Hylo Impact Review: A Sustainable Daily Trainer That Actually Runs Fast

Introduction

The Hylo Impact is a neutral daily trainer built in part from plant-based materials, and it sets out to prove that sustainable running shoes can compete with regular trainers on performance. Hylo positions it as a high performance meets sustainability shoe, versatile enough to cover everything from easy miles up to uptempo efforts. After more than 50 km of testing, it is one of the most convincing eco-credential shoes we have run in to date.

Some quick details first: the stack measures 33 mm in the heel and 25 mm in the forefoot for an 8 mm drop, and the shoe weighs 9.7 oz (276 g) in a UK men’s 8.5 test size. It is priced at £150 / $165, available in specialty run stores from 4 March and on the Hylo website from 10 March.

Hylo Impact

The midsole uses a supercritical nitrogen-injected foam blended with bio EVA, which Hylo says increases responsiveness and reduces weight. The blended foam is claimed to deliver 70% rebound, tuned for maximum response, high cushioning and moderate support, with a gentle rocker and a 5 mm biobased foam molded insole for added comfort. The outsole features sweeps made of 2.5 mm thick 60% rubber, said to be inspired by Formula 1 tires for water displacement and traction, with cutouts that reduce weight and increase ground contact in wet conditions.

Fit and Feel

The upper is a lightweight knit made from 100% biobased nylon derived from castor beans, with a DWR coating for water repellency. Combined with a medium-padded gusseted tongue and heel collar, everything up top feels soft, pliable and flexible.

In a UK 8.5, our regular size in most brands, the fit is snug and wrapping but flexible and unrestricted. Heel hold and midfoot lockdown feel secure, though it takes a little work to get everything sitting right, particularly around the base of the toes. Once there, the toe box feels almost slipper-like with plenty of wiggle room, recalling old-school Nike Free shoes. If you like a lot of structure in your uppers, these may feel slightly unstructured, but sizing true to size worked well.

Ride and Performance

The step on from the previous Hylo Run is significant. Where many sustainable shoes feel very firm, the Impact’s midsole is soft and springy, more cushioned than any other eco shoe we have tested. The ride offers a good combination of protection with some bounce and energy return, sinky without being too sinky.

At slower paces, the pliable midsole wanted a little more stiffness from landing to toe-off, with a mild disconnect and wobble when landing flat-footed or back on the heel. What surprised us most was how the ride improved at faster paces: the midsole really came to life when running mid to forefoot with locked-in form, particularly at half marathon pace and beyond. It is one of the first sustainable shoes we have genuinely enjoyed running fast in.

The main drawback is weight. At just under 10 oz, in Brooks Ghost Max ballpark, it is not a natural pick for quicker paced efforts, and riders who like a stiffer, rocket-like ride may find the midsole spongy at easier clips. A plate or stiffer outsole would help connect heel to toe. Durability concerns about the unstructured upper and heel collar have not materialized so far, with no signs of shape loss after the test miles.

Buying Advice

If you have been put off sustainable shoes by firm midsoles, the Hylo Impact fits the brief of soft, cushioned and somewhat lively really nicely. Choose it if you value eco materials and want one shoe for easy cruising with the ability to handle faster efforts. Look elsewhere if you want the lightest option for top-end workouts, or the sturdiest ride for slow, flat-footed miles.

Conclusion

The Hylo Impact is an upgrade on the Hylo Run and on most sustainable shoes we have tested. There are better shoes for top-end workouts and even for easy runs if you set environmental concerns aside, but it changes what we can expect from performance shoes aimed at sustainability. Performance is non-negotiable, and this takes us a step closer to not having to compromise.