{"id":45361,"date":"2024-02-28T04:53:26","date_gmt":"2024-02-28T09:53:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.runningshoesguru.com\/?post_type=reviews_road&p=45361"},"modified":"2024-02-28T05:12:22","modified_gmt":"2024-02-28T10:12:22","slug":"brooks-hyperion-elite-4-review","status":"publish","type":"reviews_road","link":"https:\/\/www.runningshoesguru.com\/reviews\/road\/brooks-hyperion-elite-4-review\/","title":"Brooks Hyperion Elite 4 Review","author":95,"featured_media":45370,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"brands":[53],"shoes_type":[259,781],"shoes_family":[],"_stcr@_rolfkleinfeld@hotmail.com":null,"review_3_website_name":null,"test_trail":null,"_test_trail":null,"usd":null,"_usd":null,"aud":null,"_aud":null,"cad":null,"_cad":null,"gbp":null,"_gbp":null,"eur":null,"_eur":null,"shoe_brand":null,"_shoe_brand":null,"shoe_name":null,"pros":"4","cons":"3","verdict":"The Brooks Hyperion Elite is an average racer with a premium price but it feels more like a speed trainer. It doesn\u2019t feel as propulsive or energetic as other super shoes due to its dense EVA midsole and its lack of a prominent rocker, however it has one of the best executed racing uppers to date. The Hyperion Elite 4 also has the best durability of any super shoe. \r\n\r\n","weight":null,"heel":null,"toe":null,"heeldrop":null,"reccomended_for":null,"rrp":null,"review":null,"keywords":"Brooks Hyperion Elite 4, Brooks running shoes review, best Brooks running shoes, Racer running shoes,","description":"The Brooks Hyperion Elite is an average racer with a premium price but it feels more like a speed trainer. It doesn\u2019t feel as propulsive or energetic as other super shoes due to its dense EVA midsole and its lack of a prominent rocker, however it has one of the best executed racing uppers to date. The Hyperion Elite 4 also has the best durability of any super shoe. \r\n\r\n","professional_image":"45385","_professional_image":"field_5d9574dae3414","usage":["speedwork"],"_usage":"field_5943593f1d1c2","rsg_subtitle":null,"subtitle":null,"_subtitle":null,"introduction":"[caption id=\"attachment_45376\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1280\"]\"Picture<\/span>[\/caption]\r\n\r\nBrooks has become a brand known for their excellent uppers. Their meticulously crafted uppers have the perfect fit while exuding plushness and comfort in spades. Their uppers are so good in fact that they carry the rest of the shoe. \r\n\r\nBrooks\u2019 most famous daily trainers, the Ghost<\/a>, Glycerin<\/a> and Adrenaline<\/a> models form the backbone of their business. They all have excellent uppers with mediocre midsoles. By mediocre, I mean firm, flat and dull. \r\n\r\nOn the racing front, they have neglected their long-distance racers and are not a force to be reckoned with when it comes to super shoes. With racers, you can\u2019t get away with having a great upper but an average midsole. At the starting line of races, the only runners using the Hyperion Elite are Brooks sponsored athletes. \r\n\r\nThis is my first time testing the Hyperion Elite. Brooks racing shoes have never gotten my heart racing, mainly because of the dated midsole foams they\u2019ve been using in it. Even though they\u2019ve been using the best foams they have, they can\u2019t compete with the foams from other brands which are made from PEBA: a lightweight, high energy returning foam. \r\n\r\nBrooks is not a small company and even newcomers to the super shoe category like Decathlon<\/a> are using PEBA in their racing shoes so there\u2019s no excuse for Brooks. \r\n\r\nRecently, there\u2019s been a shift at Brooks though<\/strong>. They launched the Ghost Max<\/a> last year, a modernised version of their most popular trainer. They also upgraded the Glycerin to a Nitrogen injected EVA midsole and the Ghost 16 and Ghost Max 2 will get the same foam<\/strong>. The Hyperion Elite 4 gets the brand new DNA Flash v2 foam. \r\n\r\nThe Elite is the long-distance racer in the Hyperion road range. There\u2019s also the Hyperion Max (maximalist speed trainer), the Hyperion (lightweight speed trainer) and the Hyperion GTS (supportive speed trainer).