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SHOE REVIEW: Brooks Hyperion Tempo

Built for speed and boasting surprising durability, the Brooks Hyperion Tempo takes you seamlessly from workouts to race day

brooks hyperion tempo

The Brooks Hyperion Tempo is one of the best speed trainers I’ve ever worn. Lightweight, comfortable and lightning quick, this shoe has everything you need and nothing that you don’t. The Hyperion Tempo has been thoughtfully constructed, combining durable materials with minimalist design, resulting in one of the most versatile flats on the market.

Drop: 8 mm
Stack height: 26 mm
Weight: 207 grams (7.3 oz.)/190 grams (6.7 oz.)
Available: Now
Price: CAD $200

The upper 

Made of a single-layer fabric, the upper offers a snug, secure fit and prevents my foot from shifting while turning over at fast paces. The shoe is fairly narrow, further reducing slippage. Despite this, I didn’t notice any hot spots or rubbing, thanks to the highly breathable mesh and lack of overlays. The laces provide just enough stretch to move with my foot, although I did find that they loosened more than I would have liked throughout my run. The minimalist upper is contrasted with a padded collar, locking my heel in place and helping avoid the pesky blisters that I often get in speed trainers.

Photo by: Nick Iwanyshyn

The midsole

The midsole is what really elevates the Hyperion Tempo and makes it unlike any other shoe I’ve tried. Brooks introduced a brand new midsole foam for this shoe: nitrogen-infused DNA FLASH. It’s light, responsive and firm, providing incredible energy return. It actually made me want to run faster, and felt better underfoot as I picked up the pace. This shoe is also surprisingly cushioned, given how light it is. I was able to complete long interval workouts with minimal fatigue, and to recover quickly between runs.

Photo by: Nick Iwanyshyn

The outsole

The outsole, while minimal in appearance, is remarkably durable. I noticed almost no wear after several weeks of training. By concentrating out-layer rubber only where you need traction the most, Brooks has reduced the weight of the shoe without compromising security or ground feel. It is very grippy on both the roads and the track, and performed very well even on damp surfaces.

Photo by: Nick Iwanyshyn

The verdict

The Hyperion Tempo offers a bit of everything: it’s responsive, quick, cushioned and durable. This shoe is ideal for interval workouts on the roads or track, and–as the name implies–for fast tempo runs. Although it was designed as a training shoe, it is also a great option for 5K and 10K races. If you’re looking for a shoe that can stand up to long training sessions while making you feel PB-ready, the Brooks Hyperion Tempo is hard to beat!

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