A hybrid brush seal is provided having two bundles of axially spaced seal bristles each of which are mounted in a ring shape on a first machine component with bristle ends directed at a sealing surface of the second, rotating machine component. The bristle ends are kept from direct contact with the rotating machine component via one or more shoes which are designed such that as the shaft rotates a hydrodynamic film separates the shoe(s) from the shaft. The shoe(s) is attached to the bristle ends at discreet locations. Alternatively, one or more bundles of seal bristles are mounted at one end either to the fixed or rotating machine component, with the opposite bristle ends directed toward one or more shoes, and wherein one or more spring elements are connected between the machine component and shoes.