Using the remastered Adrenaline GTS 4 as a vehicle, Brooks and Seattle-born musician Oblé Reed take Highsnobiety on a tour of their city, showcasing the spirited energy emanating from The 206.
When thinking about vibrant epicenters of culture, you can bet the mortgage the routine list most people default to includes predictable locations like New York, London, or Paris—and for good reason, too. Contrary to some beliefs, though, the world is a really big place filled with innumerable rich cultures dotted across every timezone, producing influential entities on par with the global heavyweights.
Travel up to the very northwest corner of the U.S. and experience the thriving urban expanse of Seattle, home to industry-shaping running brand Brooks. Arriving in the PNW near the turn of the 21st century, the famed footwear company recognizes the unique energy permeating throughout the Emerald City and its surrounding communities. Raised on Seattle’s northside, burgeoning musician Oblé Reed appreciates and shares in Brooks’ perspective on his hometown. Initially using running as an excuse to familiarize himself with his local environment, the ambitious creative has since grown to become a city staple in his own right, following the pace set by the renowned sneaker brand.
“I’ve run in Brooks sneakers since I was young; they’ve always been a big part of my life,” Reed thoughtfully shares. “To have a Seattle-focused brand that's not only willing to look toward the future but also remember where we have been is beautiful.” Fueled by its heritage, Brooks remains impactful in contemporary conversations while staying true to its core ethos, encouraging motivated trendsetters like Reed to find their path forward by understanding the trail they’ve already blazed behind them.
Leaning on its groundbreaking lineage as guiding inspiration, the dynamic shoe company reaches back into the archives to uncover its pioneering Adrenaline GTS 4 silhouette, creating a repurposed rendition suited for today’s tastes. As undisputed running royalty, the original GTS 4 is a feat of footwear innovation that quickly emerged as a best seller following its 2002 debut. However, as the new vanguard seeks to reshape contemporary culture the world over, they need kicks that can adapt to their multi-faceted lifestyles.
Maintaining the OG look from its initial release, the reissued Adrenaline sneaker flexes an updated anatomy that includes recycled materials, advanced HydroFlow tech, and enhanced foam detailing. Boasting an evocative color palette mirroring the port city’s inimitable aura, Brooks' latest creation is both a touching ode to its home and a striking symbol of continued progress.
“It’s one of those shoes that we just needed back out there, but we wanted to make sure we did it the right way,” notes JJ Guerra, Brooks' footwear developer and a 15-year resident of Seattle. “Making the best product is first and foremost. With the refreshed Adrenaline GTS 4, we want to be authentic to Seattle and our brand while keeping that innovative mindset. For us, it’s all about style, functionality, and connection. It’s our perfect marriage.”
Striking this delicate balance between what was and what is still to come profoundly resonates with a forward-thinking idealist like Reed, a notable face included in the latest campaign for the GTS 4. Invigorated by this sentiment, the budding lyricist donned the remastered sneakers and took to the streets of Seattle with Brooks, bringing Highsnobiety along for a personal tour of The 206.
Beginning his journey at the brand’s HQ, nestled comfortably in Seattle’s Fremont suburb, the artist behind the hit “Hometown Hero” brushed up on his knowledge of Brooks’ expansive lore and how that history exists in every design. Heading just around the corner, Reed stopped into Add-A-Ball, a famed barcade turned intimate concert venue known for attracting young creatives like himself. Describing the space as the epitome of a “Seattle hang,” the artist muses over his early beginnings involving himself in the city’s thriving cultural scene.
“Once I began surrounding myself with other creators in the city five years ago, that's when I started to see how much more is going on than I originally thought,” the nascent rapper admits, “That unique culture has always been here and will only continue to grow as we do.”
Leveraging the all-day comfort of the Adrenaline GTS 4, Reed arrives in Capitol Hill, a neighborhood known for vicinal classics like Break Away Vintage, a go-to hub for style discovery, and Spin Cycle Records, the city’s destination for all things new and old music. Finishing off at local-favorite cocktail club Stampede for an order of their signature dumplings, the born-and-bred Seattleite meditates on the area that helped shape him. “Very soon, it’s going to be our moment,” Reed emphatically posits. “One person winning in the city, in any industry, is a win for everyone else. There's so much worth showcasing here.”
That same optimistic spirit expressed by Reed is exactly what Brooks has imbued within the remixed GTS 4. Expressing Seattle’s undying essence, the new sneaker partially reflects the brand’s roots within the community, showcasing qualities of ingenuity and originality exclusive to the Brooks’ ideology and the region.
With more and more integral Seattle fixtures expanding far beyond the city’s limits, it’s only a matter of time before everyone else catches on to what’s been brewing on the far coast.
Taking a closer look at the city’s current landscape, Reed and Guerra sat down for a conversation centered around all things Seattle, sneakers, and shared community. Read the full interview below.
Oblé Reed: This is so sick, man, you have no idea! I’ve been running since second grade, so it all hits a little different to come together and share what I'm passionate about with a sneaker brand based in Seattle.
JJ Guerra: The feeling is mutual! It’s great for us to work with an up-and-coming artist from the city. Your energy is through the roof, which is something we appreciate. That's how we approach designing shoes, keeping the positivity flowing because those low moments will show in the final product.
OR: That’s the same approach I keep with my music. To know that there are leaders in each industry that are all working towards a common goal, I think that’s super dope to see.
JJ: For sure! We really wanted that energy to come through in this new Adrenaline GTS 4 model. Our intention for the latest silhouette was once you put the shoe on, that’s a wrap, you’re good for the rest of the day, no matter what you’re doing.
OR: That’s what good design is to me. Something you can feel more than you can see. You can feel the artist or the designer through the medium, which in this case is the shoes. It's being able to stand out and stand alone. That’s how I look at the new GTS. Fresh yet familiar.
JJ: You called it perfectly. Ultimately, we want to share Brooks’ spirit across regional and cultural boundaries. So, when people see our sneakers anywhere in the world, they know they all originate from inside our office, from Seattle.
OR: It only takes one person, brand, or moment to open the door to show off all the talented people standing behind them. We just have to stay ready. Do the work when no one is watching, so we can all reap the rewards when the eyes turn to us.
JJ: You got it, man. We’re all about putting on for the city and its diverse community.
OR: We have to hold on to our roots—always. That’s what is most important.
Discover more at brooksrunning.com.
