Brooks Hyperion Elite 4 Multi Tester Review: 7 Comparisons

Article by Sally Reiley, Ryan Eiler, and Michael Ellenberger

Brooks Hyperion Elite 4 ($250)

Introduction

The Hyperion Elite, Brooks’ elite degree street racer sees a whole makeover for its fourth version. It will get a brand new DNA Flash v2 supercritical nitrogen infused foam which Brooks claims will increase power return by almost 10% whereas being lighter than v1 DNA Flash foam.

Its Speedvault + plate is a skeletal design. It’s produced in an additive molding very low waste course of by Brooks associate Arris.  Utilizing this method doesn’t constrain the plate design to reducing the plate form from sheets of composite as up to now and for others.  The Arris method additionally permits design and engineering of the plate patterns and ribbing to supply stiffness the place wanted to maximise efficiency with materials not used (and wasted in reducing to form) the place not wanted.  Additional the plate might be tuned given the additive manufacturing course of by shoe dimension with correlation to the runner’s approximate weight, and so forth.. and never only for plate dimension based mostly on shoe dimension. 

Hyperion Elite 4 sees a 4mm enhance in stack peak to 40mm on the heel whereas retaining its 8mm drop. The tremendous streamlined higher is clearly extra breathable and lighter than the earlier higher.  

The adjustments “add” up as we see a big 0.9 oz / 25g drop in spec weight to 7.2 oz / in a US males’s 9 and this regardless of the rise in stack peak.

Early elite race outcomes are promising!  Des Linden raced a late prototype to a US Masters report 2:27:47 on the 2023 Chicago Marathon and world 1500 meter champ Josh Kerr not solely gained the fifth Avenue Mile in his however took 2 minutes off his 2022 half marathon PR to 61:51 this late fall.

So is Brooks lastly within the marathon tremendous shoe high ranks for the remainder of us after the not notably inspiring if very coaching worthy first 3 editions? The stats and enhancements level that approach.  Let’s discover out!

Professionals: 

Properly-fitting higher that’s instantly comfy with safe lockdown: Sally/Michael /Ryan

Extremely breathable higher gives incredible air flow: Sally/Michael/Ryan

Nice trying shoe throughout, lux options corresponding to comfortable ultrasuede like ankle collar and heel tab: Sally/Michael

Tongue has simply sufficient cushion at heart for consolation, is tacked to the higher excessive on the medial facet so no slippage, properly ventilated down low: Sally/Ryan

Outsole gives wonderful traction even on moist surfaces: Sally

Pure feeling experience with a pleasant rocker propulsion and with none awkwardness: Sally/Ryan

Very snappy turnover, low inertia, low quantity feeling on foot: Ryan

Easy and easy, no-frills experience: Ryan/Sally

Cons:

Not as bouncy and undoubtedly not as comfortable as a few of the different marathon day tremendous sneakers (I like bounce) Michael/Sally/Ryan

Firmer and fewer cushioned than I’d need for 26.2: Sally/Ryan

Comfortable higher suits properly but doesn’t have sufficient “give” to permit for foot irregularities (bunions and so forth)  

Outsole protection underneath the toe is missing: Ryan

Toe field too unfastened as in comparison with midfoot: Ryan

Please discover the testers full run bios on the finish of the article after Comparisons.

Stats

Approx. Weight: males’s 7.6 oz  / 215g (US9)  /  girls’s  6.7 oz / 192 g (US W8)

  Samples: girls’s 6.7 oz / 192 g (US W8) 

                  males’s 7.83oz  / 222g (US M9.5)

Stack Peak: 40 mm heel / mm 32 mm forefoot ( 8mm drop spec) 

                 v3: 35mm heel / 27mm forefoot, 8 mm drop

Platform Width: 75 mm heel / 66 mm midfoot / 106 mm forefoot

$ 250 Accessible Feb.1, 2024

First Impressions, Match and Higher

Sally: I used to be lucky to attend The Working Occasion (TRE) in Austin, TX Nov 28-30 representing RoadTrailRun and waSinvited to some non-public shakeout runs whereas I used to be there. One such occasion was a morning run alongside the Austin riverfront with Brooks and a number of other of their skilled athletes, together with my hero Des Linden, the brand new American Masters Marathon Document holder (set at Chicago Marathon in October). 

