Brooks Hyperion 2 running shoes

The Brooks Hyperion 2 Running Shoe is a lightweight, fast, flexible running shoe that is best suited for shorter (15km max), fast runs, but is versatile, also comfortable at slower speeds. The midsole is significantly higher than in the previous version, but the weight of the shoe has been reduced rather than increased. This reduction was achieved by using a lighter upper, a different midsole material, and a different outsole. If you’re looking for a lightweight, fast running shoe without carbon plate for distances up to 15km, the Hyperion 2 could be a good choice. However, if you’re looking for a shoe for longer distances (marathon or longer), you should consider the Hyperion Max 2 or the Hyperion Elite 4.

Brooks Hyperion 2 upper

The upper of the Brooks Hyperion 2 Running Shoe is made of a lightweight mesh material with good breathability. The upper is clearly all about performance and less about comfort, and at first glance you can tell that this is a running shoe meant for racing. The upper fits true to size and has a narrow construction, so if you have a wider foot, you might want to buy a size larger than your foot size. The tongue of the shoe is thin and wide and is only gusseted in medial site of the foot. The heel collar is high and less cushioned, but the top of the heel collar is thinner and soft, so it does not bother the Achilles tendon. The upper locks the foot well and securely, making it suitable for fast running.

Brooks Hyperion 2 midsole

The midsole of the Brooks Hyperion 2 running shoe is made from a foam called DNA Flash v2, a bouncy, dynamic material with good energy return. DNA Flash v2 is a nitrogen injected EVA foam that is lighter, softer but not too soft, with better bounce thanks to nitrogen injection. Because the Hyperion 2 running shoe has no carbon plate, the midsole is very flexible, has very low torsional rigidity, which means it flexes and twists better. In today’s “high midsole based” world, the Brooks Hyperion 2 midsole is low, 34mm at the heel with a forefoot height of 26mm, which is 4mm higher than the previous version’s midsole height. The midsole is responsive, with a high ground feel in the shoe. Because the midsole is not high and the DNA Flash v2 foam is moderately soft, the midsole has good stability despite the Brooks Hyperion 2 being a neutral running shoe. If you want even more stability than that, there is a stable version of the shoe in the Brooks Hyperion GTS 2. The midsole perfectly delivers what it was designed for, suitable for fast shorter runs (max 15 km) without a carbon plate.

Brooks Hyperion 2 Outsole

The Brooks Hyperion 2 Running Shoe outsole is made with Brooks’ proprietary RoadTack rubber compound, which contains recycled silica for durability. The outsole only partially covers the midsole to keep the sole of the shoe flexible. The front of the outsole has a large layer of rubber that is lightened by a cutout. There is no outsole in the middle of the midsole, which makes the shoe more flexible roll-over. There is also an outsole on either side of the heel. In the back of the midsole, in the middle, there is a large cut-out, a valley, which improves torsional flexibility and also the stability of the shoe. The outsole has average durability, but the amount of wear depends on the weight of the runner and the running motion. The outsole supports fast running with good traction.

Summary

The Brooks Hyperion 2 is a lightweight, flexible running shoe that benefits most from fast, short runs. It doesn’t have a carbon plate, so it’s not stiff, but the midsole is dynamic enough for short, fast runs of up to 15 kilometers. It’s versatile, not just for fast runs, and comfortable at slower speeds. Good breathability, good stability and good outsole grip. It has changed a lot from the previous version, with a higher midfoot and a lighter sole. The new midsole is more flexible and has better shock absorption, so you can run longer distances on it than on its predecessor.