Brooks Hyperion Elite 4 running shoes

The Brooks Hyperion Elite 4 running shoe is a fast, lightweight running shoe that Brooks has designed for racing up to marathon distances. It’s changed a lot from the previous version, and it’s much improved in all areas. It’s lighter, faster, has better breathability, but its performance over marathon distances is lagging behind the super racing shoes of competing brands. The Hyperion Elite 4 is a very good and fast running shoe, but competing shoes at a similar price are more durable and better able to keep up with the pace over longer distances. That’s not to say you can’t run a fast marathon in them, it’s just that if you’re running 2 and a half to 3 hour marathons, you may not be able to improve on that result in this shoe if it’s just down to the shoe.

Brooks Hyperion Elite 4 upper

The upper of the Brooks Hyperion Elite 4 Running Shoe is made from a mesh material that is very lightweight, flexible with very good breathability. The mesh material has holes of varying sizes, large at the toes (I’ve only seen holes this large on the Vaporfly 3 running shoes), with denser, smaller holes where foot support is important. The tongue is a unique solution. It’s sewn to the upper on one side and free-standing on the other, so it can’t slip sideways. Simple but good solution. The tongue is also made from a mesh material with only minimal padding in the middle and top to protect it from the tightness of the laces. The heel collar is only minimally stiff and is surrounded by a narrow cushion strip inside to improve comfort. The upper of the Brooks Hyperion Elite 4 running shoe has a narrower cut, like the upper of most racing shoes, but the mesh material is stretchy and can stretch. The upper is comfortable for a shoe that is optimized for performance.

Brooks Hyperion Elite 4 Midsole

The Brooks Hyperion Elite 4 running shoe midsole is made of a nitrogen-injected foam called DNA Flash v2, which contains a curved carbon plate called SpeedVault Race+, which is not a complete plate but a grid, as you can see in the picture. The grid design lowers the weight of the carbon plate, but doesn’t lose any of its dynamism or stiffness. The DNA Flash v2 foam is an EVA foam, not Peba, which is what most competing brands have in their racing running shoes. EVA is less lightweight, less dynamic, less bouncy, less soft than Peba foam, so the Brooks Hyperion Elite 4 running shoe is not as endurance fast as competitive brand racing shoes. It’s important to add to the previous statement that this difference becomes apparent in longer races, and in runners who run a marathon in under 3 hours, faster than the 4 min/km average. For slower runners, or for fast training rather than racing, the Brooks Hyperion Elite 4 running shoe may be a good choice. DNA Flash v2 foam is stiffer than other Peba-based foams used in racing running shoes, so it’s less likely to compress on arrival and act as a spring on kick-off. The harder foam is more stable, however, despite the shoe’s narrow sole design, like most racing shoes, so if you’re looking for a more stable fast running shoe, the Brooks Hyperion Elite 4 might be a good choice. In addition to the improved stability, the EVA foam is also more durable than most Peba foams, so you can get more miles in the shoe before the foam starts to lose its flexibility and height. While it has a cradle-like rocker geometry in the midsole, it’s not as aggressive as in competitors’ racing shoes, so while it does have better and faster foot roll over compared to an everyday running shoe, it’s not enough for the racing shoe category.

Brooks Hyperion Elite 4 Outsole

The outsole of the Brooks Hyperion Elite 4 Running Shoe is articulated, with the same grid shape on the front of the shoe as the carbon plate in the midsole. Although the outsole is shaped and positioned like most race running shoes, it is much thicker and more durable than its competitors. The rubber compound in the outsole is made from a tougher than average rubber and is also thicker than average, making it more durable. Because the outsole has a deeply grooved pattern, the grip is not inferior to that of competing running shoe brands, even on wet surfaces.

Summary

Overall, the Brooks Hyperion Elite 4 running shoe has changed a lot from the previous version, and all of the changes are positive. While Brooks has done its best to make it better than its predecessor, it can’t offer the same as the racing running shoes from competing brands at similar price points. The shoe is good, but not for what Brooks intended it to be. The Hyperion Elite 4 is a stable and durable running shoe for fast workouts in its class. It features an innovative grid design carbon plate, a durable outsole, great upper breathability and comfort. The EVA foam in the midsole, however, can’t offer the same dynamism and springiness as the Peba foam found in most competitor’s racing shoes.