Race shoes are getting lighter. The 200g mark is now a heavyweight of the world. Several brands are now claiming sub 100g shoes for race day in the marathon. TYR are not one of those, yet, but they have just released the 150g Valkyrie Elite 2 which is a serious contender against some of the big boys on the market.
The original Valkyrie Elite was a decent if not mind-blowing shoe. The v2 has a new midsole material, refreshed geometry and a new upper. Well, let’s face it, outside of the name, it has very little to do with the first iteration. Most strikingly, the shoe has lost around a third of its weight. From 220g to 150g. It seems that the shoes as well as the celebrities have been hitting the GLP-1s.
Lightweight and fancy is all very well and good but it matters not if the shoe doesn’t perform on the pavement. Have the brand catapulted themselves to the pinnacle of the race day peak? Let’s find out.
Upper and Fit of the TYR Valkyrie Elite v2
What works for me
I have had some real issues with race shoe uppers over the past while. My rack contains many a pair with more blood than miles in them. So, as ever, when I opened the box, I was a little nervous to lace them up and take them out. My hopes were raised by the addition of the lycra-like fabric at the top of the heel cup. No sharp edges or seams there. While this boosted my confidence, the size on the box gave me a little worry. Half a size down from my usual. Thankfully, slipping them on foot showed that sizing wasn’t an issue here. That said, I would probably go true to size as the fit is as expected for a shoe half a size down from my usual.
The step in comfort is very good. The upper hugs the foot. And, as mentioned before, there are no sharp edges to be found. The pearlescent, diaphanous upper is a snug fit, as one would expect from a racer. But, it does have some give to it around the widest part of my foot. Along with this, the unstructured heel cup is capped by the aforementioned stretchy, soft cover. All in all, this means that the lockdown is excellent. This is a real improvement on the upper of the first version which caused a lot of complaints. The SPDWEAVE is not only pretty, but it performs well too.
My most recent session in them was a very sweaty hill rep grind. While the rest of me was absolutely dripping, my feet remained cool and collected. There is even some reinforcement around the toecap which came in handy to deflect a few errant rocks from our poorly maintained roads. That said, I probably wouldn’t pick them for protection on a particularly rocky alpine trail.
The lace chain is fairly standard and has the ubiquitous serrated laces to hold things together. They have never let me down and have enough length to tie a runner’s knot. The tongue underneath them is neither gusseted nor particularly padded. Although, that really makes no difference. The padding there removes any lace bite from the top of the foot and it has always laid flat when lacing up.
Light, breathable and secure. I’m not sure what else you could really want from a raceday upper. It is also probably the most durable part of the shoe, I have managed to scrape it on a few kerbs and the sides of potholes but it has survived unscathed.
What doesn’t work for me
For the first time in a while when reviewing a raceday upper, I can’t really put much here. As always, people with outlying feet in terms of width or volume may find a different experience. However, the majority will find a very good, stripped back upper.
Midsole and Ride of the TYR Valkyrie Elite v2
What works for me
HYPERLAUNCH is a very lightweight, uncompressed A-TPU foam. While it lasts, it is a very enjoyable ride. The energy return is wonderful and the geometry of foam and plate gives a wonderfully aggressive ride. Some of my fellow testers have found the shoe a little too aggressive for their tastes. On my feet, the Valkyrie Elite 2 gels really well with my footstrike. As Thys says in his quick review on YouTube, it is a forefoot striker’s best pal.
The rocker and toe off are fantastic and the extended carbon fibre plate which extends beyond the toecap really help to roll you forwards and pop you off the tarmac. When you are pushing the pace, it really does excel and while your mechanics stay strong, it will work like an absolute rocket.
I have used it for a variety of distances, paces and sessions. It has, every time, had me running faster than my fitness should allow. It hasn’t improved my endurance by much, sadly, but the turnover, lightness and mechanical assistance have made reaching faster paces a joy. Part of me wants to lock them away in a cupboard until I am in proper race shape as I think I could run some pretty good times in them.
This is a shoe which is built for outright PB assaults. While other companies are making ever more democratic race shoes, TYR have decided to create a tool for those looking to push the envelope. The ride is fun, wild and fast. What it is not is forgiving, but more of that later.
Protection is also good, the supercritical A-TPU foam will soak up the miles and keep you feeling fresh by the end. Whether your ankles feel the same depends on your biomechanics.
What doesn’t work for me
Most of the issues which people will have with the Valkyire Elite 2 are features not bugs. This is a shoe which is designed for fresh legs and fast running. If you are up on your toes and your mechanics are strong, you will fly. When you find your form breaking down and you are looking for some support, the Valkyrie Elite is not it. Living up to its name, it will be better at carrying you to Valhalla than the finish line.
Same goes for people who have stability needs, the supercritical HYPERLAUNCH foam doesn’t really offer much of that. If you are a heel striker with stability needs, just keep looking elsewhere, this is not the shoe for you.
