ASICS Superblast v3 vs Brooks Hyperion Max v3
A side-by-side comparison grounded in verdicts from 6 reviewers with every source linked. We don't invent quotes; every claim below is attributed.
Specs at a glance
The consensus read
Each paragraph is a synthesis across every reviewer in our database for that shoe — what they collectively concluded after wear-testing. Not a quote. Not one person's take. The shape of the room.
ASICS Superblast v3
A softer, bouncier evolution that excels from easy runs through marathon pace, though some testers flag it as a step too far in cushioning for faster work or those preferring the Superblast 2's structure.
Brooks Hyperion Max v3
A max-stack marathon trainer with a bouncier DNA Gold midsole that excels at steady long-run paces but struggles with versatility; the weight and medial cutout instability limit its appeal beyond dedicated distance training, and reviewers question the $200 price.
Reviewers who wore both
Direct paired observations — reviewers who actually ran in both of these and wrote the contrast. This is the strongest comparative signal on the page.
Hyperion Max 3 uses race foam over daily training foam with a plastic plate, but feels heavier on foot than its weight suggests and has too little PEBA; Superblast 3 is a better execution of the same formula at similar price ($200 vs $210).
Lighter, similar versatility, more accommodating fit
One reviewer prefers the Hyperion Max 3's heel and less aggressive taper over the Superblast
Superblast 2 is the best shoe you can buy — different tier
ASICS Superblast v3 — what reviewers say
Ride profile: maximal cushion , soft_plush feel , high energy return , neutral stability , moderate rocker.
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A softer, bouncier, more versatile super-trainer that does everything the Novablast 5 does and then some; two testers strongly prefer it despite the higher price, though one feels it has drifted from the v2's tempo specialism into a jack-of-all-trades.
Ride:FF Blast foam (as seen in Metaspeed Sky) delivers a softer, bouncier, more energetic ride than the Novablast 5. Lighter than Novablast 5 despite more stack; not notably less stable. Softer than Superblast 2, so better for easy runs but less optimal for the smooth tempo/cruise pace the v2 excelled at. Good grip and durability impressed testers.
Fit:True to size; slightly roomier than Novablast 5 with a bit more space before the big toe and a slightly higher toe box
In their words: "a softer, bouncier ride" · "responds better at faster speeds" · "gone a little too soft for my liking"
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David ranks it his #3 of 2026 so far — a soft, bouncy, rhythmic trainer that settles into easy miles, though the soft heel and forefoot may not suit runners who prefer firmer midsoles.
Ride:Flight Foam Leap topsole is very soft, bouncy, and rhythmic; Blast Plus underneath with a small arch chassis for stability. David found the heel a touch too soft and preferred Megablast's full-length FF Turbo Plus for his pacing.
In their words: "soft, it's bouncy, it's rhythmic" · "settle into an easy rhythm" · "a little soft for me in the heel"
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The Superblast 3 is the king of forgiving cushion without the weight, making it a versatile high-mileage trainer and an appealing unplated marathon option for runners who want softness and pop without a brick-like plated shoe.
Ride:Much softer than the Superblast 2 out of the box with no break-in needed; forgiving cushion with a fun toe-off sensation
Fit:Lace loops improve wrap around the foot; no heel slip with a runner's knot
In their words: "doesn't need that breakin time" · "forgiving cushion but without the weight" · "much much softer"
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A versatile do-it-all shoe that continues the Superblast tradition — excels from recovery pace through marathon effort, with the FF Leap upgrade making it especially rewarding at faster paces, though $210 is pricey.
Ride:Soft and springy with an emphasized forefoot bounce pod in both the FF Leap top layer and FF Blast Plus bottom layer; shines when picking up the pace to steady or marathon effort.
Fit:Fits similarly to Superblast 2; slightly roomy with a bit more volume on top of the foot; cord lacing system claims dynamic fit but feels the same as traditional eyelets to the reviewer.
