Brooks Hyperion GTS: Sub 8oz Stability Trainer!?
By Bach Pham and Matt Klein
Welcome to our two part review of Brooks new Hyperion series! For our review of the regular Hyperion, jump to page two here.
Stability shoes have changed drastically over the last few years. They have also decreased in number, especially the faster and lighter mild stability shoes. With the Saucony Fastwitch and Asics DS Trainer series discontinued, all of the low and sub-8 oz stability lightweight trainers and racers have disappeared. In fact, the loss of those shoes meant a complete elimination of this category. Fortunately, those mourning can dry up those tears as a single shoe has revived this category. Enter the Brooks Hyperion GTS, the only truly lightweight mild stability racer/workout shoe/lightweight trainer. While it is a great deal of work for a single shoe to hold up a category, the Hyperion GTS does an excellent job in its first iteration doing so.
Brooks Hyperion GTSPrice: $139.95 at Running Warehouse
Weight: 7.9 oz, 224 g (men's size 9), 7.3 oz, 207 g (women's size 8.5)
Stack Height: 25mm / 17 mm
Drop: 8 mm
Classification: Lightweight Mild Stability Trainer/Racer
RUNNING SHOE SUMMARY
Matt: The Brooks Hyperion GTS is a mild stability lightweight trainer/racer for those who want something a little closer to the ground for faster efforts. A full-length DNA flash midsole is paired with guiderails making for a guided, flexible and snappy ride. A low-volume performance fit with a slightly wider forefoot sits up top making for a secure, snug and comfortable fit. Best for those yearning for mild stability wanting a lightweight trainer, workout or racing shoe, the Hyperion GTS is now the "sole" contender in the sub 8 oz mild stability racing category.
Bach:The Hyperion GTS fulfills a niche that has rapidly declined over the years. Lightweight stability trainers have become almost the way of posted stability in general with only shoes like the DS Trainer and new Saucony Tempus filling this void. Brooks once had several extremely low profile stability racing shoes like the Asteria or Racer ST5. After a long hiatus, they are dabbling back into the space with the Brooks Hyperion GTS, a sub 8oz workout trainer that feels light, fast, and for a stability shoe, rather fun.
SIMILAR SHOES: ASICS DS Trainer 26
FIT
Matt: The Brooks Hyperion GTS fits me true to size in my normal men's US size 10. The fit is lower volume but slightly wider for a faster shoe especially up in the forefoot. The toe box is a little tapered but the forefoot fits slightly wider. The mesh does stretch, so I have had adequate room for my toes. The midfoot is normal to slightly snug and features a thin tongue. The tongue is gusseted on the medial side but not the lateral. Surprisingly, I have not had any tongue slippage. Fortunately, the heel is snug and secures the foot well. I have not had to lace lock this shoe and even with thin socks my feet feel locked in. There is a flexible heel counter in the rearfoot that did not bother my heel at all. All but those most sensitive to this will be fine. The mesh is fairly breathable and sockless wear is actually decent. My only concern and hesitation with this is the thin tongue, which without socks does not protect the top of the foot from the laces enough. Thus I would suggest socks, but overall this upper is great, simple, and fits well.
Bach: The Brooks Hyperion GTS fits my standard feet fairly true to size, but with low volume throughout. It definitely has a performance fit aimed at connecting you with the shoe, but at the expense of some width and volume. Like Matt says, the mesh does stretch so the toebox feels just fine. The midfoot is slightly snug. The tongue is very low profile and borderline short, giving you just barely enough room to lace lock the shoe. The heel is a bit lower than a lot of trainers I've used recently, reminding me of some older Adidas shoes like the Boston 9 and older. The shoe fit fairly securely all-around. I did enjoy having a flexible heel counter (there is just a bit of a more rigid counter at the bottom) in a stability shoe which is different than almost all of the stability market today. In general I did prefer a thinner sock profile in this model due to the more snug fit, but overall felt really dialed-in with the Hyperion GTS. I had some concerns that the thin tongue would be cutting into my ankle, but had no troubles at all.
