The Brooks Hyperion Elite 4 is essentially the most spectacular racing shoe Brooks has launched thus far and an enchancment on the underwhelming Hyperon Elite 3. But it nonetheless suffers as compared with the finest carbon plate trainers from different manufacturers.
That is largely all the way down to its midsole foam, which lacks the bouncy, propulsive feeling you get from sneakers just like the Nike Vaporfly and others. The Hyperion Elite 4 is a quick shoe and extra secure than another super-shoes, but it surely’s not as quick—and it’s too costly contemplating the efficiency it delivers.
Brooks Hyperion Elite 4: Value And Availability
The Brooks Hyperion Elite 4 launched in January 2024 and prices $250 within the US and £220 within the UK. It’s on the cheaper finish of the dimensions for carbon plate racing sneakers, however nonetheless costly, and the worth has gone up £30 within the UK in contrast with the Brooks Hyperion Elite 3.
How I Examined This Operating Shoe
I ran 33 miles within the Hyperion Elite 4, utilizing it for 2 development runs and a observe session throughout my marathon coaching. I’ve examined the previous three variations of the Hyperion Elite, together with virtually all of the carbon plate trainers launched by main manufacturers previously few years.
Design And Match
Given the shortcomings of the Hyperion Elite 3, I hoped for a serious replace to the design, together with a brand new midsole foam. Brooks has obliged on the latter, however solely with an up to date model of its nitrogen-infused EVA DNA Flash foam, fairly than bringing in a Peba-based foam like these utilized in most carbon racers.
The DNA Flash v2 foam is lighter and softer than the froth used on earlier variations of the shoe, and the Elite 4 is so much lighter than the Elite 3 basically. The brand new shoe weighs 7.9oz/224g in a UK dimension 8.5, whereas the Elite 3 was 8.8oz/249g in a UK 9.
A few of that drop in weight is as a result of new higher. As a substitute of the chunky knit used on the Elite 3, the Elite 4 has a breathable woven higher that holds the foot properly throughout quick runs. I used a shoe that’s half a dimension smaller than my normal UK dimension as a result of I’m usually in between a UK 8.5 and a 9, and Brooks sneakers usually come up a bit lengthy for me. I’d say utilizing your normal dimension will probably be wonderful for many runners, however in case you’re between sizes I’d go for the smaller one.
An Arris carbon plate runs via the midsole. This has an open lattice design and provides extra stiffness to the already pretty agency DNA Flash v2 midsole. There’s a massive cut-out on the underside of the midsole to scale back weight. The stack top is 40mm on the heel and 32mm on the forefoot for a drop of 8mm, which is a 5mm rise in stack top on the Hyperion Elite 3.
As with most carbon sneakers, the outsole protection is minimal to assist maintain the load down. A lot of the forefoot is roofed, although there are gaps within the rubber. I discovered the shoe gripped properly in moist circumstances.
Operating Efficiency
Brooks was one of many first manufacturers to launch a carbon plate shoe with its Hyperion Elite, which was agency, a little bit of a catastrophe and rapidly adopted by the Hyperion Elite 2. This was shoe on the time, with its light-weight DNA Flash midsole that delivered a quick experience, and although it didn’t match the Nike Vaporfly it was nonetheless a viable racing possibility.
Since then, nonetheless, virtually each different main model has adopted an analogous fashion of carbon shoe, with a excessive stack of a springy Peba-based foam. As a substitute of doing this, Brooks simply modified the higher on the Hyperion Elite 3, which made it a heavier and fewer efficient racing shoe than the Elite 2.
The Hyperion Elite 4 is an enchancment, however as a result of Brooks has caught with an nitrogen-infused EVA foam the experience nonetheless lacks the bouncy, propulsive feeling you get from different carbon sneakers, in addition to their consolation ranges. By the tip of 10-mile runs the experience had began to really feel too agency, and I wouldn’t contemplate the Elite 4 a marathon racing possibility for most individuals.
It’s a gentle and quick shoe, and once I did a observe session working three units of 2K after which 5 x 400m reps, the Elite 4 felt fairly good. The firmer foam is much less noticeable on a observe and helps to maintain turning your toes over at quick paces on quick reps. Whereas it’s not going to cease you working quick, the shortage of punch is noticeable in contrast with the most effective carbon sneakers. Operating within the Hyperion Elite 4 is more durable on the legs than in softer, springier sneakers. It additionally feels more durable to maintain quick paces over longer distances. If you happen to’re spending this sort of cash on a plated super-shoe that helps you run extra effectively, and thus quicker, you merely gained’t get the identical degree of profit from the Elite 4 as you’ll from different sneakers.
One benefit of the firmer foam is that the Hyperion Elite 4 is extra secure than most super-shoes and I’d count on it to be extra sturdy. You should use the Hyperion Elite 4 extra often in coaching consequently, and it is likely to be a racing possibility for some who’ve discovered softer super-shoes too wobbly.
Is The Brooks Hyperion Elite 4 Value It?
The Brooks Hyperion Elite 4 is a quick shoe and the finest Brooks working shoe for racing, but it surely doesn’t attain the requirements set by different manufacturers’ carbon sneakers. It’s across the similar value as wonderful racing sneakers just like the Nike Vaporfly 3, Saucony Endorphin Professional 4 and Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris, and easily doesn’t ship as quick and propulsive a experience as these sneakers.
I charge the Elite 4 extra consistent with the most effective super-trainers, just like the Saucony Endorphin Pace 4 or Adidas Adizero Boston 12. It feels a bit quicker than them, but it surely’s dearer. Till Brooks updates the midsole foam to make use of a extra dynamic materials, it’s onerous to see the Hyperion Elite line competing with the most effective racers.
