Brooks Hyperion Elite 5 Review: Big Bouncy Bubbles

Brooks is known for super comfortable shoes which suit the majority of runners. However, until recently, their racing and uptempo shoes have lacked a little bit of pop and panache. Earlier this year, Brooks released the Hyperion Elite 4 PB. This was a remix of their previous super shoe with a PEBA midsole. Flash forward to today and we have the Hyperion Elite 5. Whilst the 4 saw a big change to materials but none to design, the Hyperion Elite 5 throws everything out and brings us a whole new language. 

Are the Missile Bubbles there for show or do they really make a difference?

Upper and Fit of the Brooks Hyperion Elite 5

What works for me

My first thought when getting the Hyperion Elite 5 out of the box was that it felt very much like one of those shower scrubbers. Now, I don’t mean this in a derogatory way. It was just a very similar feel in hand. When this was translated to the foot, I found a soft, breathable mesh which wraps the foot very well and holds firm when the laces are pulled tight. As with the Hyperion Max 3, it did take me a couple of runs to really dial in the lacing. That said, once I had it figured out, they have been super comfortable. Although, if you are a person with a high volume or particularly wide foot, this comfort may be less evident. The volume of the toe box does feel a little compressed compared to the Hyperion Elite 4. 

The tongue, which is attached only on the medial side, also helps wrap the foot and hold it tight. This works in synergy with the collar of foam around the heel to give that snug, secure race day fit we are all looking for. Another positive of the Hyperion Elite 5 upper is the breathability. As soon as you set eyes on the upper, you will note that there is more hole than material. Even on days pushing 30 degrees C with 80%+ humidity, my feet have stayed comfortable even if the rest of me hasn’t.

Finally, and I know it isn’t the most important part of the upper, I really enjoy the colour of the version I received. It has a real Ford GT40 feel to it. If you are going to run fast, you might as well look fast. This paint job is certainly an inspiration to do that.

What doesn’t work for me

Aside from my initial issues of lacing the shoe well for my feet, I have no real issues with the upper. It does what a racing upper should and feels good while doing it. As mentioned above, people with wide or high volume feet may be wise to try before they buy. Other than that, it’s what you would expect from a Brooks upper.

Midsole and Ride of the Brooks Hyperion Elite 5

What works for me

I was lucky enough to run the Barcelona Half Marathon in the Brooks Hyperion Elite 4 PB. In fact, Alex set a PB with that shoe. The midsole worked there. The geometry gave good toe off and the foam added the energy return which the regular flavour Elite 4 was missing. Looking to today, the Hyperion Elite 5 is a totally new design. That said, it works really well for me. During my testing time in the shoe so far, I have used it for a range of training sessions on track and road. It has also become my trusty race shoe for the local road relay series. As part of its role there, it has even proven worthy as a trail racer. (Not recommended for technical or tricky stuff though,  I don’t want Theo and Esther getting mad at me!) 

It is certainly soft, I personally think that it is softer underfoot than the Elite 4 PB. While I found that offered the same sort of bounce as a rubber ball, I feel that this has more of a compression and release to it. It pops off the surface well and does a great job of protecting the legs. For me, the midsole is up there with the best of the rest. The SPEEDVAULT+ plate is fully hidden in the foam but makes its presence known when you push power through the shoe. 

So far, the midsole has shown some excellent durability. I have nearly 100km in them and they are still feeling fresh. Finally, we come to the bubbles. Aesthetic or performance based? At first, I was under the impression that it was for looks only. However, after my time so far in the Hyperion Max 5, I think that it does add an extra layer of softness and compression to the midfoot strike. It’s logical isn’t it? If there is no material there, it will compress more than  where there is. 

Overall, the ride is fast, responsive and comfortable. After a race or session, the DNA Gold has done enough to protect the legs to go again with no detriment.

What doesn’t work for me

Perhaps not performance based but it is slightly worrying, when I am walking in the shoe, there  is a real crack. I have not managed to locate the source, the plate feels intact. There is no obvious damage. But, when mooching around the place, its a distinct and loud cracking noise. Strangely, it does not occur when running fast. Perhaps I just have a strange pair. 

