You’ve been searching for a new pair of running shoes and discovered that finding the ideal option isn’t as simple as you once thought.
When you want a shoe that helps achieve your running goals, it isn’t just about picking something that looks good. You also need to determine the right fit for your natural gait and foot type to ensure proper biomechanics and consider the types of shoes for different training styles.
Two top running shoe brands known for offering comfortable, durable, and high-performing options are Brooks and New Balance. However, both have extensive product lineups, and it’s common to feel unsure where to start.
We have you covered. In this article, we’ll dive into the top choices in several training categories to see how options from both brands stack up against one another.
Brooks or New Balance, which is right for you? Keep reading as we provide all the information to help you make an educated choice.
Everyday Trainers: Brooks Ghost 18 vs New Balance Fresh Foam X 880 v15
A great pair of everyday trainers will come in handy when you need a versatile pair to handle many training styles. The Brooks Ghost 18 and New Balance Fresh Foam X 880 v15 are both top-notch choices in this category. How do they compare?
Brooks Ghost 18
The Brooks Ghost 18 offers a streamlined, stable feel. While there’s plenty of cushioning underfoot, the responsive, stiffer feel makes it very versatile for both uptempo intervals and moderate long-distance running. Key features we found during this comparison include:
- Weight: This shoe feels a bit lighter than its New Balance counterpart. It averages 10.2 ounces in men’s shoes and 9.2 ounces in women’s shoes. The midsole’s nitrogen-infused foam helps reduce some excess weight and give the shoe an airy, streamlined feel.
- Offset: The Ghost 18 has a much higher offset of 10 mm. Those who heel strike more often will have plenty of heel cushioning to reduce impact.
- Stability: While the Ghost is a neutral shoe, it felt very stable to us during testing compared to the 880. The cushioning feels very balanced throughout the shoe, and it has an overall structured and firm fit that provides inherent support during walks and runs.
New Balance Fresh Foam X 880 v15
The Fresh Foam X 880 v15 stands out in comfort and impact resistance. It’s a great long-distance cruiser allowing you to get in the zone at moderate paces. Here’s how it stacked up in key features:
- Weight: It feels a little heavier overall. It averages 10.7 ounces in men’s and 8.4 ounces in women’s. Some may feel it’s too blocky for their liking in a daily trainer, but it also offers lots of plush comfort underfoot.
- Offset: Those with more of a natural midfoot strike will benefit from this option with a lower offset of 6 mm.
- Stability: This shoe isn’t as stable and structured as the Ghost 18. Your feet will sink into the Fresh Foam while running, which provides tons of comfort but can lead to instability from stride to stride.
Final Thoughts on the Brooks Ghost 18 vs New Balance Fresh Foam X 880v15
These are both solid daily options and offer versatility for different training styles.
The Brooks Ghost 18 is better when you need something lighter and stiffer for more versatile training. The stiffer cushion and snug, structured upper wrap the foot for a stable feel throughout workouts.
The New Balance Fresh Foam X 880 v15 is a great choice for comfort and cruising at moderate paces for longer distances. With its plush, protective feel, it can easily carry over from daily miles to recovery runs.
Stability Trainers: Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25 vs New Balance Fresh Foam X 860 v15
Runners who overpronate have their feet roll inward too much on each stride. It can cause issues like shin splints or knee pain if not addressed properly. Stability shoes help correct overpronation, and the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25 and New Balance Fresh Foam X 860 v15 are both effective choices.
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25
The Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25 is best for those who prefer a tapered and structured fit. Some key qualities we noted in this comparison were:
- Support system: The Adrenaline GTS 25 supports overpronation using a GuideRail system. Essentially, the support is elevated along the inner and outer edges of the shoe to keep your foot locked in place and prevent excessive tilting to one side or the other. It’s effective for overpronation and can even help those with light supination.
- Fit: The fit of this shoe is a little narrower and more tapered from the midfoot to the toe box. It hugs your foot snugly for extra stability, but some with a wider foot may find it too snug for their liking. However, it is available in a wide width to accommodate more food shapes and sizes.