It was so cool to run alongside and chat casually with Des – she is so NORMAL and relatable and but so cool and so good.  In case you have not listened to her podcast with Kara Goucher, accomplish that instantly! “No one Requested Us” is entertaining and informative and an amazing pay attention. 

Again to the Hyperion Elite 4…. We had been every handed a pair to put on in Austin whereas operating with the Brooks group. My pair in dimension W8 match comfortably true to dimension proper out of the field. 

These first few runs in Austin had been mellow and the shoe match and felt nice. Simple on, no sizzling spots, safe maintain, very breathable higher, basic seems. 

It isn’t a shoe that wows you with the stack peak or the tremendous comfortable foam or the bounciness or the futuristic look and almost-unnatural rocker geometry of a few of the latest sneakers. It’s extra of an old-fashioned conventional racing flat feel and appear however in a contemporary light-weight bundle with a carbon plate and responsive midsole. 

The higher appears to suit my barely slim foot like a glove, comfortable however not too tight.  

And once I say very breathable higher, I imply extremely properly ventilated with a lacy holey weave, notably throughout the highest of the foot and even within the tongue. 

This can be nice for decent climate runs, however maybe not so nice for runs within the lifeless of a chilly New England winter. My preliminary miles had been very gratifying and optimistic. I used to be admittedly not a lot of a fan of the sooner Hyperion Elite variations considering they felt a bit lifeless underfoot to me, however wow, this one is totally different. Brooks might now have a legit racer for many people.

I ought to level out one problem I had with the match of the HE4 after quite a few miles: I developed ache on the web site of a bunion (inside ball of foot at large toe) that I had completely forgotten about. The higher doesn’t have the stretchiness to accommodate that irregularity in my left foot, and I felt it. 

Michael: There’s one thing basic in regards to the look (and really feel, however we’ll get to that!) of the Brooks Hyperion Elite 4. It simply seems… quick! And quick, with out the semi-organic, neo-futuristic look of the Alphafly (or 361 Livid Future – or, hey, what about Brooks’s personal Aurora BL?!). No, the Hyperion Elite 4 seems prefer it belongs on the beginning line at present, but in addition on the beginning line of a race in 2010, and perhaps in 2000, too. It’s timeless in an inoffensive approach, however I dig it.

So from that favorable opinion, I’m comfortable to say the match and end of the Hyperion Elite observe – once more, that is removed from the flashiest choice, however the higher is especially light-weight (I’ll chorus from any “holy” jokes however sure – it’s fairly porous!) and suits fairly snugly. 

My 8.5 was true-to-size (on the smaller finish, which I admire in a racer) and, genuinely, I didn’t have a lot to complain about throughout the higher. Lacing is nice, heel-lock is nice, I even discovered the semi-rigid (however padded) heel collar to be light on my dodgy Achilles … I’ve solely good issues to say in regards to the Hyperion Elite 4 from this attitude and that’s not all the time the case on recent-model Brooks sneakers!

Ryan: I wasn’t an enormous fan of the previous members of the Hyperion Elite line. Whether or not it was the match and sizing of the higher or the blocky experience of the midsole, it traditionally hasn’t been a shoe that I’ve been keen to succeed in for. Nevertheless, this iteration feels solely totally different and recent, and after placing the Hyperion Elite v4 via its paces I’m comfortable to report that Brooks has hit on one thing that’s altering my thoughts.

For a marquee racing shoe, and compared to its opponents, its seems are barely subdued, however that’s nice by me. You’ll instantly discover how a lot weight financial savings there’s within the higher by its very exact, very ethereal engineered mesh. My M9.5 ran true to dimension, according to Michael’s and Sally’s experiences. Due to the looser weave within the toe field, it appears like there’s loads of room to wiggle and splay your toes. It’s actually not sloppy, but it surely delivers what I’d name a marathon-specific sort of match up entrance. 

There’s tons of air flow atop the foot (and even again behind the overlays), whereas the weave is tighter and stronger because it will get nearer to the midsole in addition to behind the brand overlays.

