Brooks Hyperion Elite 5 Review | Carbon Plated Flexibility from 10K to Marathon

With the release of the Hyperion Elite 5, Brooks is looking to kick towards the front of the lead pack of supershoes. This flashy and fast update is an absolute blast to run in, and there’s no doubt you’ll see a ton of them at the starting line of races this fall. The shoe features the same DNA Gold PEBA foam and customized carbon fiber plate found in the super popular Hyperion Elite 4 PB, but features a sleek, updated upper and new midsole design. 

In fact, this release is lighter, but  has 7.5% MORE foam than the Elite 4!

And my, oh my, do I love the feel of this shoe. The ride is surprisingly soft and reminiscent of racing flats. Plus, they are really fast. The Hyperion Elite 5 is a solid entrant in the crowded supershoe market, and could be perfect for the front of the pack.

Brooks Hyperion Elite 5 Overview

First impressions go a long way, and I’ll admit I was pumped when the Brooks Hyperion Elite 5 landed on my doorstep.

For starters, this shoe just looks fast. The sleek design and bold coloring make it clear Brooks wanted to make a statement with this racer. I couldn’t wait to get them on my feet.

Normally, I’ll take a new shoe out for a few easy miles to get a feel for them. Not this time. I laced them up for my weekly long run right out of the box, eager to see if they performed as good as they looked.Here’s how I tested the Hyperion Elite 5:

• A 17-mile long run at a progressive pace with a fast finish. 
• An 8-mile track workout with 800 m repeats
• 2 easy runs at super- relaxed paces

The Elite 5 builds on the success of the Hyperion Elite PB 4, a shoe that earned rave reviews across the running community. While I didn’t personally log miles in that model, Coach Amanda’s review is worth a look.

Their DNA gold cushion is all super critical PEBA, instead of any EVA, which means it’s less durable, BUT gives that speed without squish feel that we enjoyed. In fact, this shoe is lighter thanks to those little cut outs around the orbs, but actually contains for foam making it faster and more efficient based on testing.

And one more thing: American marathon legend Des Linden had a hand in developing this shoe. I love when athletes shape the gear we use—it adds authenticity to every mile.

As usual the foam is sandwiched around their SpeedVault plate, again what’s different is most shoes are now using two different types of foam. One is firmer and one is softer, creating some durability and soft in step. They opted not to do that here, which could make this a little less durable in the long haul.

The other massive change to this version is the midsole. They really focused on that geometry to help with the roll and keeping all momentum moving forward.

The rocker is subtle, so any footstrike can find speed comfortably. This shoe works with your stride rather than forcing a motion, making it versatile for a wide range of runners.

The real test came during a 17-mile long run, where my legs felt fresh and my stride stayed steady. I finished thinking, “This could absolutely go the full 26.2.”

Tester Lauren: As someone who logs 50-60 miles a week with a solid mix of trail and road, I was intrigued (and a little skeptical) about the Brooks Hyperion Elite 5. But after several runs—tempos, long runs, even a race effort—I can confidently say this shoe delivers.

It’s lighter and snappier than I expected, with just enough structure to feel stable without being stiff. The updated DNA cushioning gives a noticeable bounce without veering into overly squishy territory, which I actually prefer—especially for longer efforts where efficiency matters.

Hyperion Elite 5 Fit

The Hyperion Elite 5 has a snug, sock-like fit reminiscent of old-school racing flats—something I wasn’t expecting from a modern supershoe. It feels light, secure, and ready to run right out of the box.

The toe box is close-fitting but not cramped. I had just enough room to splay my toes. My usual Men’s 11 worked well, though for a marathon I’d size up by half for a bit more space.The midfoot is secure and supported, leaning toward the narrow side. The lacing works perfectly with the featherlight upper to lock things in. The minimal tongue sits comfortably above the lace line, with just enough padding to prevent pressure points.

The heel is looser than the rest of the shoe. I experienced some slippage, especially in humid conditions, and turns felt less sharp because of it. While the shoe feels stable overall, cornering wasn’t its strong suit.

Comfort is excellent from heel to toe, and the underfoot feel is softer than expected for such a performance shoe. I did notice some mild ankle soreness after runs, which might be a factor for certain runners.

Overall, this is a race-day fit: snug, streamlined, and tuned for speed. It wraps the foot and delivers a confident feel, though it may not suit everyone.

Tester Lauren: The fit is sleek but not restrictive, and the upper feels locked in without suffocating my foot (big win there). I will say the traction could be better on damp roads, and it’s not a shoe I’d reach for on recovery days—it’s obviously built for performance, not plush comfort.

But if you’re looking for a race-day or hard-effort shoe that bridges the gap between speed and stability, the Hyperion Elite 5 totally works. It might not be the loudest carbon-plated option out there, but it’s quietly effective—and that kind of confidence is hard to beat.

Hyperion Elite 5 Feel

The Hyperion Elite 5 feels different from any other supershoe I’ve tested in 2025. It skips the trampoline-like bounce seen in some competitors and instead delivers a ride that’s smooth, efficient, and controlled.

Compared to the Hoka Cielo X1 or Saucony Endorphin Elite, the Elite 5 dials down the aggression. While I enjoy both of those shoes, I appreciate Brooks offering a unique take with this model.Even with a 40mm stack height, the shoe has echoes of lightweight flats. It’s nimble, quick, and connected to the ground, with just enough cushion to take the sting out of long miles. The DNA Gold foam blends comfort and snap, providing excellent energy return without an overpowering push forward.

The redesigned midsole—with side cutouts for compression instead of a central cutout—creates a buttery-smooth transition. The SpeedVault carbon plate adds structure and pop without dominating the feel, and its low exposure is a durability plus.You’ll notice they did add some SpeedTac rubber to the outsole which is going to help with rainy day runs. That being said, it’s still minimal and again if you have a race with a lot of turns we’d be concerned with grip.

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