When you’re not an elite runner—but testing shoes that have Elite baked into the name—it can feel a little presumptuous. After all, I’m just a 41-year-old guy grinding out miles and inching closer to a sub-20-minute 5k, not toeing the line at the Olympic Trials. But like most runners, I’m not chasing podiums—I’m chasing my own best. Whether your goal is 30 minutes or 18, there’s something exciting about a shoe built to help you get there.
So even if I’m not breaking the tape, I was pretty excited to lace up the Brooks Hyperion Elite 5 and see what a top-tier race shoe could do for an upper-middle of the pack guy trying to go just a little bit faster.
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Looks:
This is one funky-looking shoe—and I mean that as a compliment. Brooks went all in on the visual identity here. The orange-pink and baby blue colorway is eye-catching and not far off from other recent models in the Hyperion line (hello, Hyperion Max 3), but the Elite 5 brings a stronger splash of blue that makes it look both fast and fun.
What really sets it apart visually is the exposed midsole cutout along the medial side. You get a peek at the plate and a few wild-looking “bubbles” molded into the foam—like the shoe is in motion even when it’s standing still. It’s also the only colorway available at the time of writing, so good thing it’s a good one.
Sizing ran true for me, and the step-in comfort was surprisingly great for a racing shoe. Usually that cushy “ahhh” feeling is reserved for recovery trainers or daily mileage shoes, but this one delivered right out of the box.
Now, to be fair, plush and race day don’t always go hand in hand. There’s often an expectation that a top-tier race shoe needs to be springy or responsive. Plushness can be a double-edged sword—some will love the cushion, others may feel like it robs them of snap.
For me, the comfort was a welcome surprise. The shoe doesn’t feel overly squishy or unstable, but it doesn’t have that trampoline-style bounce either. It falls somewhere in the middle—a good thing if you want your race day shoe to also feel decent on varied paces I don’t do weekly speedwork or race every weekend, so the fact that this shoe doesn’t scream “use me only on race day!” makes it more versatile and justifiable for the cost that race day shoes are nowadays.
Specs:
- Stack Height: 40 mm heel / 32 mm forefoot
- Drop: 8 mm
- Weight: 6.9 oz (Men’s size 9 / Women’s size 10)
Upper:
The knit upper is ultra-breathable, to the point where you can literally see through it in spots. That’s a big win for warm race days when airflow matters. While the tongue isn’t gusseted, it stayed in place well and didn’t cause any rubbing or bunching issues.
The ankle collar, however, is a little less structured. That’s not unexpected in a lightweight race shoe, but something to note if you have finicky ankles or take tight corners with reckless abandon. It didn’t bother me, but it’s worth a callout for those looking for top-end security.
Midsole:
This is where the Hyperion Elite 5 starts to carve out its own niche. The DNA Gold PEBA foam offers a softer, plusher feel than most of its competitors.
But as a racing shoe, plushness can be a bit of a strange middle ground. Some runners (and dare I say most) expect their race day shoes to be super springy and bouncy, while others prefer a more responsive, close-to-the-ground feel. So when a shoe leans plush, it can go one of two ways—either that softness translates into a tight, energetic rebound, or it compresses more and feels a little flatter. For me, it’s the latter. The plushness in the Hyperion Elite 5 seems to favor runners who want cushion and comfort, but without that extreme bounce you find in some super shoes.
It’s still paired with a carbon plate—Brooks’ Arris Carbon SpeedVault+—but the overall ride trends more toward ground contact and compression than springy propulsion. You can still feel the plate doing its job when you get up on your toes and push, especially during strides and intervals.
Because of that, I’d say this isn’t the shoe I’d personally reach for on marathon day. But for a 5k or 10k, or even a half marathon if you like a little more control and less trampoline, it’s a solid choice. You get enough propulsion without feeling like you’re being launched.
Outsole:
For a shoe this light, there’s more rubber coverage than I expected. Brooks’ SpeedTack compound feels durable and grippy, especially in dry conditions. I’ve taken them out on slightly damp roads and still felt confident cornering and accelerating.
It’s not built like a tank, but it holds up surprisingly well during faster sessions. That durability combined with the cushion and ride feel gives this shoe a longer shelf life than some of its hyper-specialized competitors.
Overall:
The Brooks Hyperion Elite 5 is a fascinating addition to the modern race day lineup. It won’t be for everyone—and that’s okay. If you crave a bouncy, moon-boot feel underfoot, this probably isn’t the one. But if you want a fast shoe that still gives you a grounded, controlled ride, it might hit the sweet spot.
As a 6’2″, 200 lb runner who’s decently quick but definitely not elite, I really appreciated how this shoe delivered comfort, performance, and versatility.
If you’re hunting down a personal milestone—breaking 20 minutes in a 5k, cracking an hour in the 10k, or just setting a new bar for yourself—the Hyperion Elite 5 could be a worthy partner for the journey depending on how you prefer your ride.
