Brooks Hyperion Max 2 review

7 expert score
8 user's score
As editorial policy, we do not accept free samples. We purchased this pair at Running Warehouse with our own money.
Review written on 26th September by Brandon Law Marathon Runner and Shoe Expert
186 other reviews

Brooks Hyperion Max 2 Verdict

The Brooks Hyperion Max 2 is a good speed trainer best suited to uptempo runs. It doesn't have a bouncy ride due to its EVA midsole but it has a durable outsole and upper comfort which is second to none. Version 2 has a new Pebax plate in its midsole as well as a more polished upper. It also has a thicker midsole but weighs significantly more.

The pros

  • Thick rubber makes the outsole very durable
  • Stable and supportive ride
  • Outstanding build quality
  • Superb upper

The cons

  • Not much energy return from the DNA Flash v2 EVA midsole
  • $10 more expensive than v1
  • A lot heavier than v1

Rating breakdown

Comfort
9.0
Build quality
10
Upper
10
Sole unit
6.0
Landing
6.0
Transition
6.0
Toe-off
7.0
Traction
7.0
Durability
9.0
Value / Price
6.0

Facts / Specs

Brand
Model
Hyperion Max 2
Family
Previous model
Weight
9.2 oz (261 g)
MSRP
$180.00

Heel
36 mm.
Toe
30 mm.
Heel drop
6 mm.
Carbon plate
Plate in other materials

Size/Fit

Sizing
True to size
Heel fit
Wide
Midfoot fit
Wide
Toebox fit
Normal

Cushioning & ride

Type of cushioning
Balanced
Amount of cushioning
Highly cushioned
Stability
Very stable
Flexibility
Medium

Usage

Racing
Speedwork  
Daily training
Long distance racing
Ultra distance racing

Who should buy the Brooks Hyperion Max 2 ?

If you’re looking for a trainer with a similar ride to the Hyperion Elite 4 but in a cheaper, more durable design, the Hyperion Max 2 is the shoe for you.
If you want a firm, stable trainer for speedwork, the Hyperion Max 2 would work for you.

Who should not buy the Brooks Hyperion Max 2 ?

If you want a soft, squishy, speed trainer, the Hyperion Max 2 will be too firm for you.
If you have sensitive arches and you don’t like a mild arch sensation, the Hyperion Max 2 is not for you.

Brooks Hyperion Max 2 Introduction

Picture of Brooks Hyperion Max 2

There’s no running brand with more potential than Brooks. Their uppers are crafted with meticulous attention to detail and are amongst the most comfortable in the game. Their midsoles on the other hand feel outdated and severely lack the fun factor.

While some other brands are putting PEBA into almost every premium trainer/racer they have (New Balance), the designers at Brooks don’t believe in PEBA in midsoles. They insist on using EVA or a supercritical version of it in some of their shoes. Brooks could be a real force to be reckoned with if they ditch the EVA for a more modern, more lively midsole foam.

The Hyperion Max 2 is one of the exciting trainers in the Brooks lineup because it’s the only other Brooks road shoe besides the Hyperion Elite that has a plate in its midsole. The previous version of the Hyperion Max didn’t have a plate.

The Hyperion Max is the speed trainer in the Hyperion family. It also consists of the Hyperion (plateless) speed trainer, Hyperion GTS (plateless) speed support trainer and the Hyperion Elite (the carbon-plated) long-distance racer.

I tried the original Hyperion Max when it came out 2 years ago. It was a decent daily trainer but it didn’t feel like the speed trainer it was designed to be. I haven’t used it for many runs in the past 2 years as it didn’t provide much speed assistance without a plate.

The Hyperion Max 2 weighs 9.1 oz (258 g), significantly more than its predecessor which weighed 7.8 oz (221 g). It has 4 mm more stack height in the heel and 6 mm more in the forefoot than its predecessor. It has a 6 mm drop.

Brooks Hyperion Max 2 First Impressions

Picture of Brooks Hyperion Max 2

When I took it out of the box, I couldn’t help but marvel at the exquisite build quality. It felt like a finely crafted piece of art. There wasn’t a single loose seam or glue mark and it felt extremely premium.

Picture of Brooks Hyperion Max 2

My first proper run in the Hyperion Max 2 was a track workout consisting of 400 m intervals. It surprised me during that run because it was a lot quicker than I expected it to be. Transitions felt smooth and the plate did its job but wasn’t very noticeable.