PERFORMANCE
Matt: The Brooks Hyperion GTS is a lightweight trainer/racer that sits at 7.9 oz (men's size 9) with a lower relative stack height (25mm/17mm). The midsole is full-length DNA Flash, which despite supposedly being the same as other Brooks models, actually feels cushioned and responsive underfoot. It is not a superfoam but provides plenty of cushioning for the lower stack height. The Hyperion GTS feels light on foot and transitions are smooth at speed. There is an 8mm drop listed, although the lower stack height and compressive DNA Flash make this feel a bit lower. There is a mildly posterior lateral bevel at the heel that transitions into a flexible forefoot.
The flexibility at the forefoot, lightweight and moderately responsive ride make this an excellent shoe for faster workouts. I have used the Hyperion GTS for track workouts down to 200m and uptempo runs up to 7 miles. Both have felt great, especially in a shoe that also works as a lightweight trainer. I have run up to 8 miles in my pair and done fine. It is better for short to moderate distances unless your legs are conditioned to run farther with this. For wanting the lightweight, lower shoes of the past will do well here but those used to more cushioning/super shoes will have to ease into this shoe for longer efforts. This shoe has versatility, although struggles for me at race efforts that I can hit in super shoes. This has made it a great lightweight daily and workout trainer for me. Those who do not do well in super shoes will enjoy the Hyperion GTS along with those wanting a break from super shoes.
I have enjoyed running in this shoe and have 45 miles on my pair. Despite getting decent miles on these, there is barely any wear on the outsole. The rubber outsole coverage is solid and I only see a tiny bit of wear in my normal spot. Despite being a Brooks shoe, the traction is excellent. I have used this on wet pavement, dry pavement and mild trails without issue. The rubber outsole seems to grip well and the relatively cushioned but lower ride will likely work well as a racing shoe on a variety of tame surfaces especially for the younger athlete. I could see this being a possible cross-country shoe for those who need a bit more stability than what XC flats offer (or what super shoes can do on unstable terrain). I would not take this on overly technical terrain as there are no lugs and there is some exposed midsole. However, for more tame dirt courses (like California XC courses) and certainly on the road/track, the Hyperion GTS will do well.
Bach: I think first and foremost it's important to clarify that though mild, this is a stability trainer, and those interested in the Hyperion GTS really will be those who really want the combination of a lightweight trainer with some true guidance. If you don't really need that, I would suggest the Brooks Hyperion Tempo or Hyperion Max due to how much centering GuideRails provide. The GuideRails due enough work pushing you center that if you don't really have a need for that guidance, the Hyperion Tempo is even lighter and will be the shoe for you out of the two most likely.
That out of the way, it feels very fun to have a true lightweight stability shoe meant for picking up the pace. The DNA Flash midsole in itself isn't exactly the most responsive, exciting foam out there, but it is light and feels good when you are coming from a shoe like the Adrenaline (10.4 oz), the Guide 15 (9.5 oz), Wave Inspire 19 (10.7 oz) and other bigger stability trainers that all weigh at least over 1.5 oz more than the Hyperion GTS and are all leaning towards that max cushion category. The GTS really shines when you open up and push the pace a bit and rip some faster mileage. I'm not a fast runner by any means, but enjoyed taking the shoe down to my 10 and 5k paces and feel fairly confident. The sole is a bit stiffer throughout, similar to the Brooks Revel, but much more airy. It provides a minor springy feel underfoot when running faster paces, but in general really again emphasizes a light, fast turnover.
At slower paces, the shoe feels a little unwieldy. The heel is the best in the world and much more narrow than most stability trainers. This is really best as the shoe you slip on once or twice a week for those faster efforts. I personally feel anything under an hour, maybe an hour and a half is the most I could push in the GTS due to it being much lower profile than most shoes today, but those who have a preference for it or enjoy the lightness may be able to do much more. The underfoot feel in general does certainly lean firmer being a high ground contact, low stacked shoe.
