Mizuno Hyperwarp Elite Review
By David Salas & Andrea Myers
Mizuno Hyperwarp ElitePrice: $274.95 at Running Warehouse
Weight: 5.8 oz, 164g (men's size 9), Women's sample weight not provided.
Stack Height: 38 mm heel / 34.5 mm forefoot
Drop: 3.5 mm
Shoe Purpose: Super Shoe, Racing
Pros: Great weight to responsiveness ratio, predictable and reliable ride underfoot
Cons: Rocker geometry is gentle and it may not help you roll as much if/when you get really tired, many runners will need to go 1/2 size up for length
RUNNING SHOE SUMMARY
The Mizuno Hyperwarp Elite is a super shoe that is geared for racing the marathon. The shoe uses a dual-density midsole consisting of both PEBA and supercritical TPE to provide plenty of cushioning without sacrificing too much stability underfoot. The Hyperwarp Elite is gently rockered and really responds to forceful toe-offs. The 3.5 mm drop ratio may make for a slightly more aggressive feeling ride, but the shoe is rounded just enough to offset it. The 5.8 ounce weight for 38 mm of stack height make the Mizuno Hyperwarp Elite a versatile racing option that is immediately competitive with the rest of the market.
SIMILAR SHOES: Asics Metaspeed Sky Tokyo
PAST MODEL: New Model
FIT
(To learn how a shoe should fit, check out our full podcast on fit by Matt Klein.)
David: The Mizuno Hyperwarp Elite fits true to size in my men's 9.5. The fit is consistent with most Mizuno racing shoes. The width in the heel and midfoot is slightly snug with a wider forefoot that tapes on the quicker side as it moves into the toes. Those that are sensitive to the taper may want to go up a half size, but I have never had an issue with it. The volume is pretty normal for a racing shoe and has just enough space for swelling accommodation. I would not classify this as high volume, but not low either. The tongue is very thin, but does a good enough job of preventing biting from the laces. The laces are textured and I had no issues with them sliding. The mesh material is comfortable enough and feels very sturdy. It is breathable and I had no issues with hot spots or increased friction. The upper holds up very well under load and I had no issues with cornering.
I had no issues with foot translation or heel slippage either. The heel does not have a formal heel counter, but does have some thickened material that moves vertically along the Achilles. I had no issues with rubbing or irritation from that either. There is some padding along the heel collar that increased some comfort as well. I am very happy with the upper of the Hyperwarp Elite, but I do feel like the taper could be more gradual. I did not get pressure on the sides of my toes, but I could see that being too quick of a taper for some.
David's Typical Size: Men's US Size 9.5
Shoes that have fit David well: Nike Vomero 17, Saucony Ride 16, Puma Velocity Nitro 3
Shoes that have fit snug: HOKA Arahi 7
Shoes that have fit large: Salomon Aero Glide
Andrea: The Mizuno Hyperwarp Elite fit short in my usual women's 9.5, but thankfully Mizuno was willing to send me a 10 so I could get miles on the shoe. I have nearly a full thumb's width from the front of my big toe to the end of the shoe and the toe box is wide enough at my MTPs that I did not experience any discomfort. I prefer shoes with a wider and higher volume toe box, and I found the Hyperwarp Elite to fit comfortably snug. The midfoot and rearfoot are normal width and it was easy to achieve secure lockdown without tightening the laces excessively.
The rearfoot features a small amount of internal padding and no external counter. The non-gusseted tongue is thin and does fold over on itself, so I had to take extra care to keep it lying flat when donning the shoe. There is a lace loop on the tongue, which does a good job of keeping the tongue in place once my foot was in the shoe. Despite the very thin and flexible tongue material, I did not experience any discomfort from the laces, even when wearing very thin socks.
Outside of needing to go half a size up, I am very pleased with the fit of the Hyperwarp Elite and find it comfortable enough that I would use it for races up to the marathon distance.
