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The Brooks Hyperion Max 3 Running Shoes are very different to anything Brooks has released before. This model offers maximum-protection and lots of energy return - with the goal of creating a performance shoe that works for lots of runners.
Brooks kindly supplied Run4It with a pair of Hyperion Max 3 Running Shoes for testing. This article covers the technical features and how this model feels to run in.
Brooks Hyperion Max 3 Running Shoes Tech Guide
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Women’s approximate weight: 250 grams
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Men’s approximate weight: 281 grams
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Forefoot stack height: 39 mm
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Rearfoot stack height: 45 mm
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Drop: 6 mm
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Midsole:
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Top layer: DNA Gold
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Bottom layer: DNA Flash V2
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Plate: Pebax-based Speedvault plate
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Upper: Triple jacquard mesh with fully-gusseted tongue
Midsole construction
The midsole has two layers of foam: a top layer of DNA Gold foam, and bottom layer of DNA Flash V2 foam. It’s roughly a 50:50 split.
DNA Gold is created through a high-pressure autoclave that takes 100% PEBA foam and pressurises it to the point where it can be fully-infused with nitrogen. The 100% nitro-infused PEBA is the lightest, softest and highest energy returning foam that Brooks has ever made.
The supercritical nitrogen-infused DNA Flash V2 foam on the bottom still offers lots of energy return. Although, as this foam is slightly firmer, it improves the inherent stability of the midsole.
A Speedvault plate - made from Pebax - is sandwiched between the two layers of foam. Naturally, this increases energy return and propulsion. But importantly, Pebax is more flexible than carbon-fibre - ensuring the plate doesn’t feel overly stiff. Cut-outs in the plate also reduce the stiffness.
With a 45 mm high heel and 39 mm high forefoot, the stack-height is very high. Meaning there’s a lot of underfoot protection on offer. The thick midsole is coupled with a prominent rocker geometry to improve forward momentum and smooth out transitions.
On the point of transitions, the unique medial cut-out is designed to promote stable lateral transitions. We'll come back to how this unique design performs in the performance review section.
Outsole construction
The midsole is covered with a significant amount of outsole rubber, that is relatively thick.
While this adds some weight, it should drastically improve the durability on offer.
Upper construction
A triple jacquard mesh offers premium comfort and breathability. The fully-integrated tongue offers a sock-like fit.
In contrast to comparable upper designs, the Hyperion Max 3 upper has a lot of padding around the heel counter. There’s also a padded insert in the tongue - designed to improve both support and comfort.
Testing feedback
The next section of this article provides a summary of our experience running in them.
How do the Hyperion Max 3 fit?
Firstly, we recommend choosing your normal running shoe size. Although, the Hyperion Max offer a unique fit. This is because the heel counter and midfoot really hug your foot, but the toe box has a lot of volume.
The benefit of the toe box design is that it should accommodate foot swelling, and suit runners with broad-shaped feet. The midfoot and heel counter also offer very good lock-down - ensuring there's no slippage.
You might find a thinner running sock works best with the upper. This is down to the fact that there’s a lot of padding on the tongue and heel collar. And, it may create some excess pressure with a thick sock.
How do they feel underfoot?
As you’d expect, the midsole feels exceptionally protective and plush underfoot. Now, this might lead you to think this model will feel good at slower paces. However, this is unlikely to be the case. While it feels very cushioned, the geometry doesn’t feel overly stable at slower speeds. This is probably a result of the medial cut-out.
The experience is completely different when you pick up the pace though. The cushioning continues to feel very plush, but there’s a noticeable difference in the propulsion on offer. Which makes the instability a thing of the past. This is likely down to the fact that your feet are on the ground for less time, and the geometry (medial cut-out) is working with your biomechanics in a more efficient way.
To put some numbers on it, the cushioning’s sweet-spot is around 3.30 minute/kilometre to 4.00 minute/kilometre pace. Yes, pace is all relative, but this range should be pretty relevant for a lot of runners. In terms of effort, this equates to anything from light-tempo runs to threshold sessions.
Overall, the midsole feels impressively cushioned and propulsive when you’re running at steady to faster speeds. Personally, I’d go as far to say that the Hyperion Max 3 are the plushest plated running shoes I’ve ever tested. The 45 mm high heel simply offers incredible protection for heel strikers.
What are the Brooks Hyperion Max 3 Running Shoes best suited to?
Hopefully it’s clear that the Hyperion Max 3 offers - lots of propulsion and protection. We’d caution using this model for easy runs, because it’s likely the midsole won’t feel overly stable or natural to run in.
As we’ve highlighted, the midsole comes into its own during harder sessions - such as tempo runs and threshold workouts. The high level of protection also makes this model one of the best options for long-distance speed workouts, such as marathon-paced sessions. Not only should the cushioning feel very comfortable in the later stages of such a workout, it should also reduce the post-run fatigue.
While the midsole stack height doesn’t conform to World Athletics regulations, the Hyperion Max 3 could be very good marathon-running shoes. Particularly for runners who are trying to run sub 3 hours, or around that time. This is because the midsole offers lots of propulsion, but potentially more comfort than an all-out super-shoe at this sort of pace.
What are the Hyperion Max 3 comparable to?
Everyone will perceive cushioning differently, but the Nike Zoom Fly and Mizuno Neo Vista are good comparisons to the Hyperion Max 3 Running Shoes. This is because all three models offer lots of protection and propulsion.
On paper, the adidas Adizero Boston and Saucony Endorphin Speed are similar - as they are designed for the same end use. However, both models offer a much firmer, more connected ride.
If you’re looking for Brooks Running Shoes that offer maximum cushioning for easy runs and long-distance, slow runs, you should consider the Brooks Glycerin Max Running Shoes.
Summary
The Brooks Hyperion Max 3 Running Shoes are very impressive. As long as you use this model for the right type of session, it has the potential to really help your training and performance. And going back to the opening paragraph - the Hyperion Max 3 are a speed-focused model that should work for a wide range of abilities.
There’s no doubt that a lot of praise has to go to the DNA Gold foam. This is clearly a significant innovation for Brooks - and it’s arguably one of the best foams in production.
