Running is one of the best ways to enjoy the great outdoors. You can explore new cities and scenery or hit the trails and surround yourself with nature. No matter where you run, the sport often makes you want to get outside and see the world.
But with that comes a certain responsibility to protect the planet we run on. Several shoe brands have started creating more sustainable designs that reduce their carbon footprint. This green, environmentally conscious approach often includes recycled materials, bio-based designs, and manufacturing processes that reduce water waste and carbon emissions.
But no brand has gone as far as Hylo in terms of sustainability. Its goal is to deliver eco-friendly products that don’t sacrifice all-around comfort and efficiency.
So far, the brand has a small but mighty lineup of running shoes, including the Impact and the Axis. Now, the brand is expanding its running shoe model options with an update to its daily training shoe, the Impact 2.
The question of sustainability vs quality and performance has been a constant in the running shoe world ever since brands began incorporating more eco-friendly materials into their designs. So do you have to sacrifice one for the other?
Hylo says no, and we set out to answer that question for ourselves with an in-depth look at the Impact 2. We’ll dive into all the features of this new running shoe, highlight our road test results and findings, and offer some comparable options to help you find your perfect running shoe choice.
Hylo Impact 2: A Brief Recap
We know running shoe data can seem uninteresting, but here at Marathon Sports, the specs and tech are our bread and butter. Here’s a quick recap of what you can expect from the new Hylo Impact.
- A moderately cushioned, neutral daily trainer best suited for relaxed everyday miles
- Stack height: 34/28 mm
- 6 mm drop
- Weight: 9.17 oz (Unisex sizing)
- Sustainably made with 50% bio-based, sustainable content, up from 40% in the previous iteration
- Supercritical nitrogen-infused Hyperbolt midsole delivers a smooth, responsive ride
- Recycled mesh upper is breathable and secure, with a redesigned heel collar for additional structure and lockdown
- High-coverage Treadlight rubber outsole improves longevity and grip, even in slippery, wet-weather conditions
- Price: $155
A Closer Look at the Hylo Impact 2
As a less established running shoe model, our review team wasn’t sure exactly what to expect with this sophomore model. Before hitting the road in the Impact 2, we did a deep dive into the shoe to learn more about every feature. Here’s how all these features come into play in the Hylo Impact 2.
Nitrogen-Infused Midsole Foam
Supercritical Hyperbolt foam is one of the stars of the Impact series. This nitrogen-infused bio-EVA foam keeps the shoe responsive and bouncy with each stride. There’s some plushness with each landing, but the dense foam doesn’t feel overly soft and spongy.
The midsole foam, which is 35% bio-based, features a mix of castor beans, corn, and other natural materials. But you can feel confident the sustainable midsole construction doesn’t come at the cost of comfort. The well-balanced foam effectively reduces impact on your body throughout daily miles and workouts, all while reducing impact on the planet.
The 2nd iteration of the Impact also features slightly more all-around cushioning than its predecessor. The updated midsole has a 34/28 mm stack height, up from 33/25 mm in version 1. However, the shoe maintains a moderate amount of cushioning to avoid an overly plush, unstable ride.
Geometry & Overall Construction
With the updated stack height also comes a new lower 6 mm drop, down from 8 mm in the first Hylo Impact. This brings the feet to a more natural position, which, paired with a moderate stack height, ensures lots of stability and groundfeel.
The midsole geometry also got a makeover between the Impact 1 and 2. The extended heel bevel is gone, replaced with a smooth, stable midsole shape that delivers a more consistent ride from heel-to-toe.
The shoe is still on the heavy side compared to other moderate cushion shoes, weighing in at 9.17 oz for a unisex 9. However, it has shed some weight from the previous iteration. The new Impact also has a narrower platform than before. This streamlined design makes the shoe more agile and the weight less noticeable throughout your runs.
100% Recycled Mesh Upper & Fit
Every piece of the puzzle in the Impact 2 was made with sustainability in mind, but the upper is where this eco-consciousness really shines. The lightweight mesh is made from 100% recycled materials, delivering a breathable and secure fit without sacrificing any sustainability.
The mesh material departs from the knit upper used in previous Hylo shoes. The redesigned upper boasts better ventilation and superior lockdown to reduce discomfort or unwanted movement on runs.
And while the material itself is soft and flexible, additional structure throughout the upper ensures snug and secure fit. The cushioning around the heel keeps the feet in place, while the firm heel counter provides some subtle support through each stride.
The Impact 2 fits true to size with a unisex sizing model. For women’s sizing, order 1.5 sizes down from your typical shoe size.
Sustainability
We’ve touched on sustainability with nearly every feature of the Impact 2. From the 100% recycled upper to the 60% natural rubber outsole, the Hylo Impact 2 is focused on sustainability across the entire shoe design.
The manufacturing process also takes sustainability into account. Hylo aims to reduce its footprint with its “undyed” colorways, which forego synthetic dyes and traditional color baths to cut down on pollution and waste. Hyloop – the brand’s recycling program – also aims to create a circular running shoe model with less waste in landfills.
As a result of these measures, Hylo is leading the industry in sustainability, with a 40% lower carbon footprint than the industry average.
Overall Value and Durability
We’ve covered that the Impact 2 doesn’t sacrifice sustainability or performance in its design. The good news? You also won’t have to worry about durability.
The renewable, bio-based materials used in the Impact are designed to be strong, durable, and resilient, so you can enjoy all these shoes have to offer for mile upon mile of wear. The F1-inspired outsole effectively displaces water and grips the ground, all while protecting the foam from early wear.
The Impact 2 also offers fantastic value for your money. In a time when running shoe models are increasing in price, this updated model actually dropped $10, going from $165 to $155.