Andrea's Typical Size: Women's US Size 9.5
Shoes that have fit Andrea well: Brooks Hyperion Max 1 and 2, Topo Cyclone 2, Nike Vaporfly 3, ASICS Novablast 4 and 5, PUMA MagMax Nitro
Shoes that have fit snug: Altra Escalante 4 (toe box width and volume), Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro 2 and 3 (length), Saucony Endorphin Speed and Pro 1-4 (length)
Shoes that have fit large: Adidas Boston 12 (length), Adidas Adios 8 (length)
Doctors of Running Checklist
Is This a Good Shoe for Walking: No
Is This a Good Shoe for Standing: No
Is the Forefoot Flexible: No
How Flexible is the Shoe: Not flexible, carbon plated
Is This a Good Heel Bevel: Average
Recommended for Haglunds: Yes (Upper), drop may be aggressive
Is This Shoe Orthotic Friendly: No
Recommended for Sockless: No
Durability Expectation: Good
PERFORMANCE
David: Generally speaking, I am very happy with the performance of the Mizuno Hyperwarp Elite. The geometry is less rockered than some of the other super shoes on the market, but it does really respond when the platform is loaded. The heel bevel is very gradual and the shoe uses a later forefoot rocker. The 3.5mm drop ratio feels accurate and consistent with the flatter sensation of the platform. This will increase the contact time a touch, but Mizuno did a great job of making sure the platform width was good throughout the length of the platform to offset that. The Hyperwarp Elite is especially wide underfoot in the forefoot.
For the weight, the underfoot platform is quite wide and your steps are very sure footed. Cornering is also very good in the Hyperwarp Elite and I had no issues even with sharper turns. The outsole has good traction as well, with most of it being focused in the forefoot. The flatter geometry really comes alive when you get your weight forward over your midfoot and forefoot. The plate is stiff and the shoe really likes to be pushed. When you are able to accomplish this, the shoe can really fly and falling into rhythm is easy. You can tell that the shoe wants you to be upright and slightly pitched forward. I really like this feeling when I am feeling good.
I had an interesting experience in the Hyperwarp Elite when I got really tired though. The shoe remained sure footed and I did not feel like I was fighting the midsole. That was the good part. The bad part was that as I got more and more tired, I started slipping backwards onto my heels more and I was not engaging the forefoot in the most productive way. This forefoot likes you to push into it hard, and although the steps were decently smooth I lost some of the pop of the shoe. In those moments I found myself wanting an earlier forefoot rocker to help roll me forward. I didn't feel like I was fighting the shoe, rather I felt the shoe was not helping me as much as it probably could have in the moments when I was the most tired. The gentle geometry, sturdy ride, and responsive forefoot make for a very fun racing shoe though. As long as I keep my energy levels in check this shoe really won't give me any issues and it is one of my favorite racing shoes out there right now.
Andrea: As a fan of the Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro line, I was excited to test the new Hyperwarp line and see how they measured up. The geometry is markedly different from the extreme heel bevel and high stack design of Wave Rebellion Pro 2 and 3, but I have enjoyed every run I have done in the Hyperwarp Elite. I felt like the Wave Rebellion Pro's were designed for midfoot strikers like myself, and I am pleased to find that the Hyperwarp Elite feels similarly suited to my biomechanics, in spite of its very different geometry. The low drop, wide midfoot and forefoot base, and medially biased midfoot are well suited to my lateral midfoot landing style.
Interestingly, the 4mm difference in stack height between the Hyperwarp Pure and Hyperwarp Elite is that the Elite has a 4mm sockliner and the Pure has no sockliner (source: DOR podcast interview with Mizuno). The low weight is also a noticeable improvement over the Wave Rebellion Pro's. I have tested the shoe in several tempo/progression runs ranging from half marathon to 5k pace as well as a couple of 10 milers around marathon pace. For me, the shoe feels best in the 10k-marathon pace range, but can certainly handle 5k pace as well. If it weren't for shoes like the Hyperwarp Pure and Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 3, I would absolutely consider Hyperwarp Elite as a 5k shoe. The overall ride of the Hyperwarp Elite is firm and snappy, as opposed to bouncy or rolling. There is mild compliance in the midsole at initial contact, but the stiff platform and medially biased midfoot immediately provide a propulsive ride into the moderately rockered forefoot.
