Brooks Hyperion GTS 2 Review
By David Salas and Matthew Klein
Brooks Hyperion GTS 2Price: $140 at Brooks
Weight: 7.6 oz, 215g (men's size 9), 6.9 oz, 195g (women's size 8)
Stack Height: 26 mm / 18 mm
Drop: 8mm
Shoe Purpose: Lightweight Mild Stability Trainer/Racer
Pros: Lightweight, stable, durable feeling all throughout
Cons: Volume definitely makes for a snug fitting shoe, tongue does have some creasing
RUNNING SHOE SUMMARY
The Brooks Hyperion 2 GTS builds upon the previous model by providing an airy midsole update from their DNA Flash midsole to DNA Flash v2, which Brooks claims to be 10% more responsive. The midsole gets slightly additional stack as well and drops .3 oz from 7.9 (224g) to 7.6 oz (215g) in Men's Size 9. The shoe is lightweight and a very competitive option for doing speed work. It is durable enough to tackle daily mileage as well for those that like lower profile trainers.
SIMILAR SHOES: Adidas Adios 8
PAST MODEL: Brooks Hyperion GTS
FIT
(To learn how a shoe should fit, check out our full podcast on fit by Matt Klein.)
Matt: The Brooks Hyperion GTS 2 fits me true to size in my normal men's US size 10. The volume is slightly lower but is offset by a comfortable, stretchy mesh that allows plenty of toe motion upwards. While the internal toe guard is noticeable, the forefoot is normal to slightly wider. This transitions into a normal width midfoot with a tongue that is gusseted on the medial side. The medial wrap is comfortable on the arch and the tongue stays secure. The laces stay secure and I did not have to tie the laces that tight to get a secure fit. The heel is normal to slightly snug in width with mild heel collar padding. The heel counter is moderately flexible and did not bother me. Those with heel sensitivities may still want to approach with caution. Sockless running is okay in this shoe as the toe guard is mostly smooth. The inner liner is comfortable although those without experience with sockless running may want to stick with socks. Overall the upper is secure, light, and slightly wider for those who want a little wiggle room.
Typical Size: Men's US Size 10
Shoes that have fit Matt well: Saucony Guide 17, ASICS Kayano 30, Hoka Gaviota 5, Saucony Endorphin Elite, Nike Ultrafly
Shoes that have fit snug: Hoka Arahi 7, Saucony Kinvara 14
Shoes that have fit large: Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 2, Altra Timp 5
David: The Brooks Hyperion 2 GTS fits true to size in my men's 9.5. The shoe does have a lower volume throughout and a performance type fit. The shoe feels a little snug across the entirety of the platform. The mesh upper has decent comfort and does break in the snug feel after a run or two. The shoe does have a thin padded tongue that I had no issues with biting from the laces. The tongue is pretty wide however, and can fold in on itself sometimes. This creates a bit of a creasing point. I never got irritation from it, though it was something I could feel, and my mind was on it. The heel has a decently stiff heel counter with mild padding. The backwards curve of the heel counter and cup are done really well and I did not have any issues with heel slippage or rubbing. The heel and midfoot are normal width to slightly narrow, with the forefoot being normal width to slightly wide. The upper material does hold its structure well in turns and I have had no issues with foot translation. I have been able to rip on the track with these as well with no issues. The sidewalls from the GTS system do blend in with the upper in the heel both medially and laterally and extend into the medial midfoot. Though I could feel their presence, again, I had no issues with the integration there. The upper was quite nice for going fast, though I do think it could benefit from a tad more volume and some rearranging to the tongue.