- Offset: It has a high 10 mm heel-to-toe drop, so those who heel strike more often may benefit from this shoe over the Fresh Foam X 860 v15.
New Balance Fresh Foam X 860 v15
The 860 provides more width, flexibility, and mild support throughout the shoe. Some essential qualities in comparison to the Adrenaline are:
- Support system: This shoe uses a Stability Plane that runs along the midsole to support overpronation. It’s a wedge that’s thicker and firmer on the inside of the foot and narrower in the midfoot and outside edge. It has a similar feel to what you’d get from placing an orthotic in a shoe, just built into the midsole instead.
- Fit: The overall fit throughout the shoe is a bit wider. It also feels more flexible along the sides and heel. Those with slightly wider feet or who prefer more give in their shoes may prefer this option.
- Offset: It has a lower 6 mm, which is better when you prefer your feet in a more natural position throughout runs.
Final Thoughts on the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25 vs. New Balance Fresh Foam X 860 v15
Both shoes provide effective support for overpronation.
The Adrenaline GTS is better if you prefer a more structured fit with a stiffer overall feel to prevent your feet from rolling inward.
The 860 is better when you want something with more all-around cushioning and a more flexible construction.
High Cushion Shoes: Brooks Glycerin 23 vs New Balance 1080 v15
A quality pair of high-cushion shoes is a great idea to reduce impact on recovery runs or lighter training days. The Brooks Glycerin 23 and New Balance 1080 v15 are great performers in this category. Which is right for you?
Brooks Glycerin 23
Runners looking for something a little bulkier and more heavy-duty may prefer the Brooks Glycerin 23. Some aspects that stood out to us while comparing it to the New Balance 1080 were:
- Weight: The Glycerin 23 has a higher weight, with the men’s and women’s shoes weighing in at 10.6 and 9.5 oz respectively. The high stack of responsive nitrogen-infused foam makes this a great choice if you’re looking for a durable, reliable high-cushion shoe for long runs or daily wear.
- Cushioning: The Glycerin 23 features 38 mm of DNA Tuned foam in the heel and 30 mm in the forefoot. This foam uses dual-cell technology to deliver soft heel landings and responsive toe-offs for a balanced ride.
- Responsiveness: The shoe feels responsive and bouncy, making it more versatile and capable of solid performance in everything from more uptempo intervals to long runs.
New Balance 1080 v15
The 1080 v15 will be your choice if you want pure plush comfort. Here’s how it stacked up against the Glycerin 23:
- Weight: This shoe feels a bit lighter, weighing in at 9.2 oz for men’s shoes and 7.3 oz for women’s. This is lightweight for a high cushion shoe, so you can enjoy more versatility.
- Cushioning: New Balance debuted its new Infinion foam in the 1080 v15. The 1080 boasts a 40/34 mm stack height so you can enjoy a large platform of this soft cushioning.
- Responsiveness: The foam in the midsole is plush and spongy. You’ll feel your feet sinking into it during your run. There is still some good responsiveness, but not as prominent as we felt in the Glycerin 23. Instead, the 1080 v15 is better suited as a long-distance cruiser or daily driver.
Final Thoughts on the Brooks Glycerin 23 vs. New Balance 1080 v15
Both shoes are solid options for cushioning and comfort.
The Brooks Glycerin is a great choice if you want something more responsive and versatile. You can comfortably use it for your recovery runs while still being able to pick up the pace when needed.
The New Balance 1080 is a better fit when you want a more traditional high-cushion shoe with softer landings. The high stack of Infinion foam is very plush and comfortable for slow to moderate-paced recovery runs.
Speed Shoes: Brooks Hyperion 3 vs New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5
The Brooks Hyperion and New Balance FuelCell Rebel offer very similar experiences. They’re both lightweight speed shoes that feel air-like on your feet while picking up the pace. Here’s how they compare to help with your decision.
Brooks Hyperion 3
Runners who want something a little more barebones with light cushioning may prefer the Brooks Hyperion. Some elements to consider are:
- Fit: The Brooks Hyperion 3 feels snug and narrow around the foot. It’ll keep your feet locked in during fast-paced training with harder foot strikes.
