Brooks Hyperion Elite 5 Review

The Brooks Hyperion Elite 5 is a carbon-plated road racing shoe built to help you run faster over distances up to the marathon. Compared to its predecessor, it feels softer underfoot, has a noticeably bouncier ride, and comes in lighter—just 195 grams for a UK8. Super shoes (carbon-plated road racing shoes that provide extra propulsion) have typically been designed for elite runners. They’re most effective when the runner can load the carbon plate properly and maintain good posture throughout the race. The plate works like a spring—loaded at impact, then recoiling to help propel the runner forward. For elite marathoners, this can translate to around five minutes of time saved over 42.2 km.

However, for runners who don’t naturally land on the midfoot or lack the strength to hold a consistent posture, many carbon-plated shoes can feel awkward and may not offer the same benefits. Brooks has taken a different approach. While they sponsor elite athletes, it’s clear their carbon racer is designed to work for a broader range of runners—including those who aren’t racing at the front of the pack.

The Hyperion Elite 5 features a 40mm heel and 32mm forefoot stack—the maximum legal height for road racing shoes. The midsole is made from a PEBA foam called DNA Gold, which is soft, light, and highly responsive. Interestingly, despite the high stack, the shoe doesn’t feel unstable or overly bulky underfoot. It feels smoother and more forgiving than the previous version, yet still runnable at easy paces—something that can’t be said for every carbon-plated racer. Some race shoes are only comfortable when you’re at full tilt. This one, you can jog in.

The upper is constructed from a silicone mesh that’s extremely breathable and minimal. The heel cup is soft and flexible but has a firm vertical strip to maintain structure. The collar and heel are finished with soft knit padding, giving a surprisingly comfortable feel despite the stripped-back design. The tongue is very thin but has a cushioned pad where the laces tie across the top. Overall, the fit is snug—more like a cross-country spike than a daily trainer. When laced, the upper wraps closely around the foot for a locked-in fit. There’s also an extra eyelet for heel lockdown or butterfly lacing. The result is a shoe that feels like an extension of your foot.

The big toe line is straight, in keeping with Brooks’ other speed-focused models, giving a strong, direct toe-off. The rocker geometry, curved midsole, and carbon plate all work together to keep you rolling forward. The soft foam reduces impact shock, helping preserve your legs during hard efforts. The plate mimics the plantar fascia by storing and releasing energy, adding pop to each stride. Together, these elements encourage high cadence and upright posture, helping you stay efficient and light on your feet as fatigue builds.

As with all carbon shoes, some caution is advised. Because the shoe reduces the load on your lower legs, using it too frequently can lead to weakness in the feet, Achilles, and soleus. It’s best to limit use to race day or specific sessions. Brooks makes training shoes that replicate the Hyperion Elite’s rocker and geometry without the plate—such as the Brooks Hyperion 3 (un-plated) or the Hyperion Max 3 (with a plastic plate). These pair well with daily trainers like the Brooks Ghost 17 or Adrenaline GTS 24 to round out a complete rotation. One limitation to be aware of: carbon-plated shoes aren’t ideal for steep descents or sharp turns. The stiff plate resists torsion and flex, which can make tight corners awkward. That said, the Hyperion Elite 5 handles better than most in this category. Still, it’s on flat, fast courses where the shoe really shines—and where you’ll get the most benefit.

With high-stack, soft-foam shoes, ground feel is minimal—so you need a sticky, dependable outsole for confidence in all conditions. Brooks has developed a new version of their RoadTack rubber for the Hyperion Elite 5. It’s thinner (which allows for more midsole foam) but very grippy. I had no traction issues, even on wet roads or hilly routes.

Brooks shoes are similar in length to Saucony, Topo, Altra, and 361. If you usually wear Hoka, New Balance, Inov-8, or La Sportiva, consider going half a UK size smaller in Brooks. For example, a UK 11 in Brooks is roughly equivalent in length to a UK 11.5 in Hoka.

In summary: The Brooks Hyperion Elite 5 is a versatile and forgiving carbon-plated road racing shoe. Designed for marathon distances and below, it offers bounce, propulsion, and comfort—without alienating non-elite runners. It’s fast, but still runnable.

Other Considerations

Category: Carbon & Non-Carbon Training

Topo Specter 2: Topo don’t make running shoes with a carbon plate in them. This is because they believe in allow the feet to have enough space and stimulation to function. The toe box is broad and rounded to give the feet the room to spread on impact. The midsole is Peba but not quite as soft as a lot of go faster shoes. Don’t be fooled these are still a fast shoe: https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/topo-athletic-specter-2-review/

New Balance Super Comp Trainer v3: A very comfortable shoe and the carbon plate and rocker just keeps you cruising a long. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/new-balance-fuelcell-supercomp-trainer-v3-review/

Hoka Skyward X: A carbon plated road running shoe designed for cruising. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/hoka-skyward-x-review/

Category: Elite Level Carbon

Hoka Cielo x1 2.0: If you can hold the posture then these do help you run quickly. The midsole feels thicker, and the shoes are more unstable than the Hyperion Elite 5. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/hoka-cielo-x1-2-0-review/

New Balance Super Comp Pacer v2: These are easier to run in than a lot of carbon plated racing shoes. They feel just like a spike or old-fashioned racing shoe. For that reason, they will be a short race shoe for most runners. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/new-balance-fuelcell-supercomp-pacer-v2-review/

Altra Vanish Carbon 2: A broad rounded toe box and a very flexible carbon plate allows more foot function and gives the Altra Vanish Carbon 2 a much more natural feel than other carbon plated road racing shoes. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/altra-vanish-carbon-2-review/

New Balance Fuelcell SC Elite v4: A very soft under foot feel like the Cielo x1 2.0. A bit more stable but, not as stable as the Brooks Hyperion Elite 5. A broader fit than the Hyperion Elite 5 and available in two widths. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/new-balance-fuelcell-sc-elite-v4-review/