Brooks Anthem 7 vs Anthem 8

Which Running Shoe Is Better?

Products

Brooks Anthem 7
Brooks Anthem 8

Tested using Methodology v0.12

Updated Jul 23, 2026 06:15 PM

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DicksSportingGoods.com

Tested using Methodology v0.12

Updated Jul 30, 2026 03:22 PM

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Brooks Anthem 7 Picture

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Brooks Anthem 8 Picture

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Our Verdict

Brooks Anthem 7

Brooks Anthem 8

The Brooks Anthem 8 is the successor to the Brooks Anthem 7 and brings with it some significant changes underfoot. Both shoes are equipped to handle a mix of running, walking, and gym work, though the Anthem 8 is the taller, higher-drop, much more cushioned shoe overall, and will suit those looking for a budget option with a modern trainer profile. The Anthem 7 is the lighter, lower shoe, geared towards those who prefer a more traditional, ground-feel-first ride.

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Variants

  • Anthem 7 (Almond/Grey/Desert Flower - (Women - US 7))
  • Anthem 7 (Antarctica/Harbor Mist/Skyway - (Women - US 7))
  • Anthem 8 (Antarctica/Chateau/Raisin - (Women - US 7))
  • Anthem 8 (Atlantic Deep/Skyway/Pink - (Women - US 7))

Main Differences for
Half/Full Marathon Racing

Threshold 

0.10

Half/Full Marathon Racing 
 

3.9
4.8

Heel Stack Height 
 

28.5 mm
34.7 mm

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning 
 

2.9
4.5

Forefoot Bending Stiffness 
 

4.0
7.3

Weight  

6.0
5.5

Full Comparison

Design

Weight  

6.0
5.5

Right Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Brooks Anthem 7 Right Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
Brooks Anthem 8 Right Shoe Weight Photo

Left Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Brooks Anthem 7 Left Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
Brooks Anthem 8 Left Shoe Weight Photo

Weight 
 

259.7 g (9.16 oz)
272.4 g (9.61 oz)

Stack Heights 
 

Stack Height Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Brooks Anthem 7 Stack Height Photo
Compare High-Res
Brooks Anthem 8 Stack Height Photo

Heel Stack Height 
 

28.5 mm
34.7 mm

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

20.2 mm
24.5 mm

Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

8.3 mm
10.2 mm

Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

10.0 mm
10.0 mm

External Shape 
 

3D Model Full Shoe  

Preview 3D
Brooks Anthem 7 3D Model Full Shoe
Preview 3D
Brooks Anthem 8 3D Model Full Shoe

Outsole Heel Width 
 

88 mm (3.5")
98 mm (3.9")

Outsole Arch Width 
 

69 mm (2.7")
81 mm (3.2")

Outsole Forefoot Width 
 

112 mm (4.4")
117 mm (4.6")

Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

3.09
2.82

Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

5.54
4.77

Internal Shape 
 

3D Model Internal  

Preview 3D
Brooks Anthem 7 3D Model Internal
Preview 3D
Brooks Anthem 8 3D Model Internal

Internal Length 
 

277 mm (10.9")
275 mm (10.8")

Internal Heel Width 
 

64 mm (2.5")
63 mm (2.5")

Internal Forefoot Width 
 

94 mm (3.7")
93 mm (3.7")

Wide Sizing Available 
 

Yes
Yes

Forefoot Fit: Width 
 

9.6
9.9

Forefoot Width Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Brooks Anthem 7 Forefoot Width Photo
Compare High-Res
Brooks Anthem 8 Forefoot Width Photo

Ball-Of-Foot TTS Deviation 
 

1.0 mm (0.039")
-0.4 mm (-0.015")

Toe TTS Deviation 
 

-1.9 mm (-0.073")
0.3 mm (0.013")

Forefoot Fit: Height 
 

4.9
4.7

Forefoot Height Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Brooks Anthem 7 Forefoot Height Photo
Compare High-Res
Brooks Anthem 8 Forefoot Height Photo

Toe TTS Deviation 
 

-6.0 mm (-0.237")
-6.3 mm (-0.246")

Arch Fit: Width 
 

9.0
1.6

Arch Fit Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Brooks Anthem 7 Arch Fit Photo
Compare High-Res
Brooks Anthem 8 Arch Fit Photo

Arch Width TTS Deviation 
 

-1.8 mm (-0.072")
-9.7 mm (-0.383")

Length Fit 
 

10
10

Toe Clearance Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Brooks Anthem 7 Toe Clearance Photo
Compare High-Res
Brooks Anthem 8 Toe Clearance Photo

Heel Rocker Geometry 
 

7.2
6.9

Heel Rocker Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Brooks Anthem 7 Heel Rocker Photo
Compare High-Res
Brooks Anthem 8 Heel Rocker Photo

Heel Spring 
 

19 mm (0.7")
18 mm (0.7")

