Brooks Hyperion Elite 5 Introduction
Relating to operating shoe expertise, Brooks is often a follower slightly 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 in contrast to some other 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 social gathering with PEBA. Their Hyperion Elite 4 PB solely obtained 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 is just not fairly there but.
Though the Brooks R&D division is a bit gradual, their athlete recruitment is superb. On the 2025 World Athletics Championships, that they had 4 Brooks athletes (3 ladies and 1 man) signify 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 authentic, 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 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 slightly 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 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 snug higher than the Vaporfly.
Brooks Hyperion Elite 5 Higher
The Hyperion Elite 5’s higher is sweet but it surely’s not good. Its higher materials has giant vents that simply make it one of the crucial breathable racing uppers available on the market. Its tongue is just not gusseted but it surely’s connected on one finish so there isn’t any tongue slide.
Heel lockdown is just not 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 return up greater.
It matches true to measurement but it surely has a forefoot and toe field that are on the slim aspect so I can’t advocate it for extensive 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 in a position to 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 because of the comparatively low toe spring and gentle forefoot rocker. Its forefoot doesn’t pace up transitions as a lot as racers just like the Metaspeed Edge Tokyo, Alphafly 3 and SC Elite v5. It’s good to have actually highly effective toe offs to have interaction 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 pace 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 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 among the essential 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 also 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 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. Though model 5 is lighter, I want 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 appears like a earlier technology of racers and in case you are on the lookout for a brand new racer to interchange your Vaporfly Subsequent%, 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 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 and so they really feel quicker.
