Brooks Running Delivers Strongest Quarter in Brand’s History

Brooks Running Delivers Strongest Quarter in Brand's History Business Wire

Article content

Innovation-led portfolio strength and runner-first focus power 23% global growth in Q1

Article content

SEATTLE — Brooks Running opened 2026 with double‑digit growth in the first quarter as demand for the performance running brand’s footwear and apparel remained strong across regions and channels. Building off a recording-breaking 2025, in Q1 Brooks delivered 20% growth in North America and 30% currency neutral growth in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), while its sales in China grew 136% year over year. In Q1, Brooks also evolved its leadership and operating structure to power its next phase of global growth, strengthening both long-term enterprise vision and regional execution as the brand continues to scale worldwide.

Article content

Article content

Article content

Article content

Brooks maintained its leadership position in Q1, achieving No. 1 market share in performance running footwear at U.S. specialty retail.¹ At national retail, Brooks held roughly 20% market share for the 11^th consecutive quarter where its core franchises ranked as three of the top five styles in Q1 2026 — collectively accounting for over 12% of all performance running footwear sales.² In Germany and France, Brooks outpaced the market for all price points on a rolling year basis, delivering 24% and 15% growth, respectively.³ “I’m incredibly proud of the progress we made in Q1 to launch new innovation into the market and introduce our brand to more runners around the world,” said Dan Sheridan, Brooks Running CEO. “Across product, experiences, and how we show up for the sport globally, our teams are executing at the highest level and earning runners’ trust every day. Our record quarter is proof our long-term strategy is resonating.”

Article content

Article content

Portfolio‑wide innovation across emerging + core styles drive growth

Article content

Brooks introduced the all-new Glycerin Flex in Q1, debuting an industry‑first articulated, strategically segmented midsole. The brand supported the launch with its first‑ever 3D out‑of‑home takeover in Times Square, and by the end of its first quarter in market, the Glycerin Flex represented 4% of Brooks’ global footwear revenue. In trail innovation, the all-new Cascadia Elite — Brooks’ most podium-tested trail racing shoe — contributed to the brand’s overall trail styles growing 59% year over year in Q1.

Article content

Within Brooks’ existing styles, the Glycerin — featuring Brooks’ DNA Tuned midsole foam — led the portfolio as the brand’s top seller in Q1, delivering 34% year‑over‑year growth globally. In its 25^th year, the Brooks Adrenaline GTS also posted strong gains, up 31% year over year for the quarter, reflecting sustained trust in Brooks’ most iconic stability platform. Across performance racing, the Hyperion Elite franchise grew 114% year over year, with the broader Hyperion family up 32% and Hyperion Max up 64%.

Article content

With a fresh new look for 2026, Brooks’ apparel increased 33% year over year, driven by strong sales for the Dash collection, Chaser Padded Bra, and Convertible Bra. Favorable market adoption led Brooks to capture five of the top 10 bra styles sold at run specialty retailer Fleet Feet.⁴ This growth signals increasing demand for Brooks apparel as the brand continues to invest in head-to-toe performance offerings.

Article content

Article content

Authentic partnerships built on trust, performance, and purpose

Article content

In Q1, Brooks advanced its global brand platform “Let’s Run There” by showing up alongside runners and communities around the world. Through Connection Moves Us All, Brooks partnered with nine run crews worldwide to spotlight how running creates connection at a local level. With Shine Under Pressure, Brooks worked closely with actor, singer, and producer Cynthia Erivo, MBE, chronicling her real‑time pursuit of a personal best in her hometown marathon. Coached by Brooks athlete Erika Kemp, and wearing Hyperion Max 3, Erivo achieved a personal best of 3:21:40 in London. Together, the two campaigns reflect Brooks’ commitment to authentic participation in the sport — from everyday runners to the world’s biggest stages.

Article content

Brooks and runDisney’s collection of limited-edition performance footwear continued to deliver momentum in Q1, reaching tens of thousands of runners through immersive event experiences and exclusive product drops. Sales across race weekends, including Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend and Princess Half Marathon Weekend, broke records for both expo and e-commerce sales in Q1. Brooks also continued to build allegiance in its global headquarters hometown by becoming an official partner of the Seattle Mariners, serving as presenting sponsor of Kids Run the Bases and the all‑new Rally Shoe Cam, in addition to the official running shoe of the Mariners Salmon mascots.

Article content

In lifestyle, Brooks expanded its reach beyond the run through culturally rooted collaborations, with the Brooks x STAPLE Cascadia 1 and Brooks x STAPLE Ghost Trail debuting at Paris Fashion Week in January. Alongside these partnerships, Brooks introduced the Adrenaline GTS 10 in February, reimagining a heritage silhouette with DNA Tuned foam to blend performance‑born innovation with everyday wear. Together, Brooks’ Q1 lifestyle offerings helped fuel a more than double year-over-year increase in the category.

Article content

Brooks athletes excel from track to trail + mountain to marathon

Article content

In Q1, Brooks professional athletes delivered elite performances across disciplines. On the track, world champion middle-distance runner and Brooks Beast Josh Kerr won the World Indoor Championships 3000m and announced Project 222, his pursuit of the historic mile world record this summer in London. In the mountains, Anna Gibson made history with a fourth‑place finish in the ski mountaineering mixed relay at the Milan Cortina Olympics, the sport’s Olympic debut. On the roads, Casey Clinger placed fifth at the Houston Half Marathon in 59:34 — the third‑fastest time ever by an American — before finishing as the top American at the Tokyo Marathon in 2:08:43 in the all-new Hyperion Elite 6.