Brooks Hyperion Elite 4 PB vs Brooks Hyperion Elite 6:
Which to Choose

These two are close relatives, so start with what they share: both ride on a 40mm heel stack, both run on DNA Gold PEBA over a full-length carbon plate, both score a maximal 6/6 for pace and responsiveness, and both carry the same low 2/6 stability — narrow, neutral race platforms that feel tippy at jogging speeds and only settle once you're moving. The differences are real but incremental. The Elite 6 is the softer, more cushioned of the pair (6/6 vs the 4 PB's 5/6), with a 33mm forefoot and a 7mm drop versus the 4 PB's 32mm forefoot and 8mm drop, giving the 6 a slightly lower, more forefoot-oriented offset. It's also lighter, at roughly 198g in a men's US 9 against about 205g for the 4 PB — a modest but noticeable saving. The plate is updated to Brooks' SpeedVault+ in the 6, and the deeper, softer stack shifts its sweet spot toward the half and full marathon, where that extra protection pays off over long efforts; the 4 PB is firmer and snappier underfoot and is at its very best over the half. Both are genuine race-pace tools optimized around roughly 3:00–3:20 min/km, and both pair a thin, breathable racing upper with modest durability — you're buying either of these for race mornings and sharp workouts, not mileage.