Hylo Impact 2 Road Test Results
Learning more about the Hylo Impact 2, it’s clear that the shoe is top-of-the-line in green, eco-friendly construction. But Hylo claims it doesn’t sacrifice any performance for this sustainability. So we had to confirm these bold claims through our comprehensive road test process.
We laced up the newest Impact and set out for a variety of different runs, spanning different paces and surfaces. At one point, we even swapped the Impact 2 on one foot for the original Impact for some direct side-by-side comparisons.
The refined Hyperbolt cushioning was an immediate standout. The original Impact felt a bit too spongy underfoot for some of our reviewers, but the upgraded formula strikes a great balance between softness and responsiveness. The shoe boasts 60% energy return in the midsole, and we could certainly feel this bounce and energy throughout each stride.
Many shoes – even in the moderate cushion running shoe category – have been inching towards high cushion stack height territory with each new update. The Impact 2 bucks this trend, maintaining a moderate and consistent 34/28 mm stack height. This balanced midsole helps maintain stability while effectively absorbing shock and impact throughout any type of run.
On long runs and casual miles, we really enjoyed this smooth, reliable midsole and steady ride. It’s not the most plush shoe on the market, so runners looking for maximum softness and cushioning on long runs may prefer a more padded option, but anyone who likes feeling the ground under their feet during their everyday mileage will likely appreciate the Impact 2.
The best part about the bouncy, responsive foam is how versatile it is. We found the shoe works best for daily miles and everyday workouts, but if you want a do-it-all trainer that can transition to some uptempo efforts, the Impact 2 can handle that too. The new geometry, which includes a refined midsole shape and narrow platform, helps cut down on weight while making the shoe feel quicker and more agile while picking up the pace.
Comparing the Impact 1 and 2 also revealed some noticeable improvements in the update. The newer iteration is noticeably lighter, down to 9.17 oz from 9.8 oz in the first version. The updated Treadlight outsole contributes to this lightweight design while improving overall grip and durability. Inspired by F1 tires, this high-coverage outsole wicks away water for maximum traction, even on wet, slippery surfaces.
The multi-layer mesh upper was another key improvement. We noted some breathability issues in our original Impact review, so we were happy to see a lightweight upper material that boosted airflow and breathability.
Several of our reviewers enjoyed Impact 2’s snug, secure fit, particularly in the toe box. However, like the previous iteration, the Impact 2 features a tapered toe box that may lack space and volume for those with wider feet. If you prefer a more spacious fit, the Impact 2 may not be the right shoe for you.
But overall, we think the Impact 2 features some major upgrades that will appeal to a huge range of walkers, runners, and other athletes. Every aspect of the shoe feels well-balanced, and we enjoyed how easily the stable and responsive design could adapt to uptempo runs, recovery days, and everything in between.
Pros and Cons
As well as being big fans of Hylo’s mission, we appreciate that the brand doesn’t sacrifice performance and is continuously innovating and adapting its designs for the best possible running experience.
But no shoe is perfect, and the Hylo Impact 2 has both some pros and cons to keep in mind when shopping for your next running shoe.
Pros
- Industry-leading sustainability – made from 50% recycled and bio-based materials
- Redesigned Hyperbolt midsole is more responsive than before for a bounce, smooth, and energetic ride
- Natural rubber outsole delivers reliable grip and traction without adding excess bulk or weight
- Refined upper is lighter and more breathable for all-around comfort
- Lower 6 mm drop promotes more natural alignment that can work for both heel and midfoot strikers
Cons
- Moderate stack and responsive cushioning is good for stability and groundfeel but runners who prefer more cushioning might prefer a softer, more protective option
- Fits shallow and narrow in the toe box, which may not work for all foot shapes and widths
The Impact 2 vs Similar Shoes: How Does it Stack Up?
When it comes to sustainability, Hylo shoes are the best in their class. Other brands are taking steps to reduce their carbon footprint, but Hylo is based around recycled, bio-based designs that take sustainability in running shoes to the next level.
But in terms of feel and performance, there are a few other shoes to consider that fall in the same category as the Impact 2.
First, throughout our runs, we drew some comparisons to the Asics Gel-Cumulus 28. Both shoes have a smooth, springy ride, although the Cumulus’s PureGEL technology in the heel adds some additional softness for long runs or recovery days. The Gel-Cumulus also incorporates some sustainable elements, such as a recycled upper, for a more eco-friendly design.
The Impact 2’s grounded, well-balanced ride is also comparable to the Brooks Ghost 18. The Ghost is one of the most beloved, dependable running shoes on the market, primarily based on its reliable and consistent cushioning.
The Ghost is slightly heavier than the Impact, weighing in at 10.2 and 9.2 oz for men’s and women’s shoes respectively. However, this Brooks model is also available in a wide width, offering a more accommodating design for those who prefer extra wiggle room.
The Finish Line: Can Sustainability Deliver High-Performance?
For a long time, there was a misconception that sustainably made, bio-based shoes sacrificed performance and durability. But with the Hylo Impact 2, the brand has shown that there’s no need to compromise on your running shoes.
The Impact 2 offers a neutral, moderate cushion shoe that excels as a workhorse daily trainer. It’s light and responsive enough for some uptempo efforts, with enough padding and protection for longer runs and more relaxed daily efforts.
Hylo encourages you to “run like the world depends on it”, and the brand truly practices what it preaches with innovative nature-friendly products. Ready to join in on Hylo’s goal? The newest Hylo Impact is available to try on now at Marathon Sports. Swing by your nearest location try out the Impact 2 and some of the other top running shoe models available today.
