- Weight: 198g (M) 153g (W)
- Heel-To-Toe-Drop: 8mm
- Type: Road
- Price: £210
RW summary
‘A thrillingly quick but controlled ride.’
- full length carbon fibre plate
- 8mm heel drop is higher than many other performance shoes
- new, lighter midsole foam feels pleasingly bouncy
The majority of faster shoes tend to follow the template of narrow and streamlined. The Hyperion Elite is different. It has an 8mm heel drop which is high for a performance shoe, and the unisex last [the outline of the shoe] is surprisingly wide too. It features a full-length carbon plate and this – along with the hefty price tag, are a clear sign that it is intended as a competitor to the Nike Next%.
What everyone's reading
2mm outsole
US distance runner Des Linden won the 2018 Boston Marathon wearing a blacked out prototype of this shoe). It might look a little on the large side but Brooks has taken care to keep the weight to the minimum. It’s achieved this partly by offering an outsole that is just 2mm thick. While we anticipate that this will mean durability will be an issue, and that the shoe won’t get to the 500-mile mark, that doesn’t really matter since it’s not a shoe designed for everyday use in any case.
DNAZero midsole
As well as the carbon fibre plate Brooks has used a new midsole foam here, called DNAZero, which the brand says is 45% lighter than its signature Biomogo DNA. In conjunction with the plate it’s a strange mix of somehow wonderfully bouncy but also firm underfoot – which means our testers loved it on the run but a couple of them noted slightly beaten up calves afterwards.
Lightweight upper
Padding around the heel is minimal, which won’t be to everyone’s taste but it’s always a logical place to chop weight from. The fit at the back is snug and solid however. The mesh is extremely lightweight and made from 25% nylon which beefs it up somewhat and means your toes won’t come through despite the delicate appearance, and it won’t start to sag and bag before its time either.
Bust these out on race day for 5K to half marathon and watch that PB get obliterated.
