Brooks Hyperion Elite 4 review: Does Brooks finally have an elite race shoe?

The Brooks Hyperion Elite 4 is a running shoe that wants to be on your feet when it's race day, whether that's for a 5k or a marathon.

While previous Elites haven't exactly blown us away, Brooks hopes that'll change with number 4, as it makes changes to the upper, adds in more of its DNA Flash cushioning and re-designs the carbon plate to help make it more race-ready.

Testers Nick, Mike and Kieran have all been putting the Hyperion Elite 4 to the test to find out if this is a marathon super shoe you need to take notice of in 2024, or it's one that will struggle to compete with the stiff carbon racing shoe competition.

CHAPTERS:
00:00 – Intro
00:10 – Price and what’s new?
01:25 – How does it fit?
04:03 – The Run Test
12:42 - Initial verdict

More ways to enjoy The Run Testers

Some other videos you might find useful:

[Dzaen]

That's what I think as well. Why is this thing so expensive if it's not using PEBA or something else of that caliber. 4th iteration, still EVA. How can this shoe compete with ZoomX, Lightstrike Pro, FFturbo, Pwrrun PB and still cost as much as them, at least make it cheaper if anything. Maybe there is someone, a higher-up, that is blocking the use of other materials for some reason. Hey at least it looks good!

[andrewsalinas]

I honestly really enjoyed this show. Very responsive and felt springy. Will be my race day shoe for a half Marathon🤙🏼

[Feanaro]

This is the shoe that sucked the life out of Thomas from BitR 😅

[dmleibo]

If you’re coming off the Hyp Elite 3, this feels great. If you’re coming off the Adios Pro 3, it’s too too firm. And it’s too bad because the upper is great and the shoe is just so comfortable. Brooks generally is the most comfortable for me so I continue to hope the next version gets the midsole right.

[EricS-ufmv]

The problem is Brooks is trying to sell a VW Golf GTI for the price of a Porsche Spyder. This foam technology in a race shoe would've been mediocre 3 yrs ago. Today in 2024 DNA Flash makes for a barely serviceable TRAINING shoe and *should* be priced as such. If the Hyperion Elite 4 were priced at $160-$170, it would be competitive with the Endorphin Speed, Takumi Sen, Boston 12, and Deviate Nitro's of the world. But then again, the Elite 4 probably couldn't even clean sweep those four 'lesser' shoes.

[na-dkvm]

Which brooks shoe NOW is the closest to the hyperion Elite 2 from years ago??

They were one of the best shoes I've ever had for speed.

[owenearl]

All the negative reviews for the Hyperion elite 3 worked in my favour.. I picked up a new pair from the Brooks store for $150 Australian dollars and have been using it as a plated trainer. I’m 6’6” and find the foam very good when doing intervals and long runs.

[Mademcio]

Any chances to get the verdict of the best super shoe for 2024? Already saw comparison of all but there’s no a final winner out there from all the new super shoes that just released

[davidg]

The pro 4 is much softer foam this foam is very hard for me

[garry]

Baffles me that Brooks didn't know that the foam wouldn't match the other brands. You guys all found it out. Don't they test their shoes?

[michealGRuns]

Interesting that you guys seem to think it lacks aggression & punch considering that it was used to run a 3:47 mile 🤔

[jimoconnor]

No... Didn't even need to watch this video. LOL I tried these at a store and was like $250? Has to be a joke.. V4, still bad!

[dwb]

A $300 CAD shoe that folks are saying they wouldn’t run 20k in? Sounds pretty bad

[MrMiles]

Sounds like completely wrong price point.

[botrytis_cinerea]

In short: no, their foam still sucks. Still can't understand why people purchase Brooks shoes at all? Brooks shouldn't exist.

[jjchang]

sound likes a deviate nitro 2 (not the elite)