Brooks Hyperion GTS Introduction
Brooks continues to lean into their Hyperion line with the Hyperion GTS. The Hyperion Tempo is now replaced with the Hyperion and the Hyperion GTS. The GTS in the name, or “Go-To Support” indicates that this is a stability shoe.
Brooks’ adaptive support system called Guide Rails and about half an ounce are what set this aside from the Hyperion.
Sadly, there aren’t many light support shoes out there. Usually when one comes around another will get discontinued. This is similar to the Saucony Tempus or the now defunct ASICS DS Trainer, and New Balance 1500.
Brooks Hyperion GTS First Impressions
The first thing that stood out to me was the highlighter green that Brooks went with. The colorway is officially named “Green Gecko”, this is a very loud shoe and the last thing it does is blend in like the name suggests.
The shoe felt light on my feet and was comfortable out of the box. My first run in them was firm and stiff which took me some time to get used to.
Brooks Hyperion GTS Upper
The upper is an engineered knit and was quite comfortable. I found it breathed well in the hot months of summer and it adapted to my feet quite well.
The toe box is roomy and the shoe fits like a glove. I had zero issues with it being too narrow or wide. True to size.
The lacing system is great. No hot spots and I never had issues with the laces coming loose. The tongue is lightweight and didn’t have any issues curling in.
The heel might be my only issue with this shoe. It never really gave me a locked in feel. I struggled with blistering early on from rubbing. Even using a runner’s loop didn’t give me a fully locked in fit in that area. I had to make sure I wore taller socks when I wore these to prevent issues.
Brooks Hyperion GTS Sole Unit
The outsole has ample traction with attention focused on the mid to front of the foot. I had zero issues with slipping around and was able to take on inclement weather with ease. I was able to easily take sharp turns in them. It is quite durable and I saw minimal wear at the end of my testing.
The midsole is DNA FLASH foam. It is light, highly responsive and quite firm. While not the most flexible, it allowed me to shift gears into faster paces with ease. This is the same foam found in their carbon plated super shoe the Hyperion Elite.
Brooks’ Guide Rails are what makes this a stability shoe. Extra foam, or ‘rails’ on the heel give the runner an adaptive approach to stability.
When they were first introduced, a spec sheet compared them to bowling with bumpers and I’ve always used that comparison when reviewing their stability shoes. They are there to help guide your foot back into place and prevent you from rolling inward.
This new approach to stability is also vastly different from the standard dual density or plastic shanks you normally see. I have always been a fan but I have noticed many people do not like it. I think if you need just a little bit of support this is perfect.
The shoe has a lower stack than a lot of shoes in my rotation. The lower profile allowed me to feel the ground better but it also took me some time to get used to at first. the 8mm drop had me mostly striking and lifting off on my midfoot.
Brooks Hyperion GTS Conclusions
I found this shoe did great in faster efforts, but it also did great as an everyday shoe as well. I had fun just running at a relaxed pace in these and the extra support from the guide rails helped me when I was extra sore. While it is not flexible at all, it still was able to adapt to my needs thanks to its light weight low profile.
The light stability shoe is such a rare shoe these days. Brooks made a perfect execution of a fast yet supportive shoe. it will sit in my rotation as an uptempo shoe for my faster days. If I never drank the carbon plate Kool Aid, I would race in these.
Brooks hasn’t really wowed me in a couple of years. For the most part, they have just gone with what they know and have rolled with it and didn’t really break away from the mold. The Hyperion GTS changes this.