What You Want To Know
- Weighs 7.9 oz. (223 g) for a US M10.5/ 6.7 oz. (190 g) for a US W8
- Nitrogen-infused DNA Flash midsole, greater stack than the Hyperion Tempo
- Works nice as a light-weight every day coach or tempo shoe
- Stack top of 33 mm within the heel/25 mm in forefoot (8 mm drop)
- Accessible January 1, 2023 for $170
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The Intro
ROBBE: Typically you fall in love with a shoe, and typically it falls in love with you. It follows you round, DMs you with issues like “when are we going out?” and “Would like to get to know you higher,” and “Are you able to go purchase an Apple reward card from Royal Farms and ship me the code?” However I solely ship reward playing cards to these in want by way of Instagram DM, to not a pair of footwear with a faux profile pic. Nonetheless, I nonetheless went on a handful of dates with the Brooks Hyperion Max. And whereas its profile pic appears to be like a bit completely different irl, I’d nonetheless give it my social safety quantity if it promised to not share it.
There was a lot dialogue on our YouTube first ideas on this shoe as as to whether the identify “Hyperion Max” is a misnomer or an oxymoron. It’s form of each. As a result of it’s not a max cushion shoe, in the way in which that the Hoka Bondi, New Stability Extra v4, or Saucony Triumph 20 are max cushion footwear. It’s extra of a “mid-Max.” It’s solely max in that Brooks designed it to be a maxed-out model of the Hyperion Tempo (now merely referred to as the Hyperion). It’s additionally not likely that both, so the Hyperion Max can be a misnomer. For these experiencing insomnia, reread that paragraph 10 occasions over to your every day dose of phrase melatonin.
However right here’s what the Hyperion Max is, on paper, anyway: it’s a (very) light-weight every day coach that may choose up the tempo at a second’s discover, due to the nitrogen-infused, supercritical DNA Flash midsole, which we’ve seen in each the Hyperion Tempo (nice), Hyperion Elite 3 (good). Different makes an attempt at nitrogen-infused foam have had combined ends in the case of DNA Loft v3 in each the Glycerin 20 (meh) and Caldera 6 (nice). We by some means couldn’t get the precise stack measurements from Brooks (somebody advised us 26 mm/18 mm at The Operating Occasion, which isn’t right), so we measured it ourselves, and it’s roughly 33 mm within the heel and 25 mm within the forefoot (8 mm drop), placing it at only a barely greater stack top than the Brooks Hyperion. Not precisely maxing it out by in the present day’s requirements.
A Inexperienced Rubber outsole is designed with sustainability in thoughts, whereas a stretch woven higher and 3D Match Print search to supply nice construction and breathability. Additionally, a Fast Roll rocker design makes for a simple transition from heel to toe.
So anyway, let’s see if this factor is simply catfishing us oxymorons right here at Imagine within the Run, or if it actually does want a present card to repay our IRS debt so we don’t go to jail earlier than Christmas.
THOMAS: Brooks is a model that our group is rooting for. Although the previous few years have been a bit ho-hum (sorry, it’s true), we’re at all times trying ahead to seeing Brooks innovate and convey new merchandise to market. In early 2020, Brooks handed us the Hyperion Tempo. We had been impressed with the straightforward shoe that carried out effectively. After the Hyperion Tempo, the Aurora-BL confirmed up. The Aurora-BL blew our minds with its nitrogen-infused DNA Loft v3. The futuristic styling of the shoe with its decoupled heel made us assume it was a gimmick. It wasn’t. A yr and a half later, the Aurora-BL nonetheless stands out as an distinctive working expertise. Sadly, since then, we’ve been ghosted with no thrilling updates or new fashions (although an up to date Aurora-BL is supposedly coming in 2023). It’s virtually three years for the reason that Hyperion Tempo and Hyperion Elite got here out, and… crickets. On one hand, we get it— Brooks is the primary vendor in run specialty— why break it if it ain’t broke?
Nevertheless, just like the Aurora-BL, there have been some gentle makes an attempt at new stuff, however the outcomes have been fairly combined. The Glycerin 20 tried to make use of the identical foam discovered within the Aurora-BL, however it fell flat, missing the thrill of DNA Flash and different nitrogen-infused midsoles. Nevertheless, Brooks did handle to make it work on the path facet in footwear just like the Caldera 6 (once more, nitrogen-infused DNA Loft v3) and Catamount (DNA Flash). Perplexing, to say the least.
I’d like to let you know that we noticed some thrilling new designs after we visited Brooks on the Operating Occasion this yr, however it appears to be like to be extra of the identical, not less than for the start of 2023. Essentially the most thrilling shoe we noticed was the Hyperion Max. Fortunate for you, that’s the shoe we’re protecting right here.
The Good
ROBBE: I took the Hyperion Max out on our first date and instantly realized she’d been mendacity on her profile picture. It’s not a max shoe. The cushion isn’t extremely smooth or extremely comfy, and the stack isn’t that max. However I feel she was simply attempting too laborious to impress me, which wasn’t needed— as a result of, as Billy Joel crooned: I really like you simply the way in which you might be.
As soon as I obtained previous the surface-y stuff and realized what this shoe truly is– a light-weight every day coach that may double as a tempo shoe or triple as a funds racer– I used to be all in.
The stretch woven higher matches nice in all the precise locations. Good lockdown across the midfoot, no heel slippage, a pleasant match the entire means by. We had been off to a great begin. At slower paces, the shoe desires to go quick; I used to be pleasantly stunned to see myself working 15-30 seconds quicker with none further effort. For sure, it’s one of many lightest footwear within the Brooks lineup, so it has a “not there” really feel that allowed me to effortlessly run by my paces. The Fast Roll rocker geometry permits for a easy turnover by the stride.