David's Typical Size: Men's US Size 9.5
Shoes that have fit David well: Nike Vomero 17, Saucony Ride 16, Puma Velocity Nitro 3
Shoes that have fit snug: HOKA Arahi 7
Shoes that have fit large: Salomon Aero Glide
Doctors of Running Checklist
Is This a Good Shoe for Walking: Average
Is This a Good Shoe for Standing: Average
Is the Forefoot Flexible: Yes
How Flexible is the Shoe: Moderate
Is This a Good Heel Bevel: Yes
Recommended for Haglunds: No
Recommended for Sockless: Maybe
Durability Expectation: Above Average
PERFORMANCE
Matt: The Brooks Hyperion GTS 2 is a mild stability lightweight trainer/racer for those who want a slightly lower stack height ride with decent cushioning and a snappy ride. There is no plate and the midsole features a full length DNA Flash v2 midsole. The foam is mildly compliant and slightly resilient, providing a protective but slightly firmer ride.
The Hyperion GTS 2 is the lightest stability shoe on the market coming in at 7.6 oz for men's size 9. This is noticeable, which makes the shoe feel nimble and allows for quick pace changes. There is a posterior lateral bevel in the heel that transitions nicely into the stable midfoot. The forefoot has a slightly early forefoot rocker, which combined with a decent amount of flexibility creates a smooth transition off the toes. Those wanting flexibility up front will enjoy this shoe while those who want a stiffer ride will have to look elsewhere (particularly if they have toe mobility issues). I have been training in many plated trainers and racers recently and despite how good the forefoot felt, I did get some soreness on the underside of my toes after running in this shoe the first time. It went away quickly, but there is more flexibility in the front of this shoe than the market average, so most people should take some time to transition carefully if they are not used to this.
The Hyperion GTS 2 functions best as a light short-to-moderate distance training and as a non-super workout/racing shoe. The slightly firmer/snappier ride, the lightweight and decent forefoot flexibility make it a great shoe for short to moderate-distance workouts. I had no issue running high speed workouts in this shoe but felt there was not quite enough there for me to take on longer workouts and runs. I have run a tempo run, several fartleks and hill repeats in this shoe. The hills, tempo and fartleks all felt good. I did not feel like I had the extra gear that is usually available with super foams and super shoes, but these still turn over well. Those who do not do well in higher stack super shoes will do extremely well in this as it picks up right where the older stability racers discussed in the intro left off.
Like the previous version, the durability is excellent. I have 30 miles on my pair without any wear or dent in the outsole. I got to 100 miles on the original without major wear and expect the same out of these. The midsole did not require any break-in and has stayed consistent over the miles. Surface wise the Hyperion GTS 2 is mostly a road shoe with some smooth trail ability. Those wanting a stable cross country shoe may be able to consider this as long as the course is not technical. For more technical trail running this will not be the best. Overall, the Hyperion GTS 2 still has a solid ride that lends itself to faster paces but can still handle training over short to moderate distances.
David: I did enjoy the previous version of the Brooks Hyperion GTS, and so I was pretty excited for the Hyperion GTS 2. The shoe maintained a lot of the same elements, including a lightweight and nimble design, good traction, and decent responsiveness. The nitrogen-infused DNA Flash v2 midsole does have a little bit of bounce to it. The foam is not super compliant and does not come off as super soft or mushy. It does feel protective enough for most efforts. The firmer feel does give a bit more of a grounded experience, especially with the thicker rubber outsole.
The geometry is similar to the previous version. The shoe has a rounded heel, a relatively flat midfoot, and a really gradual forefoot rocker and toe spring. Because there is not a bunch of foam underfoot like other shoes, you definitely feel the ground some, and there is also some flexibility in the forefoot. The shoe gives you a slightly rockered feeling through the heel and more flexible natural feeling forefoot at toe off. I found that this worked really well for picking up the pace. The snug upper also gives this shoe a fast feeling to it. I have been able to take this shoe to the track with zero issues and run downwards of 5k pace without issue.
The one thing holding this shoe back may be the volume of the upper and the midsole stack. The shoe is definitely lightweight and nimble, though I do struggle to see myself taking this for long runs and marathon type workouts. The shoe does great as a normal mileage and down shoe. I like the shoe more when the pace is faster, but those wanting a more nimble and flexible training shoe can certainly get daily mileage out of this.
