Brooks Hyperion Elite 5: Review After 100 km

➜ DNA GOLD foam: a 100% nitrogen-infused PEBA midsole and the most responsive foam Brooks has ever developed. It provides maximum energy return while reducing muscular impact. This is the star of the shoe.

➜ A completely redesigned geometry: an updated rocker, innovative midsole cutouts—the famous “bubbles” visible on the sides—and a reworked upper designed to remove all unnecessary weight. The result is a weight of 198 grams, 10 grams lighter than the previous model.

➜ SpeedVault+ carbon plate: a full-length Arris® carbon-fiber plate positioned between two layers of DNA GOLD foam. It provides bounce and the rigidity required for a dynamic stride and genuine propulsion.

➜ A minimalist TPU upper: in practical terms, there are more holes than material, but it is effective and visually attractive. It also features an integrated tongue and a highly fitted shape. This is clearly a race-day shoe.

➜ Maximum stack height: 40 mm under the heel, the maximum allowed by World Athletics, with an 8 mm drop.

Technical Specifications – BROOKS HYPERION ELITE 5

• Category: Carbon-plated racing shoe

• Use: Racing, from 5K to marathon

• Foam: DNA GOLD, 100% nitrogen-infused PEBA

• Carbon plate: SpeedVault+, Arris carbon fiber

• Upper: TPU

• Surface: Road

• Level: Recreational and experienced runners

• Weight: 198 g

• Stack height: 40 mm / 32 mm

• Drop: 8 mm

• Price: €275

• Similar models: ASICS Metaspeed Sky, adidas Adios Pro 4, Nike Vaporfly 4

➜ Clément: An experienced runner returning after a marathon and preparing for the Chambéry 10K, which I raced in this pair. In total, I covered 100 kilometers in the Brooks Hyperion Elite 5, mainly on the road but also on a few paths, during threshold sessions, VO2 max workouts and 10K-specific training.

I got my hands on the Hyperion Elite 5 only a few weeks before my spring marathon. I was extremely excited about the shoe. But it was already too late for the marathon: there was not enough time left to train in it properly before race day.

Perhaps that was a blessing in disguise…

After two months of testing, I think the Hyperion Elite 5 is an excellent shoe for 10K and half-marathon racing, but perhaps not the best marathon option for me. I will come back to that later in the article.

The shoe looks incredible. I love the mesh. There are more holes than actual material, the snakeskin effect looks stunning, and it genuinely feels like a true racing shoe when you hold it in your hands.

The colorway is beautiful, finished with the American brand’s logo, and the materials look highly technical.

Then there are the famous bubbles in the midsole, which may initially look surprising. An aesthetic decision? Perhaps. But the brand claims these cavities in the foam add an additional layer of compression around the midfoot.

And you can actually feel a slight difference.

Where there is less material, the foam compresses more. That makes sense, ultimately. And this is one of the most remarkable features of the foam: you can genuinely feel it compress beneath the foot before returning the energy generated through each stride.

I went with my usual size and experienced no issues.

Some runners have mentioned slight heel slippage, but personally, I felt perfectly locked into the shoe. The lacing system works well, with race-day-style laces, and there is additional foam padding around the heel.

The tongue, integrated into the upper, completely disappears on foot and follows the shape of the foot perfectly.

I have a relatively narrow foot, and the fit was ideal for me.

However, the forefoot fit is narrow, and runners with wider feet may find it too tight, especially because the mesh sits almost directly against the skin.

Runners with high-volume feet have been warned: trying the shoe on before purchasing is strongly recommended.

The first surprise is the comfort. The ride feels remarkable for a carbon-plated shoe. The new PEBA foam provides a very pleasant softness underfoot. I am used to slightly firmer foams, but I quickly adapted because running in the Hyperion Elite 5 is so comfortable.

There is plenty of response, you feel genuine muscular protection, and the shoe’s geometry propels you forward. It provides real assistance to the foot.

The shoe does not completely disappear, but it makes you feel secure and, above all, fast across a fairly wide range of paces. During threshold sessions, I was able to settle into cruising pace without difficulty, with a shoe that made me feel in control. It responded well during speed sessions too, but threshold pace and 10K-specific work were where it felt best. I found it less effective for sprints and very fast short intervals at 3,000-meter or even 5K pace. It remains a versatile model that can be used across all road-racing distances. The foam compression is impressive and delivers a highly enjoyable ride.

This Hyperion Elite 5 reminds me a lot of the legendary Nike Vaporfly 2. The shape, foam, mesh and overall ride share many similarities. Considering the enormous success of Nike’s model, that is a significant compliment.

I had the opportunity to push the shoe hard during the Chambéry 10K, and I really enjoyed it. I started a little too quickly and paid for it during the second half of the race, but the shoes helped me limit the damage. I even managed to pick up the pace again near the finish despite a difficult course. I was pleased to finish with a small personal best of 34:15. And above all, I was pleased with the shoes. The underfoot sensations were excellent: a foam that does its job and returns energy effectively, combined with genuinely impressive comfort for this type of model.

