ActiveRunningHylo Impact review: sustainable speedNot yet ratedHylo’s Impact daily trainer aims to redefine performance footwear using an eco-friendly approachWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)T3 VerdictNot yet ratedThe Hylo Impact is a sustainable running shoe crafted with bio-based materials like nylon and corn-derived lining. With a bouncy midsole and Formula 1-inspired outsole, it offers excellent traction and performance for distances between 10-15k. Ideal for eco-conscious runners seeking sustainable yet high-performing footwear.Reasons to buy+Sustainable materials+Lightweight and responsive+Excellent traction+Versatile performanceReasons to avoid-Lockdown could be a little firmer at the front of the shoes-Less propulsive than plated shoesWhy you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
ActiveRunningHylo Impact review: sustainable speedNot yet ratedHylo’s Impact daily trainer aims to redefine performance footwear using an eco-friendly approachWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)T3 VerdictNot yet ratedThe Hylo Impact is a sustainable running shoe crafted with bio-based materials like nylon and corn-derived lining. With a bouncy midsole and Formula 1-inspired outsole, it offers excellent traction and performance for distances between 10-15k. Ideal for eco-conscious runners seeking sustainable yet high-performing footwear.Reasons to buy+Sustainable materials+Lightweight and responsive+Excellent traction+Versatile performanceReasons to avoid-Lockdown could be a little firmer at the front of the shoes-Less propulsive than plated shoesWhy you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Not yet rated
Hylo’s Impact daily trainer aims to redefine performance footwear using an eco-friendly approach
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)T3 VerdictNot yet ratedThe Hylo Impact is a sustainable running shoe crafted with bio-based materials like nylon and corn-derived lining. With a bouncy midsole and Formula 1-inspired outsole, it offers excellent traction and performance for distances between 10-15k. Ideal for eco-conscious runners seeking sustainable yet high-performing footwear.Reasons to buy+Sustainable materials+Lightweight and responsive+Excellent traction+Versatile performanceReasons to avoid-Lockdown could be a little firmer at the front of the shoes-Less propulsive than plated shoes
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
T3 VerdictNot yet ratedThe Hylo Impact is a sustainable running shoe crafted with bio-based materials like nylon and corn-derived lining. With a bouncy midsole and Formula 1-inspired outsole, it offers excellent traction and performance for distances between 10-15k. Ideal for eco-conscious runners seeking sustainable yet high-performing footwear.Reasons to buy+Sustainable materials+Lightweight and responsive+Excellent traction+Versatile performanceReasons to avoid-Lockdown could be a little firmer at the front of the shoes-Less propulsive than plated shoes
T3 VerdictNot yet ratedThe Hylo Impact is a sustainable running shoe crafted with bio-based materials like nylon and corn-derived lining. With a bouncy midsole and Formula 1-inspired outsole, it offers excellent traction and performance for distances between 10-15k. Ideal for eco-conscious runners seeking sustainable yet high-performing footwear.
T3 VerdictNot yet rated
Not yet rated
The Hylo Impact is a sustainable running shoe crafted with bio-based materials like nylon and corn-derived lining. With a bouncy midsole and Formula 1-inspired outsole, it offers excellent traction and performance for distances between 10-15k. Ideal for eco-conscious runners seeking sustainable yet high-performing footwear.
Reasons to buy+Sustainable materials+Lightweight and responsive+Excellent traction+Versatile performanceReasons to avoid-Lockdown could be a little firmer at the front of the shoes-Less propulsive than plated shoes
Reasons to buy+Sustainable materials+Lightweight and responsive+Excellent traction+Versatile performance
Sustainable materials
Lightweight and responsive
Excellent traction
Versatile performance
Reasons to avoid-Lockdown could be a little firmer at the front of the shoes-Less propulsive than plated shoes
Lockdown could be a little firmer at the front of the shoes
Less propulsive than plated shoes
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Jump to category:Price and availabilitySpecificationsDesign and build qualityPerformance and ergonomicsVerdictAlso consider
Jump to category:Price and availabilitySpecificationsDesign and build qualityPerformance and ergonomicsVerdictAlso consider
One area of the running shoe industry that’s seriously lagging behind the outdoor sector is sustainability. While we almost demand our waterproofs and hiking boots to be as environmentally friendly as possible, runners have yet to pressure big-ticket manufacturers to think more sustainably.
The biggest issue is, of course, marrying performance and sustainability. Runners want their shoes to be fast, light, and responsive, and if a pair ticks most of the boxes, they don’t care if it’s not sustainable. Terrible long-term thinking, I know, but it’s the truth.
If only there were a company that could combine performance and sustainability! Allbirds took a couple of stabs at the concept but didn’t really succeed. Now, it’s disruptor brand Hylo Athletics' turn to take on the mantle and lead the way towards a future where performance running footwear is made sustainably.
The company’s latest shoe, the Hylo Impact, is a daily trainer that places a significant emphasis on sustainable performance. I was lucky enough to get a pair a couple of weeks before the launch date, and even though I’m not quite ready to put a star rating on this review, I thought I’d share my initial thoughts about the shoe.
