Article by Courtney Kelly, Peter Stuart and Ben David
Brooks Hyperion Elite 4 PB ($250)
Introduction
Courtney: The Hyperion Elite 4PB is the first 2025 shoe in Brooks’ performance line, and it brings on a whole new ride. Many users of the Hyperion Elite 4 released last year were underwhelmed with its DNA Flash foam midsole, but found all the other components of the shoe well executed. In the HE4 PB we have all the successful parts of the original but with new PEBA DNA Gold PEBA foam. DNA Gold provides a softer, snappier, more propulsive ride that far outmatches DNA Flash. The ARRIS carbon fiber plate and performance fit upper remain the same now with the new midsole making for a superior racing shoe.
Pros:
Extremely breathable upper.-Courtney/Peter/Ben
Great colors and style -Courtney/Peter
Approachable ride, not too aggressive or bouncy-Courtney/Peter/Ben
Stable throughout-Courtney/Peter
Really natural and controlled ride-Courtney/Peter
Very straightforward racing shoe-Courtney/Peter
Cons:
Narrow platform (could potentially be unstable for some)-Courtney/Ben
Wear and tear on heel bumper (material is soft but may not be durable)-Courtney
Irritation at heel due to heel tab-Courtney
Laces could be a little shorter, there is a lot extra length-Courtney/Peter
Not totally sold on the ARRIS Speedvault plate being customized for each size. Though the size of the plate might differ, everyone’s body is different. You may have small feet but higher weight. Or large feet and lower body weight. -Courtney
Mesh on upper is quite thin, wonder about upper durability-Peter
Please find the testers full run bios at the end of the article after Comparisons.
Stats
Spec Weight: men's 7.2 oz / 204g
Prior Version Spec Weight: men’s 7.2 oz / 204g
Sample Weight: 182g / 6.42 ounces US W9
Stack Height: men’s 40mm heel / 32mm forefoot (8mm drop spec)
Platform Width: 80mm heel/ 71mm midfoot /111mm forefoot
First Impressions, Fit and Upper
Courtney: The Hyperion Elite 4PB has a clean and not overworked style, setting it apart from a lot of race shoes out there today. The geometry is simple yet effective. Overall, the shoe is light and very comfortable at step in.
The fit is executed very well, and my US women’s size 9 gave me wiggle room in the toe box but a snug feel through the midfoot. There is no bunching or overlapping when I laced up the shoe, and I found the upper material to be form fitting yet flexible.
The volume might be a little low for some foot types as I feel my big toe hitting the top of the upper. I have pretty low volume feet.
The sawtooth lacing provides good lockdown and prevents slippage, though the laces are quite long even after double knotting them.
The fabric on the upper is a super breathable wide gauge knit that is attractive and functional.
A TPU coating on the upper of the Hyperion Elite creates durability, flexibility and waterproofing. The waterproofing prevents absorption of water into the upper, therefore no extra weight is being taken in in wet conditions.
The tongue is padded in the same soft suede-like material that sits on the heel counter. Although it is soft and comfortable, there is some minor wear and tear on this material after a little over 20 miles.
The heel tab caused some significant irritation on my achilles. It is sewn into the heel counter, the seams and sewing created a lot of friction. The tab has basically no function except for aesthetics.
I have yet to see a tab sewn in like this. This may very well be runner specific, but it is also an element that can easily be removed.
Achilles Collar Comparison of Hyperion Elite 4PB vs. Saucony Endorphin Elite 1
Ben: Brooks has finally entered the chat. Previous iterations of the Hyperion Elite were disappointing to say the least: firm, harsh and lacking the quality foams that elevated so many of their competitors’ race day options. Most of us, even those of us who love Brooks, reached for other models when race day came around.
We watched as Brooks athletes such as Des Linden, Zach Panning and CJ Albertson competed in shoes that were lackluster and wanting. We wondered what might have been - for them.
