Hyperion Elite 6 vs Vaporfly 4

Brooks rebuilt the Hyperion Elite for version 6, with new DNA Gold foam, a stiff SpeedVault+ carbon plate and a wider midfoot, and the early reviews are the warmest the line has had. This is a carbon racing shoe for the half and the full marathon, and at 192g on our spec sheet it's properly light. Fordy Runs rates it the best Hyperion Elite so far and a shoe built for 26.2 miles. RTINGS likes it for marathon racing too, and less so for 5k and 10k. Two complaints come up again and again. The forefoot is so stiff it barely bends, and the heel collar is lined with separate pads that can rub your Achilles. It lines up against the SC Elite v5 and the other big-name marathon shoes, and £240 is a lot of money, so check the price table before you pay RRP.

The fourth Vaporfly is a shorter-race shoe now, whatever its marathon reputation says. Nike took it lower and firmer, and at 190g it's a very light carbon racing shoe to wear. Reviewers mostly agree the slimmer midsole suits 5k to half marathon better than 26.2. The Run Testers rated it best around the half and thought it short of cushioning for a full marathon unless you like a lower shoe. Believe in the Run graded its performance an A and its design a C, which is a fair summary: quick, but the heel fit lets it down. If you race shorter distances and found the v3 too soft, this is the better Vaporfly for you. If the marathon is your main event, the Alphafly 3 gives you more underfoot for the back half. The RRP is £260, and the price table below shows what UK retailers are asking now.