Brooks Hyperion Elite 5 Introduction
In relation to operating shoe know-how, Brooks is often a follower slightly than a trendsetter. Nike, Puma, New Steadiness, Saucony and even Skechers began utilizing supercritical midsole foams years earlier than Brooks joined in on the enjoyable.
Brooks’ first modern shoe was the Aurora-BL idea coach in 2021 that used DNA Loft V3 (supercritical EVA). The Aurora-BL had a enjoyable, energetic experience in contrast to some other Brooks coach. It’s nonetheless my favorite Brooks operating shoe to this point.
DNA Loft V3 then trickled into the Glycerin 20 in 2022. Brooks was additionally late to the social gathering 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.
Although 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 ladies and 1 man) symbolize group USA and compete within the marathon. Susanna Sullivan completed 4th within the ladies’s race within the Hyperion Elite 4 PB. This reveals that Brooks now has reliable, aggressive long-distance racing footwear.
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 just a little shocked at how agency it was. The midsole felt a bit denser than its predecessor though they each use DNA Gold midsoles. The experience and the higher felt snug from the get go however I struggled to get a very good heel lockdown.
The forefoot rocker didn’t really feel as outstanding because the Hyperion Elite 4 PB however its carbon plate felt stiffer. The experience 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 sweet but it surely’s not excellent. Its higher materials has massive vents that simply make it one of the crucial breathable racing uppers available on the market. Its tongue isn’t gusseted but it surely’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 employ 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 return up larger.
It suits true to dimension but it surely has a forefoot and toe field that are on the slender facet so I can’t advocate it for vast footed runners. The laces really feel premium and are ribbed so that they keep tied throughout runs.
Brooks Hyperion Elite 5 Sole Unit
The Hyperion Elite 5 has a really conventional experience that jogs my memory of older technology tremendous racers just like the Vaporfly Subsequent% and the Saucony Endorphin Professional 1. It is because it doesn’t have a really squishy midsole or an excessive rocker like the brand new technology 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 as 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 happy with its efficiency but it surely didn’t amaze me. Through 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 power 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 delicate 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. You should 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. After 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 which you can 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 so that they have to save lots of weight one other approach.
Stability is without doubt one of the most important strengths of the Hyperion Elite 5. Its midsole doesn’t compress all that a lot so it has a supportive experience that doesn’t overwork my ankles and calves. My legs don’t really feel overwhelmed up after doing runs in it. It additionally handles simple runs higher than most racers attributable to how secure it’s.
The outsole can be effectively designed. The whole 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. Although model 5 is lighter, I desire 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 experience 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 Individuals selected to make use of the Hyperion Elite 4 PB as an alternative of the 5.
Model 5 looks like a earlier technology of racers and if you’re searching for a brand new racer to switch your Vaporfly Subsequent%, it is best to 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 Steadiness SC Elite v5 are a identical value and so they really feel sooner.