Brooks Hyperion Max 3 Review | Divided Minds On This Supertrainer

Brooks made some updates to the Hyperion Max 3, but do the changes actually make it a better max cushioned super trainer, or did they miss the mark? I’ve been putting in the miles both on the treadmill and out on the roads to find out.
If you’ve run in previous versions of the Hyperion Max, you’ll spot the differences right away. But of course, looks can only tell you so much. What really matters is how the shoe fits, feels, and performs when the miles start adding up.

Originally launched in 2023 as a lightweight shoe, the Hyperion Max has now gained both weight and stack height to lean fully into the max cushion category. So what does that mean for how the shoe will perform?

Let’s jump right into the Brooks Hyperion Max 3 review to find out.

Brooks Hyperion Max 3 Overview

Open up the box of the Brooks Hyperion Max 3, and boom, you’re immediately hit with bright colors and a sleek design.  I know, bright colorways are not everyone’s cup of tea, but it made me super excited to test this shoe.

The Hyperion Max has been a bit of a hit-or-miss over the years, and unfortunately, this model follows that same trend. While Brooks did make some changes that seem promising on paper, this is a heavier, max-cushion super trainer that isn’t going to work for every runner.

This model is so different from the first two that calling it an “update” doesn’t quite feel accurate. It’s basically a whole new shoe. Whether that’s a good thing or not depends on what you’re looking for.One of the biggest updates in the Hyperion Max 3 is what’s underfoot.

Brooks wanted this shoe to feel fast, so they swapped out the Nitrogren-infused midsole for something entirely new.

DNA GOLD is their lightest, softest, and bounciest foam to date. It’s made from 100% PEBA and it’s part of the big change in both the stack height (additional 10mm!!) and overall weight.

The Hyperion Max 3 now combines DNA GOLD, DNA FLASH v2, and a SpeedVault plate, all designed to deliver a mix of protection, propulsion, and recovery. Sounds promising, right?

Well, unfortunately, I hate to report that my sore feet and tired legs seem to disagree on the recovery part.

On runs longer than 6 miles, I found myself dealing with some discomfort. My feet were sore, my legs felt heavy the rest of the day, and for the first time ever, I noticed arch pain in my right foot. That’s not something I’ve experienced before, and I’ve worn plenty of plated super trainers.

I’m still trying to figure out exactly what caused it, but it’s making me second guess reaching for these again.

To top it off, I developed a hot spot under one of my big toes toward the end of a run. By the time I finished, I couldn’t wait to rip these shoes off.

It was a letdown because when I picked up the pace, the shoes felt snappy and responsive. There’s definitely some potential here, but the discomfort made it hard to fully enjoy what the Hyperion Max 3 could be.

Coach Amanda: We said we were divided and here’s where it starts. I LOVED the update to this shoe from the previous model which just felt way too firm. It didn’t give the bounce I expect from a Super shoe, but this model absolutely does.

It’s not their fastest shoe the Hyperion Elite that I previously reviewed, but it’s a darn good super trainer.
I was able to comfortably run 7:30 paces and didn’t run in to any fit issues.
At first glance, the Brooks Hyperion Max 3 and the Hoka Cielo X1 2.0 look incredibly similar. But once you lace them up, the ride is completely different. A big part of that comes down to how each brand handles the midsole cut-out.

In the Hoka Cielo X1 2.0, the cut out fully separates part of the heel, which makes this not a great shoe if you’re a heel striker. With the Hyperion Max 3, the cut-out is there, but it’s small and doesn’t cut into the heel. You won’t feel it at all while running or walking around in the Hyperion Max 3.

Amanda ran in both the Cielo X1 2.0 and the Hyperion Max 3 to help compare. She shared that the Cielo is going to be your front-of-the-pack race shoe, and while the Hyperion Max 3 is a fast shoe, it’s going to be more of your super trainer. When you put on the Cielo X1 2.0, there’s less stability because of the way the cut-out separates part of the heel.

While I didn’t have the best experience after a few longer runs in the Brooks Hyperion Max 3, this does check off the boxes necessary for a super trainer.

You’re going to get that snappiness and smooth turnover that you need when picking up the pace during a track workout or tempo run.

Are they worth the cost? Eh, I wouldn’t pay the price. They fall under the super trainer category, which is why they’re a little pricier than a daily trainer, due to the SpeedVault plate.

Brooks Hyperion Max 3 Feel

When you hear max cushion, you probably expect something soft and pillowy underfoot, right?

That’s not quite what you get with the Brooks Hyperion Max 3. If anything, it feels like Brooks took the cushioning from the Ghost Max and Glycerin Max, mixed them together, and tossed in a SpeedVault plate for an extra pop.

You do get a little bounce thanks to the combo of DNA GOLD and DNA FLASH v2, but the overall feel is more firm than plush. So if you’re expecting that sink-in softness, this one might catch you off guard.I tested the Brooks Hyperion Max 3 for a few different workouts, and despite my feedback about my feet feeling sore, it really shines when you pick up the pace.

There’s a small cut-out that reveals the SpeedVault plate, and it’s shaped with a curved geometry to help smooth out that heel-to-toe transition.

During my speed workout, each stride felt smooth, and I could feel the RapidRoll Rocker doing its job. Even as someone who naturally runs more on my toes, I appreciated how the shoe helped guide my stride forward without feeling forced.The outsole of the shoe looks super crisp and blue out of the box. But I have to say I’ve already noticed the wear and tear happening, and I’ve only had these shoes for maybe a month?

That has me a little concerned about the durability of the new RoadTack lightweight rubber outsole. Brooks says this shoe is built for long runs, but if the outsole wears down too quickly, will it turn into one of those shoes you only pull out on occasion?

Right now, I’m not sure. The jury’s still out.

Brooks Hyperion Max 3 Fit

The overall fit of the Brooks Hyperion Max 3 is true to size. I wore my typical women’s size 11 and didn’t feel that I needed any extra room.

The Brooks Hyperion Max 3 fit is like a hug for your feet, snug but secure. It’s a breathable mesh, though not the most flexible, which is probably what gives it that locked-in fit.

I honestly thought the mesh might make these a little questionable for hot summer runs, but I was pleasantly surprised. Even with temps nearing triple digits, my feet never felt overheated or too sweaty. That’s a win in my book!
One of the noticeable updates in the Brooks Hyperion Max 3 is the new sock-like liner, packed with cushioning and a noticeably plush tongue and heel collar.

The extra padding in the heel collar didn’t bother me or cause any irritation. This may move your foot forward a little, but as I mentioned, I felt that there was enough space with my women’s size 11.

If you’re someone who doesn’t do well with a stiff or cushioned heel collar, you might not like the fit of the Hyperion Max 3. This is truly a time when you need to try it on for yourself.

This also isn’t the type of shoe you can leave tied and slide back into later. The snug sock liner and stiff heel counter make that tricky.

Luckily, there’s a pull tab to help, and once you’re in, the fit feels super secure. No heel slippage, no shifting, just a solid, locked-in fit.The extra padding in the tongue took a little getting used to, especially because it tends to bunch up when tightening the laces. But after making a quick adjustment, it sat flat on the top of my foot.

Around the last eyelet, there are small cut-outs that might make you wonder if tiny rocks could sneak in. But thanks to the snug fit, I didn’t have any issues with stowaways during my runs.

The laces are a bit short. If you’re someone who likes to change up your lacing for a more customized fit, that could be a bit limiting.

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 3 – SpeedVault plate, slightly more cushioned super 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

While our review of the Brooks Hyperion Max 3 wasn’t a total thumbs-up, we hope that you’ll still give it a try.

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