Step 02 — The lineup
6 shoes scored across eleven metrics · Any purpose
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Brooks Hyperion GTS 2 — Brooks Hyperion GTS 2: 34 mm heel stack, 8 mm drop, 220 g — specs from independent lab testing.
Sizing note
FuelCell SuperComp Pacer v3 run snug — go up half a size, especially for long runs.
Durability
Plated models here average ~250 mi; non-plated land closer to ~340 mi.
Step 03 — Every metric
| Metric | New Balance 1500 v6 | New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Pacer v3 | Adidas Adizero RC 5 | Saucony Freedom 4 | Nike Rival Fly 4 | Hoka Solimar | On Cloud Waterproof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 220 g / 7.8 oz | 190 g / 6.7 oz | 210 g / 7.4 oz | 227 g / 8.0 oz | 235 g / 8.3 oz | 232 g / 8.2 oz | 272 g / 9.6 oz |
| Drop | 6 mm | 6 mm | 8 mm | 4 mm | 8 mm | 6 mm | 6 mm |
| Stack (heel) | 24 mm | 32 mm | 28 mm | 28 mm | 30 mm | 26 mm | 24 mm |
| Cushioning | |||||||
| Flexibility | |||||||
| Stability | |||||||
| Rocker geometry | |||||||
| Energy return | |||||||
| Responsiveness | |||||||
| Toe-box | Narrow | Narrow | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Plate | — | Carbon | — | — | — | — | — |
| Intended pace | 5:45–7:45 /mi | 5:15–7:15 /mi | 6:15–8:30 /mi | 7:30–10:00 /mi | 6:45–9:15 /mi | 7:30–10:00 /mi | 7:30–10:00 /mi |
| Purpose | Race day, Tempo | Race day, Tempo | Tempo, Race day | Daily, Long run | Tempo, Daily | Daily, Long run | Daily, Long run |
| Sizing | Size up ½ | Size up ½ | True to size | True to size | True to size | True to size | True to size |
| Durability | ~300 mi | ~250 mi | ~300 mi | ~400 mi | ~400 mi | ~300 mi | ~300 mi |
| Price | $120 | $180 | $90 | $180 | $100 | $130 | $180 |
Your reference shoe is shown first for context. Cushioning, flexibility and stability are rated 1–5.