ASICS Superblast 2 vs Brooks Hyperion Max 3
A side-by-side comparison grounded in verdicts from 5 reviewers with every source linked. We don't invent quotes; every claim below is attributed.
Specs at a glance
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.
Superblast 2 is the best shoe you can buy — different tier
One reviewer prefers the Hyperion Max 3's heel and less aggressive taper over the Superblast
Lighter, similar versatility, more accommodating fit
ASICS Superblast 2 — what reviewers say
Ride profile: maximal cushion , soft_plush feel , neutral stability .
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The Superblast 2 remains a great option for runners wanting a stable and predictable ride, though it lacks the overt toe-off feel of the new version.
Ride:Consistent, resilient underfoot feel with a firmer, less wild sensation; requires break-in time
Fit:Traditional upper with full eyelet usage; no need for a runner's knot
In their words: "a little bit more stable and predictable" · "loved the nice consistent underfoot feel" · "lacking in that avert sort of toe off"
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Steve calls the Superblast 2 the most versatile shoe in the Blast family, combining elements of every other Blast shoe into a balanced, fast, cushioned unisex trainer.
Ride:Combines Novablast-like forefoot launchpad with a wider forefoot fit; not overly bouncy, keeps you moving forward with nice cushion
Fit:Fits wider in the forefoot; true to size
In their words: "the most versatile of all of them" · "balanced, grounded, fast, it's light" · "it fits wide"
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Nathan's pick over the Megablast for proven stability and durability; Klein and Solless find the forefoot taper and heel transition hold it back vs the newer Megablast.
Ride:Firmer, more structured, stable-neutral ride; heel transition feels a little shanky off the back but settles in for long mileage.
Fit:Narrower tapered toe box that can feel short; accommodating stretch in the upper helps once broken in after ~75-80 miles.
In their words: "more accommodating stretch" · "more stable neutral" · "true neutral shoe"
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About as close as you'll get to a one-shoe marathon rotation — handles the full training block and can race the marathon. Expensive but worth it.
Ride:Big stack that doesn't weigh like one. Soft and bouncy without being soggy, wide platform for stability and leg-sparing energy at most paces. Excellent padded heel collars and roomy toe box. Feeds back energy when you put it in; looks after you when intensity dips.
In their words: "one of the most versatile going" · "big cushion comfort that's soft and bouncy" · "surprisingly light for its overall bulkiness"
Brooks Hyperion Max 3 — what reviewers say
Ride profile: maximal cushion , firm_responsive feel , high energy return , neutral stability .
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Kofuzi considers the Hyperion Max 3 a pretty good shoe and strongly prefers it over the Max 4, finding it more pliable, less rigid, and more agreeable across a range of paces.
In their words: "a little bit more pliable and a little bit more agreeable to run in"
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Reviewer's favorite of the three Brooks Max shoes — bridges Brooks into the high-performance non-plated conversation alongside the Mizuno Neo Vista and HOKA Mach X.
Ride:Best in class for non-carbon-plated high-cushion fast training shoes. 18-mile run felt great the whole way; over 100 miles in and it still looks and feels new.
Fit:Surprisingly wider fit than expected; unique upper that works very well.
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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"
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 2 if
- Marathon trainees wanting one shoe to do everything, including race day and very high-mileage durability. — FORDY RUNS
- Marathon racing, tempo workouts, or higher-mileage days for runners wanting a premium max-cushion performance trainer — Run Moore
- Long runs with some faster work, and easy/recovery miles for neutral runners — Kofuzi
- Half-marathon to marathon training and longer miles at moderate-to-fast paces — FORDY RUNS
- Marathon-focused runners using it as an impact protector on long/slow efforts; heavier runners — EDDBUD
- Long runs and marathon training for fans of firmer rides — FORDY RUNS
Consider the Brooks Hyperion Max 3 if
- Relaxed long runs where you change pace, and marathon-training cruising miles — The Run Testers
- Fall marathon training and racing; runners wanting a non-carbon-plated alternative to a race-day shoe. — Run Moore
- Longer, consistent-pace marathon training runs where comfort and protection matter more than snap — The Run Testers
- Long slow distance cruising from 6 to 20 miles — Believe in the Run
- Bigger, taller runners who want one shoe for daily training, speedwork, and race day — Kofuzi
- Marathon training long runs at goal pace for neutral or mild pronators, including heavier runners — FORDY RUNS
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between the ASICS Superblast 2 and the Brooks Hyperion Max 3?
The ASICS Superblast 2 is a daily trainer and the Brooks Hyperion Max 3 is a long run. By the numbers, the ASICS Superblast 2 weighs 249g, has a 46mm heel stack and an 8mm drop, while the Brooks Hyperion Max 3 weighs 289g, has a 46mm heel stack and an 8mm drop. The Brooks Hyperion Max 3 has a SpeedVault nylon plate; the ASICS Superblast 2 has none. MSRP is $200 for the ASICS Superblast 2 and $200 for the Brooks Hyperion Max 3.
Should I buy the ASICS Superblast 2 or the Brooks Hyperion Max 3?
FORDY RUNS on the ASICS Superblast 2: Marathon trainees wanting one shoe to do everything, including race day and very high-mileage durability. The Run Testers on the Brooks Hyperion Max 3: Relaxed long runs where you change pace, and marathon-training cruising miles.
Per FORDY RUNS, The Run Testers.
Has anyone reviewed both the ASICS Superblast 2 and the Brooks Hyperion Max 3?
Yes — FORDY RUNS, Doctors of Running, and The Run Testers directly compared the ASICS Superblast 2 and the Brooks Hyperion Max 3 in their reviews.
Per FORDY RUNS, Doctors of Running, The Run Testers.
Which is lighter, the ASICS Superblast 2 or the Brooks Hyperion Max 3?
The ASICS Superblast 2 is lighter, at 249g versus 289g (men's 9) — about 40g less.