Brooks Hyperion Tempo review

9 expert score
9.5 user's score
As editorial policy, we do not accept free samples. We purchased this pair at Running Warehouse with our own money.
Review written on 26th September by Olivia Yoder Ultrarunner, personal trainer and soccer coach.
43 other reviews

Brooks Hyperion Tempo Verdict

The Brooks Hyperion Tempo is a fantastic running shoe. I thoroughly enjoyed wearing them for tempo and daily training sessions. I loved the fresh upper and midsole Brooks has brought to the table. If you are looking for a shoe that offers a little bit of everything then look no further.

The pros

  • Breathable upper
  • Lockdown fit
  • Durability

The cons

  • Laces are too long
  • Firmer than expected midsole but I loved it

Where to buy

Best offers today in United States, all prices in USD

Rating breakdown

Comfort
7.0
Build quality
8.0
Upper
9.0
Sole unit
8.0
Landing
8.0
Transition
7.0
Toe-off
8.0
Traction
9.0
Durability
9.0
Value / Price
8.0

Facts / Specs

Brand
Model
Hyperion Tempo
Family
Weight
7.2 oz (204 g)
MSRP
$150.00

Heel
31 mm.
Toe
23 mm.
Heel drop
8 mm.
Carbon plate
No plate

Size/Fit

Sizing
True to size
Heel fit
Normal
Midfoot fit
Tight
Toebox fit
Normal

Cushioning & ride

Type of cushioning
Responsive
Amount of cushioning
Little cushioning
Stability
Very stable
Flexibility
Medium

Usage

Racing
Speedwork  
Daily training  
Long distance racing  
Ultra distance racing

Who should buy the Brooks Hyperion Tempo ?

This shoe would be for the runner who wants a shoe that does it all. I tested them out in all sorts of running workouts and they performed well in all areas. I did use them for a few long runs, and although there were no major issues, I have other shoes that are much more comfortable for those distances. It’s perfect for runners who like to feel a connection with the ground and run fast.

Who should not buy the Brooks Hyperion Tempo ?

They are not for the individual who wants a pillow-like comfort midsole. Its midsole is very firm. It would not be a shoe I would want to wear all day.

Brooks Hyperion Tempo Introduction

Picture of Brooks Hyperion Tempo

The Brooks Hyperion Tempo is a lightweight daily training shoe that will get you excited to lace them up, get out there, and pound the pavement. It was built for speed and offers a sleek performance fit.

The midsole does run a bit firm but also is comfortable enough to give you just the right amount of responsiveness.

Brooks adds in all their updated technology such as DNA Flash foam that allows for lightweight/fast runs. New improved shoe laces that are my new favorite. And lastly, their Performance Fit upper that I see no complaints with.

It’s a very lightweight shoe that weighs in at 6.7 oz and is made for the neutral runner. They have an 8mm heel-to-toe drop. This also gives the shoe a great feel of stabilization.

You’ll pay $150 but with all the great technology they offer, I think this is justifiable. They also fall right into many other daily trainer price ranges.

You can take this shoe the distance but since the midsole isn’t the plushest, I prefer a long-distance shoe that has max cushioning. The Brooks Hyperion Elite 3 would be a good option but a little pricey or the Brooks Hyperion Max.

Brooks Hyperion Tempo First Impressions

Picture of Brooks Hyperion Tempo

To start, I love the brand, Brooks. I tested the Brooks Hyperion Elite 3’s and thought they were a good speed trainer but very overpriced. I was excited to see what the Tempos offered. Right away I noticed how lightweight they were when I picked them up. The second area I noticed right away was the upper. It’s fantastic. I wish they would have put this upper material on the Hyperion Elite 3.

I received the colorway called ice flow/navy/pink. The midsole is this bright neon pink with the upper being a lighter gray. It looks great together. Brooks offers them in many other colors. If you like a more traditional style you’ll be sure to find one that suits you. They fit true to size and have no problems breaking them in.

Putting them on for the first time you’ll notice how firm they feel with the slight rocker in the midsole. While the upper makes it feel like you’re wearing a sock. They could possibly be a shoe I wouldn’t wear socks with, but I’m super weird with always having to wear socks when running.

My first run in them was a 5 miler at a decent pace. I was hooked afterwards. I could feel the firmness throughout the run but it was just the right amount of support while running at higher speeds and no other bulk like some other daily trainers

Brooks Hyperion Tempo Upper

Picture of Brooks Hyperion Tempo

The upper is my absolute favorite upper I’ve tested out lately. It’s made out of a single-layer fabric. There are no overlays. This allows for a secure fit that makes sure your foot doesn’t move during those speed sessions.