Heel Apex Position 
 

17.1%
15.4%

Heel Rocker Angle 
 

20.8°
21.4°

Forefoot Rocker Geometry 
 

5.5
6.9

Forefoot Rocker Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Brooks Anthem 7 Forefoot Rocker Photo
Compare High-Res
Brooks Anthem 8 Forefoot Rocker Photo

Toe Spring 
 

40 mm (1.6")
48 mm (1.9")

Toe Apex Position 
 

69.3%
66.6%

Forefoot Rocker Angle 
 

24.0°
25.6°

Other Features  

Other Features Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Brooks Anthem 7 Other Features Photo
Compare High-Res
Brooks Anthem 8 Other Features Photo

Tongue Gusset Type 
 

Non-gusseted
Semi-gusseted

Plate 
 

None
None
Performance

Heel Compression Energy Return 
 

0.6
1.4

Heel Compression Video  

Heel Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
Brooks Anthem 7 Heel Energy Return
 Preview Graph
Brooks Anthem 8 Heel Energy Return

Heel Energy Return 
 

61.5%
66.4%

Forefoot Compression Energy Return 
 

0.7
1.7

Forefoot Compression Video  

Forefoot Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
Brooks Anthem 7 Forefoot Energy Return
 Preview Graph
Brooks Anthem 8 Forefoot Energy Return

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

62.1%
67.1%

Heel Cushioning 
 

4.6
6.1

Heel Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Brooks Anthem 7 Heel Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
Brooks Anthem 8 Heel Cushioning Picture

Heel Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
Brooks Anthem 7 Heel Cushioning
 Preview Graph
Brooks Anthem 8 Heel Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 550N 
 

2.09 J
2.51 J

Energy Absorbed At 1100N 
 

6.43 J
7.77 J

Energy Absorbed At 1900N 
 

11.74 J
14.32 J

Forefoot Cushioning 
 

3.2
4.8

Forefoot Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Brooks Anthem 7 Forefoot Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
Brooks Anthem 8 Forefoot Cushioning Picture

Forefoot Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
Brooks Anthem 7 Forefoot Cushioning
 Preview Graph
Brooks Anthem 8 Forefoot Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 800N 
 

2.16 J
2.92 J

Energy Absorbed At 1300N 
 

3.77 J
5.29 J

Energy Absorbed At 2050N 
 

5.76 J
8.19 J

Heel Firmness 
 

9.7
9.3

Heel Firmness Graph  

 Preview Graph
Brooks Anthem 7 Heel Firmness Graph
 Preview Graph
Brooks Anthem 8 Heel Firmness Graph

Firmness At 550N 
 

77.4 N/mm
65.8 N/mm

Firmness At 1100N 
 

87.7 N/mm
73.6 N/mm

Firmness At 1900N 
 

117.1 N/mm
97.5 N/mm

Forefoot Firmness 
 

10
10

Forefoot Firmness Graph  

 Preview Graph
Brooks Anthem 7 Forefoot Firmness Graph
 Preview Graph
Brooks Anthem 8 Forefoot Firmness Graph

Firmness At 800N 
 

138.6 N/mm
99.2 N/mm

Firmness At 1300N 
 

176.9 N/mm
125.3 N/mm

Firmness At 2050N 
 

239 N/mm
169 N/mm

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning 
 

2.9
4.5

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
Brooks Anthem 7 Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
 Preview Graph
Brooks Anthem 8 Forefoot Long Run Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 10km 
 

3.50 J
4.98 J

Energy Absorbed At 20km 
 

3.37 J
4.85 J

Energy Absorbed At 30km 
 

3.31 J
4.78 J

Energy Absorbed At 40km 
 

3.27 J
4.74 J

Rocker Stiffness 
 

5.0
6.6

Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Video  

Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph  

 Preview Graph
Brooks Anthem 7 Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph
 Preview Graph
Brooks Anthem 8 Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph

Force To Flatten The Rocker 
 

43 N
74 N

Forefoot Bending Energy Return 
 

2.2
3.2

Forefoot Bending Video  

Forefoot Bending Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
Brooks Anthem 7 Forefoot Bending Energy Return
 Preview Graph
Brooks Anthem 8 Forefoot Bending Energy Return

Forefoot Bending Energy Return 
 

47.3%
50.6%

Forefoot Bending Stiffness 
 

4.0
7.3

Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Brooks Anthem 7 Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture
Compare High-Res
Brooks Anthem 8 Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture

Forefoot Bending Resistance  

 Preview Graph
Brooks Anthem 7 Forefoot Bending Resistance
 Preview Graph
Brooks Anthem 8 Forefoot Bending Resistance

Forefoot Bending Stiffness 
 

2.0 N/mm
10.9 N/mm

Forefoot Bending Force 
 

214 N
349 N

Brooks Anthem 7

Brooks Anthem 8

Comments

  1. Comparison

Brooks Anthem 7 vs Brooks Anthem 8: Main Discussion

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