My biggest hesitation about the midsole is that I am not sure I would want to run a full marathon in the Hyperion Elite 5. Whilst it has proven excellent on runs up to half marathon (and a touch more) distance, that’s when I start to feel the cushion coming to an end. The low plate position mixed with my very forefoot strike means that I don’t make the most of the DNA Gold foam and am always striking on the thinnest part of the shoe. However, that is a very personal problem and I am sure those with a mid to heel strike will thoroughly enjoy the ride.

Outsole of the Brooks Hyperion Elite 5

Grip and Traction

The grip and traction of the outsole has been excellent so far. From road to gravel, it has kept me upright at my fastest paces. The full coverage on the forefoot means that no matter where you strike, the power you push through the shoe will be translated to pace at the key moments. Damp pavements have proven no issue for the rubber either. Heel strikers will find a crash pad on either side of the foam.

Durability

Despite the large expanse of exposed midsole foam in the middle of the shoe, I have found very little degradation. A little  of the orange paint has chipped off but it has been run hard over rocks and gravel. I can see no real wear in my high strike zones and only a couple of small punctures in the foam from sharp rocks. As with the majority of Brooks shoes, I would imagine the durability to be high. After 100km or so, I have no concerns at all.

Conclusion

Value for Money

As with all carbon plated race day shoes, value for money is subjective. At €275, they are a costly investment. That said, what price speed? On the plus side, Brooks have made a durable race day shoe which will last a lot more than a single marathon. The upper is made well and, if my Hyperion Elite 4 PB are anything to go by, will last a good while. The Hyperion Elite 5 is versatile enough for races and training sessions which is helped by the durability. 

Do we always need the latest version of a shoe? Probably not. However, in this case, if you are looking to make an investment, they are Brooks’ best race day shoes so far. That certainly adds to their value.

Fitting it into a shoe rotation

The Hyperion Elite 5 is a carbon plated race shoe. As such, it’s for those days when you want to go fast. While you could use it for all your running, it is probably not to be advised. Races and workouts are where this shoe shines and where it is rightly positioned on the market.

Final Verdict

This is Brooks’ best race day shoe yet, in my opinion. The redesigned midsole offers the ability to push top end speed as well as cruising at marathon paces. On top, the upper does everything you could need from a race shoe. Meanwhile, the fun factor is highly present which is something that can’t always be said for Brooks’ speed shoes. This definitely moves into the upper echelons of race shoes where personal preference becomes important.

While it may not be as aggressive as some, it certainly offers comfort over whichever distance you race. Midfoot and heel strikers will probably benefit from the softness and snappy heel to toe transfer. It is a very good effort from the Seattle shoesmiths and really puts it alongside its more seasoned rivals.

Comparisons Against Similar Shoes

Brooks Hyperion Elite 5 vs Brooks Hyperion Elite 4

For me, this is a no contest. The midsole foam in the Elite 4 is just not what I wanted from a top line racing shoe. The DNA Gold in the Hyperion Elite 5 puts it miles clear in terms of response and energy return. On the track, I enjoyed the toe off feel of  the Hyperion Elite 4 but on the roads, the foam made it a real brick for me. Chalk up the win to modernity.

Brooks Hyperion Elite 5 vs Brooks Hyperion Elite 4 PB

This is a lot closer and comes down to personal taste. The Hyperion Elite 4 PB was a lot bouncier and more fun than its predecessor but I found that my ankles really felt the instability afterwards. It retained the toe off joy from the regular 4 and is a very good midsole. The 5 changes the geometry and loses maybe a little aggression. For me, the 5 takes the win but personal preference comes into play here. 

Brooks Hyperion Elite 5 vs Nike Vaporfly 4

Both race shoes with a lower slung carbon plate. However, the Vaporfly 4 is already available at some pretty steep discounts. That said, both are shoes which have a more friendly feel when compared to some of their more extreme rivals. The Hyperion Elite 5 probably suits those with a heel strike more than the Vaporfly and I also find it softer in the forefoot. I can’t really give a winner here as they have both been trusty race shoes for me this year and their use has really only been separated by what I felt like wearing at the time.