We’ve got another running shoe, that seems to be straddling the line of uses. Is it a super trainer? Is it a race day shoe for many? Is it just a great up tempo running shoe? Let’s dig in to the Brooks Hyperion Max 2 and find out.
One thing I’ve noticed from all our testers this year is a feeling that the Brooks cushioning is just a bit firmer than other brands.
This absolutely isn’t a bad thing, it’s why the Ghost is a long time favorite of so many runners. But I do notice each of us saying that maybe we expected something a bit more and I believe that’s why. Plus, anytime you hear “Max”, well you expect a whole bunch of soft or bouncy foam.
Recently we looked at the Hyperion 2 and today, we’re looking at it’s counterpart the Hyperion Max 2. Trust me, we agree, the names are getting out of control. But this updated to the Hyperion Max now lives up to the cushioned shoe we’d expect.
Run to the Finish Coach Lindsey has now tested both models to help give us a comparison and I’ll throw in some thoughts around the entire Brooks line as well. Lindsey is a 3:17 marathoner, so she knows what she likes when it comes to a shoe made for speed.
So let’s find out if the Brooks Hyperion Max 2 surpasses it’s predecessor and what you need to know!
Brooks Hyperion Max 2 Review
Runners who tested out the original Hyperion Max are going to be happy with this update, at least we think so. It’s both softer and yet feels more stable than the original. Now with a lot more cushion, it comes closer to a max shoe feel, plus it’s added to their nylon SpeedVault plate.
At 45mm this stack height is enormous.
As in, it’s too tall to be legal for elites to wear.
Which should mean it’s like a crazy fast shoe right? Mmmm, were as noted in the headline a bit on the fence about that.
Nylon plates are in theory a bit sturdier and less stiff than carbon and designed to go in training shoes, versus race day shoes. It’s not going to have the same speed benefits of carbon plated shoes, but many runners like the benefit in their daily trainer. It can help to dampen the impact on the lower leg.
All that being said, some testers think it’s lost a little speed from the original. Which makes sense with the increased stack height, but not having a bouncy foam.
And that’s where the Hyperion Max 2 is blurring some lines. It seems to be a daily trainer that wants to be a speed shoe. But when you look at the higher weight than the Hyperion 2, for some folks it’s simply not going to have that zip.
The Hyperion Max 2 is good for mid-pack runners who need a versatile daily trainer to long run shoe. It’s not going to have the top end pick up of some super trainers that a speedier runner might seek out. But it does have the nylon plate an a noticeable rocker, which helps with that smooth roll forward and speed.
The Nitrogen-infused DNA FLASH v2 cushioning should feel lighter and bouncier than traditional EVA foams. Again this is the same supercritical foam that you find in their top end racing shoes, which is why this is considered a super trainer.
The Brooks Hyperion Max 2 provides a solid ride with a firmer feel than anticipated due to the max name. It isn’t as soft or bouncy as other carbon-plated shoes (again more race trainers), such as the Saucony Endorphin Elite or Nike Alpha Fly. Although it elevates your stance, giving a tall feeling Lindsey appreciated, it doesn’t match their responsiveness.
However, it performs well for comfortable for easy miles, offering good control at slower paces.
Compared to the Hyperion 2, it delivers a more cushioned experience with reduced road feel, which we liked better.
Specifications
Let’s review some of the details:
- Neutral plated running shoe
- Max Cushioning
- Stack Height: 36mm
- Heel Toe Drop: 6 mm
- Weight: 8.3 oz women’s, 9.1 oz men’s
- Available in 2 colors
- Not available in wide
- Available on Brooksrunning.com for $180
Again, this is leaning in to that super trainer category. So it’s a little pricier than a daily trainer because of the nylon plate, but not as expensive as their top end marathon race shoe.
While something like the Brooks Ghost is going to be a good daily trainer for the majority of folks at $140, there is a new group of runners looking for something just a bit more.
For your additional $40, we’re really looking at some better foam the PEBEX SpeedVault plate. Both of which should help with reducing leg fatigue and as noted, should allow for the shoe to pick up the speed a bit more than just your standard run shoe.
Are these a long run shoe?
Where we weren’t so sure about the Hyperion 2 for runs over 6 miles, we are indeed a fan of these for longer miles. The added cushion and rocker, make for an enjoyable ride and keep the legs feeling good over longer runs.
The rubber outsole is made from recycled materials, another effort of Brooks to make shoes sustainable. But it still has plenty of durability and grip for the roads, very clearly not a trail shoe.
