Article by Courtney Kelly, Renee Krusemark and Sam Winebaum
Brooks Hyperion Max 3 ($200)
Introduction
Sam: The Hyperion Max is Brooks entry in the category of responsive, faster paced, longer run max cushion trainers. Following the shift towards lighter supercritical foams it increased in stack height for its v2 gaining a plastic plate while remaining about the same weight.
For v3, Brooks upgrades to a dual supercritical foam midsole retaining the firmer stabilizing EVA based Flash v2 at the ground while now including their 100% PEBA DNA Gold underfoot.
The stack height goes up a massive 10mm to a super max level 46mm heel / 40 mm forefoot. That is into the stratospheric heights of shoes such as the Hoka Skyward X and adidas Prime X. The weight goes up an ounce to just over 10 oz, still very reasonable for so much shoe.
Pros:
Balanced: moderately energetic and most stable of the super max cushion shoes: Sam/Renee
Versatile maximal: wide range of paces possible-easy to moderate up tempo: Sam/Courtney
No need for carbon: plastic plate and RapidRoll rocker provides plenty of propulsion and isn’t harsh: Sam
Upper provides plenty of support for the giant stack height: Sam/Courtney/Renee
Reasonable weight for the stack height, stability and support: Sam
Faster recoveries, great shoe for post hard workouts -Courtney
Spacious toe box-Courtney
Cons:
Too much? Is 46/40 stack height really needed? Adds to weight and makes them heavier, less agile and flexible than v2: Sam/Renee/Courtney
Wish the platform had some flex to go with its rigid rocker and plate: Sam/Renee/Courtney
Tongue does not lay flat. I wish they kept v2 tongue: Courtney
Not as snappy as v2: Courtney
Runs longer than V2: Courtney
Some bruising on third and fourth toes:Courtney
Most comparable shoes
Hoka Skyward X (RTR Review)
Adizero Prime X Strung 2 (RTR Review)
Hoka Cielo X 1 (RTR Review)
ASICS Superblast 2 (RTR Review)
Mizuno Neo Vista (RTR Review)
Adizero Boston 13 (RTR Review)
Stats
Approx. Weight: men's 10.16 oz / 288g US9 women’s 8.8 oz oz / 250 g US8
Sample Weights:
men’s 9.91 oz / 281g US 8.5 ( prior version 9.03 oz / 256g US8.5)
women’’s 8.8 oz oz / 250 g US W8
Stack Height:
Max 3: 46 mm heel / 40 mm forefoot
Max 2: 36.25 mm heel / 30.25 forefoot
Platform Width:
Max 3: heel 85 mm / midfoot 45mm at contact (80mm) / forefoot 110 mm forefoot
Max 2: 80 mm heel / 75 mm midfoot / 105 mm forefoot
First Impressions, Fit and Upper
Sam: The first impression is of a massively stacked shoe and a serious one! The orange midsole color under foot highlights that we have a potentially dynamic deep plunging layer of DNA Gold PEBA upfront while the deeper white Flash v2 foam at the heel and very high rear collars hints at stability on landings.
The medial side “notch” is almost squared off again hinting that Brooks wanted to reduce weight here and improve transitions while not compromising stability. ‘
The upper speaks to the performance training focus of the shoe as while the mesh is what would see in a racing shoe (thin single layer and airy) the very solid stretch knit tongue with a welcome bubble of padding for the laces continues to the sole with a stretch gusset and is with the heel counter truly massive, rigid and high with extensive and quite firm inner padding.
While I wouldn’t, the upper given the knit tongue and big heel counter is the kind whose hold could allow you to run them without lacing them at all or very loosely
In practice, this upper makes no compromises in hold and support and has no “plush” pretensions. And it is comfortable and accomplishes its mission of totally securing the foot to the giant stack height beneath with the heel and midfoot hold and support particularly notable. It's an upper designed for long runs at faster paces on a giant super max stack height. And given its single layer open construction, it is also nicely breathable upfront.
The fit is true to size for my medium to narrow feet with more than adequate toe box room with the unstructured mesh pliable, thin but non stretch. Again a smart choice. That said it is not a high volume fitting upper and those with a broad forefoot or midfoot and r flat arches may struggle to fit,
Courtney: The Hyperion Max 2 has been one of my favorite trainers. I chose it for uptempo runs, easy runs and even faster paced long runs. When my first pair logged around 250 miles, I bought a second pair as it was such an important part of my shoe rotation. I was so excited to see Brooks made some changes and hopefully improvements in what was already so successful for me.
