Brooks Running headquarters, patiently waiting for my turn to hold the shoe that was being passed from person to person. I had been asking if a shoe like this would exist for a year. And there it was. Just a few runners away from being in my hand. Hello Brooks Bedlam.

When Brooks introduced its new Levitate in 2017, it was love at first wear. I thought they were the best running shoes Brooks had created in years. Flexible upper. A fit that felt custom to my foot. The right blend of springy and soft.

Naturally, as a bit of an over-pronator, my first question was: Will there ever be a stability version of this shoe? The apparel team gave me a wink and a smile, and I knew this perfect shoe was coming. 

Here it finally was.

A month before the Brooks Bedlam launched to the public in September, Brooks sent me a pair in the mail (they retail at $150). I was giddy to try them. I was certain this was going to be my new favorite shoe. 

From the moment I put the Brooks Bedlam on my feet, my excitement dulled. They felt inflexible, bulky and uncomfortable. The beautiful design that had me entranced around that boardroom table turned out to be a stiff material. The heel rose over my tab socks. They didn’t even feel springy under my feet.

I’m sure they’ll feel great when I’m running, I told myself.

They did not. I wore them while cross training and for more outdoor and indoor runs. I told my husband that I was trying so hard to like these shoes. He looked at me and said, “You don’t like them, stop wearing them.” (A wise one he is.)

So I did. I laced up my PureCadence 7s and haven’t looked back since. 

As a die-hard Brooks fan, those of you who are long-time runladylike.com readers know it pains me to give a thumbs down for a shoe I had such high hopes for. Here’s what you should know about the Brooks Bedlams:

Brooks Bedlam: What Works

• Gorgeous design
• New sock-like ankle fit adds stability and doesn’t require that extra eye-hole for laces

Brooks Bedlam: What Requires Improvement

• The entire upper is stiff and inflexible. A thinner, more breathable material is needed. The upper of the original Levitate was perfection for me.
• The back of the shoe is too high on the heel. It needs to be lower to ensure it isn’t higher than runners’ socks. While I have not experienced any blisters due to this, it creates discomfort.
• While the Brooks Bedlam isn’t a cushion shoe, the sole feels hard, much harder than the original Levitates. When I’m running in them, they don’t feel comfortable. 

So there you have it. I’m going to wait for the second model and hope it is much more like the original Levitates. I will certainly give them a try. Until then, you’ll find me in my PureCadence. Happy running, friends.

I received my Brooks Bedlam shoes for free, but all opinions expressed about Brooks are my own, unbiased views. There are Brooks affiliate links contained within this post.

Have you tried the Brooks Bedlam or Levitate 2s? If so, tell us what you think?