Brooks Hyperion Elite 2 Review
Brooks' Vision of Carbon
Likes
- Responsive cushioning
- Comfortable ride
- Smooth transitions
- Versatile racer and trainer
- Lightweight
Dislikes
- Sloppy fit in the heel
What's New
After listening to feedback from pro runners, Brooks quickly updated their new carbon-plated marathon racer, the Hyperion Elite. The original DNA Zero midsole was replaced with the same DNA Flash foam used in the Hyperion Tempo. This lightweight, bouncy foam works with the shoe's carbon-fiber plate to deliver a responsive yet highly cushioned running experience. Additionally, the redesigned midsole rocker uses Brooks' Rapid Roll technology to provide a smoother ride and encourage faster turnover than the previous version.
The Bottom Line
Despite being designed for breaking PRs in the marathon, the Brooks Hyperion Elite 2 offered our testers enough comfort for daily training as well as race day. While the shoe features the ultra-lightweight design and responsiveness needed to give elite runners an edge on the competition, its wide midsole base and stretch-woven upper provide a stable ride and comfortable fit that make it approachable for intermediate runners as well. Our testers agreed that the fit through the heel could still be dialed in, but all of the positives in this carbon-plated super shoe overshadowed that minor drawback. Runners looking for a carbon-plated racer with a little more volume in the upper will love the Hyperion Elite 2 for their race day needs.
Shoe Performance
Shoe Softnessi
FirmSoftRide/Energy Returni
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protectioni
LowHighFlexibilityi
RigidElasticUpper Supporti
StructuredAdaptableSpecifications & Fit
How It Fits
| Toe Box | Width: Medium | Height: Medium to Low |
| Midfoot Volume | Medium |
| Heel Width | Medium |
| Arch Height | Medium |
Shoe Specs
| Weight | Men's: 7.5 oz (size 9) |
| Stack Height | 35 mm (Heel), 27 mm (Forefoot) | 8 mm Heel-Toe Offset |
| Terrain | Road |
| Stability | Neutral |
| Sizing | True to Size |
Our In-Depth Look
Shoe Softnessi
Version 2 of the Hyperion Elite features the ultralight and responsive DNA Flash midsole from their uptempo trainer, the Hyperion Tempo. Our testers loved this update and thought the foam did an excellent job of balancing plushness and springiness.
Justin: "The Hyperion Elite 2 has, to me, the perfect blend of softness and bounce. The step-in is really comfy, but it isn't overly soft."
Liz: "While the DNA Flash foam isn't as soft as Nike's Zoom X foam, it has a very comfortable underfoot feel that never feels jarring or uncomfortable underfoot."
Ride/Energy Returni
The nitrogen-infused DNA Flash foam offers more energy return than any other Brooks midsole material to date. Our testers were impressed by the snappy ride and responsiveness this material lent to the Hyperion Elite 2.
Connor: "The Hyperion Elite 2's energy return is phenomenal. You can feel the springiness, and it just makes running fast feel fun. The DNA Flash midsole is a big step in the right direction, and it makes the shoe so unique. It's everything I loved in the Hyperion Tempo, but the added stack height and carbon-fiber plate provide even more energy return for race day."
Liz: "The responsive cushioning and carbon-fiber plate work together to give the Hyperion Elite 2 a very propulsive and fast feeling ride. While the shoe doesn't feel as aggressive as the New Balance Fuelcell RC, it feels limitless in its ability to return the energy I put into it."
Underfoot Protectioni
Our testers felt the Hyperion Elite 2 provided an amazing amount of underfoot protection, making the shoe versatile enough to be used for training and racing a variety of distances.
Justin: "I enjoyed this shoe so much that I have taken it out for easy runs too. I know it's a racing shoe, but I just love the feel of running in it. There is definitely plenty of protection for a marathon, and I suspect even enough for an ultramarathon effort too."
Connor: "The Hyperion Elite 2 has exceptional protection while still maintaining an amazingly lightweight design. The high stack height provides a very cushioned on-foot experience and has everything you need to race the full marathon while still being nimble and fast enough for shorter race efforts."
Flexibilityi
The utilization of a carbon-fiber plate makes the Brooks Hyperion Elite 2 a very rigid shoe. Our testers found that despite its rigidity, the midsole's rocker design gave the shoe a smooth ride.
Liz: "Like most carbon-plated shoes, the Hyperion Elite 2 is not very flexible. The rigid design helps to limit energy loss and propel the runner forward through their stride. Despite this lack of flexibility, the rockered midsole design allows the Hyperion Elite 2 to feel smooth and comfortable, whether you are taking it easy or picking up the pace."
Justin: "The carbon plate embedded in the shoe creates a pretty rigid experience, but that's what gives the Hyperion Elite 2 an efficient ride mile after mile."
Upper Supporti
The Hyperion Elite 2 uses Brooks' lightest materials to date, but cutting weight in the upper had some drawbacks. Due to the thin upper material, our testers had trouble getting their feet locked in comfortably.
Justin: "The upper is the weak link in this shoe. It took a bit of tinkering to get the fit just right. I had some hotspots and irritation (including a blister on my right heel). The materials of the upper seem to be high quality, but they just didn't fit the way my foot needed them to."
Connor: "The upper is very thin and built for race day. I had some issues with heel fit, but midfoot and forefoot lockdown was decent. It's not the most supportive upper in the Brooks line, but it does an excellent job of providing just enough support on race day."
Brooks Men's Hyperion Elite
Individual Thoughts
The Hyperion Elite 2 could have been my shoe of the year. It is responsive, comfortable, and fast. Ultimately, it is held back by the upper. I still love the feel of the shoe underfoot and will keep it in my rotation. However, the upper prevents it from becoming a permanent part of my lineup.
Shoe Softness
FirmSoftRide/Energy Return
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protection
LowHighFlexibility
RigidElasticUpper Support
StructuredAdaptable
I am a big fan of the Brooks Hyperion Elite 2. It performs well enough to hold its place among other long-distance super shoes, but it also offers enough comfort and durability to be a good option for training days. As an intermediate runner, I feel like the Brooks Hyperion Elite 2 is a great race day shoe for my needs. It gives me optimal energy return when pushing the pace, but it doesn't feel "out of wack" when I start to feel tired and slow down. No matter what speed I run at, the Hyperion Elite offers a smooth and comfortable ride. Also, I enjoyed how the forefoot provided enough room for my wide feet, but I was disappointed by the heel collar's sloppiness.
Overall, the Hyperion Elite 2 is a great option for both experienced and intermediate runners who want the advantages of a carbon-fiber plate but also want durability and comfort for their training days as well.
Shoe Softness
FirmSoftRide/Energy Return
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protection
LowHighFlexibility
RigidElasticUpper Support
StructuredAdaptable
The Brooks Hyperion Elite 2 exceeded my expectations. I wasn't blown away by version 1 of the Hyperion Elite, but the new DNA Flash midsole has completely revamped this shoe. It's now softer, more responsive, and overall seems to be a much better option for the competitive racer seeking peak performance over longer distances. The upper could still use some tweaks to dial in the heel fit, but I found that to be only a minor flaw. I will continue to add this shoe into my lineup, and it will be a top pick on workout or race day.