The new DNA Flash v2 midsole foam didn’t feel very different to the previous version, which was DNA Flash v1. The ride felt medium-firm without much squish. It felt really comfortable from the get go and it didn’t need a break-in period.

Brooks Hyperion Max 2 Upper

Picture of Brooks Hyperion Max 2

The Hyperion Max 2 has a magnificent upper. It’s really soft, smooth and it feels refined- a big improvement over the previous version.

Breathability is average and the mesh has some stretchability. The tongue is flat and semi-gusseted so it doesn’t slide around. Foot lockdown is fantastic.

My favourite component is the thin, notched laces that you’d find on a racing shoe. The fit is true to size and it will be comfortable for narrow, normal and wide feet.

Picture of Brooks Hyperion Max 2

Brooks Hyperion Max 2 Sole Unit

Picture of Brooks Hyperion Max 2

The really popular speed trainers like the Endorphin Speed, Boston and Magic Speed all use a premium racing foam in their midsole. This is because they have to deliver a ride which is similar to their racing counterparts but in a cheaper, more durable package.

The Hyperion Max 2 uses the exact same midsole foam as the Hyperion Elite 4: DNA Flash v2. The only difference is that the Elite 4 has a carbon plate while the Max 2 has a flexible Pebax plate so their rides are comparable.

The Pebax plate in the Hyperion Max 2 is not as flexible as the Endorphin Speed’s nylon plate but also not as stiff as the Deviate Nitro’s composite plate. It provides a good amount of snap to the forefoot while also making the ride more stable. It also helps the mild rocker to function more effectively.

Most speed trainers feel better during uptempo runs because they are designed to go fast. This is the case with the Hyperion Max 2 as well. During slow paces, it feels very ordinary. When you drop the pace down to marathon pace or faster, it shines.

I enjoy using the Hyperion Max 2 for tempo runs, short threshold runs and intervals. It has a firm base which to push off from which suits fast running more than relaxed runs. When I use it for easy runs, I find it not soft enough.

As a midsole foam, DNA Flash v2 doesn’t cut the mustard. It’s a supercritical EVA foam infused with nitrogen but it doesn’t compress or rebound much. Brooks says that it’s 10% more responsive but in reality, it’s so little that you don’t notice a difference.

I would prefer it to be at least 20% softer than it currently is. DNA Flash v2 feels springy but not bouncy so you have to drive your feet down into the midsole really hard to benefit from its energy-returning properties.

Picture of Brooks Hyperion Max 2

Brooks has stability versions of some of their neutral daily trainers. There’s no stability version of the Hyperion Max 2 but it does have guide rails and arch support. If you have flat feet, you might find the prominent arch annoying. I find it noticeable but not uncomfortable.

One of the benefits of DNA Flash is how durable it is. Due to its high density, it’s more resistant to scuffs, scratches and punctures than other midsole foams. You’ll be able to get a lot of mileage out of the Hyperion Max 2.

The outsole is also very durable. It has thick rubber covering all the high wear areas. There is minimal wear showing on my pair and I’m normally very hard on outsoles. Traction is good on dry surfaces and acceptable on wet ones.

Brooks Hyperion Max 2 Conclusions

The Hyperion Max 2 is another example of a good Brooks running shoe which could be great if it had a more exciting midsole foam. It’s very well-built, comfortable, stable, durable and it can go fast. It is however missing something very important- it’s not fun to run in.

It’s like the speed trainer version of the Brooks Ghost: nothing exciting but it just gets the job done. The Hyperion Max 2 is the plain vanilla ice cream of speed trainers.

If it had a more bouncy, more energetic midsole foam like FuelCell, ZoomX or Lightstrike Pro, it would easily be one of the best speed trainers on the market. Its current EVA midsole makes it feel like it belongs to a previous generation of speed trainers.

Picture of Brooks Hyperion Max 2

At $180, it has some really fierce competition. The ASICS Magic Speed, Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 and Puma Deviate Nitro are cheaper than the Hyperion Max 2. They all have more engaging rides than the Hyperion Max 2 and are just as fast if not faster.

