THE INTRO
Max, pronounced maks, verb: reach or cause to reach the limit of capacity or ability.
The Hyperion Max 2 sure does live up to the Max name, picking up the slack version 1 left behind. Featuring a higher stack and a SpeedVault plate the Max in the name actually makes sense now.
THE SPECS
Support: Neutral
Weight: 9.1 oz / 258 g (men), 8.3 oz / 235 g (women)
Stack Height: 37 mm in the heel, 31 mm in the forefoot
Midsole Drop: 6 mm
Cushion Level: High
ON THE RUN
Joe: Wow…what can I say…Brooks has hit it out of the park with the Hyperion Max 2! If New Balances are for dads, then I guess Brooks are for moms, and the Hyperion Max 2 ain’t your mom’s old pair of Brooks!
I decided to put it through its paces with my first run in it, and as I was cooling down after my workout, I found myself thinking, “I just want to keep running in it.” To date I am only 35 miles into my journey with the Brooks Hyperion Max 2, and I cannot wait to see where this journey will take me. Wherever the journey leads - I see you Motor City Half in October - I know I’ll be Running Happy the whole way with the Brooks Hyperion Max 2!
Kennedy: All I have to say is Brooks blew it away with the Hyperion Max 2. This shoe makes running feel very easy and enjoyable. The thing that stuck out to me the most is how light and reactive the shoe is. This shoe makes me feel like I can run faster and still feel comfortable and confident at the pace I am going at!
THE FIT
Joe: The Brooks Hyperion Max 2 runs true to size and features a snug, secure fit within a reengineered lightweight mesh upper that offers increased breathability compared to the initial version of the shoe. The results: cool and happy feet ready to crush whatever workout or race you are throwing at them!
I also appreciated the elastic nature of the gusseted tongue, especially when compared to v1 of the Hyperion Max. I didn’t have to worry about any slippage or bunching up of the tongue during my runs.
I will note that despite the new design in the laces, and the implication that days of double-knotting were done, I found I still had to double knot my laces to keep them from untying mid-run. I tested this on a few runs and after 5-6km, I would have to retie at least one of the shoes.
Kennedy: This shoe fits like a glove and pretty true to size. It is very light with an added plus of breathability with the knitted upper. This shoe sculpts around your foot and keeps you stable during your whole run. The Hyperion Max 2 provides me with MAX comfort!
THE FEEL
Joe: Brooks bills the Hyperion Max 2 as a seamless blend of speed and support, and with the combination of the Nitrogen-infused DNA FLASH v2 midsole, RapidRoll Rocker, and SpeedVault Plate, I most certainly agree with their assertion! From the moment you first stand in the Hyperion Max 2, you notice both the increased stack height and stability compared to the OG Hyperion Max.
Now, I enjoyed the few runs I took in the Hyperion Max, but the Hyperion Max 2 is a completely different animal! When powering through workouts, I felt the SpeedVault plate responding to the increased force demanded of it, propelling me through step after step, interval after interval during a hot & highly humid Michigan summer day. And the DNA FLASH v2 midsole provides a stable platform for every stride, whether you are tackling hills or navigating the sidewalks of the concrete jungle.
I’m also appreciative of Brooks’ attention to detail to add a decent amount of rubber outsole, increasing the longevity of the Hyperion Max 2. This shoe is an investment for consumers, and not something you want to be burning through after only 150-200 miles.
Kennedy: I was shocked by the cushion and support this shoe offers. I was also pleasantly surprised with the stability the Hyperion Max 2 offers. Sometimes plated shoes can lack stability but the nylon plated featured in the midsole was not only smooth when running but stable. This shoe makes me feel like I can do anything to the MAX!
THE NITTY GRITTY
Joe: With an influx of plated-trainers in the market today, it’s become increasingly harder to save the speedy shoes for race-day specific shoes (I may sound old here, but I’m not that old! You can still run on my lawn!), and so I’ve primarily used the Hyperion Max 2 for threshold and race-pace interval workouts (…and one long run when I wanted that SpeedVault plate make the miles go a little easier for my tired legs).
As I start to build up for the Motor City Half Marathon in the coming weeks, it will be a challenge to balance the workouts in the Hyperion Max 2 so that it is still feeling fresh on race day (Note: Brooks is our merchandise sponsor for the Detroit Marathon, and as a nod to their partnership, I’ve decided to make this my race day shoe.). The Hyperion Max 2 is an incredible balance of responsiveness, cushioning, and stability, making it well-suited for workouts, long runs, and races.
In my personal echelon of plated-trainers, the Brooks Hyperion Max 2 sits just below the Saucony Endorphin Speed, and just above the New Balance SuperComp Trainer and Mizuno Neo Vista. It’s not quite as snappy and peppy as the Endorphin Speed, and I appreciate the firmer midsole when compared to the SuperComp Trainer and Neo Vista.
Kennedy: I wear this shoe as a daily trainer and for speed workouts. It is great for quick runs. This shoe reminds me of the Mizuno Neo Vista. Both of these shoes push you forward and help you keep running, while keeping great form!
THE RUNDOWN
Joe: For anyone who’s thrown a side-eye at Brooks’ plated shoes since the first rendition of the Hyperion Elite, I encourage you to give the Hyperion Max 2 a try. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised and find yourself thinking, “Is this really a Brooks?!?”
While there’s some resemblance to the OG Hyperion Max, the Hyperion Max 2 feels like a completely different shoe, and one that’s going to rock your world in a good way! I’ve been impressed with the updates, and once I wear through it this wear-testing pair, I’m going to have to find a good reason to convince my wife that I need to buy a 2nd pair. On the bright side, at least I know I have a few hundred miles to figure that out first!
Kennedy: Brooks did an excellent job updating this shoe. From adding the nylon plate to changing the upper, it is absolutely magnificent! I would not change a thing about it. This shoe can do EVERYTHING!
MEET JOE
Joe has been running consistently for two decades. In that time he's run everything from a coach's 4X100 relay to completing 3.75 marathons to stroller runs with his kids. During the spring of 2020 he ran every street in his town in a week. Today he enjoys runs with his wife, watching others smash their PRs, and finding creative ways to give back to the community through running.
Favorite shoe: Saucony Endorphin Shift 3... however Altra FWDExperience is closing in...
MEET KENNEDY
Hi, I’m Kennedy! After 3 knee surgeries and college soccer, I found my love for running. During my free time, I love spending time with my family and dogs, running, and helping others. I am hoping one day I can create a workout and sports program for our special needs community! I just recently got my personal training certification and am working on others!
Favorite shoe: Hoka Bondi 8