\r\n\r\nThe Hyperion Elite 4 weighs 7.8 oz (221 g) which is 0.3 oz (11 g) lighter than version 3. It costs $250, the standard price for a carbon plated super shoe from any of the top brands. It also has 4 mm of extra stack height in the heel compared to its predecessor. \r\n","introduction_text":null,"conclusions":"[caption id=\"attachment_45363\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1280\"]\"Picture<\/span>[\/caption]\r\n\r\nThe Hyperion Elite 4 is a $250 racing shoe that feels like a training shoe<\/strong>. It doesn\u2019t have that special pop or explosive energy return that you usually associate with super shoes because of its flat DNA Flash v2 midsole. \r\n\r\nFor me, it\u2019s on a lower tier than the Alphafly<\/a>, Vaporfly<\/a>, Adios Pro<\/a>, Rocket X<\/a>, and the new SC Elite<\/a>.The $120 Atreyu Race Model offers a similar level of speed assistance and ride at less than half the price. \r\n\r\nThe Hyperion Elite 4 doesn\u2019t have any flaws when it comes to design: it\u2019s extremely comfortable, smooth, light and stable enough but it\u2019s missing something. I don\u2019t feel fast when I wear it. It\u2019s crucial that Brooks switches to a PEBA-based midsole in the next Hyperion Elite version in order to catch up with their competitors. <\/strong>\r\n\r\nFollowing the trend of most Brooks running shoes, the Hyperion Elite 4 has a stellar upper but a very average midsole. This flawless upper deserves better. I won\u2019t be racing in the Hyperion Elite 4 because it won\u2019t give me an advantage when it counts. \r\n\r\n","model":"Hyperion Elite 4","_model":"field_5c1600ad0113f","who_is_it_for":"If you\u2019re looking for a really accommodating, breathable upper with excellent comfort, the Hyperion Elite 4 is the shoe for you. If you want a durable super shoe that you can do a lot of training in in addition to racing in, it\u2019s also suitable for you. \r\n","pros_0_pro_line":"Most breathable upper on any running shoe to date","_pros_0_pro_line":"field_5c16011c4fed6","pros_1_pro_line":"Lighter than previous version","_pros_1_pro_line":"field_5c16011c4fed6","pros_2_pro_line":"Outstanding durability","_pros_2_pro_line":"field_5c16011c4fed6","cons_0_cons_line":"Midsole foam is too dense","_cons_0_cons_line":"field_5c16011c70a57","cons_1_cons_line":"Not much energy return ","_cons_1_cons_line":"field_5c16011c70a57","cons_2_cons_line":"Feels like a trainer","_cons_2_cons_line":"field_5c16011c70a57","water_resistance":null,"_water_resistance":null,"pros_3_pro_line":"Smooth ride","_pros_3_pro_line":"field_5c16011c4fed6","pros_4_pro_line":null,"_pros_4_pro_line":null,"cons_3_cons_line":null,"_cons_3_cons_line":null,"cons_4_cons_line":null,"_cons_4_cons_line":null,"in_page_subtitle":null,"_in_page_subtitle":null,"image":null,"_image":null,"cushioning_type":"balanced","_cushioning_type":"field_594357fba24e6","cushioning_amount":"Highly cushioned","_cushioning_amount":"field_5c1a16c4d4c23","sizing":"0","_sizing":"field_59435b58fd832","heel_fit":"normal","_heel_fit":"field_59435bbc45b07","midfoot_fit":"normal","_midfoot_fit":"field_59435d1684838","toebox_fit":"normal","_toebox_fit":"field_59435d1484837","flexibility":"rigid","_flexibility":"field_59435d1284836","stability":"some stability","_stability":"field_5944aca41583c","midfoot_fit_copy":null,"_midfoot_fit_copy":null,"best_for":"","pe_timestamp":null,"ds_query":"+brooks +hyperion +\"elite 