Brooks Hyperion Elite 5 Introduction
In the case of operating shoe know-how, Brooks is generally a follower moderately 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 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 not like another Brooks coach. It’s nonetheless my favorite Brooks operating shoe thus far.
DNA Loft V3 then trickled into the Glycerin 20 in 2022. Brooks was additionally late to the get together with PEBA. Their Hyperion Elite 4 PB solely obtained PEBA in 2023 they usually had 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 just isn’t fairly there but.
Despite the fact that the Brooks R&D division is a bit gradual, their athlete recruitment is great. On the 2025 World Athletics Championships, that they had 4 Brooks athletes (3 ladies and 1 man) characterize workforce USA and compete within the marathon. Susanna Sullivan completed 4th within the ladies’s race within the Hyperion Elite 4 PB. This exhibits that Brooks now has official, 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 worth 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 monitor 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 a bit stunned at how agency it was. The midsole felt a bit denser than its predecessor although they each use DNA Gold midsoles. The experience and the higher felt comfy from the get go however I struggled to get a great heel lockdown.
The forefoot rocker didn’t really feel as distinguished 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 comfy higher than the Vaporfly.
Brooks Hyperion Elite 5 Higher
The Hyperion Elite 5’s higher is nice nevertheless it’s not good. Its higher materials has giant vents that simply make it one of the crucial breathable racing uppers in the marketplace. Its tongue just isn’t gusseted nevertheless it’s connected on one finish so there isn’t any tongue slide.
Heel lockdown just isn’t nice however there isn’t any heel slippage supplied 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 come back up increased.
It suits true to dimension nevertheless it has a forefoot and toe field that are on the slender aspect so I can’t suggest it for huge 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’s 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 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 nevertheless 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 shortage of effectivity is especially as a result of 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. That you must have actually highly effective toe offs to interact the stiff plate within the Hyperion Elite 5.
It feels finest after I’m doing threshold runs or quick exercises like intervals. Once I’m going quicker 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 characteristic of the Hyperion Elite 5 is the midfoot orb cutout that you could 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 means for them to cut back weight. There’s no cavity on the outsole like in earlier variations so that they have to save lots of weight one other means.
Stability is likely one of the principal 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 as a result of how secure it’s.
The outsole can be nicely designed. Your complete 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 a good 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. Despite the fact that model 5 is lighter, I choose the 4 PB’s geometry- it feels quicker 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 People 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 in case you are searching for a brand new racer to exchange 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 positively doesn’t really feel like a $275 racer. The ASICS Metaspeed Edge Tokyo and the New Stability SC Elite v5 are a similar worth they usually really feel quicker.
