By Paul Freary
Aimed at the same type of runner; those requiring a mild level of support and control in a daily training shoe, the Brooks Adrenaline GTS and New Balance 860 are two of the most popular models on the market.
Let’s be honest, these aren’t the sexiest of shoes or the ones that influencers or YouTubers get excited about, but in running speciality stores, they are the bread-and-butter models that are bought by runners every day of the week. They are workhorses that do the job in a fuss-free manner.
Stats
Running Shoes | Adrenaline GTS 24 | Fresh Foam X |
|---|---|---|
Best for | Those seeking mild levels of support | Those seeking mild levels of support |
Support | Mild support | Mild support |
Cushion | Mid-level cushioning and support shoe | Mid-level cushioning and support shoe |
Stack Height | 35mm/23mm* | 29mm/21mm* |
Drop | 12mm | 8mm |
Weight | Men 283.5g (10.0oz) | Men 307g (10.8oz) Women 250g (8.8oz) |
Price | $140 / £135 | $140 / £140 |
Fit | True to size | True to size |
Rating | 8.5/ 10 | 8.5/ 10 |
*Stack height -There are often various stack heights quoted for shoes. Some brands quote simply the height of the midsole foam, others include the outsole in this figure and some the insole and lining.
See the side-by-side image to see the relative difference here
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24
When a shoe reaches its 24th generation, you can be assured it has a pretty loyal following. With the Adrenaline, that is certainly the case, and it’s a model that runners come back to season after season thanks to its reliable level of cushioning and control.
Brooks introduced their GuideRail system on the Adrenaline a few years ago now and at the time many had doubts about how effective it would be at controlling pronation compared to the previous medial post. Any doubts were quickly dismissed and the system is very effective and has been used in similar ways by other manufacturers.
Adrenaline GTS 24
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The GuideRails provide all-around control and help with both overpronators and to a lesser extent supinators. They create a ‘cup’ in the rear of the shoe, which the heel sits in and helps keep it in a neutral position.
New Balance 860v14 Overview
The New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v14 is a well-established model, the 860 family of shoes have gained a loyal following from runners requiring a moderate level of support for over-pronation.
In 2023, the 860v13 was one of the few remaining shoes to feature a medial post; a firmer section of foam placed under the arch on the medial side of the shoes to reduce excessive pronation.
New Balance 860v14
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The 860v14 sees a new method of support, employing a ‘stability plane’ and twin densities of Fresh Foam X cushioning. This removes the more noticeable medial post giving the shoe a softer ride than the previous version yet remaining effective at controlling the foot’s motion.
Fit
Both the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24 and New Balance 860v14 fit true to size in terms of length and width in relation to other models from the respective brands.
*As always, it is worth noting for UK buyers that Brooks equates a US size 10 to a UK size 9 (one size difference) whereas New Balance only uses a half size difference, US10 equalling a UK9.5.
The uppers of both shoes use soft, engineered mesh construction which offers a nice degree of stretch, so both models allow for a degree of ‘wiggle-room’ in the forefoot.
Both shoes are also available in narrow, standard and wide width options.
Technology
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24
GuideRails support
This ‘Go-to-support’ system creates a raised section of the midsole around the lateral and medial sides of the rear foot. On heel strike, the foot now remains neutrally placed within the GuideRails giving a dynamic support that’s highly effective.
DNA Loft v3 midsole
The latest generation DNA Loft foam now sees Nitrogen-injected foam to provide a slightly lighter, slightly softer, springier and more durable ride.
It’s the same midsole material previously used on the range-topping Glycerin models and more recently in the Adrenalines neutral equivalent, the Ghost 16. Brooks now has this premium level cushioning in their most competitively priced models.
New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v14
Fresh Foam X cushioning
Fresh Foam X is the proprietary foam cushioning material from New Balance. The 860v14 uses this foam running the full length of the shoe. The drop of the midsole is now reduced by 2mm, down to 8mm compared to the 10mm drop of the previous version.
At the same time, the overall stack of cushioning is increased by 2mm, so we have a deeper stack with a lower drop, resulting in a softer feeling and more cushioned shoe.
Stability Plane
Support in the 860v14 comes from the stability plane rather than the medial posting used in all previous versions of this shoe.
The stability plane is a thin plastic plate that runs the full length of the shoe on the medial side and across the width of the shoe in the heel area.
The plane is sandwiched by two layers of Fresh Foam X cushioning, with the bottom layer being a little firmer density than the top layer. The firmer foam layer is also a little thicker on the medial side of the shoe resulting in a ‘wedge’ running the length of the shoe to help control over-pronation.
Side by Side - On the Run
As is always the case, a runner’s preference will come down to the overall fit, feel and ride of a shoe.
Control
Both the Adrenaline GTS24 and New Balance 860v14 have been on sale for several months and I’ve had the opportunity not only to run many miles in both models myself but also to see how hundreds of runners respond to the effect and comfort of the shoes.
As a running store owner, I have used video gait analysis for over twenty years as a method to help demonstrate to runners the effect various shoes can have on their gait. Both the Brooks and New Balance have continued to be among the most effective at controlling the rate of pronation.
Cushioning
From a personal perspective, the biggest difference between the two models is the initial firmness of the cushioning.
The DNA Loft v3 feels a little firmer than the Fresh Foam X upon stepping into the shoe, but a few miles into running has a smooth, responsive ride.
The Fresh Foam X feels softer from the word go and although it’s more responsive than previous iterations of Fresh Foam it doesn’t have quite the ‘spring’ of the Brooks.
In the long term, I feel the Brooks cushioning retains a little more of its energy return thanks to the Nitrogen-injected foam, whereas the New Balance tails off a little in the later stages of its lifespan.
My Verdict
There really is no wrong answer here. Both shoes provide excellent levels of cushioning and control, weigh similarly and are priced very closely. They are also among the most competitively priced shoes on the market as a whole.
Both shoes are so closely matched in the effectiveness of controlling pronation that those requiring support can easily opt for either model with confidence.
The New Balance feels a little softer at first and perhaps the level of support feels more when initially standing in the shoes. The support in the Brooks shoe is less obvious when standing in the shoes but that’s simply because the foot isn’t moving. When running the GuideRails in the Brooks become apparent and work accordingly.
Personally, I’ve preferred the Brooks Adrenaline but that is perhaps because I’ve run in that model as well as several Glycerin models from the brand more often.
Both the Adrenaline GTS24 and 860v14 are great value and great performing shoes, so to choose between them my best suggestion would be to visit your local running store and try them both on for yourself. Whichever you decide upon you are assured of a very competent, daily support running shoe.
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