Brooks Hyperion Max 3 Review: The Gold Standard?

All shoes are reviewed by the Fleet Feet tester team, which represents a wide variety of goals, foot shapes, running locations and terrains. Reviewers pound the pavement, climb the hills, tackle the trails, then come together to compare notes. Debates ensue over the feel of the cushioning, the purpose of the shoe, and how it compares to last year’s model. While each reviewer has their own individual preferences, we hope that capturing our debates will help you make an informed decision.

The Brooks Hyperion Max 3 has been striving to join the ranks of super trainers since its inception in 2023. With a nitrogen-infused foam and rocker shape, the original Hyperion Max felt light and snappy but, in my opinion, didn’t feel cushioned or springy enough for super trainer status.

The next iteration added more cushioning and a nylon SpeedVault plate, a much-appreciated improvement to the model. Now, the third iteration has added even more cushioning, this time with a brand-new, 100% PEBA compound Brooks calls “DNA Gold.” This version feels like the one Brooks has been working towards — and the one I’ve been yearning for — all along. It’s the best version of the Hyperion Max yet…depending on who you ask.

The Brooks Hyperion Max 3 is built with a dual-layer midsole. The top layer is an EVA-based foam (Brooks’ DNA Flash v2) and the bottom layer is Brooks’ top-tier midsole foam, DNA Gold. It’s 100% PEBA-based, meaning it offers much more energy return with a lighter weight than traditional EVA foams (like the DNA Flash 2). This was my first time experiencing DNA Gold, and I was not disappointed.

My first test run was an easy four-miler on Global Running Day. I usually never run on Wednesdays, I use it as a full rest day since I always have a hard run and lifting session on Tuesdays. I was expecting my legs to feel pretty dead, but I wasn’t going to pass up the opportunity to run with my friends on Global Running Day.

However, a couple of miles into the run I was informed that I was running too fast for the agreed-upon group pace. Gasp! But my legs felt great! I was carrying on a full conversation! Alas, I looked down at my Garmin watch and saw that I was indeed running too fast for a full recovery effort. I blame this on the shoes, and I cannot be held responsible for my actions. Not only did the DNA Gold feel oh-so-bouncy underfoot, the embedded nylon plate (which Brooks calls their SpeedVault plate) and rocker shape was propelling me forward without my consent.

I decided my next run would need to be a harder effort to truly let these shoes shine. I had a ten-miler with the last 5K at goal marathon pace. I’m aiming for a PR at the Berlin Marathon and my goal race pace has felt really hard in the 80-degree humid mornings. However, on this run my normal long-run pace was noticeably faster and the race-pace miles felt noticeably smoother than they had on my prior runs. I thought maybe part of it was the shoes, and part of it was that I’d gained some fitness. I was reminded the following weekend, when I didn’t wear the Hyperion Max 3, that it had actually just been the shoes.

I wasn’t the only one feeling the energy. Heather, who’s been in a bit of a running funk lately, had nothing but positive things to say about the Hyperion Max 3.

“I have not been feeling like myself as a runner lately. My pace has slowed, and I’ve been feeling sluggish and uninspired,” she says. “I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started my run, so I went out without a plan other than to put some miles on the Max 3. As I warmed up, I found myself feeling better and excited to see what these shoes could do. Once I finished my warmup, I decided to do a fartlek workout to truly give these shoes a test.

I was delighted at how fast and fun they felt to me, especially given how I’ve been feeling lately. The ride made me feel like my old self again, and gave me the pop and energy underfoot that I’ve been missing. I’m really looking forward to putting more miles into these shoes.”

Not all of our reviewers were as enchanted with the Max 3 as Heather and I.

The only thing I don’t like about the Max 3 is that the sock liner is glued to the inside of the shoe. The sock liner is the light, foam footbed that rests inside the bottom of the shoe. I always remove the sockliner from my shoes and replace it with my Currex insoles for more arch support (I have had recurring plantar fasciitis over the past few years). The sock liner being glued into the shoe makes this impossible, so I have to run without my trusty insoles – something to keep in mind if you rely on aftermarket insoles like Currex and Superfeet.

