Despite looking like a shoe that belongs on the feet of astronauts on a spaceship, the Brooks Aurora-BL has flown under most radars.
Upon its initial limited release in 2021, the unconventional-looking shoe carried a $200 price tag straight from a dystopian future where running shoe prices are out of control. Wait a minute, that sounds an awful lot like the present. Although I was intrigued, I was simply not willing to pay that much for a non-plated trainer. The shoe was re-released in 2023 at the same price point, but it was only until the shoe recently went on sale for $130 that I jumped on board the “spaceship” to try a pair of these moonboots.
Earlier this year, I claimed the Brooks Hyperion Max as Brooks best shoe. Oops! That was before I tried the Aurora-BL. This shoe is the star of Brooks’ lineup and shines bright on every kind of run.
Brooks Aurora-BL
Weight: 8.5 oz, 241 g (US M9), 7.6 oz, 215 g (US W8)
Stack Height: 37 mm/31 mm (6 mm drop)
Price: $200, but easy to find on sale for $130-$150
The BL in the shoe’s name stands for Brooks’ Blue Line Lab, which “charts the course for the future of running shoes,” a feat the Aurora BL nails in both aesthetics and performance. The shoe excels from top to bottom, from its novel sleeve-like tongue, to the decoupled midsole, and large heel bevel. The Aurora-BL is a very versatile shoe that can conquer long and short runs and slow days and speed work.
Ride
What’s the first shoe that comes to mind when you hear the word “smooth”? Call it recency bias, but, for me, it’s this shoe. Credit the shaped heel and toe of Brooks’ Glide Roll technology for the smooth toe-off. Like most technologies, I don’t understand how they work, but I will gladly use them to my benefit. Despite the shoe’s decoupled midsole (more on that later), it’s got quite the stable feel underfoot.
Upper
The shoe’s breathable mono mesh upper is so comfortable that, I would say it disappears on foot, but it’s impossible to ignore the shoe’s awesome aesthetic. While running, I often find myself looking down at the pair to admire its beauty. At first glance, that sleeve-like tongue looks like it’s going to be uncomfortable. But, from the first run to the last, it feels cozy and secure, keeping my feet firmly in place well after takeoff, all the way until it’s time to take them off.
Midsole
The highlight of the shoe is the introduction of DNA LOFT v3 in the midsole. Back in 2021, the Aurora-BL was the first shoe to get this nitrogen-injected foam. Brooks claims this cushioning makes for softer, lighter, and more responsive landings. Check, check, and check. It’s the only shoe I’ve ran in that has a decoupled midsole, which, according to Brooks, “allows your heel and forefoot to move independent of each other, so you can move the way your body wants to.” It’s true—I don’t feel bogged down by the great amount of foam underfoot, like how some max cushion shoes feel.
Outsole
There’s not much rubber coverage, which is fine, as I think it’d slow the shoe down a bit, like in the Brooks Glycerin 20, which uses the same DNA LOFT v3 foam but offers a completely different, rather dull ride, in comparison. However, the lack of rubber makes me question the outsole durability. For what it’s worth, there’s no wear and tear after 60 miles. I’m honestly not sure what rubber compound is used because I can’t find it mentioned anywhere online!
Weight
Most shoes this comfortable and cushioned are north of 9 ounces. It’s quite the modern shoe marvel, then, that it comes in at 8.5 oz for a men’s size 9 and 7.6 oz for a women’s size 8. The weight savings undoubtedly come from the barely-there, yet ultra-secure upper and lack of outsole rubber.
Design
I could go on and on about the innovative design of the shoe—and so I will! The greatest compliment I can give a shoe is that it catches my eye when it’s merely sitting on the shelf, or in my case, entangled in a pile of other shoes on the foyer floor, blocking my home’s front door. That shoe is the Aurora-BL. Of course, looks aren’t everything, but, for me, they kind of are when it comes to running shoes. Call me shallow, but you can’t deny it’s easier to put one foot in front of the other when you’re distracted by what’s on your feet in front of you, rather than the miles that lie ahead.
Price
I’ve already stated that the $200 price is excessive—no shoe without a plate, or that you won’t race a marathon in, is worth two Benjamin Franklins (and that’s before tax). On an unrelated note, can we replace this U.S. “Founding Father” with someone that has a less sketchy past? Anyway, you should be able to find the shoe on sale for around $130-$150 at some online stores.
Brooks Aurora-BL conclusion
If it weren’t for that initial $200 barrier to entry, I firmly believe this shoe would be in the discussion for best daily trainers. Therefore, when it’s on sale, I consider it one of the most underrated running shoes on the market today.
While the Brooks Aurora-BL may not “defy gravity” as the company playfully boasts in its marketing copy, it will most certainly defy your expectations of what a Brooks shoe can be. It’s surely no small step for Brooks, and it’s one giant leap for humankind…who run.
Note: I purchased the Brooks Aurora-BL with my money and Brooks had no input or influence on what I wrote. I was not compensated in any way for this review.
