I Walked 20k Steps a Day in the New Brooks x runDisney Moana Sneakers — Here’s How Comfortable They Really Are

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Comfortable sneakers are an integral part of every New Yorker’s uniform. For most of us, our two feet are our main means of transportation, meaning we walk almost everywhere. However, the walking I do to commute to and from work or even standing on my feet all weekend was nothing compared to the amount of steps I took during my vacation at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, and luckily, I had a couple of pairs of Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25’s to get me through it. 

As I said before, comfortable sneakers are a part of my uniform. At this point, I’m a sneakerhead just out of sheer necessity, yet still I haven’t worn a pair as comfortable as my Brooks. In the past, when I would head to the theme parks, I would often wear other brands that were comfortable for maybe the first five or six hours, but would soon need a break and start complaining. From Nikes to Adidas and even New Balance, it was all the same story. So, going into my trip with Brooks, I was pretty skeptical and expected that same feeling. But after an early morning of walking around in my new Adrenaline GTS 25’s, I knew it was a different story. 

For context, I had the absolute pleasure and privilege to attend runDisney’s 2026 Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend last week with the Brooks brand. I participated in my very first 5K race (more on that later) and had the pleasure of testing the brand’s new Adrenaline GTS 25 Moana shoes. Aside from the fun, eye-catching colorway, there is no major difference in technology from the previous Adrenaline GTS 25 to these new ones inspired by the Hawaiian princess. 

First Impressions: Adrenaline GTS 25 Moana Design

I hate to admit this, but at first glance (meaning when I saw the images before seeing them in real life), I was not impressed. For some reason, I couldn’t imagine the burnt orange and bright blue colorway could look good in person, especially after seeing a sneak peek online first. However, out of all of the shoes that dropped in the new princess collection, Moana was an easy yes for me. If you ask me, bright light photography doesn’t do it justice. There’s so much more to the shoes than the contrasting colorway, so you have to see it for yourself to get the full effect. 

But speaking of the contrasting colorway, there was something about it that really caught my eye among the three. As a sneakerhead with a lot of options, Moana’s pair seemed the most practical option and had a color scheme I could see myself wearing beyond the 5K and hanging out at Disney World. Quite frankly, they fit into my everyday wardrobe way more than the other options. 

After the super cool colorway, it was the details for me. Personally, I like things a little more subtle but still noticeable with my sneakers. Compared to the other princess shoes that had more obvious nods, Moana’s had an IYKYK-kinda vibe. The printed laces and raffia-style tassels paid homage to her outfit. At the same time, the shoe itself represented the movie more broadly, with a blue Brooks logo featuring little bubble details that represent the powerful waves she rides. Plus, when the light catches the logo, it shows a bit of a reflection, unlike the other shoes. 

Adrenaline GTS 25 Moana Performance Review

I wore Moana shoes three out of the five days I was there. The other two days, I wore the same style in a different color, which is why I know the Adrenaline GTS 25 performs amazingly across the board. But let’s get into Moana’s pair. 

From top to bottom, they really are a great shoe. From the moment I slipped them on and used the pull loop at the top of the heel, I knew I would love them. The upper part of the shoe is made from a breathable fabric that hugs your foot and ankle, keeping you secure as you walk or run. Not to get personal here, but when I’m in Florida, my feet can get a little clammy, especially during hot 80-degree weather days. I’m often prepared to change my socks midday for that reason alone, but my feet themselves were very cool and comfortable in those shoes.

And speaking of comfort, my soles had never felt better after a day at Disney. Because I love heading to the parks so much, I don’t mind the aching feeling I get at the bottom of my feet at the end of a long day. However, that was rarely an issue with these. Let me be clear in saying that I did experience some pain. I mean, I was on my feet, walking almost 10 miles a day for over eight hours. But compared to previous trips, it felt like light work. In my right foot, I always experience some discomfort in the middle of my instep; I have always and probably always will. And when I wear other shoes, the pain is almost immediate after an hour. When I was in my Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25s, it took me a long time to notice, and it was less annoying than usual. 

All in all, the Adrenaline GTS 25s are a great shoe from Brooks, and I would highly recommend them to any sneakerhead, New Yorker, walker, or runner. And if you’re a Disney fan, then you have to get the Moana pair. Not only are they the cutest in the bunch, in my opinion, but they’re exceptionally comfortable and perfect for your upcoming spring break trip to the happiest place on earth. 

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