Version 3 enters the scene looking and performing quite differently. With 46mm of stack at the heel, the feel of the shoe has really changed from being firm and snappy to more comfortable and protective.
On step in, the shoe is super comfortable. V3 continues with a super firm heel counter that does an excellent job cupping the foot. The entry of the shoe is now a socklike, knit material that is both comfortable and supportive around the ankle. This is a marked improvement, as V2's very stiff achilles counter gave me some initial irritation during my first week or so of wearing them.
I was slightly disappointed to see the thin, lay-flat tongue of V2 had gone away. V3 sports a thicker centrally padded tongue. Although I appreciate the cutouts along the gusseted sides of the tongue that allow good airflow, it now folds causing some lumps that could potentially cause some discomfort on the top of the foot.
The sawtooth style laces of V2 have been replaced with the more cushioned thick style laces but they continue to hold well. Brooks places lace loops on the bottom two eyelets providing good hold and a just right fit. The upper has gone to a single layer race-like mesh with large sheer areas, but is comfortable and flexible.
Renee: To add to what others wrote: yeah, this is a different Hyperion Max and it now earns the “max” of its name sake. I had no issues with the upper fit. The shoe seems to be a bit longer than other Brooks models, but as someone between half sizes, I still wouldn’t half size down.
The padding on the tongue helps with comfort as I tied the laces tight to help offset the weight underfoot. The forefoot is roomy and the midfoot and heel worked well for my average front foot width and narrow heel. As with most shoes, wide footed runners (midfoot area) would likely need more space than the Max 3 provides.
Midsole & Platform
Courtney:The Max 3 midsole consists of dual layer foam with a nylon plate. The top layer is Brooks newest super critical 100% PEBA DNA GOLD foam directly underfoot and provides a responsive and soft feel that is thickest through forefoot. I definitely noticed this extra responsive foam at the forefoot as it encourages an easy roll to toe off.
The medial sidewall is built up more than the lateral providing support and guidance while promoting forward motion.
The bottom layer of Flash V2 foam is more stable and firmer, balancing the shoe well. The PEBAX SpeedVault plate is sandwiched in between the top and bottom layers creating rigidity, spring and roll to move you along.
There is very little flex in the shoe due to the massive 46 mm stack, something I definitely felt. During my runs, I noticed I had to be hyper aware of cracks and holes because of the high stack and lack of flexibility. Even after 30 plus miles I still find the shoe quite stiff.
The first thing that stands out is the medial cutout at the arch. A strategy used to reduce weight. I was very happy to find the cutout did not cause collapsing inawrds, something I'm quite sensitive to. I found there was enough support from the medial sidewall and the cutout being small enough to glide you right over.
Hyperion Max 2 (left). Hyperion Max 3 (right)
The posterior heel flare has been extended significantly (2.5mm v2 vs 1mm on v2) and I did notice I was heel striking more than normal. You can see from my wear pattern that I am landing further back as well.
The bevel angle remains consistent with V2, but because the flare comes out further, that angle doesn't actually sit directly under your heel. In addition to the heavier weight, this may contribute to why the shoe feels less snappy especially as I begin to fatigue.
Sam: We have a giant 46mm heel height with a 6mm forefoot height, so one of the highest forefoot stack heights of any current running shoe. Even Brooks own Glycerin Max is about 1mm lower stack height front and back. I did not care for the plateless Glycerin’s abrupt front rocker.
Whereas the Hyperion Max 2 was a somewhat flexible uptempo trainer, here we have 10mm more stack height front and back and a rigid rocker, whereas the v2 had some flex in the mix We have a longer rocker and especially a thick (30mm) front layer of DNA Gold backed up on toe off by the plastic Speedvault plate
The rocker allows me to roll at pretty much any pace with the toes sinking in enough into the top layer of Gold so that effectively the drop is lower and the roll accentuated, albeit in a muted training focused way.
The lower layer of DNA Flash v2, a dense and responsive super foam that was the entire midsole of v2, very effectively stabilizes the giant platform. I wish the DNA Gold at the heel was a bit deeper. In combination with the very robust support from the upper this is one stable super max trainer.
The medial “notch”.. Not to worry, as for me it in no way diminished stability. Just before the notch towards the heel on the medial side we also have a stabilizing wing of the plate. In addition to weight reduction, I could feel a subtle transition off the front of the heel towards the big toe. I am betting without it the shoe would have been overly rigid and hard to transition.
Back to the cushion feel. V2 had a quite firm responsive feel. Here much the same with the combination of the reactive top DNA Gold foam and firmer stabilizing lower Flash v2 foam joining with the plate (and upper) for a “serious” ride with no mushiness, impeccable stability and nice if big shoe response.