So far as the midsole, it’s DNA Flash carried out proper. I at all times needed an on a regular basis model of the Hyperion Elite, and that’s mainly what this shoe is. I by no means beloved the rigidity of the Hyperion Elite, and with out a carbon plate, the Hyperion Max is far more versatile and straightforward on the legs. You don’t get the identical snap off the toes, however I used to be greater than okay with it. So far as the precise really feel of the midsole, it’s not as tremendous bouncy as, say, the Saucony Endorphin Pace, however it’s responsive in the way in which that you really want in an uptempo shoe. It simply feels proper when selecting up the paces.
I did take this out for a ten-mile run final weekend and thought that it held up effectively over that distance. Whereas I’ll not take it a lot previous that, and go for one thing with somewhat extra cushion on lengthy lengthy runs, when you like a extra responsive really feel in a shoe, then you definately’ll benefit from the journey of the Hyperion Max.
The rubber protection on the outsole is fairly strong as effectively, greater than the opposite Hyperions, which is one thing that was wanted.
The shoe positively falls into that “do-it-all” class of different footwear just like the Saucony Endorphin Pace 3, Asics Superblast, and the Hoka Mach 5. It could actually deal with just about something you throw at it, and shines the brightest as an uptempo shoe for these interval or speedwork days.
THOMAS: Robbe has lined the technical facets of the Hyperion Max. I’ll settle in and let you know in regards to the expertise. The higher is near-perfect in match. The engineered mesh is breathable and contours the foot whereas the heel counter cradles you securely over the midsole. The skinny tongue protected the arch from lace chew and stayed in place with out a gusset regardless of the lace keep positioned in direction of the underside of the tongue. My dimension 10.5 match true to dimension with no hotspots.
The midsole is sculpted (Brooks calls it Fast Roll), and certainly, it does roll by your stride. The form enhances the sensation of a easy touchdown and take-off by the working phases. You’ll discover the DNA Flash midsole on the firmer facet however nonetheless resilient. The feeling is well-cushioned with out feeling mushy. In case you are acquainted with the Hyperion Elite 3, you get the identical foam traits however a extra versatile pure really feel underfoot.
Footwear have gotten so good that runners are getting pickier in regards to the particulars. Like, we speak about outsoles lots. The Hyperion Max has a beneficiant quantity of cheesy rubber on the outsole. I ran on free gravel trails round Woman Hen in Austin, Texas, whereas hitting some moist brick, moist wooden decking, dry roads, and the whole lot in between again right here in Baltimore. The rubber on the Hyperion Max by no means failed me.
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The Unhealthy
ROBBE: As a standalone shoe, I’ve no issues with this shoe. It does what it’s meant to, and it does it very effectively. My predominant challenge is with the naming conference. When the common shopper sees “max,” there’s a sure customary or feeling that comes together with it. We’re speaking about that Hoka marshmallow, that New Stability extra is extra, that Saucony grand triumph. It’s not any of these, not shut. It’s not even an precise max model of the Hyperion Tempo, which is your complete thought behind the identify. It’s a barely upgraded model of the Tempo.
In reality, I don’t know why this and the Tempo– of which the second model will probably be referred to as merely the Hyperion in 2023– even exist in the identical line. Like, who would purchase each of those footwear after they’re so carefully aligned with one another? The Hyperion Max can do the whole lot the Tempo does within the tempo vary, and it might probably double down as a every day coach. Why have each? Simply doesn’t make sense. I assume if you wish to supply some very particular use circumstances, then that’s cool, however does the common Brooks buyer get that granular? Let’s be actual– no. Choose a lane and follow it, don’t give us one path with a 55 mph pace restrict and one other with a 60.
The worth level is okay at $170, however for what the shoe is, I’d prefer to see it a bit decrease (like within the $150 vary), particularly since you will get Endorphin Pace 3 for a similar worth, which is a greater shoe general.
THOMAS: Let’s begin with the identify. There may be nothing “max” about this shoe. The stack isn’t max. The cushioning isn’t max. The one factor I can consider is that the designer’s identify is Max. In fact, it’s extra of a tempo shoe, however you see the issue now.
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Brooks Hyperion Max Conclusion
ROBBE: I feel our preliminary ideas on the shoe had been reserved, however as soon as we obtained extra miles in it and set the shoe inside its correct framework, we ended up actually having fun with it. It’s positively one of the best (or most enjoyable) Brooks shoe proper now, no query. Should you appreciated the Hyperion Tempo that got here out earlier than we even knew the phrase Covid (for actual, it’s been that lengthy), and also you’re on the lookout for a greater model of that shoe, then you must choose up the Hyperion Max. Even when you’re not, you must choose it up.
Seems we weren’t catfished by the Hyperion Max, however I nonetheless don’t know why my 401k steadiness reads zero. I’ll test to see if it obtained transferred to my different account managed by my Nigerian prince buddy.
THOMAS: Regardless of the confusion over the identify, I just like the Hyperion Max. The journey is energetic and feels gentle on the foot. There are means too many nice race day shoe choices for me to select this shoe for race day, however I prefer it for a every day coach that may change gears and choose up the tempo. I’d examine the Hyperion Max to the Saucony Endorphin Pace, New Stability Insurgent, Adidas Adizero Adios, Asics Magic Pace, and the Skechers Razor.
You possibly can choose up the Brooks Hyperion Max on January 1, 2023, for $170 at Operating Warehouse (that includes free 2-day delivery and 90-day returns) by utilizing the store hyperlink beneath.
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