Brooks Hyperion 2 Introduction
The Brooks Hyperion 2 is a neutral lightweight trainer that can be optimally utilised for your speed work and can be used as a possible race day shoe.
With the Hyperion 2 coming in at $140 USD, this shoe can compete with the likes of the Saucony Endorphin Speeds, Hoka Mach 6, or even the New Balance Rebels because of the price and what the shoe is truly meant for, which is picking up the pace.
Brooks Hyperion 2 First Impressions
Aesthetically the Brooks Hyperion 2 looks just like a racing shoe instead of a trainer. An upgrade to what the Hyperion Tempo ever was. The upper has some ventilation, the thin tongue, and the lacing system are Brooks top notch.
As I put them on and took them out on my first run, I had a nostalgic feeling of when I ran in the original Skechers Razor 3.
I really enjoyed that shoe when it came out and was looking forward to testing the Hyperion 2 more.
Brooks Hyperion 2 Upper
As I mentioned earlier in my first impressions, the Hyperion 2 really gave off a race shoe vibe because of how the upper was visually presented. The upper uses two different materials.
Despite the layers having different patterns of ventilation, both layers are fairly breathable materials and have done well for me during the summer runs. There are some structures in the inner layer with some black stitching, while the outer layers structures are provided from the Brooks lettering on the medial side and Brooks logo on the lateral side. The toe box area fits a tad bit wide, but I had no problems with it.
The laces have the rigid grooves that prevent the shoe from getting untied and that is a big plus for me. The lacing system itself seems to be a bit offset but I had no issues with the lockdown. The tongue uses some padding in the middle of it provide comfort and is semi gusseted to prevent any slippage or movement on your runs.
The heel is very structured with paddings inside both the medial and lateral sides of the Achilles area. Those extra paddings are there to prevent your heel from slipping off and feeling a snug fit around that area.
Overall, this is a definite upgrade to its predecessor, the Brooks Hyperion. The upper has a very comfortable fit and feels seamless around the top of your feet. I had no feeling of any hot spots nor blistering occurring during my testing.
Brooks Hyperion 2 Sole Unit
The Brooks Hyperion uses a nitrogen-infused EVA called DNA FLASH v2, which by touch is a soft material and highly responsive foam once you start running in it. What is beneficial about the Brooks Hyperion 2 is that it is a shoe that you feel you’re in control in instead of the shoe controlling you such as the Vaporfly or any other carbon plated racing shoe that relies on the plate to assist your stride.
The more you put in ground contact with your stride, the more responsive it will be I found. As I mentioned in my first impressions, the shoe really reminded me of when I ran in the Skechers Razor 3 based off how the midsole felt underfoot.
Compared to the first Hyperion, the Hyperion 2 not only has an updated midsole material but also has added more stack height (4mm) for more protection underfoot without the sense of ground feel.
The outsole uses a thin rubber called RoadTack, which is used on the whole forefoot area and the lateral and medial sides of the heel. From my testing, I found the traction of the rubber to be really good as I’ve tested out on pavement, concrete, wet grass, and dirt trials.
When it comes to durability though, the design of the grips on the outsole seem to already to be losing some of its rubber at only 64 miles of testing them. The exposed DNA FLASH V2 on the bottom with the outsole also seem to be shedding away as well. That is pretty worrisome to me because this makes the shoe very limited on how you use them if you want them to last longer than its shelf life per say.
Brooks Hyperion 2 Conclusions
In conclusion, I would give the Brooks Hyperion 2 high praise because of the overall composition and ride of the shoe.
The nostalgic feeling of the Skechers Razor 3 has got me hook based off the midsole feeling during my first impressions.
I really enjoyed controlling and picking up the pace with this shoe and feeling more in control of the ride. It is more on the firm side so I can’t imagine how a carbon plate would feel in this shoe.
The upper is also one of my favorite features of this shoe because it really gives you a race atmosphere and makes you want to go fast.
And at $140 USD it definitely competes with the likes of the Endorphin Speeds and the Hoka Mach 6.
If they somehow figure out how to fix the durability of the outsole rubber of the Hyperion 2 this would’ve be a home run for me.
I usually recommend others to always purchase last year’s shoe model because they are usually discounted, but I would not for this one.