STABILITY
(Learn more about stability in our full guide)
Matt: The Brooks Hyperion GTS 2 is a mild stability shoe. Classic to Brooks, it features a medial guide rail that transitions from the heel to the midfoot and a lateral guide rail in the heel. Combined with the posterior-lateral bevel, this creates a stable rearfoot transition. The midfoot guide rail is noticeable and provides mild medial support as the foot transitions toward the front. There is a normal height arch and the guide rail becomes more apparent the more you collapse medially. This is only further supported by the medial gusset from the tongue, which wraps and gently supports the medial side of the arch. The heel features mild flaring that does not get in the way of the bevel. The forefoot also features mild flaring but is neutral for the most part. Those with stability needs in the heel and midfoot will do best in this shoe. The methods utilized are integrated well and feel smooth no matter what pace you are going.
David: The Brooks Hyperion inherently has some stability built into it, though I do like some of the components the Brooks Hyperion GTS 2 added to make an even more stable experience. The first thing is the obvious, the GTS guide rails. The shoe has a firmer foam guide rail that creates a sidewall in the medial and lateral heel that also extends into the medial aspect of the midfoot. The snug fit makes the guide rails very known, though they do not come off as intrusive. The upper lockdown is also good and keeps your foot on the platform without any foot translation or slippage issues. The outsole traction is also good.
One tidbit that I found interesting between the Brooks Hyperion 2 GTS and regular Brooks Hyperion 2 was that they actually filled in more rubber through the medial forefoot in the GTS version. I did feel like that gave a subtle accent of more rigidity in the medial forefoot and a fun way to loop in some extra stability. The platform itself is normal width and somewhat neutral. The shoe has mild sole flare, though nothing major there. Despite that, I do feel the other elements listed earlier make for an already really stable lightweight trainer. This is probably my stability shoe of the year at the present moment of writing this.
Comparison: How Small Changes Make the Hyperion 2 and Hyperion GTS 2 Different
By David Salas
There are many different ways that you can add stability to something. In the case of the Brooks Hyperion lineup, you can compare the two shoes pretty close to apples to apples. The main base of the shoe is the same, but Brooks makes some tweaks to make a more stable offering in the GTS version.
The main changes seen in the Brooks Hyperion GTS 2 are the introduction of GTS guide rails and some extra outsole coverage in the medial forefoot. Those changes, though they may seem small, do change the runner's experience. The fit of the shoe is relatively snug throughout on both models, and the introduction of the guide rails definitely make their presence known when you put the shoe on. The guide rails are made of a foam construction and do have some give to them, while still giving a firm sidewall. The guide rails are present in the lateral and medial heel, as well as an extension into the medial midfoot. As we run, some do struggle with controlling pronation and shock absorption. The guide rails do give some proprioceptive feedback to help give you a centered feeling. There is data out there suggesting that your foot will do what it wants anyways, but the subjective sensation of it may give a feeling of support that helps.
The reinforcement of the medial forefoot was something I thought was interesting. Along similar thought processes, the foot does pronate through the midfoot and into the great toe when you are running through the middle stances of gait. As you transition into terminal stance, the foot begins to resupinate to create a rigid platform to lever from and push off of. The introduction of the rubber makes for an even firmer and grounded sensation to the medial forefoot. This does feel like it gives another cue to resupinate as you transition off of the great toe. This is a subtle, but fun, difference that I noted between the two models.
When looking at the Brooks Hyperion 2 and the Hyperion GTS 2, they may look like the same shoe. Hopefully the words above show you that small changes can make things a decent amount different, while still respecting the nature of the original shoe.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Matt: The updates to the Hyperion GTS 2 are great. The shoe feels faster, maintains its stability, has smoother transitions and maintains the essence of the Hyperion GTS series. The upper is comfortable for me and it has worked extremely well for its intended purpose. My only suggest is something I have written for every faster Brooks shoe and that is to further update the foam. The slightly firmer ride is great for being a lower riding lightweight trainer. However, if this shoe is to be as fast as it is advertised, some type of superfoam design is needed. This shoe does not need to be a super shoe, but I challenge Brooks to be the first to create a true stability super racer. All the pieces are there, it just needs to be executed with the right foam.