You’ll notice many brands now have some exposed foam on the outsole, which I still wonder about for durability and traction, but we haven’t noticed any issues yet in our testing.
Style-wise this shoe hits a home run for RTTF Coach Lindsey. She thought the shoe looked clean and modern and had thoughtful design details. She particularly liked the fit and appreciated the racing-style laces she compared to the ones on the Nike Alphafly and Vaporfly.
The shoe comes in 2 colors, including some splashy color combos and some neutrals too. All boast a big “Brooks” on the medial side of each shoe that in some colors pops, while in other colors blends in and is more subtle despite the size.
Fit
Brooks Hyperion Max 2 runs true to size.
Lindsey felt like there was good toe box space and a comfortable, secure feel through the midfoot. In fact, the midfoot felt a little roomier in height than some shoes, which was comfortable and easy enough to lock down with the attached tongue and lacing.
We always note that Brooks shoes don’t tend to have a ton of arch support, so if you need that, consider an insole.
Brooks toe boxes are not wide, but also not as narrow as some brands. Where some speedier shoes seem to get more narrow, we didn’t find that here.
The tongue is thin but stays in place without causing irritation, which helps to keep the weight from climbing even more.
The padding around the heel is another highlight. It provides a secure and cushioned feel, with a design that extends slightly up the back of the shoe. This feature not only enhances comfort, but also echoes the solid fit of the Hyperion 2 model.
Feel
This road shoe is meant for everyday use, and that includes speed workouts and race days. And while Coach Lindsey was missing some of the snap for a 7 min mile workout, it’s going to hit the mark for the majority of mid-pack runners for half marathon or marathon goal pace.
Again, it’s a good cushion, but not super soft or bouncy like you might have experienced with other brands.
One concern with max stack height shoes is often stability. But these have a nice wide base and you can see just a little bit of an extended heel, which all help to ensure you’ll feel solid. It’s not a stability shoe, but you shouldn’t feel your foot inadvertently rolling due to the height.
The slight stiffness from the plate also helps with this, unlike something that’s super soft, like the Hoka Bondi.
Brooks Hyperion 2 vs Hyperion Max 2
All right, so what’s sets apart these two shoes that share a name? A few key characteristics
- Hyperion Max 2 with more cushion is a couple ounces heavier
- The Max has a 2mm lower heel to two drop at 6mm vs 8mm
- In the photo below you can see the more pronounced rocker of the Max
- The tongue, heel and overall fit is very similar
- Similar colorways offered in both
- Max we find more conducive to longer runs
Similar Shoes to the Brooks Hyperion Max 2
If you’re looking for that super trainer with a little speed, a little bounce, then here are some similar options:
- Nike Pegasus Plus (similar not overly cushioned feel)
- NB FuelCell Supercomp Trainer (carbon plated)
- Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 (a little bouncier)
Brooks Hyperion Line Up
If you’re wondering what the deal is with this line up, let’s take a quick look. The entire line was developed with the idea of creating lighter shoes from the upper to the foam they utilized.
Hopefully, providing a variety of cushion and speed levels for the different needs of training and racing. The whole line up shares a lot of similarities, but here are some ways to differentiate:
- Brooks Hyperion 2 – Least cushion, more road feel, lightest weight
- Brooks Hyperion Max 2 – PEBAX plate, slightly more cushioned daily trainer, more rocker feel
- Brooks Hyperion GTS 2 – Stability model, which might feel just a bit firmer and is not max cushion
- Brooks Hyperion Elite 4 – Fastest option with carbon plate, a little more rocker, middle weight of the options
Sustainability
While I know this isn’t the first focus for anyone buying a running shoe, I actually think it’s something really important for us all to be aware of and I like that Brooks is being really upfront. They have a lot of carbon neutral shoes in the line now and while these are not that, they are still utilizing recycled materials
You’ll find each pair helped eliminate 7.63 plastic bottles from landfills. And the upper is nearly 63% recycled materials.
We don’t notice any difference in the fit or feel for making these changes, so we’re big fans.
All right I hope this Brooks Hyperion Max 2 review gave you some insights that help you decide if it’s worth trying!
Absolutely drop your feedback if you’d tried these or the original. It’s always helpful to hear from a variety of runners.
Thanks to Lindsey for taking these out on a variety of runs to give us some great insight to this shoe line up. Having tested the Ghost, Ghost Max 2 and others lately, I her thoughts on feel underfoot aligned with what I’ve seen across the brand.
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