Brooks Hyperion Elite 5 Introduction
In terms of working shoe know-how, Brooks is often a follower relatively than a trendsetter. Nike, Puma, New Stability, Saucony and even Skechers began utilizing supercritical midsole foams years earlier than Brooks joined in on the enjoyable.
Brooks’ first revolutionary shoe was the Aurora-BL idea coach in 2021 that used DNA Loft V3 (supercritical EVA). The Aurora-BL had a enjoyable, energetic trip not like some other Brooks coach. It’s nonetheless my favorite Brooks working shoe up to now.
DNA Loft V3 then trickled into the Glycerin 20 in 2022. Brooks was additionally late to the occasion with PEBA. Their Hyperion Elite 4 PB solely acquired PEBA in 2023 and so they have been the final main model to place PEBA into their racer. Some manufacturers have now moved on to A-TPU of their midsoles (lighter and extra energetic) however Brooks isn’t fairly there but.
Regardless that the Brooks R&D division is a bit sluggish, their athlete recruitment is superb. On the 2025 World Athletics Championships, they’d 4 Brooks athletes (3 girls and 1 man) symbolize staff USA and compete within the marathon. Susanna Sullivan completed 4th within the girls’s race within the Hyperion Elite 4 PB. This reveals that Brooks now has official, aggressive long-distance racing sneakers.
The Hyperion Elite is their long-distance, carbon-plated racer. The Hyperion Elite 5 is the sixth model within the series- there was a Hyperion Elite 4 and a Hyperion Elite 4 PB. The Hyperion Elite 5 weighs 6.9 oz (196 grams) for males’s US9. It’s 0.3 oz (8.5 grams) lighter than its predecessor, the Hyperion Elite 4 PB. Its value has risen considerably by $25 and it now prices $275.
Testing Particulars
- 13 km regular run @ 6:03 per km
- Half marathon race @ 4:14 per km
- 21 km regular run @ 5:39 per km
- 6.6 km observe exercise @ 4:03 per km
- 25 km regular run @ 5:52 per km
Brooks Hyperion Elite 5 First Impressions
My first run was a reasonably paced 13 km run with some strides. I used to be somewhat stunned at how agency it was. The midsole felt a bit denser than its predecessor although they each use DNA Gold midsoles. The trip and the higher felt snug from the get go however I struggled to get an excellent heel lockdown.
The forefoot rocker didn’t really feel as outstanding because the Hyperion Elite 4 PB however its carbon plate felt stiffer. The trip that it jogged my memory of was the Nike Vaporfly Subsequent% 2. The Hyperion Elite 5 felt much more secure and had a extra snug higher than the Vaporfly.
Brooks Hyperion Elite 5 Higher
The Hyperion Elite 5’s higher is nice however it’s not good. Its higher materials has massive vents that simply make it one of the breathable racing uppers in the marketplace. Its tongue isn’t gusseted however it’s connected on one finish so there isn’t any tongue slide.
Heel lockdown isn’t nice however there isn’t any heel slippage offered you utilize a runner’s knot. It feels unfastened as a result of your rearfoot doesn’t sit deep sufficient contained in the heel cup. The heel counter wants to come back up greater.
It suits true to measurement however it has a forefoot and toe field that are on the slender aspect so I can’t advocate it for large footed runners. The laces really feel premium and are ribbed in order that they keep tied throughout runs.
Brooks Hyperion Elite 5 Sole Unit
The Hyperion Elite 5 has a really conventional trip that jogs my memory of older era tremendous racers just like the Vaporfly Subsequent% and the Saucony Endorphin Professional 1. It’s because it doesn’t have a really squishy midsole or an excessive rocker like the brand new era tremendous racers have.
The brand new racers use A-TPU or TPEE of their midsoles which really feel noticeably softer, lighter and extra energetic. The PEBA midsole of the Hyperion Elite 5 feels denser and flatter compared. Even in comparison with different PEBA midsoles like Nike’s ZoomX and Hoka’s PEBA, the DNA Gold within the Hyperion Elite 5 really feel much less bouncy.
My second run within the Hyperion Elite 5 was an all out half marathon race and I used to be glad with its efficiency however it didn’t amaze me. Throughout the race, I used to be capable of maintain my half marathon goal tempo however I craved a bit extra bounce and a bit extra vitality return. It didn’t really feel environment friendly sufficient to race a marathon in.
The dearth of effectivity is especially because of the comparatively low toe spring and gentle forefoot rocker. Its forefoot doesn’t velocity up transitions as a lot as racers just like the Metaspeed Edge Tokyo, Alphafly 3 and SC Elite v5. It is advisable to have actually highly effective toe offs to interact the stiff plate within the Hyperion Elite 5.
It feels greatest after I’m doing threshold runs or quick exercises like intervals. Once I’m going sooner than 4:15 per km (6:50 per m), I can actually really feel the velocity help from the stiff ARRIS plate. Something slower, and I can’t push via the plate as a result of my foot strikes aren’t highly effective sufficient.
A brand new function of the Hyperion Elite 5 is the midfoot orb cutout that you may see on the medial and lateral sides of the midsole. Throughout runs, I don’t discover any efficiency enhancements from the cutouts and it’s only a approach for them to scale back weight. There’s no cavity on the outsole like in earlier variations in order that they have to avoid wasting weight one other approach.
Stability is among the predominant strengths of the Hyperion Elite 5. Its midsole doesn’t compress all that a lot so it has a supportive trip that doesn’t overwork my ankles and calves. My legs don’t really feel crushed up after doing runs in it. It additionally handles straightforward runs higher than most racers as a result of how secure it’s.
The outsole can be properly designed. Your entire forefoot is protected with sturdy rubber and the heavy strike zones on the rearfoot are additionally protected. The outsole of my pair is holding up actually well- there are just some small scratches on the sting of the outsole.
Brooks Hyperion Elite 5 Conclusions
The Hyperion Elite 5 is an honest racer however I hoped for an enchancment over the Hyperion Elite 4 PB. Model 5 is a bit too agency and it lacks some bounce. Regardless that model 5 is lighter, I favor the 4 PB’s geometry- it feels sooner to me due to its forefoot rocker and its safer higher.
I wouldn’t race a marathon within the Hyperion Elite 5 as a result of its trip doesn’t really feel plush sufficient and it isn’t rockered sufficient. Within the World Championships in Tokyo, 2 out of the 4 Brooks sponsored People selected to make use of the Hyperion Elite 4 PB as a substitute of the 5.
Model 5 seems like a earlier era of racers and in case you are searching for a brand new racer to exchange your Vaporfly Subsequent%, you must get the Hyperion Elite 5.
I feel the Hyperion Elite 5 is closely overpriced. It ought to be priced nearer to the Nike Vaporfly 4, Saucony Endorphin Professional 4 and Puma Deviate Elite 3.
It undoubtedly doesn’t really feel like a $275 racer. The ASICS Metaspeed Edge Tokyo and the New Stability SC Elite v5 are a identical value and so they really feel sooner.