If you’re looking for a versatile and lightweight trainer, the Brooks Hyperion Tempo could be the shoe for you. Sufficiently cushioned to handle a long run, whiles simultaneously light and responsive enough to double as a racing flat, Brooks are on to something with their newest training shoe.
After acquiring the shoes a few weeks back, I have run just over 100 kilometres (62 miles) in them, and they do not disappoint. Read on for all my thoughts on the shoes.
Fit and Upper
The Tempo is a lightweight shoe, to the extent that it is surprising when you first pick it up. The official listing is 207 grams for a US men’s size nine compares favourably to competitors such as the Adidas Adios 5 (224 grams). It is on par with the New Balance FuelCell Rebel (208 grams) and slightly heavier than the Reebok Floatride Run Fast (190 grams).
When it comes to the upper, it is in line with the rest of the shoe. It is thin and breathable, with perforations throughout the front foot ensuring good airflow to keep your foot cool. And coupled with the light blue of the mid- and outsole, the blue-white highlights of the upper makes this a good looking shoe.
The fit is spacious, and bucks the current trend of snug, tight-fitting uppers. The generous padding around the heel and ankle ensures that your foot is solidly locked in. •••As opposed to the Nike Pegasus Turbo 2 where I cannot get my foot adequately locked in, and the heel constantly feels like it’s going to slip. With the generous fit, there are no pressure points or hot spots. Overall this is one of the most comfortable uppers I have run in over the past couple of years.
Some runners have complained about the laces of these shoes. They are undoubtedly unorthodox, being very stretchy. I have not experienced any trouble as a result of this, and have no problems adequately tightening the laces. Running with a foot pod, I quite like the laces, because the extra stretch makes it so easy to attach the pod.
Sole and Ride
DNA Flash is the name of the EVA-compound Brooks is using in the midsole of this shoe. The foam is, as touched upon already, very lightweight. The significant stack height ensures a stable base that provides versatility.
There is a generous amount of rubber on the outsole of the shoe, covering the majority of the exposed area. Numerous grooves provide traction and flexibility throughout your stride. After 100 kilometres there is no visible wear on the outsole, which indicates a durable configuration.
The shoe offers a firm and responsive ride. It is more reminiscent of a traditional racing flat than the bouncier alternatives on the market today.
I experienced the shoe as extremely smooth when running at a faster pace (< 4:00/km or 6:20/mile) and covering the ground well. However, when I tire, and my form starts to falter, I felt that the shoe highlighted the flaws in my stride. I believe this feeling is a result of me being used to bouncier shoes with even more cushioning.
What is more, the Brooks Hyperion Tempo is too firm of a ride for me to be usable on recovery and the slower end aerobic runs. I’ve seen and spoken to runners who consider this shoe a genuine allrounder, but the firmness doesn’t work for me at slower paced runs.
Wear and Tear
The pictures shown below are all captured after running just over 110 kilometres in the shoes. There is practically no visible signs of wear at this point. You can click on the pictures to see high resolution images.
Verdict on the Brooks Hyperion Tempo
Brooks is definitely on to a winning formula with the Hyperion Tempo, and I like it a lot. The upper is top-notch, and it is overall a durable shoe that helps you run fast. My reservations towards the Tempo are primarily a function of my recent inclination towards bouncier shoes, which are so popular these days.
I believe variety across your shoe rotation is something to strive for, however. And, as far as faster and firmer trainers go, you can’t go wrong with the Tempo. It should fit nicely into most runners’ shoe rotation alongside a daily trainer as a workout shoe and serves as a reliable option on race day for anything from 5k to a full marathon.
Check out all the specs at the official Brooks website.
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Let me know by sending me an email at lc@run161.com.