Brooks Hyperion Elite 4 PB

It seemed that Brooks had a thorn in their side when it came to racing shoes. It is true that they had fast shoes, but had not managed to get close to brands like Nike, Adidas or New Balance, among others, with a model that would attract the attention of the fastest runner. However, with the launch of the new Hyperion Elite 4 PB, the American brand has made a bold move and made it clear that they are still pursuing the pinnacle of maximum running performance. This new model, designed for distances ranging from 5K to marathon, comes with a clear promise: to be one of the lightest and most reactive shoes Brooks has ever produced.

At RUNNEA we've been using them for a few weeks now and we've come to the Mitja Marató Barcelona by Brooks to finish polishing this review and tell you our impressions. By the way, the "PB" (Personal Best) is not mere marketing: the shoe was born with the objective of helping you break your personal records, and it makes no secret of it.

Main new features: DNA Gold and SpeedVault+ in action

Ultra-light weight: 205 grams

The Brooks Hyperion Elite 4 was already in the low weight range, but this "4 PB" version reduces even more grams and consolidates at around 205 grams (men's size 9 US). That puts it in a very select club of sub 210 g shoes, ideal for those who want to fly on race day without feeling ballast on their feet.

New DNA Gold foam (with PEBA)

This is perhaps the most disruptive change. Brooks leaves behind the "DNA Flash v2" foam to introduce DNA Gold, a 100% PEBA nitrogen-infused compound that promises an energy return far superior to that seen in previous Hyperion models. In the words of the brand, 14% more "rebound" and 18% more displacement in the transition. Translated to sensations: you step on it and it catapults you.

SpeedVault+ carbon plate

The full-length carbon fiber plate was a must. What's new is the redesigned "SpeedVault+" which, according to Brooks, adjusts the stiffness to the rider's specific size and lightens the weight of the plate itself, while maintaining the same propulsive force. It is a step forward in the customization of the "push": the size 42.5 will not have the same plate as the 45, something that many of us have been asking for a long time.

Fit and sporty upper

The upper has become even more minimalist, with an ultra-breathable mesh that reveals the color of the sock underneath. The heel is reinforced with a lightweight TPU structure to prevent the foot from "flailing" in sharp turns, but without adding unnecessary layers. The support is firm, but still focused on speed, not comfort for daily training.

Drop and legal stack (40-32 mm)

The Hyperion Elite 4 PB stand at 40 mm heel height and 32 mm forefoot height, with a drop of 8 mm. Thus, they comply with World Athletics regulations for official competitions (thickness limits). They maintain that "cushioned-fast" feel, without going to extreme maximalism.

Running sensations: does it deliver what it promises?

As soon as I laced them up and started running on asphalt, I noticed a soft "cling" when I stepped on them, due to the carbon plate that is activated by the foam. It's not an aggressive "it forces you to step on the midfoot" feeling, but rather a progressive reactivity. However, on mile 2, when I accelerated to a pace close to 3:45 min/km, the plate and the foam seemed to say "ok, now we're getting along", and I felt a clear push in the final phase of the stride. It's a firm feel, mind you.

Middle distance and marathon

Brooks claims that several of their professional athletes have broken their marathon records wearing these Hyperion Elite 4 PB. To be honest, I see them perfectly suitable for 21K and 42K -if your technique is decent and your goal is to push a 3:xx pace-. The difference compared to previous versions is the freshness in the legs after 25-30 km. "You feel less fatigue, you don't drag your feet." That's the big advantage of the combination of plate and PEBA foam.

Traction and stability

The sole, although minimalist, has rubber in key areas and grips well on dry pavement. In the wet the grip is not bad, but as with almost all super running shoes, there is room for improvement. The base is not excessively wide, so lateral stability is not that of a daily trainer, but better than expected in a 200 g supershoe. The rear buttress and a slightly reinforced midfoot help provide some stability.

Comparison with Hyperion Elite 4 (without the PB) and previous editions

• Lighter: 11% lighter than Hyperion Elite 3 (and approximately 10 g less than the "normal" Elite 4).
• 14% higher energy return: noticeable when pushing hard, the "DNA Gold" midsole reacts with more momentum than the "DNA Flash v2."
• Greater Displacement: 18% more travel before compressing the bottom, which translates into more efficiency in each stride.
• Softer feel: The midsole is a 7% softer, which on long runs is appreciated as it reduces strain on the muscles.

Who are they for?

Are you a runner looking for a personal best in 5K, 10K, half marathon or marathon? This model is designed for you. That is, if you run at high paces (sub 4:00 in 10K, sub 4:30 in marathon) and you have the technique and power to make the most out of the carbon plate. It is not the ideal shoe for a beginner running at 5:30 or 6:00, nor for a gentle 20 km run.