In their words: "ultimate doit all kind of shoe" · "really excellent marathon shoe" · "speedy long runs"
Brooks Hyperion Max v3 — what reviewers say
Ride profile: maximal cushion , firm_responsive feel , high energy return , neutral stability .
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A soft-yet-fast $200 super trainer that fixes the Max 2's firmness and fit issues — great for performance-oriented long runs and tempo work.
Ride:Soft, highly-cushioned but fast with a nice toe-off; corrects the v2's overly-firm, narrow feel.
Fit:Unusual upper with booty-cup construction works well — supportive, well-padded heel, no slippage, still accommodates wider feet.
In their words: "a big beefy boy" · "soft and high cushion but very fast" · "a nice toe off feel"
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A very different shoe from the Max 2 — now a big, bouncy max-stack super trainer that's great for marathon-pace long runs but lacks the snap for fast sessions and is overpriced given the weight.
Ride:New DNA Gold + DNA Flash V2 setup is bouncier and more comfortable than the firmer Max 2; excels at marathon-pace cruising and long runs; weight and bulk work against it at faster paces; stability acceptable for the high stack
Fit:True to size across all four testers; upper is closer and more racy than Max 2; booty-style design with reserved padding around laces and inside heel collar; some found it warm; one tester felt forefoot was unusually roomy
In their words: "marathon pace, long run potential" · "much more close and hugging" · "I do think it's a limited shoe"
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A well-built but confusingly heavy max-stack trainer whose bulky upper spoils the DNA Gold midsole; scored 9.1/12 overall, with the reviewer feeling Brooks should have trimmed the upper and weight like they did on the Hyperion Elite 5.
Ride:Dense, controlling ride with the plate most noticeable in the heel and DNA Gold PEBA more prominent in the forefoot; feels locked into cruising pace and takes effort at half-marathon pace due to weight; stable but not particularly fun or propulsive.
Fit:Constrictive upper, hard to get into, needs a shoe horn; shallow toe box height; booty-like construction does most of the lockdown; true to size with no need to go up a half size; better suited to normal-to-wide feet rather than narrow.
In their words: "Hyperion overload rather than max" · "a bit of a Frankenstein model" · "quite a controlling shoe this one"
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A dual-foam marathon training shoe with a PEBA top layer over DNA Flash; heavy at ~312g and expensive, with a midfoot cutout that can feel unstable, but the reviewer personally likes it.
In their words: "made it a bit unstable for some" · "this is your marathon training shoe" · "it's also a heavy shoe"
Who should buy which
Use cases the reviewers above actually call out — one bullet per distinct take, attributed. Where reviewers converge (e.g. "5K to half marathon" appearing across multiple takes) the agreement is a stronger buying signal than any single voice.
Consider the ASICS Superblast v3 if
- Speedy long runs and marathon-effort miles, while also serving as a comfortable max-cushion or daily trainer. — Kofuzi
- Runners who like a softer, higher-stack daily trainer at easy paces — FORDY RUNS
- Runners finding the Megablast too firm — FORDY RUNS
- Long-range daily miles with a bouncier, more fun ride than v2 — EDDBUD
- Leisurely midweek miles replacing the role of the Vomero Premium — FORDY RUNS
- High-mileage runners who want one comfortable, bouncy shoe for easy runs through tempo and slower marathon racing. — The Run Testers
Consider the Brooks Hyperion Max v3 if
- Relaxed long runs where you change pace, and marathon-training cruising miles — The Run Testers
- Bigger, taller runners who want one shoe for daily training, speedwork, and race day — Kofuzi
- Marathon-pace workhorse and comfortable long run cruiser — The Run Testers
- Recreational runners who want a max-cushion super-trainer that can double as a stable long-run or even marathon option — Doctors of Running
- Marathon-pace long runs, tempo work, workouts within long runs, or easing the perceived effort of long training miles; also race-capable. — Run Moore
- Uptempo long runs and versatile daily training for neutral runners with narrow feet — Doctors of Running