On my 10 mile marathon pace runs, it was easy to settle into a rhythm and it felt like the shoe was returning a lot of the energy I was putting into it. I am in the middle of indoor track training right now, and some of my workouts have been on tired legs from lifting. I definitely felt like the design of the Hyperwarp Elite gave me a boost even when I wasn't 100%.
I have 35 miles on my pair and there is very mild wear on the areas of exposed midsole and no wear on the rubber outsole. Several of my runs have been on wet roads and traction is excellent in the shoe. The shoe also handles sharp corners well, thanks to its lower stack height, wide base, and secure upper.
STABILITY
(Learn more about stability in our full guide)
David: The Mizuno Hyperwarp Elite is definitely a neutral shoe, but runs pretty stable for a super shoe. The combination of PEBA and supercritical TPE make for a soft, but structured feeling underfoot. This is doubled up with a really wide underfoot platform that feels stable underneath you. Outsole traction is good throughout. The upper lockdown is also very reliable. The sole flaring is done well in the forefoot and in the heel. It does extend a little far laterally in the midfoot, and if you are sensitive to that it may push you medially some. I had no issues with it, but it is something to look for. The geometry is modest, but this will be one of the more stable feeling super shoes you will try on.
Andrea: The Mizuno Hyperwarp Elite is a neutral racing shoe with some guidance features. The wide base provides a stable landing surface for heel, midfoot, or forefoot strikers. The carbon plate and firmer dual density midsole promote forward motion and minimize excess medial-lateral motion. The sole flaring is well balanced in the forefoot and rearfoot, which promotes a centered ride, but the sole flaring is medially biased in the midfoot, which will work well for those with lateral midfoot stability needs, but may be too aggressive for those with significant medial stability needs. The medially biased midfoot is somewhat balanced by the 3D design of the carbon plate, which extends vertically in the medial midfoot. While none of the Hyperwarp shoes are stable neutral, the Hyperwarp Elite is the most stable of the three.
Thoughts as a DPT: Guidance Features in the Hyperwarp Line
By Andrea Myers
A truly stable racing shoe is a rare find these days, and the Mizuno Hyperwarp line is no exception. Of the three shoes in the line, the Hyperwarp Elite is the most stable, but by no means is it a stability shoe or even a stable neutral shoe. What makes the Hyperwarp Elite more stable as compared to the Hyperwarp Pro or Pure? The most prominent feature is its longitudinally stiff platform as a result of its dual density PEBA/supercritical TPEE midsole and full length carbon plate. The Hyperwarp Pure features a 100% PEBA midsole with the same carbon plate as the Hyperwarp Elite, with the full PEBA midsole providing noticeably greater compliance at initial contact. The Hyperwarp Pro features a carbon infused nylon plate and a full length supercritical TPEE midsole, which gives the shoe a slightly more flexible platform and much more compliance from initial contact to push off.
The shoes also differ in sole flare design, which influences stability by either centering the foot (when the sole flaring is balanced medially and laterally) or by guiding the foot medially or laterally by having a larger amount of sole flare laterally or medially, respectively. The Hyperwarp Elite has balanced sole flaring in the rearfoot and forefoot, with medial bias (more sole flare on the lateral aspect) in the midfoot. While the medial bias is noticeable at the midfoot, it is somewhat offset by the balanced forefoot soler flaring. This is in comparison to the Hyperwarp Pure, which has a large lateral sole flare that runs the length of the shoe, resulting in a prominent medially biased ride.
Runners who need medial stability will probably not get along with the Pure because of its large medial bias. The sole flaring of the Hyperwarp Pro is more similar to the Pure, with a large amount of lateral sole flaring that runs the length of the shoe, which results in a strongly medially biased ride. For me as a lateral midfoot striker, the medial bias of the Pure is more noticeable than the Pro because of the stiffer platform and snappier ride, which have an additive effect on its medially biased ride. The more compliant midsole and more flexible plate of the Pro seem to somewhat modulate the large lateral sole flare. The different design of the 3D nylon plate in the Pro may also contribute to a more centered ride, as the plate features a medial and lateral vertical component, as compared to the medial-only vertical component of the Pure and Elite.