Thankfully, times are changing at Brooks. The Hyperion Elite 4 PB acknowledges that Brooks is listening and eager to catch up to the rest of the running world. This is a friendly, fast and highly likeable carbon-plated race day shoe. This is the one we’ve been waiting for!!
Upon step in, it’s clear that we aren’t in Kansas anymore. The shoe feels immediately bouncy. It fits very much like a race-day shoe, as it should. It’s dialed-in and ready to go fast (though maybe a touch narrow). I found that my size 9 fit well.
The lace system allows for great lockdown. I particularly like the sawtooth laces and had no trouble (but am not sure why they are so long).
Like Courtney, I found the heel collar to be anywhere from rather noticeable to somewhat irritating. It’s unclear why the tab extends into the interior of the shoe. They are certainly aiming for a streamlined fit and minimal overlays but the heel could use some added support in my opinion.
Peter: I have a vague recollection of finding a previous Hyperion Elite or 2 so firm as to be nearly un-runnable. I remember wondering how Des was possibly running long mileage in them. Well, things have definitely changed in Brooks-ville! The Hyperion Elite 4PB is light, responsive, bouncy and fun to run in. The upper is mesh. It’s woven more tightly in some areas and looser in others. Overall it’s a terrifically breathable shoe. I’m a little concerned that the upper may have some durability issues, but so far so good.
Sizing is true-to-size for me. I didn’t have any issues with irritation on the heel due to the ankle collar or the pull tab. For me the fit is excellent, the shoe looks good and the laces don’t come undone. After running in the rain this morning I can say that they really don’t retain any water. I hit a couple of huge puddles and my shoes never felt heavy or cumbersome.
Midsole & Platform
Photo Credit: Sally Reiley
Courtney: The Hyperion Elite 4 PB is outfitted with 40mm (heel stack) of 100% PEBA DNA GOLD foam, and tuned with a propulsive SpeedVault lattice design plate by ARRIS. It is super soft yet propulsive with the plate custom fitted to each size run in manufacturing. The skeletal plate allows for a more flexible ride while still providing enough rigidity and propulsion. For this reason, it is one of the most naturally rolling race shoes I have experienced. The heel’s bevel geometry is a little less gradual and the drop of 8mm encourages higher cadences and quick transition to midfoot and toe off.
Ben: As Courtney notes, the improved quality of the foam is a game changer. The PEBA DNA GOLD foam is significant and high quality. The platform still feels rather narrow to me, even if slightly wider than V3. That said, the midsole is highly plush, a giant upgrade from earlier iterations of the shoe and portends well for the Hyperion Elite 5 that is set to launch later this year.
The shoe is not overly firm or harsh and works best at high speeds. I imagine that this will be a good option for those who are looking to try out a carbon-plated shoe for the first time or perhaps as a very good option for workout days.
Peter: The foam here feels good. Smooth rolling, bouncy, responsive and just soft enough to make the ride enjoyable for the long haul. I wonder if the foam in the heel will feel too soft for heel-strikers. I land at my midfoot so it’s not an issue for me, but the heel is pretty darn soft. The platform feels plenty stable to me–it’s not so high stacked or soft that it feels dicey. The plate provides propulsion after a smooth roll off of the forefoot. I felt that the foam, plate and drop all worked together to help me feel really comfortable at MGP and quicker.
Outsole
Courtney: The lattice-work rubberized outsole on the Hyperion gives you plenty of traction through the forefoot. The medial rubber heel pad is quite small, but this gave me no real problems with grip. The outsole is well segmented so that it gives the foam more room to compress and gives some flexibility. I am not sure how long the heel of this shoe will stay intact with my running stride, but the exposed foam certainly feels more durable than competitors. I have noticed a bit of wear on the foam of the lateral toe, as the rubber toe-guard is quite narrow.
Peter: So far so good on the outsole. Durability seems good. Most importantly I felt absolutely no slippage on wet roads this morning. I was alternating paces and had a lot of hot corners and felt super solid the whole way through.
