Brooks Hyperion GTS Review: Low-Stack, Stability Speedster

What You Need To Know

Introduction to the Brooks Hyperion GTS

ALDREN: If you could see the lineup of shoes I have at my disposal, you’d notice they’ve all got a couple of features in common. My shoe wall is dressed with high stack, max cushion, and heavily posted stability shoes like the Asics Gel-Kayano 30 and Puma ForeverRun Nitro. Even models like the Saucony Tempus still put a good amount of midsole between myself and the ground. I’ve somewhat grown apart from what the asphalt below me on runs feels like. Now, introduce the Brooks Hyperion GTS.

Three years ago, Brooks released the Hyperion Tempo, a pretty responsive, nimble, lightweight trainer that made me and plenty of runners excited to lace up in something with a Brooks logo for the first time. Jump to the present day, and we have the second iteration of the Hyperion Tempo, but we’re swapping Tempo for GTS. That’s right, another shoe has been added to the uptempo stability category. The Hyperion GTS holds over a lot of inspiration from the Hyperion Tempo while making it more stable.

According to Brooks, the Hyperion GTS has an updated DNA Flash midsole measuring 22 mm in the heel and 14 mm in the forefoot, making for an 8 mm drop. The outsole has also been tinkered with slightly for a smoother heel-to-toe transition. The upper is updated with a new warp knit and mesh. The last addition to the shoe is a set of GuideRails. These are thrown into every stability shoe in Brooks’s warehouse to help support and stop pronation.

SAM: The Hyperion GTS is a relic of a bygone era. It harkens back to the days when racing shoes had the thinnest and lightest foam you could get your hands on. The days when the OG Nike Streak and Adidas Adios were setting world records and winning major marathons. The days when the Kinvara was heralded as a game-changing, barrier-shattering, modern marvel of running shoe technology. The old days when running was pure, unadulterated, and unsupported by shoes that protect us from the true suffering, connection with the Earth, and joy that our sport brings.

Personally, I do not miss those days. I like my shoes with some cushion. But that doesn’t mean that shoes like the Hyperion GTS no longer have a place. Let’s get into where this shoe might help you out.

What we like about the Brooks Hyperion GTS

ALDREN: It feels so good to have something like this underneath my feet. Like I was saying in the intro, I get the bulk of my miles in shoes with support set to the max. And if they’re not heavily supportive, they’re heavily cushioned. It somewhat feels like a breath of fresh air running in something so nimble as the Hyperion GTS.

The DNA Flash midsole and redesigned outsole make for a very quick off-the-toe type of feel. I don’t feel the midsole compress as much as it did in the Hyperion Tempo, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. The closest thing I can relate to the feeling is how a ping pong ball bounces on a table. It’s so effortless. Just as the ball is made to bounce to the other side of the table, so does the Hyperion GTS bounce into your next stride. The only place I did feel the midsole compress was right underneath the forefoot. There’s a woven design in the rubber where the foam slightly compresses when you land on the ball of the foot. That’s the sweet spot that made me love this shoe.

The GuideRail system in the Hyperion GTS is a little different from what you would see in the Adrenaline GTS 23 or Glycerin GTS 20. The medial GuideRail is less dense and obstructive, which I believe saves some weight. It still supported my foot the way I needed it to, so no complaints in the stability department.

I’m also a big fan of how this upper fits. It’s pretty snug all around for me, and I had to play with the lacing a tiny bit, but this is the feeling I want for a speed day shoe. I want the shoe to feel like I’m lacing into a race car and zooming off for some mile repeats.

A last big note for me is this colorway. It has me feeling like Kobe on Christmas day. I’m not the biggest advocate for bright shoes, but when I’m lacing up in this colorway, I’m turning into the Grinch and getting ready to steal some Strava crowns.

SAM: Man, oh man, do I love it when Brooks puts out a lightweight running shoe. My US M9.5 comes in at a hair over the listed 8.1 oz, and honestly, this shoe feels lighter than that on foot. One of my running shoe pet peeves is Brooks producing shoes that are low stack and firm but weigh in over 10 oz. One of my all-time least favorite shoes, the Levitate 6, is a great example of that.