In distinction, lockdown within the midfoot portion of the shoe feels a lot stronger and worthy of a 5k-10k racer. There, a tighter weave within the mesh, together with medial and lateral overlays tha enable for a formidable degree of foot containment. 

And be at liberty to crank down the serrated laces, because the padding within the tongue does a incredible job of assuaging bridge stress with out including a lot weight. 

Though the heel development is on the leaner facet, there’s a skinny strip of rigidity operating vertically as much as the pull tab, bolstering the heel cup properly. 

With a hoop of suede-like inside padding surrounding many of the heel, lockdown is stable sufficient – I had zero points with heel raise or rubbing. The tongue design is considerably improved right here, and combines an ease of entry, safety from lace chew, and even some nice airflow via its decrease portion.

My one quibble pertains to the lockdown of the forefoot vs the midfoot. Whereas the midfoot affords nice construction and energy, feeling able to tackling 5k tempo, the forefoot and heel are clearly extra within the marathon-focused camp. I used to be capable of push these across the observe for a set of 400m repeats with out desirous about lockdown, though my toes had somewhat extra freedom than I might have most well-liked for that session. 

Except for the midsole seeming barely conflicted about whether or not it needs to be a long-haul shoe or a 5k shoe, which is admittedly a small nitpick, the higher is a large, spectacular enchancment that the majority people will take pleasure in.

Midsole & Platform

Michael: Underfoot, Brooks has actually overhauled this model, gifting us its latest “DNA Flash v2” foam – it’s a Nitrogen-infused, supercritical foam. Apparently there’s a declare that power return has elevated 10%…. I can’t confirm that, but it surely actually is gratifying, and I hold coming again to this sense of “sharp” or “quick” underfoot. It’s not loopy bouncy (Adios Professional) nor agency and propulsive (recent-model Saucony racers) – it’s someplace within the center. Plus, at 40mm stack with an 8mm drop, I feel the racing geometry right here is extraordinarily properly executed.

Additionally, the “plate” expertise right here is… wild. And I’ve to place that time period in quotes, as a result of while you see what it seems like exterior of the shoe, you gained’t consider it goes in the shoe (or actually affiliate it with the time period “plate” in any respect!). Brooks calls this the “Speedvault Race+” system, they usually get it from an organization I had not arduous of, known as Arris. It’s some kind of lattice (it seems like one thing 3D printed, and perhaps in the future will probably be!) but it surely’s a little bit of technological precision that I’m glad Brooks baked in right here, each as a result of it results in an immensely gratifying, sharp experience, but in addition as a result of I feel the expertise is cool, and I’m glad to see one thing like this carried out.

Ryan: Let’s begin with essentially the most thrilling half: the ‘Speedvault Race+’ plate, made by Brooks associate  Arris Composites. As an alternative of taking a sheet of carbon and reducing it to form (eradicating materials), Arris used additive manufacturing to sculpt and bake a collection of carbon fibers right into a exact form. This course of allegedly permits the plate’s properties to be tuned by adjusting directionality and in  thickness in a approach that isn’t potential with typical strategies. It additionally results in much less waste.

The result’s a lattice-like plate, interspersed with strategically positioned gaps which you can see within the midsole cutout on the underside of the shoe. 

All I’ll say to this expertise is that it appears like a welcome enchancment over its predecessors, whose midsole platforms might really feel imposing and overly prescriptive. On this era, the plate is stiff however not overbearing, and appears to be extra balanced than its predecessors when paired with the ‘DNA Flash v2’ midsole. It doesn’t share the pliability of the plate discovered within the New Stability SC Elite 4, but it surely labored properly for me throughout exercises. I feel the firmness of the midsole foam round it makes it ‘slot in’, and is in some methods much less noticeable than a stiff plate paired with a comfortable midsole, the place you possibly can really feel the plate’s pressure as you’re employed via a softer transition. Don’t be mistaken although – it is a stiff shoe that gained’t take kindly to informal, restoration operating.

The midsole foam is a brand new DNA Flash v2 nitrogen infused supercritical foam which Brooks claims will increase power return by almost 10% whereas being lighter. It leans towards the firmer finish of the spectrum for high-stacked distance racers. It makes the shoe really feel extra like a 5k-half marathon shoe, particularly while you examine it to one thing like a Vaporfly, Adios Professional, Endorphin Professional 3 and (particularly) a New Stability SC Elite 2,3, or 4. So whereas it doesn’t provide the identical depth of cushioning as these aforementioned opponents, it does serve up an exceptionally snappy and responsive experience. 

