ON THE RUN
Sidney: The most perfect Saturday happened in the Hyperion Max 3. Not because of the workout itself, (that was a hard one), but because of how I felt afterward. Every time I see these shoes in my closet, I’m reminded of that day: finishing a 17-mile long run with a sneaky 5K PR in the middle, grabbing an iced latte from my favorite local coffee spot, and spending the rest of the day blissfully horizontal. Work hard, rot harder.
As someone who usually feels hesitant about a lot of time spent in carbon-plated shoes (hello, shin splints for me) the Hyperion Max 3 in all its nylon goodness screamed my name like an ice cream truck’s jingle on a hot summer day in the early 2000s. Core childhood memory: hearing that jingle, dropping everything, and sprinting to find an adult to steal a couple of dollars from. That’s the kind of excitement this shoe gives off.
Usually you get a plated shoe on your foot and with that extra propulsion it offers, you do feel a little unstable. Gooey foam makes you wobble especially when there’s a medial midsole cutout. But not with the Hyperion Max 3. The DNA Gold foam is the perfect blend to offer some plushness for the long haul but firm enough to add some stability (even with the medial midsole cutout.) The help of the SpeedVault plate definitely helped with the two 5k PRs I managed to snag in the middle of the long run, keeping me feeling strong, smooth, and controlled while being able to push the pace a little bit.
THE FIT
Sidney: At first glance, the upper looks heavy, like a chunky knit sweater compared to the breezy feel some knit uppers pull off. But once you get moving, it surprises you with more breathability than expected. Compared to the Hyperion Max 2, version 3 molds to the foot better while still feeling light enough for longer efforts.
The fit is seamless, with the arch shape hugging comfortably and the wide platform making it adaptable to more foot shapes. Normally, I hold a lifelong grudge against full knit uppers with a full gusseted tongue. Sometimes the top of my foot will ache from the tight knit upper pressing into the boney top of my foot, but the Hyperion Max 3 manages to get it right, it stays put, no slipping, no fuss. True to size and gives your toes width to breathe. Consider me impressed.
THE FEEL
Sidney: The DNA Gold foam strikes the perfect balance: soft enough to keep things smooth, firm enough to keep you moving forward. Paired with a plate that’s flexible yet propulsive, it’s the ideal blend.
The ride feels grounded thanks to that wide base, giving supinators and heel strikers a stable platform. It’s lively without being squishy, propulsive without being punishing. Picking up the pace feels natural, not forced, and without the jarring stiffness that some carbon plates bring along for the ride.
THE NITTY GRITTY
Sidney: Super trainers are having their moment, and the Hyperion Max 3 deserves a spot in that conversation. It’s a versatile shoe that can hold its own against the Superblast 2, Neo Vista 2, SC Trainer v3, and even feels like a more cushioned take on the Endorphin Speed.
With a 46mm stack in the heel and 40mm in the forefoot (6mm drop), this shoe is loaded with cushion. At 8.8 oz (249 g) for women and 9.9 oz (281 g) for men, it comes in at a very reasonable weight for a plated workhorse trainer.
This is the kind of daily trainer that can pull double duty on race day—perfect for runners who want support and stability instead of wobbling over gooey foam and harsh plates. I’d pull it out for pretty much anything: short runs when I want a fun, blasty stroll, long runs when I need a little extra pep, and race day when I’m looking for that comfortable yet pace-pushing boost. Heel strikers, supinators, and anyone who’s felt uneasy in other plated shoes, this might be your perfect match.
THE RUNDOWN
Sidney: The change in the Hyperion Max 3 shows that Brooks is leaning into the supertrainer space and it’s paying off. The DNA Gold foam is a big step forward, and this shoe is balanced, versatile, and legitimately fun. The knit upper is surprisingly comfortable, meshing with my foot instead of working against it. I wouldn’t change a thing.
This one will stay in my rotation long after other pairs have come and gone. It’s the kind of shoe that reminds you running doesn’t have to feel complicated, sometimes it’s just about chasing that ice cream truck jingle, picking up the pace, and smiling because you can.