Brooks calls it their “performance fit.” It’s known for being a breathable stretch upper that allows for max ventilation. If you look closely to the upper you’ll see tiny holes placed all over the toe box area. It runs on the narrow side but even on those longer runs, I didn’t have any problems with my toes feeling constricted.

Picture of Brooks Hyperion Tempo

The laces are another interesting area that is a nice added feature Brooks gives you. They too are lightweight and stretchy. I was able to get a tight locked-down fit but still didn’t feel like my foot was being suffocated.

The materials of the upper and laces allowed for my foot to feel secure yet snug. The only downside to the laces would be, when they are pulled tight I would end up with too much lace.

The tongue is lightly padded and stays in place from the laces. Looking at the heel counter it doesn’t seem like a lot going on but as soon as you place your feet in them you’ll notice how perfectly they hug your heel. I experienced no slipping or rubbing. The lightly padded collar was spot on.

Brooks Hyperion Tempo Sole Unit

Picture of Brooks Hyperion Tempo

The midsole is comprised of Brooks DNA FLASH FOAM. It has been engineered from lightweight materials and infused with nitrogen. This gives the shoe the best combination of energy return and feather-like feeling. It will help to adapt to your own stride and allow you to run at your fastest speeds. All of Brooks’s cushioning technologies start with DNA because they react to your unique stride.

A shoe that uses a very similar midsole would be the Skechers Hyperburst. They differ due to the choice of solvents used in the process of infusing the midsole.

Skechers uses a blend of CO2-N2, with CO2 being the main component. Brooks uses more Nitrogen.

A quick rundown on how this happens.

  • Running shoe midsoles are usually made by placing chemical-blowing agents into the EVA blends.
  • When they are molding the midsole, the chemicals are released as air bubbles, which in return, create tons of air pockets throughout the inside of the foam.

If you look closely at the midsole of the Tempos you notice them. This process is what gives the shoes their responsiveness and cushioning.

Picture of Brooks Hyperion Tempo

Brooks Hyperion Tempos are not overly springy and cushioned due to the process of blowing air bubbles into the midsoles. The tempos have more condensed, smaller bubbles throughout. This makes them have a better connection to the ground. Brooks was not the first to introduce this technology into the running world. New Balance did with their N2 inserts.

The outsole of the shoe is extremely grippy. You’ll notice the entire forefoot and heel are covered with rubber to make sure there is no slipping. I tested them out in wet, dry, and snowy conditions and they performed exceptionally well.

Brooks Hyperion Tempo Conclusions

Picture of Brooks Hyperion Tempo

My conclusion on the Brooks Hyperion Tempo is that I loved it.

It’s a great shoe that was created to be used for faster training miles.

It has everything you would want in a road training shoe like great traction, superb durability, and a sleek overall design. I highly recommend adding this shoe to your mix!

Why you can trust us

As editorial policy, we do not accept free samples from companies.
We purchased this pair of Brooks at Running Warehouse  with our own money.

This page contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Read more about our policy.
Lowest price:

$72

Brooks Hyperion Tempo price comparison

Best offers today in United States, all prices in USD

Reviewed by Olivia

This review was written by Olivia Yoder on 26th September.
Lives in Marietta, Pennsylvania with her husband, two kids, and dog. Olivia is a personal trainer and soccer coach. She has been running for 10 years and competes in various distances. For the past few years she has been concentrating on the ultra distances. She never would have thought that one sport would change her whole outlook on life like running has.

User feedback (2)

  • avatar-comment-1037247
    Keijiz
    5 months ago
    9 score

    Perfect shoes for Tempo and Speed repeats. Very firm and I love that.
    Personally for me are a little bit narrow on the toes.

  • avatar-comment-1037202
    Eduardo
    5 months ago
    10 score

    Awesome review. I purchased the Hyperion Tempo as a blind buy and agree with the review.

Lowest price:
$72

Where to buy

Best offers today in United States, all prices in USD

Similar shoes to Brooks Hyperion Tempo

Brooks Hyperion 2 Review

The Brooks Hyperion 2 is a neutral trainer that can be used for mainly speed ... (Read expert review)

Brooks Hyperion Max 2 Review

The Brooks Hyperion Max 2 is a good speed trainer best suited to uptempo runs. ... (Read expert review)

Brooks Glycerin GTS 21 Review

The Brooks Glycerin GTS 21 continues the line's tradition of cushioned ... (Read expert review)