This turned out to be maybe my favourite a part of this bundle – it appears like a low quantity, low inertia shoe even when the tempo will get spicy. I’d go as far as to say that the turnover of this HEv4 is among the many quickest I’ve felt in a distance shoe, and it appeared like my floor contact time was shorter than regular (a superb factor).

What I additionally got here to understand was the simplicity of its efficiency. The midsole is comparatively agency, so it scores excessive on stability and is fast to pop its power again up into your legs. However take into accout, there’s additionally 40mm of the stuff on the heel so I actually wouldn’t name it a tough experience.

There aren’t any nuances or attention-seeking options that take getting used to, and for that motive I feel it is a midsole appropriate to a variety of parents searching for a quick however secure race day shoe.

Sally:  Brooks is likely to be the primary promoting shoe for the on a regular basis runner (truth test wanted, however isn’t the Brooks Ghost the highest promoting shoe over all efficiency trainers?), but it surely has additionally had a fame up to now for not maintaining with the fashionable shoe tech. Properly, this shoe adjustments that. The expertise behind the SpeedVaultRace+ plate, developed along with/ by Arris Composites, a Berkely, CA developer of steady carbon fiber composites for quite a lot of functions, is ingenuous.  And it  ought to be celebrated for its sustainability focus: they’ve principally “developed a course of to take scrap carbon composites and realign and remold them” into the lattice like net of carbon that they hope will show unmatched within the stiffness to weight ratio. 

Mix that carbon fiber plate with Brooks’ new nitrogen-infused DNA Flash V2 midsole foam and we’ve a shoe that’s on the forefront of present shoe expertise. They declare that the brand new midsole foam is lighter and extra responsive with a ten% larger power return (I’m curious as to how they really measure that). There’s additionally some curved sculpting of the midsole that they’re calling Speedy Roll Rocker.

I discovered the shoe very mild on the foot and noticeably agency, however with loads of rebound. 40mm of froth, even when considerably agency, nonetheless absorbs influence to maintain your legs feeling recent. This isn’t a comfortable bouncy experience like a few of the different marathon tremendous sneakers (assume New Stability SC Elite collection), however it’s a extra conventional and peppy fast turnover experience. 

Des Linden wore a prototype of this shoe to set the Masters World Document on the Chicago Marathon in October, however it’s not essentially a marathon shoe in my thoughts. It excels on the brief quick distances; as a living proof, world 1500 champion  Josh Kerr (who holds the European indoor mile report with a time of three:48) gained the Fifth Ave Mile in them after which shortly after ran a 2 PR of 61:51 in what we predict is similar shoe. I’m satisfied a variety of runners will discover this a flexible race day shoe for quite a lot of distances, from the mile to the marathon. I might personally wish to race a half marathon or a 10K within the shoe.

Outsole

Michael: Grip and sturdiness are my two standards right here, and whereas the grip is healthier than I anticipated, the outsole sturdiness is… inconclusive (additionally, I wish to clarify, outsole sturdiness will not be shoe sturdiness/mileage expectations, although in fact they’re linked, as in case your outsole is shot, chances are you’ll be unable to place extra miles on the shoe… you get it!).

On grip – These aren’t stellar, however I did put on them on some moist days (what day isn’t moist these days!) and didn’t have actual points. I wouldn’t put on them in a winter race, as they had been noticeably slidy on actually slick painted components and people corners the place the snow/slush have compacted and also you simply know you’re going to must stutter-step… however they undoubtedly usually are not behind the majority of their friends within the racing class right here, and I’d somewhat put on these within the winter than, say, an Adios Professional.

On sturdiness – I had some fast toe-wear after my first run (treadmill) and extra after a pair extra out of doors runs. Surprisingly, the rear foam got here out trying good (and I don’t assume I solely ran on my forefoot, since I did a mixture of quick and gradual operating). Don’t panic – and undoubtedly don’t maintain these again just for race day – however I’d counsel you keep watch over it, and perhaps think-twice on operating in slick circumstances if you happen to’ve put greater than 100 miles on these and that entrance rubber is sporting skinny. There isn’t a lot to start out!