4\"","_ds_query":"field_5c1600ad01052","release_date":"","_release_date":"field_5c176d6fffe21","weight_oz":"7.8","_weight_oz":"field_5c176d34ffe1f","heel_drop_mm":"8","_heel_drop_mm":"field_5c176d57ffe20","intro_to_the_shoe":null,"_intro_to_the_shoe":null,"main_text":null,"_main_text":null,"protection":null,"_protection":null,"durability":"9","_durability":"field_6272de0b5fdf5","responsiveness_&_speed":null,"_responsiveness_&_speed":null,"comfort_and_fit":null,"_comfort_and_fit":null,"lugs":null,"_lugs":null,"rockplate":null,"_rockplate":null,"good_for_running":null,"_good_for_running":null,"previous_model":"39709","_previous_model":"field_5c1a17279c9f9","usage_these_shoes_for":null,"_usage_these_shoes_for":null,"rrp_us":"250","_rrp_us":"field_5c176dba632ff","rrp_au":"","_rrp_au":"field_5c176dd363300","rrp_ca":"","_rrp_ca":"field_5c176df863301","rrp_gb":"","_rrp_gb":"field_5c176dfe63302","rrp_de":"","_rrp_de":"field_5c176e0d63303","purchased_from_name":"Running Warehouse","_purchased_from_name":"field_5c374d8cdb87d","purchased_from_url":"https:\/\/www.runningwarehouse.com\/Brooks_Hyperion_Elite_4\/descpage-B4HYEM0.html?from=guru","_purchased_from_url":"field_5c374d9bdb87e","heel_mm":"","_heel_mm":"field_630506e911fdf","toe_mm":"","_toe_mm":"field_630506f011fe0","carbon_plate":"full","_carbon_plate":"field_63065e4848c57","360":"","_360":"field_630662fb826e3","_video":"field_63066304826e4","who_should_buy_it":"If you\u2019re looking for a really accommodating, breathable upper with excellent comfort, the Hyperion Elite 4 is the shoe for you. If you want a durable super shoe that you can do a lot of training in in addition to racing in, it\u2019s also suitable for you. \r\n","_who_should_buy_it":"field_63132fa733767","who_should_not_buy_it_":"If you want a really explosive racer with a high level of speed assist, the Hyperion Elite 4 is not for you. If you enjoy soft, squishy racers, it\u2019s also not for you. \r\n\r\n","_who_should_not_buy_it_":"field_63132ff0865f5","build_quality":"9","_build_quality":"field_6272ddc1b33de","comfort":"8","_comfort":"field_6272dd6fa6b88","value_price":"5","_value_price":"field_6272de0a5fdf4","third_shoe":"45201","_third_shoe":"field_630bbf8341294","upper_rate":"10","_upper_rate":"field_6272de2a5fdfb","sole_unit_rate":"7","_sole_unit_rate":"field_6272de295fdfa","landing":"7","_landing":"field_6272de285fdf9","transition":"7","_transition":"field_6272de285fdf8","toe_off":"7","_toe_off":"field_6272de275fdf7","traction":"8","_traction":"field_6272de265fdf6","first_impressions":"[caption id=\"attachment_45377\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1280\"]\"Picture<\/span>[\/caption]\r\n\r\nMy first run was 20 kilometres at my steady pace. It felt comfortable, smooth and firm. I was most impressed with the upper which felt amazing but the ride was very ordinary. I didn\u2019t feel like it was giving me much speed assistance.\u00a0\r\n\r\nThe ride was slightly firmer than I expected and the carbon plate was very indistinct. There wasn\u2019t much of a forward-tipping sensation either. It wasn\u2019t urging me to go faster like most super shoes do. With the upper being so lightweight and the midsole being so dense, it felt bottom heavy.\r\n\r\nThe shoe that it reminded me of most was the Hyperion Max, the training version of the Hyperion Elite. The Elite felt a bit softer because of its DNA Flash v2 midsole, and it felt much stiffer because the Hyperion Max doesn\u2019t have a plate.\u00a0\r\n\r\n","_first_impressions":"field_6313304ba000e","sole_unit":"[caption id=\"attachment_45368\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1280\"]\"Picture<\/span>[\/caption]\r\n\r\nIf you pay $250 for a racing shoe, you expect to feel fast when you use it. The Hyperion Elite 4 just doesn\u2019t feel as fast as the competition. The main reason for this is how flat its ride feels. The flat ride comes from the lack of a forefoot rocker, and a midsole foam which doesn\u2019t return much energy. \r\n\r\nA good racing foam needs to compress a considerable amount during footstrikes and then decompress very quickly, a characteristic of PEBA. The DNA Flash v2 (Nitrogen injected EVA) in the Hyperion Elite 4 doesn\u2019t compress enough. That\u2019s why PEBA is used by most brands in their flagship racing shoes.