Article by Renee Krusemark and Zack Dunn
Brooks Hyperion 2 ($140)
Pros:
Zack/Renee: Lightweight and nimble
Zack/Renee: Upper has great lockdown in all areas
Zack/Renee: Midsole is lightweight and responsive
Zack: Increased stack height (4mm) makes shoe more versatile
Zack/Renee: Outsole is simple yet effective
Cons:
Zack: Feel like the shoe needs slightly more snappiness, such as from a plastic plate which could elevate it to a near perfect shoe for me
Renee: best for runners who like a forefoot rocker
Most comparable shoes
New Balance Rebel v4
Brooks Hyperion Max v1
Stats
Spec Weight: men's 6.8 oz / 193g women’s 6.2 oz / 176g
Sample Weight: women’s 6.10oz US8
Full Stack Height: men’s 31.5 / mm heel / 23.5 mm forefoot, 8mm drop
First Impressions, Fit and Upper
Zack: In terms of first impressions, I was pretty excited to try this shoe out. I had enjoyed the previous iteration, with it being a good, versatile shoe, ultimately being a 8.75/10 score for me. Obviously, the thing that matters most with a shoe is its performance.That said I really enjoy the look of the shoe. It has a nice, simplistic design, with subtle colors mixed in.
In terms of the fit, it is very true-to-size and spot on with the lockdown. I could also tell that breathability would not be an issue and turned out slightly better than the last iteration, which was not bad at all.
Renee: The Hyperion v2 is an improvement to v1 and remains true to the shoe’s origin as a lightweight, uptempo shoe with some ground feel. The v1 left something to be desired in terms of enjoyment and dynamics underfoot. The minor changes to the midsole and stack height make a notable difference.
The upper is secure. As compared to v1, v2 has slightly more padding in the tongue, but it’s still thin. The tongue is gusseted on the medial side only as was v1. The heel counter is higher and more tapered.
All of those are minor changes and I found the security to be the same and perhaps improved because of the lock laces. The upper looks thinner/more breathable, but it’s the same as v1. I recommend true to size. I’m between half sizes, and I have a good amount of length in these as compared to other comparable shoes (see comparison list for details).
Midsole & Platform
Renee: Brooks uses DNA Flash v2 supercritical foam (as in their top racer the Hyperion Elite v4 ), and to my sense the midsole is slightly more dynamic than v1 with Brooks claiming 10% greater energy return than the DNA Flash v1 foam in the prior Hyperion.
Brooks Hyperion Midsole Comparison Top: v1 Bottom: v2
The additional 4mm of stack and slightly more apparent forefoot rocker also help the Hyperion’s ride as compared to v1.
I like a non plated trainer, but I totally understand how some runners might miss that extra propulsion underfoot. In terms of non plated midsoles and platforms, the Hyperion v2 is one of the best, especially for runners who aren’t fans of the wide platform/more stack trend. The shoe rides very neutral, so those needing some guidance might want the GTS version with its side Guide Rails.
The shoe has less ground feel than v1, but it’s a clear improvement from the last version. I don’t always like a rocker geometry, but it is needed to help the shoe’s propulsive movement given the added stack height. The midsole has a good amount of flex underfoot.
Zack: I definitely agree and think that Renee hit all the main points perfectly. The midsole is definitely an upgrade to the previous iteration, as it allows a lot more versatility in what the shoe can do and accomplish. In the previous version, I felt that I could only take the shoes to under 10 miles, as afterwards it was quite easy to fatigue from the lack of impact protection from the midsole. However, in this new version, there is much more protection underfoot in which I could take this to 14-16 miles no problem.The new Flash v2 foam with its 10% more claimed energy return is a very nice compound and brings about a responsive, yet soft ride which allows it to be fine on easier paces, but also for moderate paced efforts, which is really where i like it at.
Outsole
Zack: In regards to the outsole, I found it to work very well. There is nothing really to expand upon, as it is quite simple. It is Brook’s RoadTack Rubber, which seems to perform quite well. I used it on pavement, grass, dirt, gravel, and it was great for all of it.
Renee:
I had two runs on gravel and ran the rest of my miles on a paved path. I had one run in the rain and found the traction and grip to be great.
Brooks Hyperion Outsole Comparison: Right: v1 Left: v2
There’s less coverage than v1 but same traction, and the reduced rubber is not missed.
Ride, Conclusions and Recommendations
Zack: In all, I was very pleased with the update and the direction that Brooks decided to go , as I felt they hit nearly all the weaknesses I had with the previous version, which I still thought nonetheless was quite good. The shoe is very versatile, due to it being lightweight but still soft and comfortable, so I think many could use this shoe as both a daily trainer and a faster paces shoe. I was able to get down to tempo paces, which I think is the fastest I would decide to go in them until I opt for a more race suited shoe. Considering it felt great at daily training paces, I think its versatility is similar to a shoe such as the New Balance Rebel.