Ryan: The outsole shares a sample just like that of the plate embedded within the midsole simply above it. It’s a latticework of three patches of ridged rubber up entrance, and what’s turning into a quite common sight on the heel – two small islands of rubber defending both facet of the midsole foam. In distinction to some earlier variations of the shoe, grip felt nice and I’ve no complaints in regards to the selection of rubber used right here. 

I do want they’d used extra materials within the toe, nonetheless. There’s about the identical rubber defending the toe as there’s in components of the forefoot that see much less abrasion, and after solely 20 miles I might see some put on displaying in each the froth and rubber of the toe.

Sally: I likewise had loads of alternative to check these sneakers in moist circumstances, because the climate right here in New England has been difficult at better of late (rain, snow, wind, ugh). I had no points with traction on cornering and moist roads. There appears to be sufficient rubber to grip properly sufficient. 

Sturdiness is all the time arduous to find out after only some runs, however I’ve about 60 miles in my HE4. There’s some seen put on of the rubber on the very entrance of the toe,  and likewise on the skin fringe of the forefoot (bizarre, proper?).  As Michael mentioned, I might keep watch over it. 

All in all, I like the best way Brooks has a lattice sample of rubber on the outsole that does the job with out including an excessive amount of weight. The outsole will not be silent, however not loud like a few of the marathon supershoes (right here’s taking a look at you – earplugs in – Alphafly!).

Journey, Conclusions and Suggestions

Michael: I’m actually, actually proud of the Hyperion Elite 4. It’s my favourite Brooks racer ever, and the primary model I feel can genuinely compete with the top-of-class sneakers. That’s to not say it’s similar. Nike has springier, livelier sneakers (notably Alphafly 3, however even Vaporfly 3 is in that camp!), and Adidas nonetheless has a foam that actually can’t be touched for unequalled bounce, however I feel the Hyperion Elite 4 is degree with the ASICS and New Stability of the world (observe that I’ve not tried SC Elite 4!), and whether or not it’s Des Linden or your common marathoner, I feel many runners can be suited by a quick and extra conventional experience (with some extraordinarily non-traditional expertise!).

Michael’s Rating: 9.5/10

Ryan: The efficiency of the newest Hyperion Elite got here as a pleasant shock. Now not is the experience blocky and clunky, however somewhat snappy and extremely environment friendly. The firmness of the DNA Loft v2 midsole, its typical geometry, and its miniscule inertia produce a refreshingly fast turnover. There’s something to be appreciated about its simplicity too. The designers didn’t attempt to get overly intelligent with variable densities or elaborate midsole shapes, and it pays off. 

The partnered Speedvault+ plate additionally pairs properly with the midsole and makes for a critical however non-intimidating experience. The midsole is somewhat agency for many who like a rockered roll from heel to toe, so I’d counsel Hyperion Elite 4 is the kind of shoe that’s best for runners who are likely to pop from the midfoot. However really, it’s a easy sufficient experience that I feel it’s going to enchantment to a large swath of operating types.

The drawbacks in my eyes are that the shoe doesn’t present a contemporary degree of cushioning for a marathon, so there are doubtless higher suitors there at this $250 value level. In the identical vein, if we contemplate this as extra of a 10k racer, the forefoot and heel could also be somewhat underpowered (and overpriced). It’s a small persona battle, undoubtedly not giant sufficient to maintain this from being an excellent speed-oriented shoe. There’s additionally the minor concern of the best way that the toe rubber is laid out.

All in all, I’m fairly impressed on the large enhancements that Brooks was capable of ship in v4 of the Hyperion Elite. It occupies a considerably area of interest a part of the tremendous shoe spectrum, being the tip which favors stability and responsiveness over depth of cushion and most bounce. It’s nonetheless a maximal-stack (40mm) shoe with a fantastically executed inside plate, but it surely’s fairly a bit totally different than the opposite ‘supers’ we’ve been testing just lately (see our assessment of the New Stability SC Elite beneath, which occupies an altogether separate, extra informal, finish of the tremendous shoe spectrum). This Brooks is a shoe that I’ll undoubtedly be reaching for every now and then once I want that feeling of fleet-footed turnover.