\r\n\r\nThe Hyperion Elite 4 is best suited to short distances like intervals and short tempo runs due to its firmness<\/strong>. It feels better during faster efforts. For long runs and marathons, it doesn\u2019t feel as efficient as other super shoes. \r\n\r\nThe longest run I did in the Hyperion Elite 4 was 37 kilometres. 22 kilometres of it was at my steady pace and 15 kilometres was at my marathon pace. The steady-paced section felt comfortable but when I needed to increase my pace, I found it really difficult to. I did a similar type of run in the Alphafly 3<\/a> the previous week and the Alpha felt so much more punchy and aggressive. \r\n\r\nThe most interesting thing about the Hyperion Elite 4 is its carbon plate which is manufactured by Arris. The plate in the shoe is an open-lattice structure (lots of holes in it) which allows the plate to be stiff but lightweight at the same time. \r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_45380\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1280\"]\"Picture<\/span>[\/caption]\r\n\r\nThe problem is that the DNA Flash v2 midsole is so firm and dense that you can\u2019t really feel the carbon plate inside the midsole. It feels as if the plate is muted because the foam isn\u2019t very lively. \r\n\r\nThe one area where the Hyperion Elite 4 beats all the other super shoes is durability<\/strong>. The midsole foam is firmer and less vulnerable to scuffing\/chipping so it holds up much better over time. After 85 kilometres, the outsole on my pair looks immaculate. This is a shoe that you can use for a lot of training and racing. \r\n\r\nThe forefoot rubber section has large holes in it and mimics the carbon plate to save weight. 2 small rubber pads protect the medial and lateral sections of the heel. I used the Hyperion Elite 4 in some light rain and outsole traction was good. \r\n","_sole_unit":"field_6313305d53bc4","custom_fields":{"model":"Hyperion Elite 4","cons":[{"cons_line":"Midsole foam is too dense"},{"cons_line":"Not much energy return "},{"cons_line":"Feels like a trainer"}],"pros":[{"pro_line":"Most breathable upper on any running shoe to date"},{"pro_line":"Lighter than previous version"},{"pro_line":"Outstanding durability"},{"pro_line":"Smooth ride"}],"vote":"7","weight_oz":"7.8","heel_drop_mm":"8","purchased_from_name":"Running Warehouse","purchased_from_url":"https:\/\/www.runningwarehouse.com\/Brooks_Hyperion_Elite_4\/descpage-B4HYEM0.html?from=guru","comfort":"8","build_quality":"9","upper_rate":"10","sole_unit_rate":"7","landing":"7","transition":"7","toe_off":"7","traction":"8","durability":"9","value_price":"5","who_is_it_for":"If you\u2019re looking for a really accommodating, breathable upper with excellent comfort, the Hyperion Elite 4 is the shoe for you. If you want a durable super shoe that you can do a lot of training in in addition to racing in, it\u2019s also suitable for you. \r\n","verdict":"The Brooks Hyperion Elite is an average racer with a premium price but it feels more like a speed trainer. It doesn\u2019t feel as propulsive or energetic as other super shoes due to its dense EVA midsole and its lack of a prominent rocker, however it has one of the best executed racing uppers to date. The Hyperion Elite 4 also has the best durability of any super shoe. \r\n\r\n","who_should_buy_it":"

If you\u2019re looking for a really accommodating, breathable upper with excellent comfort, the Hyperion Elite 4 is the shoe for you. If you want a durable super shoe that you can do a lot of training in in addition to racing in, it\u2019s also suitable for you. <\/p>\n","who_should_not_buy_it_":"

If you want a really explosive racer with a high level of speed assist, the Hyperion Elite 4 is not for you. If you enjoy soft, squishy racers, it\u2019s also not for you. <\/p>\n","introduction":"

\"Picture