The feel is not at all like the bouncy soft feel of the Mizuno Neo Vista and at the other extreme the dull muted feel of its Glycerin Max cousin. The Hoka Skyward X, yet higher, is a close comparison with a bit more smiles generating ride and softness. We are not as radical off the front as the Prime X from Adidas as the feel here is more stable and of a piece overall.
This midsole is designed for moderate paced longer runs where the ultimate in depth of leg protection and some stability are desirable with a geometry not for plodding but for rolling along.
Renee: Courtney and Sam have a good summary of the specs. The midsole is massive, and the shoe will cater to runners who need a lot underfoot (think big, strong runners here). My 20 miler was slow and the shoe felt great. I ran a 16 miler at a perceived 50k pace and the midsole felt good there too.
That said, I am wondering if I need all that stack and can’t imagine maintaining a tempo pace with the shoe. With less stack, the shoe may feel uncomfortable at slow paces because of the medial cutout, an issue I had with the Hoka Cielo X 1 2.0 but not the 1.0, which has the cut out on the lateral side. Currently, the medial cutout gives some flex underfoot, which is needed given the overall stack.
Outsole
Courtney: The outsole of the Max has changed in version 3 with a more road specific purpose and less traction overall. The rubber traction is shallow diagonal lines and the rubber feels softer and less sticky overall. There are two triangular cutouts at the forefoot with a second segmented piece of rubber on the lateral side. There is some risk of picking up gravel in these cutouts.
Although for me, the Max has become more of a road shoe so gravel would not be an issue. V2 had more ground feel, promoting greater proprioception and fared well on uneven surfaces. In the V3, the rubber is segmented down the middle with two heel crash pads with the lateral side being smaller. I have noticed some wear and tear at the heel area with the diagonal grooves already worn down flat. This is surprising as the Max 2 was very durable with decent traction.
Sam: As Courtney says a more “road specific” outsole design to go with its giant stack height. I ran plenty of gravel and light dry trails in the v2 and v3 will be less of a choice for that, especially given its stack height. I will be watching for durability as the rubber is not particularly thick at the heel.
Renee: My first run with the Max 3 was 20 miles on gravel. I agree with Courtney and Sam that the shoe is a road shoe rather than for gravel. I was hoping the shoe would be a good option for 50k to longer race distances on rail trail, although I think the overall stack and weight place it as a trainer especially for someone with my mediocre paces and relative strength/weight ratio.
That said, I had no issues with comfort or stability but will add that I almost always run gravel and so and the stack wasn’t an issue. I wouldn’t say the same if I had weak ankles. The cut out on the medial side is not uncomfortable for slow paces and unlike the Hoka Cielo X 1 2.0, there’s so much under the foot that I don’t notice the cut out when landing midfoot.
If the Max had less stack, the cut out would likely mean a forefoot landing is needed for comfort. I’d like to see the shoe with less stack, but I wonder if that would cause stability and comfort issues from the medial cutout. I had some gravel wedge in the cutout, to be expected, as this is a road shoe.
Ride, Conclusions and Recommendations
Courtney:The Brooks Hyperion Max 3’s incorporation of DNA GOLD is a big move forward, creating resilience, bounciness and protection in this high stack trainer. The shoe still maintains some of its firm response that we saw in the 2, but with significantly more softness as well from the DNA Gold layer. Though it still can get up to paces other max stack trainers struggle to reach, I found myself slowing after about 5 miles. I think this is due to a combination of the greater weight and the chunky geometry of the heel.
The Max 3 is made for training, but could possibly work for racing at a steady pace for some. It's tough when you see a beloved shoe make extreme changes, but I can see why Brooks made these decisions. This shoe will become an excellent tool for my recovery runs in between my tougher sessions and is also well suited for my medium long runs.
Courtney’s Score: 8.93/10
Ride (50%): 8.75 great recovery shoe although a little heavy
Fit (30%): 9 great lockdown, runs slightly long on me
Value (15%): 9 This is the going rate for a max stack supercritical foam shoe, it increased by $20 from V2. Question outsole durability.
Style (5%): 10 looks great!
😊😊😊😊
Sam: Super max cushion done right here with for me a focus on moderate paces and longer runs whereas v2 was an all arounder for faster paces and more moderate distances.
Brooks did not compromise support from the upper or stability while rising 10mm to a giant 46/40 stack height. The upper, with its very substantial heel counter and knit tongue with upfront very breathable thin mesh is highly supportive.
The combination of foams, plate, geometry and outsole deliver a very steady, densely cushioned, responsive, serious and effective ride- if one that is so protective and pulled together that it lags a bit in the fun and smiles department.