Ryan’s Rating: 9.2 /10

(Deductions for mixing 10k midsole with marathon model higher, toe rubber format, value)

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Sally:   I used to be pleasantly shocked by this shoe, and assume that Brooks may lastly have an actual race day contender. Earlier variations of the Hyperion Elite left me chilly with a stiff uninteresting experience and a so-so higher, however that is an all new shoe. The progressive lattice like carbon fiber plate mixed with 40mm of a brand new DNA Flash v2 midsole foam, packaged in a light-weight comfortable and safe conventional trying higher ends in a fast, considerably agency however responsive experience. 

It doesn’t really feel something like a few of the different marathon race day sneakers such because the Alphafly or Vaporfly, or NB SC Elite which are softer and bouncier, however this feels extra like a conventional race flat up to date with all the fashionable expertise. 

I see it as a race day shoe that may enchantment to a variety of runners searching for a extra conventional peppy experience, notably for shorter race distances corresponding to 10K or Half Marathon. I completely agree with Ryan that this shoe encourages a fast turnover, so when my PT advises me to up my cadence I’ll lace them up. I would like extra cushion for the marathon distance, however it is a winner for the shorter races. And can look good doing it!

Sally’s rating: 9.55 / 10.0

Journey (50%):  9.5 Match (30%): 9.6 Worth (15%):  9.5 Fashion (5%):  10.0

😊😊😊😊 1/2

7 Comparisons

Index to all RTR opinions: HERE 

Hyperion Elite 1-3 (RTR Overview)

Ryan: Every Hyperion Elite of yesteryear appeared to have some kind of stand out downside that I couldn’t look previous, however that’s not the case with this newest v4. In model 3, the sizing was too lengthy, the higher materials wasn’t your best option, and the broad, stiff platform might make for a clunky experience. Brooks lastly had the braveness to vary the midsole form and its composition of v2 and v3, and that change has paid off in v4, which delivers a smoother and faster kind of experience. The transition of v4 is notably higher, and as I discussed within the assessment above, it occurs to have one of many snappiest turnovers of any distance shoe I’ve worn. The brand new, extra thoughtfully constructed higher is healthier in virtually each which approach, which incorporates foot containment, breathability, sizing, and luxury. The outsole nonetheless isn’t finest in school, but it surely works a lot properly in dry circumstances.

Nike Vaporfly 3 (RTR Overview)

Ryan: The Vaporfly 3 has a extra nuanced and energetic persona than the HE4. Its ZoomX midsole feels softer and extra leg-friendly, but it surely additionally isn’t as secure or responsive because the DNA Flash 2.0 midsole foam current within the HE4. 

The heel of the Nike is particularly comfortable when in comparison with the Brooks, making it really feel extra acceptable for marathon distances. The place the HE4 edges out the Vaporfly is within the class of turnover, the place its snappy, comparatively agency midsole lets you pop off the bottom extremely shortly. Distinction this to the Nike, the place the deeper compression of the ZoomX makes transitioning the shoe extra of a thought-out course of. The HE4 is noticeably extra secure than the Vaporfly, particularly within the heel.

Each sneakers share the same sort of higher, with a extremely engineered mesh – very perforated and meshy within the toe, and extra tightly woven within the midfoot. The Brooks feels prefer it locks the midfoot down barely higher with its additional overlays on each lateral and medial sides. The Vaporfly wins for  outsole design, because it merely places extra rubber onto the pavement and has a cleaner toe-off. On condition that these sneakers are available in across the identical value level, I feel the Vaporfly wins out. Each match true to dimension.