For a carbon-plated shoe with 40 mm of stack height, the Hyperion Elite 5 performs well. The foot is held securely and the landings feel controlled, even on gravel.

It is still worth noting that the midfoot is relatively narrow. Runners looking for maximum stability over longer distances will need to consider this. Personally, I experienced no issues during training sessions or races. However, I am not certain I would take this model all the way to the marathon distance.

Let me explain.

One of the things I love about the shoe is also one of its weaknesses: the extremely soft foam. It feels highly pleasant and comfortable, but my foot tends to sink slightly into the PEBA foam, and my stride does not feel as dynamic as it does with a firmer compound. I experience excellent muscular protection, but my foot collapses a little too much into the shoe, especially with fatigue and potentially because of the foam itself. It even triggered some mild posterior tibial discomfort. Nothing serious, but this sensation is also why I believe it may not be my ideal marathon shoe. Up to the half marathon, however, it checks every box.

There is nothing negative to report. In fact, durability is one of the shoe’s biggest strengths. I ran on trails, through parks and mostly on the road. After 100 kilometers, the shoe shows no visible signs of wear. None at all.

That is impressive because the foam on this type of shoe is often extremely fragile. Here, the outsole provides strong grip and, more importantly, protects the midsole effectively.

The foam has not lost any of its bounce, and even the exposed section in the center of the outsole is holding up well. I would clearly rank it above the average carbon-plated racing shoe in terms of durability. I think it could last a long time, perhaps 400 or even 500 kilometers.

For a supershoe at this price, that is serious performance.

It is difficult to imagine anything better. There are more holes than material in this upper, and it breathes extremely well.

In addition to looking beautiful, it does an excellent job of ventilating the foot.

Even in hot weather, I never felt that my foot was slipping or sweating excessively.

The Hyperion Elite 5 performs well here, but it is not yet top of the class. At 198 grams, it remains very light and is 10 grams lighter than the previous version. However, it is still far from the latest models approaching the 150-gram mark.

You can feel it underfoot, but in a positive way: you feel comfortable, protected and fast. Still, it does not completely disappear on foot.

Finally. Brooks finally has a competitive racer capable of challenging the best shoes on the market.

DNA GOLD foam delivers, and the Hyperion Elite 5 can clearly compete with models such as the ASICS Metaspeed Sky or adidas Adios Pro 4.

It is not yet in the same category as the most extreme models on the market, such as the ASICS Metaspeed Ray or PUMA Fast-R 3, but it now competes in the same division as the established benchmarks.

This is a model to choose for its responsiveness, particularly if you enjoy the sensation of a softer foam underfoot.

€275.

That was the announced launch price, making it one of the most expensive shoes on the market.

It is slightly overpriced, and we would have preferred a price closer to €250.

But today, almost all premium supershoes sit within this price range.

And if I focus purely on what it offers—low weight, high-quality PEBA foam, versatility and durability—the overall package remains relatively coherent.

Thanks to its durability, it is an ideal option for runners looking for one pair for both fast workouts and race day.

✔ Runners chasing personal bests from 5K to half marathon
✔ Runners looking for a carbon-plated shoe that is more durable than average for training and race day
✔ Runners who enjoy the soft sensation of PEBA foam underfoot
✔ Narrow-footed runners looking for a fitted race-day feel
✔ Brooks fans who have been waiting a long time for a reliable, genuine supershoe

Brooks has created its best carbon-plated shoe to date. It is a well-balanced, well-constructed model made with extremely high-quality materials and, above all, offering a very high level of performance for serious runners looking to break personal records from 5K to marathon.

The shoe performed excellently across a wide range of paces, particularly around threshold intensity. In competition, it even helped me achieve a new 10K personal best. It is difficult to ask for much more.

There are not many negatives to highlight with this model. DNA GOLD foam is outstanding, although it may feel too soft for some runners. That is not necessarily a weakness, but rather a matter of personal preference.

Strengths
✔ Remarkable comfort for a carbon-plated shoe
✔ Protective and highly responsive DNA GOLD foam
✔ Above-average durability for a carbon-plated racer
✔ Versatile from 5K to marathon

Weaknesses
✘ Soft foam that will not suit everyone
✘ High €275 price, although older colorways may be available for less
✘ Not yet among the lightest supershoes on the market

The Hyperion Elite 5 confirms Brooks’ growing strength in the performance market. The American brand has finally created a complete racing shoe: comfortable, durable and equipped with DNA GOLD foam that now has little to envy from the market leaders. Brooks is no longer watching from the sidelines in the supershoe race. The American company has closed the gap, and the best may still be ahead. The new Hyperion Elite 6 has already been spotted on the feet of the brand’s elite athletes during the Boston Marathon last April. Another potential hit is on the way… Until then, the Hyperion Elite 5 clearly deserves a place on your next starting line.