This is a shoe for serious big miles at moderately fast paces. The cushioning while not bouncy fun is as protective and deep as I have experienced. It is the most stable of the super max shoes with the possible exception of the Nike Pegasus Premium.
The 6mm drop is an honest one, not bottoming out at slower paces and with a nice impulse forward off the heel, if a dense one. I do think the lower Flash v2 foam could be softened a touch or decreased in thickness and the rear to join the more reactive top layer for a bit more of a bounce feel, if the stability is not compromised too much.
I would also welcome some flex or better yet a stack height closer to 42/36 to give the Max 3 lighter weight and better agility closer to the Max 2 for faster paces, moderate pace intervals, faster tempos, and fartleks something v2 shined at. A lower stack height would also differentiate it more from the identical stack height Glycerin Max.
At barely 10 oz / 284 g in a US9 for such a substantial shoe, the weight is reasonable but I wish the weight and stack was somewhat lower, say a still max 42mm at the heel, The pricing at $200 is in line with its competitors. Not the most “exciting” of super max shoes, the Max is the most practical and versatile to date for me.
Sam’s Score: 9.2 /10
Deductions for huge stack height adding to weight and rigidity and dampening excitement of what is a great ride
😊😊😊 1/2
Renee: To state the obvious, the Hyperion Max 3 is a MAX cushion shoe now, and it’s best for runners who like and need a lot of midsole underfoot. I had two good long runs in this shoe (20 miles slow and 16 miles at 50k pace). I can’t imagine running more than once or twice a week in these shoes. The weight and stack are a lot to move, especially on tired legs. I agree with Sam that, if meant to be a trainer, more softness is needed and/or more flex.
The Max 3 might be a good choice for those needing an ultra shoe on flat terrain but it would need to be a lighter weight for someone like me who, relatively speaking, is not fast and struggles to maintain pace with a high stack/heavy shoe.
Renee’s Score: 8.8/10
Ride (50%) 8.75
Fit (30%) 9.5
Value (15%) 8.5
Style (5%) 9
😊😊😊
6 Comparisons
Hyperion Max 2 (RTR Review)
36.25 mm heel / 30.25
9.03oz / 256g US M 8.5
Courtney: At $180, The Max 2 was my go-to for up tempo, long runs and everyday easy running. It was light and snappy enough to keep me rolling along and I didn't hesitate to buy a second pair when I started to see the pop fade from my first pair.
The Max 2 had more flex in the forefoot but is also lower stack all around. Although I used to take the Max 2 on my uptempo long runs I would sometimes feel quite sore in my hips after. The softer cushioning in the Max 3 resolves this, but I don’t know if I can hold pace the way I could in the Max 2 due to the higher overall weight and changes in geometry. Version 3 has a more sophisticated upper with comfort and breathability in mind and you feel this on the run. The Max 2 had deeper grooves in the outsole allowing me to take it on rail trail runs or road.
With these changes to the Hyperion Max, the shoe now sits in a recovery shoe category for me which is a great place to be.
Sam: Courtney covers the changes well. 10mm more stack height does change the character of the Hyperion Max 3 but not so much that it is unrecognizable for me. The ride is similar in feel although considerably more cushioned and more rigid rocker and less agile. Yes, a solid shoe for recovery runs due to its deep cushion, stability and support for such a huge stack and now also a more solid choice for longer moderate pace tempo to long type runs due to its additional cushion.
Mizuno Neo Vista 2 (RTR Review)
Sam: The Max 3 is 0.7 oz heavier and sits on a 3mm higher forefoot stack height than the 45 mm heel / 37 mm forefoot Vista. If the Skyward X is more serious than the Mizuno, the Max 3 is real serious. Its dual supercritical foams midsole is firmer and more responsive with less bounce, it has a rigid rocker profile and a very secure true to size upper with a very solid heel counter (unlike the Vista) likely contributing to its higher weight. Not really a fun and bouncy super trainer as the Vista is, the Max is more stable, yet more protectively cushioned and a better choice for longer runs for me due to its superior (to the Vista) support and stability
Hoka Skyward X (RTR Review)
Sam: The Skyward X is 3mm yet higher stack than the Max and 0.5 oz /14g heavier as a result. As with the Max, it has a PEBA top layer of foam and supercritical EVA below with in the case of a Hoka a forked carbon plate. The Skyward’s ride is softer and bouncier while the Max’s is more responsive. While both are rigid rocker shoes, the forked carbon plate and foam in the Hoka give a easier more flexible toe off rocker roll sensation while the Brooks is more decisive. The Hoka upper is higher volume throughout but well held although it focus more on a plush feel while the Brooks is more performance focused in fit (and shoe intent). The Hoka can cover an equally broad range of paces but for me focuses a bit more on recovery and easy days in comparison to the Max.