Sally: (W8 in HE4, W8.5 in VF) I ran my all-time marathon PR at London in 2022 within the Vaporfly 2, and now am operating within the Vaporfly 3. The Nike is a bouncier, livelier shoe that reinforces your confidence and makes me really feel as if I’m floating over the bottom. The HE4 is extra conventional however peppy and fast, encouraging quicker turnover, so it comes right down to what sort of runner you might be (maybe akin to the Metaspeed Sky vs Edge distinction of stride vs cadence). Each uppers are safe and light-weight, with the HE4 being essentially the most breathable higher I’ve ever worn (nice for the new climates!). I might select the VF3 for a marathon however the HE4 for a 10K

New Stability SC Elite v4 (RTR Overview)

Ryan: The SC Elite v4 is a far softer, extra approachable racer than the HE4. With the SC’s buttery comfortable and rockered midsole, in addition to its forefoot flex, it appeals to people who wish to mash and roll via their transition. The NB SC/RC Elite line has all the time appeared to enchantment to extra informal tempo marathon racers, those that wish to heel mash, or those that merely love the sensation of the softest, bounciest cushioning obtainable. Each are wonderful sneakers, however the Brooks works higher for quicker, snappier efforts due to its comparatively agency midsole and stiffer plate, whereas the New Stability is healthier suited to larger mileage and runners who aren’t as involved with stability or turnover. The Hyperion additionally feels significantly lighter on foot, though it doesn’t have the grip or sturdiness that the SC Elite affords. Each match true to dimension.

Sally: (W8 in each): I agree with all that Ryan mentioned. The HE4 is a light-weight extra conventional shoe with a agency midsole that responds properly to uptempo fast turnover efforts, whereas the SC Elite 4 wows you with its comfortable, super-cushioned bouncy experience that fits some (like me) properly for the lengthy mileage coaching efforts and others for the marathon race day. 

Adidas Adios Professional 3 (RTR Overview)

Ryan: The Adios Professional 3 is the far wilder, much less secure selection of those two. It has a stack that returns way more power, however is much less secure and takes some getting used to. The Adios Professional has been my go-to marathon shoe for a number of years now, so in my thoughts it wins this battle in relation to 2+ hour runs; nonetheless, the HE4 actually has its place for shorter, faster efforts. The firmer Brooks midsole feels much less cumbersome on foot and delivers a snappier turnover for 5k-10k efforts. When evaluating uppers, the HE4 is much less finicky and simpler to understand than the extra advanced eyelets and nuanced lockdown of the Adidas. I favor the outsole of the Adios Professional for its uniform, cheesy grip and stronger toe-off. I’d advocate the Adidas for marathoning, however the Brooks for something underneath a half marathon.

Nike Alphafly 3 (RTR Overview)

Ryan: The Alphafly 3 stacks up as a much more synthetic and complex device for the job. Its Zoom Air models pair with its large ZoomX midsole to ship a extremely distinctive experience – find it irresistible or hate it. 

Against this, the experience of the HE4 is way less complicated and simpler to adapt to. With the Nike, if you happen to aren’t mashing into the pods within the midfoot, you aren’t maximizing the shoe’s power return – which is to say that the shoe can really feel prescriptive at instances. With the Brooks, its extra uniform and traditional geometry makes for a cleaner and faster transition – no additional focus wanted to make issues work correctly.

That mentioned, if the Alphafly is your sort of experience (actually among the many most power environment friendly of any shoe thus far) then the Brooks will lose this battle by a mile. The HE4 is way firmer and extra responsive, which is great for 5k-10k efforts and encourages higher leg turnover, however I feel the Alphafly is extra protecting, bouncy, and able to setting a marathon PR.

The higher of the Alphafly is extra sock-like than that of the HE4, because the Nike doesn’t have any overlays and likewise makes use of a stretchy, tongue-less design. The HE4 has higher lockdown, thanks partially to its padded, extra typical tongue. The distinction in uppers additionally makes the Nike much more acceptable for marathons, whereas the HE4’s appeals to shorter distances. Grip and toe-off is healthier within the Alphafly due to its extra copious rubber.

Select the Alphafly for longer operating, however contemplate the HE4 for shorter, quicker efforts. Each match true to dimension.

Saucony Endorphin Professional 3 (RTR Overview)

Ryan: Similarly to most different ‘supers’ nowadays, the Endo Professional 3 focuses on delivering a large depth of cushion with plentiful bounce. This provides it a persona which is sort of distinct to that of the HE4, which prides itself on a firmer, a lot snappier experience. Whereas the Saucony likes you to load the froth and roll off of its rockered “Speedroll” midsole, the Brooks prefers that you just shortly pop off of its secure midsole and newly designed plate, somewhat than deal with looking for that ‘trampoline impact’. The HE4 feels much less voluminous on foot and has a decrease inertia due to the design adjustments made to this model. 

