The Brooks Hyperion Elite 5 is a race shoe designed for speed and comfort. Priced at $275, it competes with shoes like the Nike Vaporfly 4 ($260) and Adidas Adios Pro 4 ($250). After receiving heated criticism, Brooks updated the Hyperion Elite 4 mid-cycle with a PEBA midsole. Unfortunately, that update felt a bit lackluster—during long runs, the foam turned mushy, and the carbon fiber plate was overly noticeable in the forefoot, creating a clappy sensation likely caused by the midsole cutout and plate positioning. So, we were apprehensive about v5, especially since it features the same 100% PEBA DNA Gold foam and a very similar geometry. But one change stood out immediately: Brooks closed up the midsole cutout, which creates a more cohesive and forgiving platform. You no longer have to land in a specific spot to enjoy the ride. The upper is also incredible—one of the best on the market—secure, perfectly dialed-in, and built to go fast. The DNA Gold foam feels perfectly tuned in this version—soft, bouncy, and light on foot, even though it’s not the lightest marathon racing shoe on the market. The improved platform allows for a smooth, floaty ride that feels natural at half-marathon and marathon pace, much like the Vaporfly 2. It’s not the most aggressive shoe for 5K or 10K paces—you’ll likely want something lighter and snappier for those efforts—but for longer race distances, we anticipate that it will perform really well. We still need to take it out for a true long run to confirm whether the forefoot stays responsive deep into the mileage, but so far we’re pleasantly surprised by this update. It feels like a race shoe that anyone can lace up and have a great time in—unlike some of the more aggressive shoes like the Puma Fast-R 3. With its dialed-in upper, stable platform, and comfortable but bouncy foam, the Hyperion Elite 5 may end up being one of the best new marathon shoes of 2025.