Ride, Conclusions and Recommendations
Courtney; THE DNA GOLD foam update to the HE4PB is a game changer for this shoe. They feel so cushioned, natural and controlled, yet give me the energetic toe off I need to run fast. They are very responsive and light on foot, but maybe not quite as lightweight and bouncy as top tier racers like Nike Alphafly 3 and Adidas Adios Pro 4 (See more on this in my comparisons).
My biggest issue is with the heel counter and heel tab causing a significant blister on my left achilles. Again, this might just be my mechanics, but seems like a last second add by Brooks and an unnecessary element.
The HE4PB absorbs impact while providing an excellent responsive ride and may be a great entry carbon plate racer for many runners because of its natural ride. Brooks has always understood its runners and this is an excellent example of combining performance with usability.
Courtney’s Score: 8.73 / 10
Ride (50%): 9.0 really natural ride, great responsive racer/speed work shoe
Fit (30%): 8.0 -deduction due to blister on left heel but great fit overall
Value (15%): 9.0 It's the going price these days
Style (5%): 9.5 great colors and simplistic design
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Ben: The Hyperion Elite 4 PB is a breath of fresh air from Brooks. It is a terrific addition to their lineup of shoes and a fantastic option for fast days or races up to the marathon distance. The ride is enjoyable and quick with a highly breathable upper and great, upgraded foam underfoot.
The lockdown is solid. It’s a shoe that loves going fast. I also believe that this is a great starter carbon racing shoe for those new to carbon-plated options. It’s highly accessible and fun to run.
As for drawbacks, the shoe may be somewhat narrow for some and the heel fit certainly leaves something to be desired. Acknowledging that the Hyperion Elite 5 is set to come out later this year, this shoe confirms that Brooks is back on track and eager to appeal to the racing public. We can only hope that the 5 builds on this stellar shoe and fixes some of these minor issues.
Ben’s score: 9.3/10
with deductions only for width and heel issues
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Peter: The ride is excellent. It may lack the WOW factor of some other super-shoes, but I think that works in favor of the Hyperion Elite 4 PB. Some of the other high stack racers are fun but when my form starts to go towards the end of a race the shoes exacerbate the problem rather than help it.
I feel like the relatively ‘normal’ stack height and 8mm drop of the Hyperion along with the plate and foam help encourage a stable and consistent ride. I’m a fan of the slightly higher drop as well. The Hyperion Elite4 PB suggests an older school racing flat with new foam and plate technology–rather than a whole new category of super-shoe. It’s a really enjoyable ride that feels good over longer tempo runs. Breathability is excellent and it will make a great spring and summer racing shoe.
Peter’s Score 9.3
I really enjoy the shoe and it feels great at pace. I’m on the fence about whether it’s got enough cushioning up front for me at 32mm to run a marathon in it–but I’m not ruling it out.
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6 Comparisons
Nike Alphafly 3 (RTR Review)
Courtney: The Alphafly 3, s fan favorite racer comes in slightly lighter at 6.1 oz in my size and with the same 8mm drop. For me, the Alphafly has a lot of versatility for speed. The air pods give a ride unlike any other shoe which can be a little jarring for some. The heel foam lets you sink in and then propels you off once your foot hits the air pods. In contrast, the Hyperion has a much more easy rolling ride that is super approachable and controlled. One cannot deny the Alphafly has an extra push of speed that I’m not sure the Hyperion Elite can match, but it depends on what you use the shoe for.
Ben: The Alphafly 3, for me, is the benchmark in carbon-plated race day shoes. It’s light, fast and fun. The ride is unparalleled. If you’re looking for slightly more ground feel through the gait cycle and something a touch more natural, the Brooks is for you, but I imagine most of us will reach for the AlphaFly 3 nine times out of ten here.
Saucony Endorphin Elite 1 (RTR Review)
Courtney: The Endorphin Elite will always have a special place in my running shoe heart. I am now on my third pair and have run countless miles in them. At 6.5 ounces, the Endorphin Elite is a shoe made for marathon and half marathon paces. I have tried a few shorter races in them and they never got me the speed I needed, especially on fatigued legs. I also tend to have trouble getting up over the rocker on hilly sections in the Elite, but it provides you with plenty of stability to get you through those later miles when your form might weaken.
