Brooks Hyperion Elite 5 review

According to our findings, the Brooks Hyperion Elite 5 is best suited for:

• Runners who loved the legendary Nike Vaporfly Next%. This is the closest match we’ve seen.
• Those seeking a supershoe that feels sharp and fast underfoot, with a compact build.
• Anyone who prefer a high-drop design for any race distance.
• Long-time Brooks fans who’ve waited years for a race-day model that finally competes with the very best.

We think the Brooks Hyperion Elite 5 might not be the best match for runners who prefer a more stable supershoe, as its narrow midsole and plush foam limits stability. Instead, we suggest the Nike Alphafly 3, which offer more stability and similar performance.

Additionally, the high heel-to-toe drop and limited shock absorption in the front of the shoe make it less ideal for forefoot strikers, especially for marathon racing. In our view, this shoe is best suited for heel strikers looking for speed, but for those who prefer a more cushioned forefoot, alternatives like the ASICS Metaspeed Sky Tokyo or the On Cloudboom Strike would be a better fit.

The Hyperion Elite 5 showed a contrasting performance in our lab tests for shock absorption, with a massive 151 SA in the heel but a much lower 107 SA in the forefoot.

This clearly suggests that the shoe caters more to heel strikers, offering plenty of protection for all distances. However, forefoot strikers tackling a full marathon might want to consider a model with higher forefoot cushioning.

Brooks finally made it. The new formulation of the DNA Gold foam is what we’ve been asking for from Brooks for more than five years... and we’re sure their elite athletes have too.

To put things into perspective, we found in the lab that the Hyperion Elite 4 scored a weak 56.2% energy return with its DNA Flash v3 midsole, which is far from acceptable for a racing shoe. Brooks partially solved that with the DNA Gold retrofit in the Hyperion Elite 4 PB, reaching a better but still modest 67.1%. Now, the Hyperion Elite 5 finally hits true supershoe status, delivering 76.9% in the heel and 77.7% in the forefoot.

Why it took such a powerhouse brand until 2025 to release a true supershoe remains a mystery. But now Brooks finally has a shoe that delivers world-class energy return, so it’s time to celebrate... or get ready to open your wallet.

The heel stack of the Hyperion Elite 5 comes close to the World Athletics limit of 40 mm, measuring 37.6 mm in our calipers. While there’s still a small margin left, we believe this height is enough for a supershoe.

The forefoot stack is noticeably lower at 26.4 mm, which explains the moderate shock absorption we recorded earlier. This design gives the shoe a raw, ground-connected feel in the front, fully reminiscent of the iconic Nike Vaporfly Next% from 2019. And yes, there are a few more similarities to come...

Our measurements showed an 11.2 mm drop, making this shoe ideal for heel strikers seeking a well-cushioned supershoe with ultra-fast transitions driven by its aggressive plate geometry.

One of the biggest upgrades from the Hyperion Elite 4 PB to the new Hyperion Elite 5 is the DNA Gold foam. While the name remains, we discovered that the formula has changed drastically—now delivering a far more plush and energy-loaded feel, measuring just 11.6 HA in our durometer. For comparison, its predecessor reached 19.5 HA, which resulted in a noticeably firmer and less forgiving ride.

This transformation makes a massive difference. The new foam might feel overly soft for runners who enjoy a firmer or stability-focused sensation, but it’s a dreamlike upgrade for long-distance efforts, and especially for heel strikers who can fully appreciate how this deeply-cushioned design protects muscles and joints.

The Hyperion Elite 5 sticks to the classic supershoe formula with two layers of PEBA-based foam and a carbon plate sandwiched in between. We measured the secondary layer at an impressively soft 11.0 HA, adding to its cloud-like feel.

What truly stands out, though, is the innovative midsole design. The exposed cutout with orb-shaped cavities isn’t just for show, it actually helps the foam compress more efficiently and deform naturally with each step. Combined with the Speedvault+ carbon plate, this setup enhances responsiveness and looks downright futuristic.

The rocker geometry of the Hyperion Elite 5 mirrors (one more time) the Vaporfly Next%. Designed with heel strikers in mind, it features a well-defined heel bevel for smoother landings and a sharply curved forefoot that compensates for the shoe’s inherent stiffness, creating a fast and fluid roll-through.

The SpeedVault+ plate isn’t made by Brooks but by Arris Composites, just like in earlier Hyperion Elite models. It keeps the same latticed structure rather than a flat design, aiming to cut weight and fine-tune flex.

We didn’t find any real performance improvement, but it’s nice to see Brooks experimenting instead of sticking to a conventional plate. However, they played it safe with the geometry, sticking to the tried-and-true spoon shape with the leverage point under the ball of the foot.

Even before taking measurements, we clearly noticed that the Hyperion Elite 5 is designed for a competition fit with a tight feel rather than a roomy toebox—and that’s completely normal for most supershoes.

Still, we wanted exact data, so we made our usual gel mold and found a narrow 92.7 mm width.

The toebox measured 71.5 mm, which is slightly below average but still in line with most supershoes, and even feels roomy compared to some of the tighter ones out there.

When we tested the shoe, we noticed limited space for toe movement, yet the lightweight, airy knit kept it pressure-free.

In the lab, we measured 24.1 mm, which is fairly typical for a race-focused fit.

Brooks packed the Hyperion Elite 5 with their top in-house tech, and it really shows. The SpeedTack rubber scored an impressive 0.59 in our wet grip test, confirming it performs reliably in virtually any racing condition.

