Brooks Hyperion Tempo: A Modern Classic
By Senior Contributor Andrea Myers
Shop Here: $149.95 at Running WarehouseWeight: 7.2oz, (men's size 9), 6.3oz (women's size 8)
Stack Height: 31mm/23mm
Drop: 8mm
Classification: Performance Trainer
RUNNING SHOE SUMMARY
The Brooks Hyperion Tempo is a neutral, lower stack performance trainer that feels like a slightly more cushioned racing flat. With mild rocker geometry and and flexible sole, the Hyperion Tempo has a natural ride that is markedly different from the proliferation of higher stack, heavily-rockered performance trainers of late. I enjoy training in a variety of shoes and was interested to see if the Hyperion Tempo would be a nice non-plated addition to my shoe rotation. The fit is classic Brooks, which means that I went with men's sizing to get enough width in the toe box, but otherwise found a secure, comfortable fit for tempo runs and shorter, faster paced intervals. Runners looking for a shoe with more classic geometry and ride will want to check out the Hyperion Tempo.
SIMILAR SHOES: New Balance Rebel v3
FIT
Brooks women's shoes tend to be a little narrow in the toe box for me, so I got the men's version in my corresponding size. This provided sufficient width in the toe box to avoid irritation at my 5th MTPs, but not wide enough for actual toe splay. The length was true to size, with a full thumb's width from the front of my big toe to the end of the shoe. The midfoot and rearfoot are normal width, and I was pleased with the overall fit of the shoe. I did not experience any hot spots and was able to use the shoe for workouts up to 11 miles without foot discomfort. The stretch woven upper has some ventilation in the toe box and minimal stretch. I did have some issues with lockdown due to the flat, stretchy laces. I found I needed to tie the laces tighter than I normally would because the laces stretch while you are running. Once I figured this out, the lockdown was fine, but I think the shoe would be better with different laces that do not stretch. The tongue is thin with light padding over the top of the midfoot and is held in place by a lace loop.
There is a smaller, rigid heel counter in the lower half of the rearfoot, which I found to provide structure to the heel without creating any skin irritation. There is light padding on the inside of the rearfoot which contributes to rearfoot lockdown and stability. While I do not run sockless, I think the edges of the non-gusseted tongue have the potential to cause skin irritation.
PERFORMANCE
I was impressed by the versatility of the Hyperion Tempo at a range of interval paces. I found the minimally rockered geometry of the shoe to work just as well at marathon pace as it did at mile pace, allowing me to use my mechanics to do the work, as opposed to the shoe propelling me forward. The Hyperion Tempo feels like a slightly more cushioned racing flat from pre-super shoe days. The midsole is DNA Flash, which is the same nitrogen-infused EVA that Brooks uses in the Hyperion Elite line. The shoe feels very light on foot and is definitely geared towards faster running. As a midfoot striker, it feels like a little less than 8mm drop, likely due to the small heel bevel and moderately flexible sole. Landings feel natural at the lateral midfoot, particularly because the base widens significantly, starting posterior to the 5th MTP. The wider base of the forefoot in combination with the central guidance line and extensive rubber coverage of the forefoot make transitions from lateral midfoot to push off quite smooth, without the propulsive feeling of a larger forefoot rocker.
I tested the shoe during intervals ranging from marathon pace to mile pace, and found the shoe to perform equally well at this wide range of paces. I think this is because the less aggressive geometry gets out of the way and lets me use my mechanics for turnover, as opposed to a more heavily rockered shoe that may feel smooth at one pace, but too aggressive at another pace. While I was able to use it for warm ups and cool downs without discomfort, it is not a shoe that I would select for easy runs because of its lower stack and firmer ride. I think this shoe works so well because Brooks has struck a nice balance with a lower stack height of DNA Flash, mild rocker geometry, strategically placed outsole rubber that provides some structure to the sole, and a guidance line that runs from the rearfoot to the MTPs.