David: I really enjoyed the Brooks Hyperion GTS 2, though I do have some recommendations. I don't mind the lower stack height and nimble offering, though I would like to see a tad more volume and space in the upper. I think it would help for those that do want to take this shoe longer distances and really tackle daily mileage. The other is to work on the tongue. It currently has a fold in, and for me specifically in the lateral dorsum in the midfoot. The rest of the shoe is really good I can look the other way for the most part, though I do think that could be cleaned up some.
WHO IS THIS SHOE FOR?
Matt: The Brooks Hyperion GTS 2 is a lightweight mild stability trainer/racer for those who want a nimble, flexible, uptempo/faster shoe. The lighter weight is noticeable and will work best for those who tend to do better with lighter shoes. The upper provides a little extra room and will work best for those who want some wiggle room with good security. The Hyperion GTS 2 is a true mild stability shoe, so those wanting that or who want to come down from moderate to higher stability shoes in a faster effort type tool will also do well. This is still the lightest stability shoe on the market and the only one with true racing capabilities (outside the marathon). The durability makes it a great training companion for short to moderate-distance workout days and training. Brooks continues to be the only one focusing on this category, which leaves those of us with stability shoes desperately trying to make sense of any stable neutral elements in faster shoes. Time will tell if anyone debuts a true stability super racing shoe, but for now, the Hyperion GTS 2 does a solid job as a normal workout/racer for those who still need some guidance.
David: The Brooks Hyperion GTS 2 is a lightweight training shoe that is for someone that wants a nimble and natural feeling experience with a touch of extra stability. The shoe weighs in at 7.6 ounces and provides a pretty solid stability experience for those that don't want to sacrifice weight and responsiveness. The shoe does have a more natural feel to it. There is not too much rounding through the forefoot and that gives a moderately flexible toe off experience. For me, this is a training companion to get some speed work in and some lower mileage tempos, though some could find this to be their daily trainer if the above notes work for them.
GRADES
Matt
Fit: A- (Comfortable upper with more room than expected for a faster shoe)
Performance: A- (Faster, light ride for a non-super shoe. Nimble feel lends itself to faster workouts/racing with some short/moderate daily training for those used to this type of shoe)
Stability: A [Mild Stability] (A well executed true mild stability workout/racer. Guiderails provided centered ride with noticeable but well integrated medial support at the heel/midfoot)
Value: A (High durability and ability to tolerate training and racing make this a great deal)
Personal: A- (I really like this shoe but wish the foam was a little more updated/super. At this point, I challenge Brooks to be the first ones to debut a mild stability super racing shoe)
Overall Design: A-
David
Fit: B+ (Lockdown is really good, though volume may be a tad too snug for some, tongue creases on lateral side)
Performance: A (I think it does its job really well. Light and nimble ride with decent responsiveness, without sacrificing stability.)
Stability: A- (Not much sole flaring and platform itself is normal width, but the GTS guide rails, upper lockdown, and extra forefoot traction really do make this feel like a stability version of the normal Hyperion 2. )
Value: A (I think you'll get a good chunk of miles on this. For $140 I believe you could hammer quite a bit of workouts and daily runs into it. Potentially even some racing for those that like the design.)
Personal: A- (I wish the tongue thing didn't happen, but otherwise this is one of my go to speed shoes right now. I like having the extra bit of stability on a lower profile shoe like this.)
Overall Design: A-
SHOP | SUPPORT DORPrice: $140 at Brooks
Brooks Hyperion GTS 2
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FURTHER READING
The updates to the Kayano 31 over 30 make this a very refined trainer.
Learn all about stability shoes and find more models we've reviewed here.
Find all Shoe Reviews at Doctors of Running here.
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