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Tested using Methodology v0.15
Updated Sep 08, 2026 03:20 PM
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Tested using Methodology v0.15
Updated Sep 11, 2026 08:07 PM
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Amazon
Heel Stack Height
35.1 mm
Weight
160.5 g (5.66 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
8.8 mm
Plate
Carbon Fiber
Heel Stack Height
40.5 mm
Weight
191.7 g (6.76 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
8.8 mm
Plate
Carbon Fiber
Our Verdict
Nike Vaporfly 4
Brooks Hyperion Elite 6
The Nike Vaporfly 4 and Brooks Hyperion Elite 6 are two super shoes that have different optimal distances for racing. The Nike, with its ultra-lightweight build and lower stack height, is best suited to racing distances from the 5K up to the half-marathon; beyond that, the exceptionally firm forefoot starts to feel harsh and the cushioning inadequate. The Brooks is a better choice for longer distances, up to the marathon, thanks to a taller stack of softer, bouncier foam.
Variants
- Vaporfly 4 (Bright Crimson/Mint Foam/Cave Purple/Lime Blast - (Men - US 9))
- Vaporfly 4 (Bright Crimson/Mint Foam/Cave Purple/Lime Blast - (Women - US 7))
- Hyperion Elite 6 (Tigerlily/Red/White - (Men - US 9))
- Hyperion Elite 6 (Vaporous Grey/Yellow/Black - (Men - US 9))
Main Differences for
Half/Full Marathon Racing
Half/Full Marathon Racing
Threshold
Half/Full Marathon Racing
7.2
8.3
Forefoot Stack Height
26.4 mm
31.7 mm
Heel Stack Height
35.1 mm
40.5 mm
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
5.8
7.6
Weight
9.1
8.4
Outsole Arch Width
50 mm (2.0")
67 mm (2.6")
Full Comparison
Design
Weight
9.1
8.4
Right Shoe Weight Photo
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Left Shoe Weight Photo
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Weight
160.5 g (5.66 oz)
191.7 g (6.76 oz)
Stack Heights
Stack Height Photo
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Heel Stack Height
35.1 mm
40.5 mm
Forefoot Stack Height
26.4 mm
31.7 mm
Heel-To-Toe Drop
8.8 mm
8.8 mm
Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop
6.0 mm
7.0 mm
External Shape
3D Model Full Shoe
Preview 3D
Preview 3D
Outsole Heel Width
75 mm (3.0")
84 mm (3.3")
Outsole Arch Width
50 mm (2.0")
67 mm (2.6")
Outsole Forefoot Width
108 mm (4.3")
109 mm (4.3")
Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio
2.13
2.07
Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio
3.84
3.44
Internal Shape
3D Model Internal
Preview 3D
Preview 3D
Internal Length
271 mm (10.7")
275 mm (10.8")
Internal Heel Width
60 mm (2.4")
68 mm (2.7")
Internal Forefoot Width
92 mm (3.6")
89 mm (3.5")
Wide Sizing Available
No
No
Forefoot Fit: Width
8.6
9.2
Forefoot Width Photo
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Ball-Of-Foot TTS Deviation
-3.4 mm (-0.134")
3.4 mm (0.133")
Toe TTS Deviation
0.8 mm (0.032")
-1.2 mm (-0.045")
Forefoot Fit: Height
9.7
6.2
Forefoot Height Photo
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Toe TTS Deviation
-0.8 mm (-0.032")
-4.5 mm (-0.178")
Arch Fit: Width
6.7
8.3
Arch Fit Photo
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Arch Width TTS Deviation
-5.0 mm (-0.196")
-2.9 mm (-0.115")
Length Fit
7.0
10
Toe Clearance Photo
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Heel Rocker Geometry
7.5
7.7
Heel Rocker Photo
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Heel Spring
20 mm (0.8")
22 mm (0.9")
Heel Apex Position
18.1%
16.7%
Heel Rocker Angle
21.8°
25.6°
Forefoot Rocker Geometry
6.8
8.3
Forefoot Rocker Photo
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Toe Spring
46 mm (1.8")
60 mm (2.4")
Toe Apex Position
60.1%
56.5%
Forefoot Rocker Angle
22.7°
26.6°
Foam
Primary Foam Picture
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Secondary Foam Picture
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Primary Foam Name
ZoomX
DNA GOLD
Primary Foam Type
PEBA
PEBA
Secondary Foam Name
No Secondary Foam
No Secondary Foam
Secondary Foam Type
No Secondary Foam
No Secondary Foam
Laces
Laces Picture
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Lace Type
Flat
Sawtooth
Width
4.0 mm (0.2")
5.0 mm (0.2")
Thickness
1.6 mm (0.1")
1.3 mm (0.1")
Stretch
20.0%
5.0%
Other Features
Other Features Photo
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Tongue Gusset Type
Non-gusseted
Non-gusseted
Plate
Carbon Fiber
Carbon Fiber
Performance
Heel Compression Energy Return
8.6
9.2
Heel Compression Video
Heel Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Heel Energy Return
84.4%
89.9%
Forefoot Compression Energy Return
8.3
9.1
Forefoot Compression Video
Forefoot Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Energy Return
82.6%
88.4%
Heel Cushioning
6.4
8.4
Heel Cushioning Picture
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Heel Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 550N
3.64 J
4.46 J
Energy Absorbed At 1100N
8.00 J
10.12 J
Energy Absorbed At 1900N
12.32 J
16.25 J
Forefoot Cushioning
6.2
8.5
Forefoot Cushioning Picture
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Forefoot Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 800N
4.09 J
5.52 J
Energy Absorbed At 1300N
6.59 J
9.24 J
Energy Absorbed At 2050N
9.46 J
13.34 J
Heel Firmness
7.8
5.4
Heel Firmness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Firmness At 550N
38.4 N/mm
31.0 N/mm
Firmness At 1100N
55.3 N/mm
44.1 N/mm
Firmness At 1900N
82.9 N/mm
65.1 N/mm
Forefoot Firmness
8.8
5.6
Forefoot Firmness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Firmness At 800N
60.8 N/mm
47.2 N/mm
Firmness At 1300N
83.3 N/mm
63.1 N/mm
Firmness At 2050N
118 N/mm
89 N/mm
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
5.8
7.6
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 10km
6.30 J
8.32 J
Energy Absorbed At 20km
6.19 J
8.16 J
Energy Absorbed At 30km
6.11 J
8.06 J
Energy Absorbed At 40km
6.06 J
7.97 J
Rocker Stiffness
6.9
8.0
Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Video
Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Force To Flatten The Rocker
83 N
118 N
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
8.7
9.0
Forefoot Bending Video
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
78.1%
81.6%
Forefoot Bending Stiffness
8.5
8.0
Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture
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Forefoot Bending Resistance
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Bending Stiffness
28.0 N/mm
19.8 N/mm
Forefoot Bending Force
325 N
307 N
Heel Compression Depth
6.0
7.6
Heel Compression Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Heel Compression At 550N
14.3 mm
17.7 mm
Heel Compression At 1100N
19.9 mm
24.9 mm
Heel Compression At 1900N
22.9 mm
29.2 mm
Forefoot Compression Depth
5.4
7.0
Forefoot Compression Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Compression At 800N
13.2 mm
17.0 mm
Forefoot Compression At 1300N
15.6 mm
20.6 mm
Forefoot Compression At 2050N
17.4 mm
23.1 mm
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Nike Vaporfly 4
Brooks Hyperion Elite 6
Comments
Nike Vaporfly 4 vs Brooks Hyperion Elite 6: Main Discussion
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