The outsole is smooth and covers all of the forefoot and medial and lateral sides of the rear. In regards to wet roads it did well. There's more than enough outsole to gather roads, although I actually would love to see the outsole design be even more aggressive to really emphasize this being a fast trainer and amplify confidence.
STABILITY
Matt: The Brooks Hyperion GTS is a mild stability shoe with true stability and guidance methods. Like the other Brooks GTS models, the Hyperion GTS features GuideRails on the medial and lateral sides of teh shoe. The lateral rail is mostly in the heel while the medial rail extends into the midfoot. These provide mild guidance and become more apparent as the midsole breaks in. Unlike the other GTS models, there does not appear to be an additional medial post, only the GuideRails. Thus, those sensitive to posts will be fine. In regards to sole width, the midfoot stays wider and the forefoot is wider still. Combined with a lower to the ground wide, this creates inherent stability that further adds to the work of the guiderails. This is a true mild stability shoe with most of the stabilization in the heel and midfoot.
Bach: This is a stability shoe for those wanting guidance. It is the first GuideRail-based shoe that I feel really amplifies the GuideRails without medial posting, and as a flat foot runner I really enjoyed this experience much more than say the Adrenaline which does have a medial post under the GuideRail. The experience here is very akin to the Hoka Arahi, which aims to do the same kind of centering, but in a much lighter package. It took me a run or two to get adjusted to the GuideRails, but once adjusted the shoe became a comfortable ride. For those who maybe have mismatched feet with one being more neutral than the other, this may be a good option as the guidance is fairly mild.
There are really only a few mechanics that compliment the GuideRails: a wider forefoot, the lower to the ground stack height, and the shoe's lockdown. This makes sense as a shoe aimed at providing a fast option for stability runners, and also why it's not the best as a lightweight stability trainer for everyday unless you only need the most mild of stability. While wider than some neutral shoes, the heel and midfoot is still more on the slimmer side for those who do need some more rearfoot stability.
Thoughts as a DPT: The Curious Case of Disappearing Mild Stability Shoes
By Matthew Klein
The running footwear industry has shifted its execution of stability over the last several years and we have discussed this endlessly. An increasing number of stability shoes have shifted their focus to being more guidance base, in line with the current thoughts on the Preferred Movement Paradigm (Nigg et al., 2017). This has meant moving away from, but not completely eliminating the use of medial posts and other more traditional stability measures in favor of geometry, sidewalls/guiderails and more. This has also meant a decrease in the number of high-level stability shoes and weirdly a reduction in the number of mild stability shoes. There have been a few that have been introduced like the Saucony Tempus and Puma ForeverRun Nitro, but the lightweight and racing ones have all disappeared. This has likely occurred due to the rise of super racing shoes as more people even with stability needs are gravitating toward those shoes. Whether for the marketing/perceived economy improvements or comfort or the fact that some stable neutral shoes exist that may have filled this category, true mild stability racers have disappeared.
Sources:
Nigg, B. M., Vienneau, J., Smith, A. C., Trudeau, M. B., Mohr, M., & Nigg, S. R. (2017). The preferred movement path paradigm: Influence of running shoes on joint movement. Med Sci Sports Exerc, 49(8), 1641-1648.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Matt: Outside of the Hyperion Max, the DNA Flash in the Hyperion GTS is the best integration of this midsole material I have experienced. I disliked the integration of it in the Hyperion Elite and found it to firm up too quickly in the original Hyperion. That said, Brooks really needs an up-to-date foam for its faster shoes. I have enjoyed training and working out in the Hyperion GTS immensely. Prior to the rise of super foams and super shoes, this would have been a go-to training, workout and longer racing shoe for me. Now, the Hyperion GTS has become the lightweight mild stability training shoe I have wanted and the workout alternative when I need a break from super shoes. It is not something I would race in given the availability of shoes with better foams. It is a good shoe, but in today's market to be a racing shoe, an updated foam is necessary.
My only other suggestion would be to round the posterior lateral heel a bit more. The bevel is slightly lateral, which is fine on faster efforts but can be a tiny bit clunky during training and walking until the shoe breaks in. Outside of that, I am happy to finally see a revival of the sub 8 oz mild stability trainer/racer category!
