Category: Racer
Sole Height: 39.5/33.5mm
Weight: 7.8 oz (221 gr.)
Tyr is the god of war in Norse mythology. TYR Sport is an American company founded in 1985, specializing mainly in swimming products but also fitness gear. Recently, it entered the running market with the RD-1X and SR-1 Tempo, two training models featuring supercritical foams. Some reviews I found described these as fairly good models. However, they remained relatively unknown outside the triathlon community.
Nevertheless, Tyr is now making a more convincing statement by launching the Valkyrie series, consisting of two models with Pebax soles. The Elite Carbon Runner incorporates a carbon fiber plate, while the Speedworks Runner has a nylon plate. Thus, god Tyr is entering the super shoes battle with heavy armory and the Valkyries by his side.
Upper and Fit
The design of the Elite is very clean and especially in white it offers an impressive aesthetic. TYR calls the mesh Hyperweave, which is particularly thin with a very open weave and a somewhat plastic texture. At the front there is a large synthetic overlay acting as a bumper, complemented by the large logo that ties the area together.
The midfoot area features a fabric underlay on both sides and a rigid material around the lace eyelets.
The midfoot is reinforced internally.
The tongue is gusseted and while it lacks foam, its soft fabric gives a nice, gentle feel around the foot, filtering out any pressure from the laces.
The tongue is thin but effective.
The collar at the back is flexible and consists only of a light synthetic overlay around the perimeter. Internally, it is lined with soft foam for the necessary comfort.
The company describes the toe box as “anatomical,” essentially meaning the spaciousness it offers. It is indeed wide, high, and rounded. However, the structural elements and the non-stretch mesh prevent the foot from moving uncontrollably. Initially, there was slight discomfort where the bumper ends and folds, but this resolved after 1-2 runs.
The space at the metatarsals and toe area is ample, but the large overlays keep the foot secure.
From the midfoot to the rear, the shoe hugs the foot all around. The reinforced sides and the semi-bootie soft tongue close the fit perfectly without any pressure points. You can easily find the right lace tension, aided by the very good toothed laces.
The collar is highly flexible, shaping to the heel and locking it in place. The height of the collar also plays a role, as it rises high to encase the heel. However, this might cause irritation in the Achilles tendon area. Although I did not feel it while running, I ended up with redness on one foot and a small blister on the other. Therefore, higher socks are recommended.
The fit of the Elite is exactly what you seek in a long-distance racing shoe. It holds the foot well at the front while providing the necessary room to avoid issues during prolonged efforts. The stable base also helps. Importantly, it has a more “trainer” approach and, unlike many racing shoes, can accommodate wider feet. Add to this the excellent breathability of the open mesh. Size-wise, go with your usual.
The mesh is almost transparent.
Sole and Ride
The recipe for a super shoe is known, even in its simplest form. A very good foam and a carbon plate are essential. Beyond that, you can play with geometry or other design interventions.
The Valkyrie Elite Carbon keeps things simple, following proven paths, which is good. The foam is made from supercritical Pebax (nitrogen or CO2 infused). TYR sourced from the top shelf of the chemical industry for the Valkyrie, as this composition is characterized by low weight, elasticity, and durability. It is named LaunchPX by the company.
The foam looks very similar to Saucony’s Pwrrun PB, with the characteristic beaded form rather than the smooth one seen in, e.g., ZoomX. Even the smell is the same. Saucony claims this processing gives the material a longer lifespan. If we accept this, it also applies to the case of TYR.
In between, there is a carbon fiber plate, positioned about halfway up the sole and lies relatively flat until the metatarsals, where it rises sharply.
The outsole is mostly covered by thin, soft rubber. The grip is excellent, although I have no experience on wet surfaces. On dusty and smooth cement as well as on the track, it inspires confidence. After 60 kilometers of use, there is no visible wear, even on the exposed foam.
The Elite’s behavior on the road is relatively predictable, giving exactly what you would expect from its components. LaunchPX has significant absorption and depth with balanced plushness. It is very soft and comfortable but not squishy. The compression is quick and controlled, but the decompression is even faster. Thus, I would describe the Elite’s ride as bouncy and springy at the same time. The foam has a solid and directed feel and never spreads out, keeping the foot centered and always on the base.
Pebax’s characteristics are noticeable from the first steps. It has great elasticity and energy return, which increase as you push harder. The feel is similar to Pwrrun PB in the Endorphin Pro (logically), but I find TYR a bit more dynamic and responsive. Additionally, the extra 2mm of foam under the metatarsals provide more substantial cushioning than Saucony at that point.
However, the standout feature of the Elite is the front geometry. The shoe has a delayed rocker, but once the sole starts to rise, it feels like falling off a cliff. One of the most aggressive and intense rollovers I have encountered, and highly effective. This requires a closer to midfoot landing to initially take the rebound from the foam and then immediately propel forward. So, the faster you go, the better the combination works. For those landing further back, the ride will be slightly flatter until hitting the forefoot and start rolling but again, you still benefit from the midsole’s liveliness and energy return. In any case, you need to take all of its length to utilize the dramatic rocker it offers. Continuing the comparison with Pwrrun PB, I would say that the Elite combines the Endorphin Pro 3’s foam with the Endorphin Elite’s geometry.
In practice, the front angle is much more pronounced than it appears visually.
The model handles almost any pace you ask, even fast intervals on the track. The sole becomes a bit firmer, transfers power easily, and hides its high stack. Besides the carbon plate that stabilizes the Pebax, this is due to the foam’s minimal deformation, maintaining a centered and directed transition. If I had to find something that tempers the impressions, it would be its weight at really high speeds, compared to a few models in the category that are noticeably lighter. However, objectively, 220 grams is not that much. Still, it is primarily a marathon shoe, not a 5K/10K racer.
The nice thing about the Valkyrie Elite is that it can easily handle slow runs. I don’t just mean for warm-ups and cool-downs, but it can almost be worn as a trainer. It’s soft, stable, and has a comfortable upper, while its bounce helps when legs feel heavy. Theoretically, the stiffness upfront and the late-stage rocker shouldn’t facilitate slower paces but weirdly, the shoe never felt out of tune or tiring. The only thing to watch is not to get carried away and speed up. This happened to me several times.
Obviously, you won’t waste the shoe on easy runs, nor is it made for such tasks. But if you have a long run including race pace, a progressive run, or an alternating pace workout, the Elite won’t mind the slow segments, unlike other racers.
A key factor in this is the midsole’s stability. Though not particularly wide or with the now common raised walls, it provides one of the most stable rides in its category. The soft yet solid foam, the filled arch and the secure upper, all contribute to a balanced and secure transition, especially when fatigue starts to accumulate.
The sole does not narrow in the midsection like most racing shoes.
Conclusion
It is impressive that a company not even considered a running brand, managed to create such a good model on its first attempt. Especially in a category that doesn’t forgive mediocrity or even mere goodness. As we will soon see, the same applies to the Valkyrie Speedworks.
The Elite Carbon stands equally against the competition, which already has several versions behind it and years of development. Models that surpass TYR can be counted on one hand (in my opinion), with some of them lacking versatility. In contrast, this is a shoe that can be used more broadly, given its durability also.
As mentioned earlier, the recipe is known and available to all. The key is executing it correctly. TYR wisely followed it closely, avoiding the temptation to experiment. For your first attempt, the goal is to enter the map and gain the runners’ trust. The Valkyrie Elite Carbon meets all the requirements for this.