But the Hyperion GTS is what happens when Brooks gets the low stack and firm shoe right. This shoe is the lightest training shoe in their line, which is exactly what you need for a shoe marketed for speed. The other specs that stand out are the low-riding midsole, which comes with an 8 mm drop (you can trust me on that, I am a math teacher). While some may have closed the tab when they read that drop height, stay with us, please. I promise it’s worth it.

Brooks claims that they updated the midsole and outsole to accelerate the heel-toe transition. I did not run in the original Hyperion Tempo, so I don’t know this for sure, but I completely buy this statement. With that change in mind, I think this shoe is now the perfect vessel for Brooks’s DNA FLASH foam. Our team was not blown away by its inclusion in the Hyperion Elite 3, but I loved it in the Hyperion GTS.

While it may not be everyone’s cup of tea for easy runs, the Hyperion GTS is quick and efficient, and I found that it absolutely shines during workouts. The low stack, aggressive heel-to-toe transition, and peppy DNA Flash come together to make a shoe that flies during quality efforts. The upper is also extremely light, and the laces lock down your foot and get out of the way. I used it for two different workouts where I did 200s to 800s and loved every minute of it.

The Hyperion GTS feels very similar to Nike’s Streakfly or the newer Adidas Adios models, and I would argue they have a similar range. This is not a half-marathon to marathon shoe, but for 10ks and down, this will serve you well. I also would argue that the lack of a plate was welcome in the Hyperion GTS. It keeps the weight down and allows the DNA Flash to compress and rebound in an unobstructed manner.

I haven’t even mentioned how much I like the colorway. The neon green with the faded white-to-green midsole matches the pop that the ride of this shoe had. If you’re looking for a speed day shoe that is light, stable, and aggressive, this should be in your consideration.

What we don’t like about the Brooks Hyperion GTS

ALDREN: It’s not a big issue because I laced the shoe a little differently, but I constantly got a hot spot along the lateral side of my left foot. I think it’s because the shoe is so snug. Also, the outsole isn’t the tackiest. I was running slick on some of the brick roads down here, so I’d be cautious when making sharp turns.

SAM: Dear reader, you may be wondering something while reading this. Isn’t this the GTS review? Why isn’t Sam talking about the GuideRails? Where’s the talk of stability and efficiency? Does he even know what he’s doing here? Trust me, I didn’t forget, I was just waiting patiently so I could make a point.

My one negative with this shoe, if it can be called one, is I do not understand why it exists. The GuideRails are my favorite stability technology, but they aren’t necessary for this shoe as the low stack and firm midsole make it inherently stable. Using the Hyperion GTS for workouts also helps here because, in most cases, your form becomes more efficient as you run faster, and you pronate/supinate less. All the GuideRails really do is add around a half-ounce of weight onto the Hyperion. For a speed day shoe, that’s a lot. If I love this shoe at its current weight, I cannot imagine how much I would love it with half of an ounce shaved off.

Brooks Hyperion Max Conclusion

ALDREN: For everyone who keeps asking for a stable speed day shoe, this is your answer. This, compared to your other option like the Saucony Tempus, gives you a much more ground feel and a quicker toe-off. Honestly, I would put both of them in your rotation, but that’s just me. This is also for that runner looking to replace their New Balance Prism after two years.

I’m just a big fan of how simple the Hyperion GTS is and I can’t wait to take these out for some more workouts.

SAM: I wasn’t expecting this when I first got the Hyperion GTS, but I love this shoe. Is it your new half-marathon or marathon racer? No. It’s a fun and fast speed day shoe that can definitely work as a daily trainer for runners who still prefer a quick and efficient trainer. As far as the GTS option goes, I do not think it’s necessary to spend the extra half ounce of weight on it. If you want this shoe and you know that getting the GuideRails will help you sleep more soundly at night, go for it. For my money, I would rather shave off some weight and make this shoe even more fun to run in. Good job, Brooks.

You can pick up the Brooks Hyperion GTS for $150 at Running Warehouse (featuring free 2-day shipping and 90-day returns) using the buttons below.