We’ve already noted several similarities between the Hyperion Elite 5 and the original Vaporfly Next% from 2019, but this outsole seals the deal. Look at that!

The midsole shape is almost identical, and the rubber layout mirrors Nike's design, with dual strips in the heel and a large forefoot patch. For those who remember the Vaporfly glory days when it was the only supershoe available, this could be like an amazing throwback wrapped in Brooks package.

Although the Speedvault+ plate from Arris Composites features multiple cutouts, it remains impressively rigid. We had to apply 20.1N of force to bend it to 30 degrees in our test.

Weight is one area where Brooks still has room to improve. At 7.2 oz or 204g, it’s far from heavy, but several rival supershoes are noticeably lighter. Considering its premium price tag, we think it should be 10% or even 20% lighter.

The upper is a true engineering masterpiece and arguably the strongest selling point of the Hyperion Elite 5 compared to other supershoes.

Brooks crafted it with a precise knit material that varies in density to regulate airflow across different zones. As our smoke and light tests confirmed, ventilation is exceptional throughout the shoe.

We confidently gave it a 5/5 for breathability. And honestly, if we could, we’d give it a 6. It’s that good.

Under the microscope, the material left us stunned. Out of hundreds of shoes we’ve tested, very few can match this level of craftsmanship.

Despite its feather-light build, it features more padding in the tongue and heel than most supershoes. However, this extra comfort likely contributes to its slightly higher weight.

Runners looking for a stable supershoe will need to look elsewhere, as we discovered that Brooks keeps the same compact design from previous models while adding an ultra-plush foam that makes the ride exciting yet far from supportive.

And like most high-stack racers, there are no built-in stability features, so your tendons and muscles do all the balancing work.

Even though the plate features several cutouts, its torsional rigidity remains extremely high, and it was an easy call for us to rate it a 5 out of 5.

The Hyperion Elite 5 once again sticks to the supershoe playbook, scoring 2/5 in heel counter stiffness. It avoids a 1/5 thanks to a semi-rigid insert around the Achilles area, which improves lockdown and helps to prevent heel slippage.

That said, this is one of those designs that won’t suit everyone. If you prefer a shoe with a more traditional heel setup, the ASICS Metaspeed Edge Tokyo is likely a better choice.

The Hyperion Elite 5 offers a lively and agile feel that partly comes from its compact shape. We love that Brooks kept this design, making it versatile and well-suited for shorter races too.

In the forefoot, we measured 110.9 mm, which is clearly below average.

Another element that clearly brings back Vaporfly Next% vibes is the midsole shape around the midfoot and heel... it looks almost identical! Therefore, the heel is quite narrow, measuring just 84.5 mm.

If we were impressed by the upper’s incredible design and breathability, we were even more amazed by its toebox durability. Scoring 3/5 is already above average for any shoe, making this result remarkable for such a minimal upper.

The heel padding impressed us as well, earning a solid 4 out of 5 and proving that this upper is built to last, whether in the front or the back.

However, the SpeedTack rubber raised real concerns about long-term durability... and even short-term wear. We discovered that its soft texture sacrificed toughness, losing 2.2 mm after our Dremel test.

This makes the Hyperion Elite 5 a pure race-day weapon rather than a shoe that can double for training. Its compound performs beautifully on dry roads, but we found it far too delicate to endure consistent training.

Brooks added slightly more rubber than many competitors, reaching up to 2.0 mm, but it’s still not enough to offset the poor durability result. However, adding more isn’t really an option, as this supershoe already sits on the heavier side of the spectrum.

The included insole is very thin and lightweight, measuring only 3.3 mm in thickness.

The insole is removable, but it’s so thin and the toebox so snug that fitting a third-party insert isn’t easy. Some adventurous runners might even run without it to save weight and gain space, but definitely try it before race day!

The DNA Gold foam is PEBA-based, bringing a huge advantage in cold conditions compared to the old EVA-based DNA Flash v3. After 20 minutes in our freezer, it became only 8% firmer.

As expected, the Hyperion Elite 5 doesn’t feature a single reflective element. While we appreciate them on daily trainers, they serve little purpose on a pure competition shoe.

The lacing system of the Hyperion Elite 5 is quite interesting. Brooks used textured laces, as we now expect in any supershoe (looking at you, Adidas!), and paired them with stitched loops made from a suede-like material that keeps the laces firmly in place. It feels very similar to Alcantara on a high-end car’s steering wheel.

The tongue also deserves attention, because it clearly shows how Brooks wanted to keep it lightweight while adding more comfort than most supershoes. 

We found a small layer of foam (4.1 mm) right where pressure builds, while the rest of the tongue is paper-thin at just 0.7 mm.

We loved that the tongue is fully attached to the upper, much like what Adidas did with the Adios Pro 4. This design is a big win for runners who dislike loose tongues that slide around on non-gusseted supershoes.

We’re thrilled that Brooks finally has a true supershoe in the lineup, but the price doesn’t do it any favors. It’s slightly higher than some competitors like the Saucony Endorphin Pro 4, which could be an issue considering the Hyperion Elite line’s unimpressive past.

In fact, we think that Brooks might have benefited from launching it under a fresh name to distance itself from earlier disappointments.

The Elite 5 comes with a tab that's soft and elastic, making it easy to pull on. A thin fabric strip neatly covers the inner stitching too.