Brooks Glycerin Max (RTR Review)
At pretty much identical stack heights, the Glycerin has a co-molded combination of nitrogen infused foams (no PEBA as the Hyperion has), no plate and a more plush upper. It has an abrupt front rocker. At the same $200 pricing, no contest the Hyperion for me a it is considerably lighter, faster, more versatile smoother running shoe with superior cushioning and more effective geometry. Somewhat broader feet likely might prefer the Glycerin’s upper but for me everything else outweighs this factor. And the Glycerin Max outweighs the Hyperion by 21 g / 0.74 oz in my US8.5.
Renee: The Glycerin Max is a plush underfoot ride and will be better for truly slower paces. For faster paces (while not for long because of the stack and weight), the Hyperion Max is far better. Sizing is comparable although the Max 3 runs a tad longer.
Hoka Cielo X1 1.0 (RTR Review)
Renee: The underfoot might look more like the 2.0 than 1.0, but the purposes of the Max 3 is more aligned with the 1.0. While the 1.0 did not live up to be a racing shoe, many reviewers found it great for long runs at slower paces. And that’s where it outshines the Max 3. At a much lower weight ( and lower stack height) and with a carbon plate, the 1.0 provides a fun ride while saving the legs. The 1.0 has a strong midfoot rocker and is more expensive, although at a sale price I’d choose the 1.0. I prefer a half size down in Hoka although the sizing will be comparable.
Adizero Boston 13 (RTR Review)
Courtney: The Boston 13 is a faster uptempo trainer with versatility allowing many paces. It is more flexible due to the half length energy rods compared to the full plate and thicker midsole of the Max. The Boston is less exciting when running easy. Conversely, the Max is bouncy and fun at slower and uptempo paces. At $160, the Boston 13 is a great value, but the Max gives you more cushion and protection that makes it a great recovery shoe.
Sam: A full 10mm lower stack height at 36/30 (same as the Hyperion Max 2 was) the Boston 13 is focused on tempo runs and faster paced longer runs. It has a similar dual foam construction with supercritical Lightstrike Pro underfoot but with a denser and firmer EVA blend below its Energy Rods plating. It’s ride is really similar to the Max 3 in being responsive but.. given the Max 10mm more cushion the Max is more protective if harder to move along fast. I would size down half a size from my normal in a next Boston as I found the forefoot broad a bit loose, whereas I would stay true to size in the Max 3. For versatility and also for value the Boston at $40 less than the Brooks. For max cushion, stability and protection the Max 3.
Index to all RTR reviews: HERE
The Hyperion Max 3 releases July 2025
Please also watch Sam's Hyperion Max 3 Video Review (12:25)
Tester Profiles
Courtney Kelly, age 37 is a college lacrosse player turned avid runner. She lives in Manchester, MA with her husband and two daughters ages 4 and 8. Courtney signed up for her first 1/2 marathon the morning of the race in 2022, winning second place in a time of 1:26. She decided to take running a bit more seriously, joining Wicked Running Club and trying some training plans. She ran her first marathon this fall in 3:04:27. In addition, she holds a half marathon PR of 1:25, a 5 mile PR 30:17, and a 5k PR of 18:20. She looks forward to getting some more strength and speed under her belt this next season, before taking a crack at the marathon again. She is 5’4”, 110 lbs. Off the roads, Courtney is a painter and loving mother to her girls.
Renee is a former U.S. Marine journalist, which is when her enjoyment of running and writing started. She isn’t that awesome of a runner, but she tries really hard. Most of her weekly 50-60 miles take place on rural country roads in Nebraska, meaning mud, gravel, dirt, hills, and the occasional field. She has PR’s of 1:30:59 for the half marathon and 3:26:45 for the marathon.
Sam is the Editor and Founder of Road Trail Run. He is in his 60’s with 2025 Sam’s 54th year of running roads and trails. He has a decades old 2:28 marathon PR. These days he runs halves in the just sub 1:40 range if he gets very, very lucky. Sam trains 30-40 miles per week mostly at moderate paces on the roads and trails of New Hampshire and Utah be it on the run, hiking or on nordic skis. He is 5’9” tall and weighs about 160 lbs, if he is not enjoying too many fine New England IPA’s.
Europe only: use RTR code RTR5ALL for 5% off all products, even sale products
No comments:
Post a Comment