ASICS Superblast 3 vs Brooks Hyperion Max 3

Ride profile: maximal cushion , soft_plush feel , high energy return , neutral stability , moderate rocker.

• One of the best long-run shoes on the market thanks to its soft FF Blast foam and great lockdown, though this version's outsole durability is a step down from the Superblast 2.

  Ride:Super soft, lightweight, and comfortable for 20K-30K long runs; can feel a little unstable at faster paces/tight corners.

  In their words: "amazing for those long runs" · "a real shame about the durability"

  — Ben Parkes , source

• A soft, comfortable shoe Fordy still takes out for 12-15 mile runs, but which he doesn't consider suited to his very longest long-run mileage.

  Ride:Soft, cushioned ride; comfortable for mid-length runs but not rated for his very longest miles.

  In their words: "if you like a soft shoe"

  — FORDY RUNS , source

• An impressively light max-cushion trainer that shines on long, steady marathon-pace efforts, but several testers found it softer and 'mushier' than expected, less specialized than the Superblast 2, and not clearly worth its higher price over the Novablast 6.

  Ride:Softer, more compressive, and more consistent underfoot than the Novablast 6 thanks to the full-length FF Leap top layer, giving a smooth heel-to-toe roll well suited to marathon-pace long runs — but a couple of testers found it 'mushy' at slower paces and less versatile for faster work than the previous Superblast 2.

  Fit:True to size with a roomy toe box, though slightly less heel-collar padding than the Novablast 6.

  In their words: "much softer, more compressive, more highly cushioned" · "a little bit mushy" · "lost some of its upper pace edge"

  — The Run Testers , 40 mi tested , source

• Kofuzi calls the Superblast 3 one of the best shoes in its class -- lighter than the Neo Vista 3, capable of both daily training and picking up the pace -- and says it's his preferred option overall despite the $210 price.

  Ride:Squishier, airier, bouncier FF Blast top foam evened out by a firmer daily-training bottom layer; noticeably lighter than the Neo Vista 3 and better at picking up the pace.

  In their words: "one of the best in its class" · "relatively feather weight"

  — Kofuzi , source

Ride profile: maximal cushion , firm_responsive feel , high energy return , neutral stability .

• 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"

  — Kofuzi , source

• 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.

  — Run Moore , 100 mi tested , source

• 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"

  — The Run Testers , 37 mi tested , source

• 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"

  — EDDBUD , source