- Cushioning: The DNA Flash v2 midsole in this shoe is nitrogen-infused to keep it lightweight. It’s a fairly thin layer of foam. There’s enough to provide impact resistance, but it isn’t as soft as the foam in the FuelCell Rebel v5.
- Responsiveness: The Hyperion has good energy return on each stride, but it wasn’t as bouncy as the FuelCell Rebel v5. That said, less responsiveness gives way to more control and balance on each stride.
New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5
The Rebel v5 is a better fit when you want more cushioning and responsiveness in your speed shoe. Essential aspects to consider are:
- Fit: The Rebel v5 felt a little wider and roomier than the Brooks Hyperion. It’s also available in a wide width, so those with wider feet may prefer this option.
- Cushioning: The FuelCell midsole in this shoe is thicker and softer. You’ll get a lot more plush comfort on each foot strike to help with impact resistance over longer training sessions.
- Responsiveness: This shoe felt more responsive than the Brooks Hyperion. You’ll have some extra bounce in each step with the Rebel v5, which helps when you pick up the pace during tempo training.
Final Thoughts on the Brooks Hyperion 3 vs. New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5
These are both solid and versatile speed trainers. You could even use either as a lightweight daily trainer, too.
The Brooks Hyperion is better if you’re looking for something more barebones that gives you a lot of control over your speed and form on each stride. It provides a stable run without a lot of frills.
The New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 will work better for those who want extra cushioning and bounce in each step during intense training sessions. And if you’re looking to carry an uptempo trainer into longer mileage, you’ll likely appreciate the Rebel’s softer foam.
Race Day Shoes: Brooks Hyperion Elite 5 vs. New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v5
Need high-performing race day shoes? The Brooks Hyperion Elite 5 and New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v5 are carbon-plated road racers that could be your next go-to option. Let’s take a look at how they compare.
Brooks Hyperion Elite 5
Those who like lightweight cushioning and a stiffer feel in their race day shoe may prefer the Brooks Hyperion Elite 5. Key qualities to look at are:
- Cushioning: The Hyperion Elite 5 offers a stiffer layer of cushioning than the New Balance SuperComp Elite v5. It’s a great fit for runners who like being closer to the ground while still having enough impact resistance during long races.
- Fit and feel: This shoe hugs your foot well and is on the stiffer side. That extra stiffness can work in your favor because it provides great energy return on each stride.
- Offset: The Hyperion Elite 5 has an offset of 8 mm, which helps runners who naturally heel or midfoot strike more often.
New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v5
The SuperComp Elite v5 offers softer cushioning while remaining lightweight for great performance on race day. Key qualities about this shoe are:
- Cushioning: The PEBA-based midsole in this shoe is both lightweight and comfortable. While it has a similar amount of responsive foam, the SuperComp Elite will likely feel softer and more plush underfoot than the Hyperion Elite for maximum comfort on race day.
- Fit and feel: The shoe fits snugly but offers extra flexibility compared to the Hyperion Elite 5. Some runners say they prefer the softer feel of the SuperComp Elite v5 during marathons to prevent foot pain or hot spots.
- Offset: The SuperComp Elite 5 also has a moderate 8 mm offset, which can work for a wide variety of gaits and runners.
Final Thoughts on the Brooks Hyperion Elite 5 vs. New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v5
Both of these are excellent race day options for the right person.
When you want lighter cushioning and a stiffer shoe for more energy return, the Brooks Hyperion Elite 5 might be your go-to choice.
Alternatively, the New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v5 is a great option when you want a shoe that offers more comfort and softness over long races.
Try on These Brooks and New Balance Shoes at Marathon Sports
We offer each of the Brooks running shoes and New Balance running shoes discussed in this article at Marathon Sports, along with several others from these brands’ extensive lineups. You can stop at one of our retail locations to try them on for yourself and see which you prefer.
You can also shop our online store and conveniently ship them straight to your doorstep.
Ready to achieve your running goals? Start shopping today to find a top-notch pair of shoes. If you have questions, we’re here to support you with all your needs to find the right fit and style.
