Light As A Feather To Fly Fast
There is one thing to know about the new Brooks Hyperion Tempo running sneakers: it just might be one the best shoes to race in.
If you want to run fast, you need to train to run fast. But running fast feels effortless in these shoes. They are are light as a feather, yet responsive. And it is designed to help you fly fast to the finish line of any run.
Put these shoes on and the first thing a runner noticed is how ultra lightweight they are. Run in them and immediately notice how well they perform when it comes to energy efficiency.
The cliff note version of this Hyperion Tempo review: buy these sneakers if you are shopping for a new pair to help you train smarter, better and faster.
Read on for the full review.
A Sneaker To Train In
The Hyperion Tempo is hands-down a running shoe made for speed. And despite COVID19 wiping out all races for now—I cannot wait to race in them.
However, these are actually the pair to train in.
The Elite vs the Tempo
The Hyperion Tempo is part of Brooks newest line of racing sneakers. It joins the Hyperion Elite, the sneaker Des Linden wore when she won the Boston Marathon in 2018. (Linden wore a prototype of the shoe, which as a carbon plate DNA Zero midsole. It serves as the competitor to the controversial Nike Vaporfly. The Vaporfly was worn by Eliud Kipchoge when he ran a marathon in under two hours. This sparks the debate regarding shoe technology and what constitutes an unfair advantage when competing.)
Tagged as the company’s “fastest shoes ever,” the Tempo Elite is really the pair to wear for your next race PR.
Instead, the Hyperion Tempo is the pair to train in. While this kind of makes me want to now buy the Hyperion Elite, after a few runs in them I am more than impressed on how these perform—or should I say my performance running in them. This includes my fastest mile running with the double jogging stroller and two kids after coming back post-baby #2.
Show-Stopping Feature
The best thing about the Brooks Hyperion Tempo is its energy return. It is equipped with the nitrogen-infused DNA Flash, a major upgrade from the company’s BioGoDNA foam used in models like the popular Ghost 12.
DNA Flash is made by infusing nitrogen cells into the material. This tech allows for the shoes to provide a responsive ride for runners. As a result, it has great energy return, or the amount of energy it retains when faced with a force. In this case it’s the foot hitting the ground.
The more responsive a shoe is the more the runner feels like they have a spring in their step—literally. That springboard bounce helps to push the runner forward-fast. Think of a ball bouncing against foam. If the foam is responsive, the ball will bounce at a higher intensity.
This can really be felt in the Hyperion Tempo. The runner immediately feels the their feet pop off the ground during each stride.
What’s so different about sneakers like the Hyperion Tempo and the Vaporfly is that it contains thicker cushioning (which is a major change post-minimalist running shoe era) while keeping the weight down.
The Tempo weighs in at 6.7oz, slightly lighter than the Elite. Brooks found a way to masterfully create a lightweight running shoe that also has thick cushioning—a match in all running distance heaven. It’s right amount of firmness, perfect for speed sessions and like it’s name, tempo runs where runners need to hold a steady faster pace.
It also marries comfort and support well, being my new favorite pair for long mileage. This makes them a great half marathon contender. Other reviews praise it for being a great shoe for a marathon.
Design & Features
Brooks Hyperion Tempo running shoes are available for women and men. It comes in two color options, all black with blue midsole or white with black accents with the blue midsole.
The design is made to help the foot stay in your stride, thanks again to the DNA Flash. Think of it as bumpers for your foot, keeping in place.
Also adding to its support feature is its wider forefoot area, and it features a stretch woven upper that is breathable.
Conclusion
It might just be my dedication to training, but the Brooks Hypersion Tempo sneakers really have my nailing a tempo runs. The shoe might as well as the word speed in its name.
The Brooks Tempo are now my favorite shoes to run it. They are the best Brooks I’ve ever had and check off every category that matters to me and my needs. When it comes to the momentum in the stride and its bouncy feel, these are a game changer.
This is the pair to convert this Ghost 11 and 12 lover who moved to lightweight Adidas sneakers back to my beloved brand.
When torn between the Elite and it’s the Hyperion Tempo, the latter is the is a more affordable option and might be the best running shoe to race in.
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