Brooks Hyperion Elite 4 PB vs Adidas Adios Pro 4: Two Carbon Race Shoes Head to Head

Introduction

Two big-name carbon race shoes have landed with meaningful updates: the Brooks Hyperion Elite 4 PB and the Adidas Adios Pro 4. Both are designed to help you chase fast times on race day, and both carry a $250 price in the US. In the UK there is a small difference: the Brooks comes in at £200 while the Adidas is £220.

The short version: the Hyperion Elite 4 PB puts Brooks firmly back into the competitive race day conversation, while the Adios Pro 4 improves on the already popular Pro 3 with a softer midsole and far better uppers. Which one suits you depends mostly on fit and how you like your ride.

Quick Specs Comparison

The Adidas Adios Pro 4 stacks 39mm in the heel and 33mm in the forefoot for a 6mm drop. The Brooks Hyperion Elite 4 PB sits slightly higher in the heel and lower in the forefoot, at 40mm and 32mm, for an 8mm drop.

On weight there is effectively nothing between them. The Adios Pro 4 comes in at 202g (7.1oz) in a men’s UK 8.5 test shoe, and the Hyperion Elite 4 PB is nearly identical at 200g (7.1oz) in the same size.

Midsole and Plate

The Hyperion Elite 4 PB is the first 100% PEBA foam carbon racer from Brooks, with a midsole cut from the brand’s new DNA Gold foam. That swap from the DNA Flash foam used in the Hyperion Elite 4 is the one big change, and it makes this shoe feel far more competitive than its predecessor, which some runners found a little lacking in energy. The DNA Gold foam works with a carbon fiber plate whose bending stiffness Brooks says is optimized for each shoe size to create a punchier ride.

The Adios Pro 4 also gets a new midsole formula. The updated Lightstrike Pro is tuned for a little extra softness compared with the Pro 3, and the forefoot rocker has been moved back to 60% of the shoe’s length, the same position as the Adios Pro EVO 1, to boost efficiency. It also keeps the same carbon energy rods as the Pro 3.

Upper and Fit

The Brooks Hyperion Elite 4 PB uses a highly perforated, minimal and airy knit upper with a flat knitted tongue and a little lace pinch padding. Heel comfort comes from a small horseshoe of internal padding, and the fit ran true to size with a secure race feel: no slipping, no hot spots.

The Adidas Adios Pro 4 introduces brand new Lightlock uppers with locking bands around the top of the shoe to wrap the foot for a snug, secure fit. These one-way stretch woven mesh uppers directly address one of the biggest gripes with the Pro 3, where some runners found the fit fussy, with discomfort around the toe knuckles and pinching at the lace eyelets. The thin wrapping tongues are now stitched in to stop them moving or crumpling, and the lacing structure has been simplified to reduce pressure points.

There is one significant caveat with the Adidas fit: the toe box narrows quite quickly and may run about a quarter size short. On a full marathon test, the tester ended up with badly bruised toenails, something that did not happen in the Pro 3 at the same UK 8.5. Going half a size up may solve it, though that could create fit problems elsewhere. Sizing deserves close attention here, especially in the UK where sizing across brands can vary.

Outsole and Durability

The Brooks has a good covering of outsole rubber, quite thick for a carbon racer, though slightly less in the heel than the Adidas. There is a substantial midfoot cutout, but it is large enough for small stones to drop out rather than getting stuck.

The Adios Pro 4 uses Lighttraction outsole rubber for the main coverage, with a strategic pad of Continental grip on the key forefoot landing point and extra rubber over the heel impact zones. The grippy outsole holds the road well, and the shoe feels durable for a carbon racer.

Ride Feel and Performance

The Hyperion Elite 4 PB is a big improvement on the Elite 4. The energetic DNA Gold foam gives an immediate “let’s run fast” super shoe vibe the moment you lace it up. The midsole and plate combo urges you to move faster, but does so with a precise, stable and consistent platform that feels reliable and natural. The foam does not compress as deeply and comes back quicker, delivering a snappy, immediate return.

The Adios Pro 4 has more bounce. Its softer midsole compresses deeper and returns with more oomph, and it still packs all the punch you look for in a carbon racer, particularly at top speed, where it ranks right up there with the best race day shoes available. It responded best to locked-in form during testing.

The trade-off shows up in transitions. When landing further back in the shoe, particularly for heel to midfoot strikers, the Adios Pro 4 produces a slight decoupling sensation between heel and forefoot that dissipates once you are running well and riding the rocker mid to forefoot. It also feels less stable overall despite a wider forefoot platform. The Brooks, by contrast, feels connected throughout, with a scooped full-length plate that stabilizes and smooths the transition even when form gets ragged or pace drops, which matters on a marathon when fatigue sets in.

Which Shoe Should You Choose?

If you get the Adidas sizing right, the Adios Pro 4 is punchy, energetic and full of PB potential, and its uppers are a huge improvement over the Pro 3. It suits runners who like a little more softness with their spring and bounce. But check the toe box length carefully before committing.

If you want one shoe to chase a marathon fast time, the Hyperion Elite 4 PB is the stronger pick. It offers equivalent energy in a platform that is more protective, more stable and more forgiving when things do not go to plan. Some runners may prefer the wilder bounce of the Adidas, but the Brooks is the more trustworthy companion over 26.2 miles. Neither shoe will come up wanting.

Conclusion

Both the Brooks Hyperion Elite 4 PB and the Adidas Adios Pro 4 are excellent, light and punchy race shoes that balance propulsion with protection, and both are credible choices for fast half marathon and marathon efforts. The Brooks wins on ride consistency and fit confidence, while the Adidas delivers more softness and bounce if the sizing works for your feet.