New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v14 vs Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25:
Which to Choose

Start with what's genuinely the same, because it's a lot: both share a traditional 10mm heel-to-toe drop, both skip any propulsion plate, both are moderately cushioned rather than maximal, and both weigh essentially the same — the 860v14 comes in around 298g and the Adrenaline GTS 25 around 295g in a men's US 9, so neither is the "lighter" pick and both feel sturdy rather than nimble. The meaningful split is in the foam and the stability mechanism. The 860v14's single slab of Fresh Foam X is the firmer, more grounded of the two — it transitions smoothly and returns a bit of energy when you run with purpose, but it can feel flat and even a touch dead at very easy jogging paces, which is why its happy zone sits slightly quicker at roughly 5:00–6:00 min/km. The Adrenaline's full-length DNA Loft v3 is a softer, nitrogen-infused foam that's more forgiving and comfort-first; it cushions impact more generously but with even less spring back, and it's tuned for a more relaxed 5:30–6:30 min/km. The stability philosophies differ too: New Balance uses medial support geometry and a broad base to physically prop up the arch side, giving a more overtly planted, propped feeling, while Brooks' GuideRails sit along the heel and only engage when your stride drifts, so the correction is quieter and less noticeable until you fatigue. Both top out around 5:00 min/km before the weight and flat rebound become a drag, so neither is a speed tool — they're honest support-first trainers that happen to differ mainly in ride character.