Bach: I think overall Brooks did an excellent job with the Hyperion GTS at its intended goal. The design is elegant and provides an excellent variation of the Hyperion Tempo for stability users. They did a good job of stripping what could be let go to make the lightest possible version. I would love for the tongue and midfoot to be just a touch more comfortable with a touch more width and ability to just cinch everything down on my own terms. I would also be interested in seeing a slightly more aggressive forefoot outsole to allow full confidence moving forward. A part of me feels the shoe could benefit from just a little bit more stack to feel more of the midsole and get a little more springiness. I will be interested in seeing if this particular midsole gets an update that further amplifies its lightness.
WHO THIS SHOE IS FOR
Matt: The Brooks Hyperion GTS is for those who want a lighter, lower stack height, faster mild stability shoe for training, workouts and racing. The ride is light, fun and is easy to run faster in. The upper provides a performance fit while still having a little room up front. The outsole has been surprisingly durable for a faster shoe, which has made this a go-to lightweight trainer for me. This is the lightest stability shoe on the market right now and one of the few that could be considered for racing short to moderate distances. Those wanting a light stability shoe to run faster in finally have an option. Compared to the Saucony Tempus, this is lighter and will work far better over short to moderate distances. The Tempus will work better for longer marathon-type efforts for most, but the combination of these two shoes would make an excellent pairing. I am happy to see the revival of the mild stability sub 8 oz lightweight trainer/racer category and hope to see at least a couple more options reemerge in the next few years.
Bach: It is really exciting to have the Hyperion GTS has a lightweight stability option. Is it perfect? Not necessarily - the foam could be a little more exciting, and I do believe the shoe could feel a bit more aggressive - but it provides one of the few, if only, lightweight, low stack guidance-based option in the mainstream running market now, and that means a lot.
If I were to really boil it down to whether or not I would pick this up more often than over say a stable neutral shoe (as someone who uses stability shoes often), I do waffle a little because some performance shoes I have like the Mizuno Wave Neo Wind, which is fairly stable underfoot for my needs, feels faster and fits my own needs. However, if you are someone who has used guidance forever, whether it was an Arahi or anything with GuideRails for a long time now, the Hyperion GTS will undoubtedly be the natural next step in your running and an excellent choice.
Pairings-wise, the simple one would be the Adrenaline GTS if you
want to stay in the family. The Hoka Arahi 6 would also be an excellent
companion. Arahi users in general should be excited to have an
interesting one-two option to check out.
For alternatives , those who do well with posted options may be able to find an ASICS DS Trainer here or there, or check out Newton Running's excellent Motion+ (which is a severely underrated option). The Saucony Tempus is also guidance-based, but with a more modern touch with its higher stack and super foam.
GRADING
Matt
Fit: A- (Light, performance fit, lower volume with slightly wider forefoot)
Performance: B+/A- (Mild cushioning with ride that can handle training and faster efforts at a variety of paces)
Stability: A [Mild Stability] (Guiderails, wider midfoot/forefoot makes this a true mild stability shoe)
DPT/Footwear Science: A- (Excellent integration of all current concepts of stability while keeping things simple)
Personal: A (Exactly the type of shoe I've been looking for that can handle moderate mileage and faster efforts. If not for the current variety of super shoes, this would also probably be a racing shoe for me)
Overall: A-
Bach
Fit: B+ (Lower volume performance fit is nice, but may not work for everyone)
Performance: A- (A true mild stability, workout trainer that is relatively unmatched right now)
Stability: A- (For the purposes of faster work, the integration is spot on)
DPT/Footwear Science: A (Brooks did a fine job of crafting a smart mild stability performance shoe)
Personal: B+ (An important addition in the market options-wise, it was fun to test a stability shoe that could handle picking up the pace. I personally would like it to have more edge to really feel like a shoe I want to push the pace in, but glad to have the option nonetheless)
Overall: A-
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