Version 2 of the Hyperion Max is an improvement over version 1: it has more cushioning, a plate which makes it more snappy and it feels more premium. It also delivers a more similar ride to the Hyperion Elite 4.

How does the Hyperion Max 2 compare?

Brooks Hyperion Elite 4
Brooks Hyperion Max 2
Saucony Endorphin Speed 4
Expert score
7
7
7
User score
Retail price
US$250
US$180
US$170
Weight
7.8 oz
9.2 oz
8 oz
Heel Drop
8 mm
6 mm
8 mm
Recommended for
Speedwork
Speedwork
Speedwork
Cushioning type
balanced
balanced
responsive/balanced
Cushioning amount
Highly cushioned
Highly cushioned
Medium cushioning
Flexibility
rigid
medium
medium
Stability
some stability
very stable
some stability
Sizing
true to size
true to size
true to size

Why you can trust us

As editorial policy, we do not accept free samples from companies.
We purchased this pair of Brooks at Running Warehouse  with our own money.

This page contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Read more about our policy.

Reviewed by Brandon

This review was written by Brandon Law on 26th September.
Brandon is a South African who lives and trains in Malaysia. He is a marathon runner who eats, sleeps and dreams running shoes. While most people wear shoes to run, he runs to wear shoes.

User feedback (5)

  • avatar-comment-1045746
    Andrew Parker
    2 weeks ago
    7 score

    Having run in both versions of the Hyperion Max, I can say the v2 changes are noticeable but not all positive. The new Pebax plate adds stability but the weight increase is significant – about 1oz heavier than v1. Used these for several threshold workouts and a half marathon. The upper comfort is exceptional, no issues even without socks. Compared to the Saucony Endorphin Speed 3, these feel more controlled but less springy. The outsole durability is impressive – barely any wear after 150 miles. Good for uptempo runs but maybe not worth the $180 price tag.

  • avatar-comment-1045341
    Sarah T
    3 weeks ago

    Training for Chicago this fall and eyeing these for my long runs. Anyone switch from the v1? Wondering if that new Pebax plate makes them too aggressive for easy miles. I’m in Ghost 15s now (8.5) but heard these might run small? Really trying to decide if they’re worth the extra cash over just getting another pair of Ghosts!

  • avatar-comment-1045323
    Rachel Martinez
    3 weeks ago
    8 score

    The Hyperion Max 2 has become my go-to tempo day shoe over the past 3 months. I’ve logged about 200 miles in them, primarily for threshold runs and long intervals. The new Pebax plate adds noticeable stability without feeling harsh – a huge improvement over v1. While it’s heavier, the extra cushioning helps on longer workouts. The upper is absolutely perfect – no hotspots even during sweaty summer sessions. My only complaint is the rather dull ride from the EVA midsole compared to super foam options like the Saucony Endorphin Speed 3. Still, for runners prioritizing durability and stability in a workout shoe, it’s an excellent choice. Not the fastest but incredibly reliable.

  • avatar-comment-1042962
    Nina R.
    3 months ago

    Do you think this shoe would be a good option for someone training for their first marathon? I’m curious how it holds up over 20+ mile runs.

  • avatar-comment-1038877
    Brainsqwishd
    6 months ago
    9 score

    For a Tempo/speed work runner I really rate the Hyperion Max 2, I prefer it to the Endorphin Speed 4 and Magic Speed, I know it’s firmer than others but I like that about it. I’ve always felt the Endorphin Speed to be too soft and frankly no benefit from the plate in it…it’s actually more flexible than the Novablast 4. Perhaps it’s because I’m a bigger runner, but I think Brooks have done a really good job with this one, and I’m not any kind of Brooks fan…. currently running in Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 for racing… Mixing up between Hurricane 24, Novablast 4 and Kayano 31 for easy and longer runs. Now using the Hyperion Max for my speed and tempo

Lowest price:
$179

Where to buy

Best offers today in United States, all prices in USD

Similar shoes to Brooks Hyperion Max 2

Brooks Launch 11 Review

The Brooks Launch 11 is a versatile lightweight daily trainer that can take on ... (Read expert review)

Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24 Review

The new Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24 is a great shoe for the runner who is looking ... (Read expert review)

Brooks Hyperion Elite 4 PB Review

The Brooks Hyperion Elite 4 PB is a solid choice for long-distance marathon ... (Read expert review)