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.
Brooks' first real super trainer — a solid long-run cruiser with upgraded bouncy DNA Gold midsole, but it's heavy, not very versatile, and a bit unstable from the medial cutout. Scored 11-12 out of 15 (green).
Best for: Long slow distance cruising from 6 to 20 miles
Brooks' first legitimate super trainer — DNA Gold and the nylon plate deliver a smooth, bouncy, versatile ride that has held up over 100 miles, but the medial midfoot cutout is unstable and the upper is heavier than it needs to be.
Best for: Uptempo long runs and versatile daily training for neutral runners with narrow feet
Reviewers disagreed sharply: one found the PEBA-dual-foam geometry versatile enough to handle easy runs, tempo, long runs, and even track work despite the weight; the other felt the heavy upper, padded heel, and insufficient medial cutout made it too heavy and uncomfortable compared to lighter super-trainers.
Best for: Recreational runners who want a max-cushion super-trainer that can double as a stable long-run or even marathon option
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.
Best for: Heavier-set runners who want a stable, durable, max-cushion plated trainer for easy efforts
The heaviest shoe of the group with a rigid, controlling rocker ride that isn't clicking for EDDBUD; loses head-to-head against the Sonicblast.
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.
A well-cushioned, durable super-trainer that slots in perfectly as a long-run and marathon-training shoe, though its weight, heavy-pronator-unfriendly medial cutout, limited versatility, and $200 price make it a narrow recommendation.
Best for: Marathon training long runs at goal pace for neutral or mild pronators, including heavier runners
The best Hyperion Max yet thanks to the softer DNA Gold top layer, but it's a bit heavy and the $200 price is steep unless you're a larger runner who can use it as a do-everything shoe.
Best for: Bigger, taller runners who want one shoe for daily training, speedwork, and race day
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.
Best for: Marathon-pace long runs, tempo work, workouts within long runs, or easing the perceived effort of long training miles; also race-capable.
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.
Best for: Marathon-pace workhorse and comfortable long run cruiser
An enjoyable first-run experience that plays to the shoe's strengths as a chunky, bouncy, rockered long-run cruiser — but the weight raises doubts about its versatility as a true super trainer.
Best for: Relaxed long runs where you change pace, and marathon-training cruising miles
A comfortable, cushioned long-run trainer that does steady marathon-paced miles fine but feels heavy and one-dimensional for a super trainer and is hard to justify at its price.
Best for: Longer, consistent-pace marathon training runs where comfort and protection matter more than snap
Compared to other road long run in the same lane.
