To create the Hyperion Max, Brooks took their Hyperion speed trainer, maximised its midsole and put a plate in it to make it even faster.
The Hyperion Max is the training companion of the Hyperion Elite. It's a more durable, cheaper trainer for uptempo runs. It has a nylon plate for propulsion and Brooks' responsive, supercritical midsole foams.
Version 3 is a vastly different animal to version 2. It has a brand new outsole, midsole and upper. This comparison will tell you which version you should buy,
The Hyperion Max 3 has a dual-density midsole with DNA Gold (a PEBA foam) on the top and DNA Flash (EVA) on the bottom. DNA Gold is a lively foam with high energy return while DNA Flash is a firmer, more durable and supportive foam. It has a very tall, 46 mm heel stack height. This makes it illegal for use in official World Athletics races.
The Hyperion Max 2 has a single-density midsole made of only DNA Flash. It has a heel stack height of 36 mm, making it legal to use for World Athletics races. The Max 2 has a flatter ride with less energy return because it doesn’t have the DNA Gold in its midsole. It also has a firmer ride than the Max 3.
Both trainers have flexible nylon SpeedVault plates but the Max 3 has a much stiffer midsole due to its thicker midsole. The Max 3 has a much more prominent forefoot rocker than the Max 2 and this makes it more energy-saving as it assists you more through transitions.
The Max 3 feels like a long run trainer because of how thick its midsole is. It has plenty of cushioning depth for runs over 2 hours in duration. The Max 2 feels like a traditional speed trainer- it feels nimble and agile.
Stability is much better in the Max 2. Not only does your feet sit lower to the ground in the Max 2, but the Max 3 has a midfoot cutout to save weight so it’s a lot less stable. The Max 2 has the more supportive ride.
The Max 2 has the more durable sole. It’s made entirely of EVA which is more durable than the PEBA in the Max 3. The Max 2 also has better traction because it has more outsole ground contact.
The upper of the Max 3 is a semi-bootie construction upper with a knitted tongue and collar. The tongue is attached to the upper so there’s no tongue slide. It has a true to size fit however it doesn’t have a very spacious interior so it’s not suited to wide feet or high volume feet.
The Max 2 has a more traditional upper construction that’s more comfortable than the Max 3. It feels softer and more spacious than the Max 2’s upper. Its tongue is not completely attached but there’s also no tongue slide. It also has a true to size fit and it is more suitable for wide or high volume feet than the Max 3.
If you’re looking for a long run trainer or a trainer for slow, easy runs, the Hyperion Max 3 is the better option. It has more cushioning depth, and it has a plusher ride. It has a more prominent forefoot rocker and it has a stiffer midsole. It also has the more energetic ride.
If you’re looking for a lighter, pure speed trainer for tempo runs, interval workouts or any uptempo runs, the Hyperion Max 2 is the better option. It has more ground feel and a firmer ride. It’s easier to pick up the pace in the Hyperion Max 2. It also has better stability and the more stable ride. If you have wide or high volume feet, the Max 2 is the better choice. If want a shoe that you can race in, the Hyperion Max 2 is legal while the Max 3 isn’t.