Brooks themselves make it clear: "Hyperion Elite 4 PB = pure performance". That said, I've seen not so fast people who still buy them on a whim and run 4:30 no problem. But their cost (250 €) makes you rethink if you really will get the most out of them.

Analysis of the new "DNA Gold" compound

The change from DNA Flash to DNA Gold foam is very important. Until now, Brooks did not use a 100% PEBA in their supershoes, unlike other brands with super foams like ZoomX, FuelCell PEBA, etc. With DNA Gold they switch to the PEBA side with infused nitrogen, and the result is a noticeable rebound when compressing and releasing with each step:

• Lightness: the sole "weighs" less, allowing to go below the 210 g threshold.
• Smoothness without losing responsiveness: in the Elite 4, the foam was reactive but a bit stiff if you went slower. Here, the "pace window" is widened without affecting top speed.
• Durability: It remains to be seen if it maintains performance after 300 km. In my tests, it's still too early for a full verdict, but it looks good.

SpeedVault+ carbon plate

The other big selling point of the shoe. It's renamed to "SpeedVault+" and, according to the brand, adjusts stiffness according to size. If you wear a size 41, the plate is not the same as in a 46, seeking to customize the flex. In practice, it feels like it "pops" a little less than other radical carbon shoes, but it's still punchy when pushing.

Feel: When jogging under 4:30 min/km, you notice some "guide" in the tread. When you go down to 3:45 or less, the plate pushes you.

Stability: It's not your daily trainer, but the concave design and the slightly wider base than in previous versions add points in stability, avoiding unwanted movements.

Running experience and my sensations

I was able to ride with them on dry and somewhat wet roads. My impressions:

At 4:20-4:00 paces: the shoe responds easily, it feels light and lively. It doesn't require you to step on the forefoot; the rocker does its job.

Sub 4:00: this is where the magic happens. Every stride becomes explosive, you feel like the transition is so fast.

Final kilometers: if you do a 15-20 km test, you notice that your legs end up less sore than with harder shoes. The new foam reduces this muscular punishment.

Comfort: I was surprised that, for such a racing shoe, the upper doesn't feel like a corset. It fits, but not too tightly. However, for very wide feet, it can be a bit tight.

Direct rivals

The sector of super shoes with PEBA plate and foam is bursting at the seams. Some rivals are:

Nike ZoomX Vaporfly 3: Classic reference for lightness and reactivity. Brooks compete head to head in weight and rebound.

Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4: Another top model. Perhaps a bit more stable, but the Hyperion Elite 4 PB outperforms in lightness.

ASICS Metaspeed Sky: Great bounce and similar feel, aimed at long stride runners.

Saucony Endorphin Pro 4: Very lively feel, also PEBA, and a similar 8 mm drop. They are very close rivals.

Do the Brooks stand out? Well, the brand boasts a "custom size" plate adjustment rarely seen in other brands. It remains to be seen if in real practice, with several miles run, it translates into greater comfort for each size. But in sensations, it has nothing to envy from the giants of the sector.

A leap in quality to compete

The Brooks Hyperion Elite 4 PB are, without beating around the bush, the brand's bet to compete in the elite of supershoes. Lightweight, with 100% PEBA foam (DNA Gold) and an updated carbon plate, they come close to perfection for those looking to squeeze out every kilometer in a race.

If your goal is to set a sub 3 in the marathon, beat your 10K or 5K times, and you have the technique and level to run sub 4:30 or less, this shoe will help you with that extra "push" without hurting your legs in the second half of the race. The price (250 €) is the usual in this range of competition, so we are not talking about a good price, but a cost within the normal for the last batch of supershoes.

Is there a downside? It is not a shoe for everyone. If you are not going to run under 4:30 or if you weigh more than 80 kg, it is not worth it. The plate and foam are designed for high paces and running economy. Also, the durability in daily training will be limited, so it is recommended to save them for key days of series or for the competition itself.

My verdict: Brooks has listened to the market and its runners, joining the PEBA foam bandwagon and polishing its plate. The result is a shoe that, in my opinion, fills that gap that was left in their catalog: the top of the line supershoe for D-Day, no excuses. If you are looking for an ally to fly on the road, the Hyperion Elite 4 PB earns a place in the supershoe elite, with the peculiarity of the customization of the plate and extreme lightness. Whether it's your best ally or not depends on whether you're going to get the most out of it for those demanding paces. But, if your thing is running fast and breaking your records, few are going to tempt you so much this 2025.