I additionally tremendously favor the higher of the HE4, because it has superior lockdown due to a extra considerate engineered mesh, in addition to extra succesful overlays on both facet of the shoe. I had horrible luck with the Saucony’s sturdiness, with each of its overlays cracking and peeling prematurely, in addition to the skinny rubber within the toe sporting away after an unreasonably low variety of miles. Each match true to dimension, however the Brooks tends to really feel extra comfortable due to how capably it incorporates the midfoot. I’m not a large fan of both outsole, however they each work moderately properly underneath truthful circumstances.

New Stability SC Elite v3, RC Elite  (RTR Overview)

Ryan: The earlier model of the SC Elite (v3) was a bit too informal to be thought-about a full-on tremendous shoe in my eyes. Its midsole was comfortable, however not explosive sufficient, and its higher was fairly comfy however didn’t reduce the mustard for a racing shoe – its tongue-less, slip-on design left the laces to do approach an excessive amount of of the lockdown, and foot containment suffered in consequence. Distinction this to the HE4, whose engineered mesh is way more elaborate and efficient at controlling the foot in a very powerful locations, and letting it breathe elsewhere. I strongly favor the higher of the HE4.

As for the midsoles, properly, they’re solely totally different creatures. The New Stability affords up a comfortable, inviting, and plush feeling of compression, whereas the Brooks takes a a lot firmer method in its midsole design. The SC Elite v3 needs you to mash into its cut up heel and roll via its rocker whereas partaking the plate, whereas the HE4 encourages you to get via your foot strike and transition in a much more expeditious method. Which can also be to say, the Brooks turns over and reduces floor contact time by its nature, whereas the SC Elite v3 affords way more cushioning and a extra relaxed method to lengthy runs. I don’t have a robust choice for both outsole, as each carry out moderately properly.

For those who love depth of cushion and don’t thoughts some instability, the SCE3 is a enjoyable, welcoming experience. However if you need one thing far snappier and responsive, the HE4 is the clear selection right here.

The Brooks Hyperion Elite 4 can be obtainable Feb.1, 2024

Tester Profiles

Ryan Eller A hopeless soccer profession led Ryan to take up operating, and after taking a decade-long break from competing, he’s again racking up mileage every time he can.  He calls the 2018 Boston Marathon the toughest race of his life, the place he completed in 2:40, barely remembering his identify on the end line.  Extra just lately he solo time trialed the 2020-2021 tremendous sneakers, typically sub quarter-hour for 5K. Ryan has a PR of two:17:16, an Olympic Marathon Trials qualifier from the 2023 Philadelphia Marathon after two different 2:18 efforts within the final 12 months.

Michael is a patent lawyer and graduate of Northwestern College Legislation College. Previous to regulation faculty, he competed collegiately at Washington College in St. Louis (10,000m PR of 30:21). Michael’s PRs embrace a 67:43 half-marathon (Chicago Half-Marathon) and a 2:21:19 marathon PR on the 2023 Grandma’s Marathon. Michael continues to race on the roads, and is chasing a sub-2:20 marathon and potential OTQ sooner or later.

Sally is a lifelong runner and mom of 5 who agreed towards her higher judgment to run her first marathon at age 54; she has since run the previous ten Boston Marathons, two NYC Marathons, one Chicago, and one London with the WMM Six Star Medal now in her sights. With a Boston PR of three:25:55 in 2022 (ninth place in AG) and two consecutive 2nd place in Age Group W60 awards in NYC, she competed within the Abbott World Marathon Majors Age Group World Championships on the 2022 London Marathon and ran an all-time PR of three:24:02, inserting sixth on this planet in her girls’s 60-64 age group.  She additionally competes in USATF races with the Better Lowell Highway Runners staff. So as to add that means to her Boston Marathon races she runs with Staff Eye and Ear and has raised over $275,000 for Massachusetts Eye and Ear Hospital. Sally is 5’2’’ and 105 kilos and lives in Marblehead, MA, coaching outside 12 months spherical. She blames her love of snowboarding out West for any and all Boston Marathon coaching challenges.