To sum up. I loved the upper. I think the midsole is great for the many run types it can accomplish, and I have no complaints about the outsole. Overall, I really enjoyed the direction Brooks is going with the Hyperion.
Zacks Score: 9.25 / 10
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Ride (50%): Fit (30%): Value (15%): Style (5%):
Renee: Brooks did everything they needed to improve from v1 while offering a light weight non-plated trainer. The Hyperion is a great choice for those who don’t care for today’s higher stacked, wider platform trainers.
While I don’t usually prefer a rocker, the shoe’s forefoot rocker is needed to provide a more dynamic ride than v1 and the added stack height gives a bit more cushion without compromising ground feel.
The shoe is capable of long runs reaching 20 miles for me, although it works best for me at less than 15 miles, notably more so for shorter runs. I recommend the Hyperion as a daily trainer and for speed workouts. Those disliking plated racers could race it for anything half marathon or less. Runners wanting a light shoe without a plate and without a wide platform/high stack will love this shoe. I ran 6 days in a row in it from easy days to tempo paces and strides and enjoyed it for everything. And it’s at a reasonable price of $140 for a versatile supercritical foam powered shoe.
Renee’s Score: 9.5/10 (-best for those who like a forefoot rocker)
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Comparisons
Index to all RTR reviews: HERE
Brooks Hyperion v1 (RTR Review)
Renee: Compared throughout. The upper has some minor changes, but the real improvement is within the midsole, added stack, and more apparent rocker. The newest version is more fun, dynamic, and enjoyable.
Zack: Though I enjoyed the previous version, I did have some complaints with it and felt it was a little too nimble to be an all-round type shoe. However, Brooks did a great job with the updates and now the shoe is one that I would say is extremely versatile, and able to be valued by a wide range of runners. It’s safe to say that I would choose the new version every time.
Brooks Hyperion Max v1 (RTR Review) and v2 (Review soon)
Renee: The Hyperion v2 is more like the Max v1 than the first Hyperion. Runners who liked the Max v1 will enjoy this shoe, especially if they don’t want the additional stack (+4mm heel , +6mm forefoot) to a substantial 36.25 mm heel / 30.25 mm forefoot now offered by the Max v2. I had issues with the tongue slipping in the Max v1 and I found the shoe a bit firm and overpriced. None of those are issues with the Hyperion v2.
New Balance Rebel v4 (RTR Review)
Renee: Both are great options for light uptempo trainers that don’t have a plate. The big difference is within the platforms. I like the Rebel v4, but prefer the previous versions. Those who didn’t enjoy the Rebel’s wide platform will like the Hyperion v2. The Rebel offers more comfort for 20 mile or long runs, while the Hyperion v2 is better for shorter, faster efforts or anything when some ground feel and control are wanted. Sizing is similar although I have slight more length in the Hyperion.
Zack: I had mentioned the Rebel v4 earlier in the review, and feel that these two are very similar in construction and what they aim to accomplish. I do think that Renee is right that the Rebel is better suited to longer distances, as it is slightly more comfortable and on the softer side compared to the Hyperion. Inversely, the Hyperion is definitely the shoe that is much better suited for going faster. Both are very versatile, and I would say that if I really had to choose, I would slightly prefer the Rebel. I think the slight edge it gives in comfort makes it slightly more versatile, but I think any runner choosing either of these shoes would be pleased.
Tester Profiles
Renee is a former U.S. Marine journalist, which is when her enjoyment of running and writing started. She isn’t that awesome of a runner, but she tries really hard. Most of her weekly 50-60 miles take place on rural country roads in Nebraska, meaning mud, gravel, dirt, hills, and the occasional field. She has PR’s of 1:30:59 for the half marathon and 3:26:45 for the marathon.
Zack Dunn: is a collegiate runner at Lewis University. "I’ve been running for 8 years, and focused solely on running after giving up on years of baseball and wrestling. I race distances between 800 meters and 10K whether it be on the track, the roads, or on cross country courses. I do most of my training on the roads, some training on the track, and occasionally run trails logging anywhere from 65-80 miles a week. My typical training consists of easy days, long days, workouts (fartleks, tempos, interval training, etc.). My typical training paces range from 7’30 a mile on easy days to sub-5 minutes a mile on fast interval days, and with many paces in between. My personal bests are 4:20 for 1600m, 8:42 for 3000m, 14:51 for 5K, and 25:24 for 8k."
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3 comments:
Another shoe destroyed by the higher stack height madness.
I was hoping for a wider version of the original Tempo that would directly compete with the Adios 8. Ah well! Thanks for reviewing
His personal bests are truly impressive and serve as an inspiration for those of us who aspire to push the boundaries of our own athletic abilities.
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