It’s no secret that I, along with several other reviewers, don’t typically enjoy one-piece uppers. They can be hard to get the fit right in, and sometimes the material buckles uncomfortably when trying to cinch down the laces. I’m happy to report that I found my perfect fit in the Hyperion Max 3, and so did Kate and Heather.

Brooks uses a lightweight, breathable mesh material that feels great on even the steamiest summer runs. Some light padding in the tongue and heavier padding around the heel collar kept my feet securely in place — I didn’t even need to use the extra eyelets to tie the marathon loop, despite my narrow heels.

“While I typically don’t like a one piece upper, this one is actually comfortable and fits me well,” Kate agrees. “I was nervous about it, but it didn't give me any trouble. The fit is true to size.”

“I always worry about a one-piece upper because I have such high-volume feet [feet that take up a lot of space within the shoe], but this slipped on like a dream,” says Heather. “I appreciate the heel tab - it helped me pull the shoe easily onto my feet – but didn’t rub my achilles or irritate me in any way.”

Heather, Kate and I all have differently-shaped feet, so it’s a fantastic testament to the Max 3 that we all enjoyed the fit and feel of the upper.

Not sure about the shape, volume or width of your feet? Your best bet will be to head into your local Fleet Feet. Fleet Feet outfitters use 3D fit id® foot scanning technology to gather information about your feet and the support they need by taking precise measurements of your foot length, width and arch height, so you can learn a lot about your feet while you’re there.

The Hyperion Max 3 has gained an additional ten millimeters of stack height, part of the reason why I love this update and Kate doesn’t. Some runners prefer more ground feedback, while others don’t want to feel any bit of harsh pavement underfoot.

Brooks is the only brand I’ve reviewed that provides measurements for both their full stack height and “midsole-only” stack height (excluding the outsole material, sockliner and strobel). While the full stack height increased by ten millimeters, the midsole-only stack height increased by eight millimeters: The Hyperion Max 3 has a midsole-only stack height of 38 millimeters in the heel, while the Hyperion Max 2 has a midsole-only stack height of 30 millimeters in the heel.

“People who love a monster stack of cushioning will like this shoe,” Kate says. “However, I think people who loved the previous version may not like this one because it’s completely different.”

While Kate and I disagreed on our affinity for the Max 3, we both agreed that it’s a completely different shoe from the Max 2. While the Max 2 felt lightweight, nimble and natural, the Max 3 feels softer, springier and, yes, it’s gained a bit of weight due to the added cushioning.

We took a look at some comparable models to see how the Hyperion Max 3 stacks up. Here’s what we found:

The Brooks Hyperion Max 3 combines thick, springy cushioning with a snappy nylon plate for a propulsive ride — much like the carbon-plated Nike Zoom Fly 6 and the New Balance SuperComp Trainer v3. All three shoes are considered “super trainers” — shoes that use a lot of the same technology as racing super shoes but with an added focus on comfort and durability. These shoes are designed to eat up your training miles with a good bit of energy return, allowing you to enjoy the benefits of a plated shoe while saving your racing shoes for race day.

While the Hyperion Max 3 uses a nylon plate instead of a carbon plate, I thought it felt just as responsive as the Zoom Fly and SuperComp Trainer (both of which I’ve done plenty of long runs in). While it is a little bit heavier, it also offers more cushioning.

As you may have gathered from Kate and my differing opinions, the Hyperion Max 3 is best for those who enjoy highly cushioned shoes that err on the soft side. The combination of DNA Gold and DNA Flash v2 cushioning create a plush yet springy ride, and the nylon SpeedVault plate works to propel you forward with every step.

The upper works well for a variety of different foot shapes, but keep in mind that the Hyperion Max 3 is not currently offered in wide sizing.