I did a couple of workouts on wet roads in the Hyperion Tempo and had no traction issues, thanks to the extensive rubber coverage. I have 40 miles on my pair and there is no visible wear on the outsole or the exposed midsole in the midfoot. I did notice that the DNA Flash midsole feels firmer in sub-freezing temperatures, which is a common characteristic of EVA midsoles. I definitely felt a little more cushion and responsiveness when the temperature got around 40F.
STABILITY
The Hyperion Tempo is a neutral shoe without any traditional stability elements. However, I think the geometry is very well done for what is essentially as slightly more cushioned racing flat. The small heel bevel and forefoot rocker make transitions smooth while allowing the runner to be in control of their mechanics. While the rearfoot and most of the midfoot base are quite narrow, the base widens posterior to the MTPs, providing a more stable base for those who land further forward. The guidance line, which starts at the posteriomedial rearfoot and runs centrally to the MTPs, may mildly help to center transitions for heel strikers. The horizontal flex grooves located throughout the rubber outsole provide the right amount of flexibility throughout the length of the shoe. The distal part of the forefoot (past the MTPs) is stiffer than the rest of the shoe because of the termination of the guidance line, which encourages a smooth transition to push off.
Thoughts as a DPT: Keep it ClassicThe Brooks Hyperion Tempo is a unique shoe in this era of Pebax midsoles, 40mm+ stack heights, and aggressive rocker geometries. Trends come and go in the running shoe world, from minimalist to maximalist to super shoes. Unlike many of the new performance trainers available in 2023, the Hyperion Tempo has mild forefoot and rearfoot rockers, a lower stack height, no plate, and a neutral ride. As more runners try super shoes for both training and racing, some are deciding to limit their use due to injuries that they attribute (rightly or wrongly) to overuse of super shoes or simply to have a more natural ride.
By Andrea Myers
Shoes with aggressive forefoot rockers may place greater stress on the hip, specifically by moving the hip into extension faster than the runner might do in a less rockered shoe. The Hyperion Tempo could be a nice option for runners who experience hamstring or glute pain when running in shoes with an aggressive forefoot rocker. As super shoes become the norm for both trainers and racing shoes, I hope shoe companies will continue to offer more neutral, lower stack options like the Hyperion Tempo.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The Hyperion Tempo is a great non-plated performance trainer for a range of paces. The neutral geometry and lower stack of DNA Flash is extremely well done and I have really enjoyed testing it in a variety of workouts. The one major recommendation I would make is to improve the laces, specifically by reducing their elasticity. This will greatly improve lockdown reliability and make lacing more consistent with other Brooks shoes.
WHO THIS SHOE IS FOR
The Brooks Hyperion Tempo has a natural ride and feels like a slightly more cushioned racing flat. It is a great option for runners without stability needs who want a more classic feeling shoe, as opposed to the many higher stack, heavily rockered performance trainers available today. Like most Brooks shoes, the toe box runs narrow and I choose the men's version to get enough width. Runners who like a lower profile shoe or those who are prone to hip issues from heavily rockered shoes may do well in the Hyperion Tempo.
GRADING
Andrea
Fit: B+ (narrow toe box requires me to get the men's version, elastic laces loosen when running)
Performance: A- (I enjoyed the neutral ride and lower stack of the Hyperion Tempo for a range of intervals. Comfortable enough for warmups and cooldowns, but not a top easy day shoe)
Stability: B- (a truly neutral shoe with minimal non-traditional stability elements)
DPT/Footwear Science: A (nice to have a lower stack, non-plated performance trainer option when most shoe companies are going in the opposite direction with their performance trainers)
Personal: A- (I enjoy the natural ride of the Hyperion Tempo for workouts, but would like to see the shoelaces improved and toe box width increased in the women's version)
Overall: B+/A- (A nice option for neutral runners who want a performance trainer that feels like a more cushioned old-school racing flat)
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