Are you ready to run like the depends on it? Let’s go!
Hylo Impact review
Price and availability
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
The Hylo Impact was announced on 25 February 2024 and will be available to buy via Hylo’s retail partners (TBC) from 4 March 2024 and directly fromHylo Athleticsfrom 10 March 2024 for the recommended retail price of £150/ $165.
The initial colourways include Undyed, Sand, TripleBlack, and BlackWhite, the latter of which I tested.
Specifications
Design and build quality
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
The Hylo Impact is all about sustainable materials.
The shoes feature a lightweight knitted upper made from 100% bio-based nylon derived from castor beans. It’s coated with a durable water-repellent film and has a corn-derived lining, lace closure and gusseted tongue.
Said laces have a ribbed structure, are said to reduce slip, and are made from 100% bio-based Tencel Lyocell.
Underfoot, you’ll find the ‘supercritical’ nitrogen-injected midsole foam with added bio EVA, delivering a 70% rebound, which Hylo Athletics claims is best in class.
The Hylo Impact has an 8 mm drop with a maximum stack height of 33mm. It’s not a max cushioned shoe, but it bounces well, and the energy return feels excellent, too.
The section under the heels has this interesting tiered construction. Couldn’t figure out whether it served a purpose or was an aesthetic choice. I assume it’s the former.
Performance and ergonomics
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
I took the Hylo Impact on both faster (e.g. sprint) and long runs (20k+) to see how it performs under different circumstances.
Hylo Athletics recommends the Impact for ‘everyday road running’, but since my first run in the shoes fell on a sprint day, I thought I might as well give them a try for something a bit faster.
I can’t say I was surprised to see how well they performed in a fast session, but they were peppier than I expected, especially considering the Hylo Impact hasn’t got a propulsion plate embedded in the midsole.
Traction was also superb. During one of the sprint blocks, I jumped off the pavement to avoid a collision with a pedestrian (imagine!), and when I was about to get back on the pavement, I stepped into mud.
Now, I was travelling at full speed and not in a straight line, so for a split second, my heart almost skipped a beat. When I felt my foot slip slightly, I envisioned a sprained ankle, missing a ton of training sessions, and generally feeling sad because I wouldn’t be able to run.
Luckily, thanks to the Formula 1-inspired outsole, the Hylo Impact successfully displaced the soft, water-like substance, and I found my footing immediately after my shoes started sliding.
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
After a fab sprint session, I was excited to try the shoes on my long run a few days later. My only concern was the upper; I felt the knitted upper might be less breathable than synthetic uppers.
Thankfully, I had no overheating issues during my long run. The lockdown of the front of the upper could be better, but since the Hylo Impact isn’t a racing shoe, I’m not complaining.
You could definitely feel the lack of propulsion plate over long distances, but it helps a lot that the midsole is so bouncy. The Impact rolls well, too, which enables you to keep going.
I reckon the Goldilocks zone for the Hylo Impact is somewhere between 10-15k. That said, I’m sure it would work well for shorter distances as a daily trainer.
Verdict
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
The Hylo Impact is a compelling choice for environmentally-conscious runners in search of sustainable yet performance-oriented footwear.
As an environmentally friendly daily trainer, it’s hard to fault the Hylo Impact for its shortcomings. Yes, the lockdown could be slightly firmer – I appreciate this is a personal choice, anyway – and the shoes could be a little lighter, but they perform really well, and that’s the main thing, right?
Most importantly, the Impact is a step in the right direction and, hopefully, will encourage other manufacturers to try to createrunning shoesthat are more sustainable. Let’s hope it happens sooner rather than later.
Also consider
Featuring a flexible knit upper with bio-based TPU overlays and ZQ-certified Merino wool lining, the Allbirds Tree Flyer 2 offers enhanced stability and durability. Despite some toe box pressure, it’s a solid option for short-distance runs. Read my fullAllbirds Tree Flyer 2 review.
While not revolutionary, the Nike Pegasus 40 remains a top choice for casual runners seeking comfort and versatility. Improved fit and airflow enhance comfort, maintaining the Pegasus franchise’s reputation for reliable daily trainers at a reasonable price. Read my fullNike Pegasus 40 review.
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
Build bigger arms in just 30 minutes with this 5-move dumbbell-only workoutIt’ll leave the biceps and triceps popping!
It’ll leave the biceps and triceps popping!
OMEGA puts the moon on your wrist with its new Speedmaster Moonphase MeteoriteOMEGA adds two new Moonphase Meteorite watches to its Speedmaster line-up
OMEGA adds two new Moonphase Meteorite watches to its Speedmaster line-up
There’s an amazing money-off deal on Samsung Galaxy S25 alreadyGet £50 / $50 off a new Samsung Galaxy S25 when you register your interest
Get £50 / $50 off a new Samsung Galaxy S25 when you register your interest
