Tested on 200s and 5Ks, the Hyperion Elite 6 Is the Fastest Brooks Shoe Yet

The rundown: The Brooks Hyperion Elite 6, a pure PEBA racer, has a steeper carbon plate and rocker to provide a more aggressive ride than its predecessors. Testers liked the shoe’s lightweight and comfy, but responsive, cushioning, declaring the Hyperion Elite 6 their go-to racing shoe. The Hyperion Elite 6, Brooks’s latest super shoe, demonstrates how the brand zeroed in on key features after finally making the switch to a full PEBA midsole. The result is a super shoe that feels faster, more propulsive, and more lightweight—and more like a true super shoe.A year ago, Brooks-sponsored athlete and Chief Running Officer Des Linden revealed one of her proudest accomplishments was getting PEBA into the company’s racing shoes. Putting PEBA in the Hyperion Elite 5 was a major boon for Brooks athletes, who were competing in past shoes with nitrogen-infused EVA—effective but not necessarily a competitive advantage. PEBA, on the other hand, is still regarded as the super foam of super foams (though TPEE and A-TPU are taking over). The foam is lightweight and delivers explosive energy return. With the Hyperion Elite 6, Brooks is on its way to perfecting its rendition of a marathoner racer.The Best Brooks Racer YetProsSteeper angled plate and more angled rocker for faster turnoverPEBA midsole provides propulsive rideSoft and comfy rideConsNot as bouncy as top competitorsTypeRacingFoamPEBAWeight6.8 oz (M9, unisex)Drop7 mmStack Height (Heel)40 mmUpdated FeaturesThe Hyperion Elite 6 is athlete-informed, with notes from Brooks’s elites, including marathoners Erika Kemp, Zach Panning, and Susanna Sullivan, helping to mold the shoe into its final form. This version of nitrogen-infused DNA Gold is slightly softer, lighter, and more responsive. But it’s only one part of the equation.Brooks increased the angle of the carbon-fiber SpeedVault+ plate and updated the RapidRoll rocker geometry; the forefoot has a greater curve in this iteration so you can push off sooner. The forefoot is more locked-in to ensure stability as your feet literally rapid roll.Testing the Hyperion Elite 6With no marathons on my calendar, I hit the track at New York City’s Icahn Stadium, where Tracksmith was hosting the Twilight 5000. The oval was the ideal testing ground for measuring traction, momentum, and comfort while racing in the fast lane.Full transparency: I didn’t hit my A-goal, sub-19 minutes, because I had full-on period cramps by lap 4 of 12. Despite the pain in my uterus, my focus was on my feet and the lane in front of me. On the turns, I was surefooted and didn’t flail my arms to right myself as I rounded each curve. The straightaways—at least the first half of them before my sides started screaming—were easy to accelerate and surge.Winston ZhouThe SpeedVault plate (exposed with an outsole cutout) has a steeper angle in the PEBA foam to encourage faster turnover.Almost every part of my body was drenched in sweat on that humid July evening, but the ultralight TPU-pressed upper provided airflow for my feet, preventing any slippage. The lacing, thin collar, and flat tongue also ensured my feet were secure.I finished 19:31 in my 18:30 heat, but I wasn’t the only one who didn’t make the sub-19 cutoff. On any other day, any other time of month, I think 18:30 would have been possible in the Hyperion Elite 6 (and who’s to say it isn’t still?).What RW Testers Had to SayOur testers were generally impressed with the Hyperion Elite 6. Carly Danoski followed her own strict guidelines testing the shoe: Her workouts ranged from 6:20 pace to 34-second 200s.“Some racing shoes have monstrous stack heights, but this felt like it had plenty of cushion for long efforts while still feeling like you’re grounded,” she said. “I really appreciated the stack in the heel for the longer and tempo paces, while I enjoyed the toe-off and forefoot rocker for the really speedy stuff.” At the time of testing, Danoski had set her sights on racing a 15K in the shoes, excited to see how they would perform in hot weather.Winston ZhouThe Hyperion Elite 6 has an accommodating fit in the midfoot area.Tester Sean Phillips also plans on racing in the Hyperion Elite 6 at the Berlin Marathon. He ran in the shoe at 5:00 to 6:30 pace.“Overall, the Brooks Hyperion Elite 6 is my favorite racing shoe for long distances, such as marathons,” he said. “I ran my personal best in the marathon in the Hyperion Elite 5, and based on my testing, I believe the Elite 6 is an improvement upon the previous version. The shoe seems to be lighter, has a greater rocker, and the same comfortable ride.”Though Phillips plans to race in the shoe, he added a “disclaimer” on the Hyperion Elite 6 in his feedback form. He explained how the super shoe may not be the most responsive compared to its competitors, but it succeeds in getting the job done in terms of comfort.Winston ZhouThe TPU-pressed upper provides excellent ventilation while racing.“I believe there are super shoes such as the Nike Alphafly or Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo that may outperform this shoe in speed, but I do not think it will outperform in the combination of speed and comfort,” he said. “For me, this is the perfect mix of both for somebody who cares about trying to pursue a mid-2:30s marathon time, but who is not breaking any world records.”Who Should Race in the Hyperion Elite 6?Testers liked how the shoe has a more accommodating fit compared to other super shoes they’ve raced in. Referencing the Asics’s Metaspeeds and Nike Vaporfly, Danoski said the Brooks shoe seemed to have a less narrow platform. But it was also rated low in stability because of its aggressive rocker, which is something to note if you need support while racing.Runners looking for a soft, lightweight super shoe that gives them that competitive edge should consider the Hyperion Elite 6. And even though Phillips described the shoe as not a record breaker, I stand by what I said about my imminent 18:30: Don’t rule the Hyperion Elite 6 out. With the right conditions and the right training, all things are possible—especially with the right pair of shoes.Shop Brooks Hyperion Elite 6 at fleetfeet.comShop Brooks Hyperion Elite 6 at brooksrunning.comAmanda Furrer, Editor, Running Reviews, studied journalism at NYU and writing at Emerson College. She has reviewed gear and covered other topics in the running space for almost 10 years. Since 2013, she has consecutively run the Boston Marathon. She also has a master’s degree in gastronomy from Boston University and was formerly a professional baker for two years before hanging up her apron.