The longevity of the midsole is also something which I remain to see fully. Even after 70km, there are some rather large dents and divots where the bottom layer of foam has collapsed. Being so uncompressed, the lifespan may be limited particularly if you are a heavier runner. That said, many other A-TPU soled shoes experience this and still go on to have a decent lifespan. The Fast-R 3, for example, has a similar bottom layer deterioration but can continue to run well.
This is very much a shoe which is dependent on the strength of your ankles, biomechanics and turnover. It is not a shoe for everyone but not everything has to be for everyone or the world gets bland. If you are a forefoot striker who has high turnover and appreciates an aggressive ride, this will excel for you. Those who have wobblier ankles, strike further back or have issues with the posterior chain, may find it a nightmare.
Outsole of the TYR Valkyrie Elite v2
Grip and Traction
This is an area which hasn’t given me any concern in my testing so far. While it may look like it has been cut by an overzealous knifeman, the TYRTAC holds well. From slippery concrete on a hill session to some dew covered grass for a dawn blast, it has never let me down. While the foam has started to collapse at points, the rubber is holding strong.
Meanwhile, the heel has very little rubber. One capital D shaped section on the lateral side and a small pad on the medial side. This may lead to earlier foam decay for those who rely more on the back end of the shoe to cushion their landing.
Durability
This is the biggest issue that I can imagine with the Valkyrie Elite 2. At nearly $2 a gram, the eventual price per mile will be probably a lot higher than many other shoes in your rack. Uncompressed and soft foams will compress and lose their life more rapidly than some denser materials on the market. But, this is not a shoe for every day, this is a shoe to get out of the cupboard for those days when it is all or nothing on the line and you want something for a fast time, not a long time.
Conclusion
Value for Money
As ever, this is a very subjective section. At $280, it sits comfortable alongside its peers on the price scale so it is not an outlier like the Pro Evo. The value comes from the performance gains rather than any great versatility or durability. If you are looking for something to push you to your very best, this may be a good value shoe for you. If you are looking for something supportive, versatile and usable every day, your $280 will be better spent elsewhere.
Fitting it into a shoe rotation
This won’t be a long section. It is a fast, light and aggressive race shoe. Race days or fast sessions only.
Final Verdict
This is a shoe which lives up to its name. Like the Valkyries of mythology, it is a shoe to take you to death or glory. It is for the rough and tumble of race day on the edge of your performance. While the upper is friendly and foot hugging, the geometry and foam make it a brutal battle weapon.
If you have the biomechanics to make the most of the Valkyrie Elite, then it is an excellent shoe which offers a fantastic level of energy return and a really noticeable mechanical advantage. If you are looking for something forgiving, comforting and supportive, keep on moving.
Comparisons Against Similar Shoes
New Balance SC Elite v6 vs. New Balance SC Elite v5
Like day and night. The SC Elite v5 delivers a more stable, protective, and cushioned ride than v6. The v6 is lighter, snappier, and offers a more direct, connected feel. The v5 features a more structured upper and outsole, complementing its more substantial overall character.
TYR Valkyrie Elite 2 vs. Brooks Hyperion Elite 6
The TYR is much lighter, far more aggressive and, from my experience, more comfortable. As far as the ride goes, the Hyperion Elite 6 is by far the best Brooks racing shoe so far. It is also a far more forgiving and democratic shoe which will suit a far wider range of runners. The TYR is probably going to be faster when you are in the best form but it will not be as reliable or supportive as the Brooks in those later, weaker miles.
TYR Valkyrie Elite Quick Questions
How should I use the TYR Valkyrie Elite 2?
For very fast racing when your legs are fresh and ready for battle.
Is the TYR Valkyrie Elite 2 a good shoe for long runs?
It offers protection and energy return which make the longer runs whizz by but it won’t be much use when your stride starts to break down with tiredness.
Is the TYR Valkyrie Elite 2 a good shoe for fast sessions?
Yes it is. The energy return and extended carbon plate make the shoe fly.
Is the TYR Valkyrie Elite 2 a shoe for daily training?
No sir. This is not a shoe for daily training. It is far too aggressive and unstable for that kind of malarky.
Can I wear the TYR Valkyrie Elite 2 as a lifestyle shoe?
While the upper is very shiny and pretty, it probably isn’t the ideal lifestyle shoe.
Is the TYR Valkyrie Elite 2 suitable for all terrains?
I have used this on grass, light gravel and pavement. I wouldn’t take it to anything truly unfriendly though.
Is the TYR Valkyrie Elite 2 a good shoe for racing?
Yes, it is a race-bred next generation hypershoe. It is solely for racing and racing fast.
Is the TYR Valkyrie Elite 2 a good shoe for stability?
Can I just put a laughing emoji here? No, no it isn’t.