The Hyperwarp line provides a nice illustration of the way shoe geometry can greatly influence the ride and stability of a shoe. At first glance, the Pure, Pro, and Elite all appear very similar, but with testing and deeper examination of each shoe's design, the differences are apparent. The Hyperwarp line certainly does not include a shoe for those with medial stability needs, but the Hyperwarp Elite is undoubtedly the most stable of three very neutral shoes.
RECOMMENDATIONS
David: I really enjoyed my time in the Mizuno Hyperwarp Elite, though I do have some recommendations. I would like to the see the forefoot rocker be a little bit earlier. It is pretty good as is right now, but I feel like an earlier stage rocker may help stave off some fatigue later in race efforts. The other would be to make the taper in the forefoot a little more gradual. The width at the metatarsal heads is good, but it closes in on the toes on the quicker side as the upper moves more anterior. I didn't have issues with it, but I do think its quick enough to give some people some rubbing and to size up a half size.
Andrea: I am really impressed by the Hyperwarp line and have found the Hyperwarp Elite to be the most versatile of the three in terms of pace and distance. I like the lower stack height and greatly appreciate the lighter weight of the Hyperwarp Elite as compared to the Wave Rebellion Pro 2 or 3. My main recommendation would be to clean up the sizing issue, as many runners are going to need to go up half a size for length, which is the same issue I had in the Wave Rebellion Pro line.
WHO IS THIS SHOE FOR?
David: The Mizuno Hyperwarp Elite is a super shoe for those that want a more modest and slightly rockered geometry. The shoe runs stable for a super shoe and provides good sole flaring and underfoot platform width. The carbon plate is stiff, and it really likes to be engaged when you push off of the forefoot with a lot of force. The Hyperwarp Elite likes you to be upright and slightly pitched forward to engage the platform properly and get the most out of it. The 3.5mm drop ratio makes for a slightly flatter and aggressive platform, but it is rounded just enough to be able to still fall into rhythm for 26.2 miles. At 38mm of stack and 5.8 ounces, the Mizuno Hyperwarp Elite is competitive at nearly all distances.
Andrea: The Mizuno Hyperwarp Elite is a sub-6 oz super racing shoe with a firm, snappy ride and a wide platform. It is the most versatile shoe in the Hyperwarp line, and it will perform well for 5k-marathon distances, particularly for runners who prefer a less compliant racing shoe. At $275, it is priced competitively with other top tier super shoes, and may have greater durability thanks to its higher coverage rubber outsole and dual density midsole. If I had to pick just one Hyperwarp shoe to own, it would be the Elite due to its versatility and energetic ride.
GRADES
David
Fit: A- (Great fit through the heel and midfoot. Forefoot width is good, but taper is quick and may brush the toes on some.)
Performance: A- (Great responsiveness underfoot with good versatility for all distances. I would like to see the forefoot rocker staged a little earlier to help with fatigue later on in races.)
Stability: A- (Great underfoot width and outsole traction. Upper lockdown is great. Midsole integration is good. Lateral sole flaring in the midfoot might push you medially, but this is minor in comparison to the rest of the things done well.)
Value: A (You can easily use this shoe across many different distances and I think durability will be good for a super shoe)
Personal: A- (This is one of my favorite racing shoes. I just wish the forefoot rocker was a little earlier, but otherwise this is a great debut racing shoe.)
Overall Design: A-
Andrea
Fit: A- (Fit overall very comfortable, A- given for need to go up 1/2 size for length)
Performance: A (A versatile shoe that performs well from 5k-marathon pace. Excellent traction and stability in corners a much appreciated feature. High energy return feel from midsole and plate.)
Stability: [neutral] A- (Fairly well balanced neutral design except for the medially biased midfoot, which may be too much for some.)
Value: A (High pace versatility, durable outsole, light weight, and excellent performance make this a great value.)
Personal: A (This would be my top marathon shoe if I were racing that distance. Comfortable fit and ride well matched for my mechanics.)
Overall Design: A
SHOP | SUPPORT DORMizuno Hyperwarp ElitePrice: $274.95 at Running Warehouse
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FURTHER READING
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