The Hyperion on the other hand is probably better suited for a 5k-half marathon, but I'm not sure it has that same stability that you need in a longer duration event. DNA GOLD is softer than the PWRRUN HG foam of the Elite giving a little more cushion to your landings. I found my upper body joints (hips and low back) take on a bit more of a beating in the Endorphin Elites.
The outsole of the Hyperion definitely wins with more rubber coverage.
Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 (RTR Review)
Courtney: This is a shoe that works well for 10k- half marathon pace for me (though I would only use it for speedwork). The rocker geometry in the Pro 4 gave me some issues in my arch that would come and go with workouts feelingt harder. The Hyperion Elite seems slightly more versatile. The foam and skeletal plate are much more forgiving in the midfoot.
Ben: I am one of the few who did not get along well with the Endorphin 4. I found it to be very harsh and not at all accommodating at slower paces. The Hyperion Elite 4 PB is neither of those things.
Adidas Adios Pro 4 (RTR Review)
Courtney: The Adios Pro 4 is a ultra lightweight race shoe coming in at 172 grams, so 10 g lighter than the Hyperion Elite 4 PB in my US women’s 9. At $250, they are priced equally but the ride is quite different. The Pro has a 6mm drop, higher forefoot stack with a pretty aggressive forefoot rocker.
The cutout in the medial arch also contributes to the slight collapse in my arch. For this reason I will only use this shoe for shorter distance racing. Those with stability needs might find the Hyperion to be more supportive through the midfoot.
In my opinion, the looseness of the upper of the Adios Pro 4 and the lacing leave something to be desired. Without much stretch in the material, there was significant bunching both in the toe box and throughout the midfoot. I had multiple stops on my first run to find the appropriate lockdown.
The Lightstrike Pro foam is a bouncy foam with plenty of energy return and the Energy Rods length propel you forward, but at the cost of feeling somewhat out of control especially at higher speeds.
Hoka Mach X 2 (RTR Review)
Peter: The Mach X2 attacked the back of my ankle/achilles pretty severely. For me the Hyperion was a better fit and a more fun ride.
Hoka Cielo X1 (RTR Review)
Peter: The Cielo is a higher stack and has more pizazz. For me, the Hoka wants to go faster than the Hyperion. The Hyperion feels more like a natural extension of the foot and might be a better choice over long miles. The Cielo is pretty built up under the arch. Right now these are my top two options for an upcoming marathon. Will have to run them side by side at pace to decide.
Ben: I agree with Peter. The Cielo X1 has a definite WOW factor. It feels amazing. It’s bouncy and propulsive. The Hyperion feels more natural and less dramatic. My preference is for the Hoka. This one’s all about personal preference
Index to all RTR reviews: HERE
Tester Profiles
Courtney Kelly, age 37 is a college lacrosse player turned avid runner. She lives in Manchester, MA with her husband and two daughters ages 4 and 8. Courtney signed up for her first 1/2 marathon the morning of the race in 2022, winning second place in a time of 1:26. She decided to take running a bit more seriously, joining the Wicked Running Club and trying some training plans. She ran her first marathon this fall in 3:04:27. In addition, she holds a half marathon PR of 1:25, a 5 mile PR 30:17, and a 5k PR of 18:20. She looks forward to getting some more strength and speed under her belt this next season, before taking a crack at the marathon again. She is 5’4”, 110 lbs
Ben is the Senior Rabbi of Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel of Elkins Park, PA. A cancer survivor, he has run 21 marathons. He holds PRs of 3:15 for the marathon and 1:30 for the half. At 46, he still enjoys pushing himself and combining his running with supporting a variety of causes. Follow him on Instagram: @RabbiBPD or Twitter: @BDinPA
Peter lives in California and has been a sub 3 hour marathoner as well as a 1:21 half marathoner in recent years.
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