Brooks Hyperion Elite 5 Introduction
When it involves operating shoe expertise, Brooks is generally a follower slightly than a trendsetter. Nike, Puma, New Balance, Saucony and even Skechers began utilizing supercritical midsole foams years earlier than Brooks joined in on the enjoyable.
Brooks’ first progressive 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 operating shoe up to now.
DNA Loft V3 then trickled into the Glycerin 20 in 2022. Brooks was additionally late to the celebration 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 will not be fairly there but.
Even although the Brooks R&D division is a bit sluggish, their athlete recruitment is superb. At the 2025 World Athletics Championships, that they had 4 Brooks athletes (3 ladies and 1 man) symbolize workforce 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 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 worth has risen considerably by $25 and it now prices $275.
Testing Details
- 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 shocked 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 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 trip that it jogged my memory of was the Nike Vaporfly Next% 2. The Hyperion Elite 5 felt much more secure and had a extra comfy higher than the Vaporfly.
Brooks Hyperion Elite 5 Upper
The Hyperion Elite 5’s higher is sweet however it’s not excellent. Its higher materials has massive vents that simply make it one of the crucial breathable racing uppers in the marketplace. Its tongue will not be gusseted however it’s connected on one finish so there isn’t any tongue slide.
Heel lockdown will not be nice however there isn’t any heel slippage offered you utilize a runner’s knot. It feels free 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 dimension however it has a forefoot and toe field that are on the slender aspect so I can’t suggest it for broad 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 Next% and the Saucony Endorphin Pro 1. This is as a result of it doesn’t have a really squishy midsole or an excessive rocker like the brand new era tremendous racers have.
The 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 however it didn’t amaze me. During 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 lack 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. You have to have actually highly effective toe offs to interact the stiff plate within the Hyperion Elite 5.
It feels greatest once I’m doing threshold runs or quick exercises like intervals. When 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. Anything slower, and I can’t push by way of 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 may see on the medial and lateral sides of the midsole. During runs, I don’t discover any efficiency enhancements from the cutouts and it’s only a manner 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 manner.
Stability is among the essential 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 overwhelmed up after doing runs in it. It additionally handles simple runs higher than most racers resulting from how secure it’s.
The outsole can be effectively designed. The 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. Version 5 is a bit too agency and it lacks some bounce. Even although model 5 is lighter, I want 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. In the World Championships in Tokyo, 2 out of the 4 Brooks sponsored Americans selected to make use of the Hyperion Elite 4 PB as an alternative of the 5.
Version 5 seems like a earlier era of racers and if you’re in search of a brand new racer to exchange your Vaporfly Next%, it is best to get the Hyperion Elite 5.
I believe the Hyperion Elite 5 is closely overpriced. It needs to be priced nearer to the Nike Vaporfly 4, Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 and (*5*)Puma Deviate Elite 3.
It positively doesn’t really feel like a $275 racer. The ASICS Metaspeed Edge Tokyo and the New Balance SC Elite v5 are a identical worth they usually really feel sooner.