Hyperion GTS 2 vs Fresh Foam X 860 15

The Hyperion GTS 2 is the stability running shoe for people who don't think of themselves as stability runners. Brooks took the light, quick Hyperion tempo shoe and added GuideRails support, so you get a shoe that wants to move at pace but keeps your stride honest when your form goes ragged late in a run. At 220g it is genuinely light for a supportive road shoe, with a 10.7mm drop and a moderate 33mm heel stack that leans firm and responsive rather than plush. This is not a max-cushion mile-muncher. It is a do-it-all trainer for overpronators who still want to run tempo, race a 10k or bang out a fast parkrun without dragging a heavy motion-control brick around. If you want the same ride without the support, the Hyperion 3 is the neutral sibling. We rate it as one of the more versatile lightweight stability shoes on the market.

New Balance made the 860 bigger for version 15. Our spec sheet has it at 332g against 309g for the 860 v14, with more foam under the heel, and it now rides like a cushioned daily training shoe with support built in rather than a stability shoe with a bit of softness added. Reviewers like the comfort, and they like that the support runs along the whole inner edge instead of sitting in one post under the arch. Weight is the complaint that turns up in almost every review, and one detailed review found the heel counter stiff enough to rub. Our take: it's a good stability running shoe for easy miles and long days on your feet, but you pay for that if you want one shoe that also handles quicker sessions. It's aimed at mild to moderate overpronators. If you need firm correction, or you count grams, there are better picks at this price.